TEAM ROCKSTAR MAKITA SUZUKI Grabs A Podium Finish In A Grueling Daytona Supercross

Ryan Dungey and his team overcome adversity and fight back for a
third-place podium finish

BREA, CA
(March 6, 2011) – Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey
overcame adversity to put his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450 on
the podium with a third-place finish last night during the ninth
round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship at the Daytona
International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Teammate Brett Metcalfe
had a rough night, finishing 18th in the grueling 20-lap main event.

Dungey started the day with a strong
showing in practice, ending up with the fourth best time on the tough
Daytona layout. In his heat race, his RMZ powered him out of the gate
and put him right up to the front. After several strong laps in the
lead, Dungey suffered an unfortunate mechanical issue, resulting in a
DNF (Did Not Finish). His Rockstar Makita Suzuki team pulled together
and rallied to make a quick engine swap in order to prepare for the
last chance qualifier (LCQ). Dungey rocketed out of his poor gate
choice in the LCQ and ended up winning the four-lap race. Due to the
trip to the LCQ, Dungey ended up with the 19th gate pick for the main
event. Despite the poor starting position, Dungey and his Suzuki
bolted from the gate to a mid-pack position and methodically worked
his way through the pack, eventually crossing the line in third
place.

“I owe a lot to my Rockstar Makita
Suzuki team today,” said Dungey. “They worked their butt off to
get my Suzuki ready for the LCQ and for it to run that good in the
main was unbelievable. I’m really happy – we had our work cut out
for us tonight. With the cards that were dealt and the circumstances,
I think we handled everything the best we could and did all we could.
I think at the end of the day, we’re happy with the result. I’m
really looking forward to Indy; the new Lucas Oil Stadium is really
cool and the fans there are great. It’ll be good to get back
indoors.”

Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Brett
Metcalfe came to Daytona somewhat battered and bruised after a
significant crash in Atlanta last week. The tough Aussie soldiered
through the day with a decent practice and a strong heat race in
which he finished fifth. In the main, after a poor start and ending
up in 11th position after the first lap, Metcalfe was able to work
his Suzuki up to eighth place before a mistake put him on the ground
on lap 13. Metcalfe remounted to eventually finish a disappointing
18th.

“This track is always tough,” said
Metcalfe. “And last week’s crash took a lot out of me physically.
I knew it was gonna be tough coming in, but I tried to be positive.
We got better through practice – My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team
really got the bike working good for me and I couldn’t really ask
for anything more. I just wasn’t physically prepared for that kind
of race. I tried to make a game plan and stick to it, but I lost that
game plan about halfway through the main. I felt good at the
beginning of the main, but by the halfway point, it was tough for me
and I lost a bit of focus there. We’re still in one piece and I
just hope to have a good week and move on.”

The 2011 Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s
next event is Saturday, March 12th, at Lucas Oil Stadium in
Indianapolis, IN. You can meet the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team riders
on Friday, March 11th, from 6 to 7 PM at Dreyer Motorsports, 4170 W.
Washington St., Indianapolis, IN.

Daytona Supercross Class Results:

1. Ryan Villopoto

2. Chad Reed

3. Ryan Dungey

4. Andrew Short

5. David Millsaps

6. Justin Brayton

7. Kevin Windham

8. Ken Roczen

9. James Stewart

10. Mike Alessi

18. Brett Metcalfe

2011 Supercross Class Standings:

1. Ryan Villopoto – 196

2. James Stewart – 173

3. Chad Reed – 172

4. Ryan Dungey – 165

5. Trey Canard – 154

6. Andrew Short – 128

7. Brett Metcalfe – 107

8. Justin Brayton – 105

9. David Millsaps – 104

10. Kevin Windham – 89

About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) founded The
Motorcycle and ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation
(ASMC), Brea, CA, in 1963. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an
extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC's parent company,
Suzuki Motor Corporation, based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified
worldwide manufacturer of motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, automobiles
and marine engines. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has
120 distributors in 191 countries. For more information, visit
www.suzukicycles.com.
Follow Suzuki Scoop on facebook for exclusive team content
www.facebook.com/suzukiscoopfans.

About Rockstar: ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful Energy
Drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo,
Ginseng, and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an
incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting
lifestyles – from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is
available in sixteen amazing flavors. Also, check out ROCKSTAR Energy
Gum and ROCKSTAR Energy Shots. ROCKSTAR Energy Drink supports the
active Rockstar lifestyle in every sport. Go
to www.rockstar69.com
for athlete and event updates, videos, profiles, and product
information.

About Makita: Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial
quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial
accessories. Makita applies leading-edge technology and innovation to
engineer tools that are more compact with less weight yet deliver
industrial strength power and results. Makita innovation includes
Makita LXT®, the industry’s first 18V lithium-ion cordless lineup.
The Makita Teal color is the trade dress of Makita Corporation and
is protected under common law and registered with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. Makita is Best in Class Engineering. For more
information visit www.makitatools.com.

About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader
in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched
skills, knowledge and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the
forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are
race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit, and
quality that have been their trademark for more than five decades. To
learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance
products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.

Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki is grateful for the support of their
sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, Makita Industrial Power Tools,
Yoshimura R&D, Dunlop, Motorex, Vortex, Pro Taper, ONE
Industries, Works Connection, Hinson Clutch Components, Renegade
Fuels, Twin Air, Showa, Mechanix Wear, Fox, Matrix, Suzuki Equator,
Maas Brothers, D.I.D., Excel, CP Pistons and NGK.