TEAM FMF MAKITA SUZUKI’S Josh Strang Rallies After Crash At Powerline GNCC

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH (October 10,
2011) – FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang bounced back from a
spectacular crash in the Powerline GNCC in St. Clairsville, OH, and
rallied with a solid fifth-place finish. Strang put in a heroic ride
on his FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 in the latest round of the Grand
National Cross Country Series on Sunday, and remains in the runner-up
position in the overall points chase.

The start of the
race saw Strang get an impressive launch on his FMF Makita Suzuki,
and he was in third place as the frontrunners entered the woods for
the first time. Just a few miles into the three-hour event, however,
the course cut through one of Powerline Park’s notorious mud holes
and Strang chose a line that unfortunately directed him into a tree
and off a frighteningly steep ledge.

“I got a good
start on the FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and was up there with the
leaders,” said Strang. “But when we came to the mud hole, there
were two different lines and I took one and just clipped a tree and
went off line and ended up going off a five-foot embankment.”

Strang lost
valuable time getting back into the race, but he managed to settle
into a pace that eventually carried him up into a three-way battle
for third. Unfortunately, another mud hole took its toll and Strang
wound up in fifth at the race’s end.

“It was just a
disappointing day,” admitted Strang. “But these things happen in
racing. At this point, I just want to have a clean race and get a win
on the FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 – I just want to get back down to
business and start winning again.”

With three races
remaining on the schedule, defending series champion Strang still has
a legitimate shot at the title. Thirty points are up for grabs at the
next race, and Strang is determined that those points will be his.

“The Ironman
is a good race,” said Strang about the next event. “I like that
track and it suits the FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450, so I usually do
well there. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully getting the
win.”

The 2011 FMF Makita Suzuki team’s
next event is Sunday, October 23rd, in Crawfordsville, IN, for the
Ironman GNCC. Follow team updates on SuzukiScoopFans on facebook and
SuzukiScoop on twitter.

Powerline
GNCC XC1 Class Results:

1. Kailub Russell

2. Charles Mullins

3. Thaddeus Duvall

4. Paul Whibley

5. Josh Strang

6. Jimmy Jarrett

7. Mike Lafferty

8. Nathan Kanney

9. Jesse Robinson

10. Scott Watkins

2011 GNCC XC-1 Class Standings:

1. Charles Mullins – 245

2. Josh Strang – 219

3. Paul Whibley – 213

4. Kailub Russell– 180

5. Nathan Kanney– 160

6. Cory Buttrick – 120

7. Mike Lafferty – 105

8. Jimmy Jarrett – 98

9. Thaddeus Duvall – 96

10. Christopher Bach – 96

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 FMF: Owner and founder Don
Emler started FMF Racing in 1973. Don’s vision was to provide the
top level US racing equipment at the grass roots level. FMF was
formed in Don’s garage and is now located in Rancho Dominguez in a
90,000 sq ft state of the art manufacturing facility. FMF’s goal is
simple; design and manufacture the world’s best performance exhaust
100% in the USA under one roof. For more information visit
http://www.fmfracing.com.

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.

Team FMF Makita Suzuki is grateful
for the support of their sponsors: FMF, Makita Industrial Power
Tools, Dunlop, Maxima, Renthal, Motion Pro, DP Brakes, Acerbis,
ProFilter, Trek, Hinson Clutch Components, RG3, Zip Ty, CTI, IMS, La
Piparosa, DID Dirt Star, Works Connection, Pro X, Tokyo Mods, T.M.
Designworks, TCR Hubs, Matrix Concepts, CV4, GPR Stabilizers, Posey,
N-Style and GoPro.