TEAM ROCKSTAR MAKITA SUZUKI Grabs A Second-Place Podium And Fourth Overall At Redbud Motocross

Buchanan, MI
(July 2, 2011) – Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki used the power of
its Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450s to tackle the competition
during the sixth round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at
the Rockstar Energy Drink Redbud National in Buchanan, MI on
Saturday. Both Ryan Dungey and teammate Brett Metcalfe powered their
RM-Zs to solid results in front of a massive crowd in Michigan with
solid second- and fourth-place overall finishes, respectively.

Dungey was strong all day on his RM-Z.
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider had good morning practices and great
starts in both motos. Dungey was fourth out of the gate in moto one
but quickly moved into third during the first lap. By the seventh
lap, he was able to grab second and then put his head down and
powered his RM-Z after the leader. Dungey charged hard for the next
nine laps and caught up to the leader but wasn’t able to make a
pass and settled for a second-place finish. In moto two, Dungey’s
RM-Z450 rocketed him out of the gate and into the front for the
holeshot. He slipped to second in the first lap and charged hard for
the 16-lap race but ended up crossing the line for another second,
which gave him a second-place overall finish for the day. The
reigning champion remains third in the championship points, just six
points out of second.

"It was a good day,” said
Dungey. “I went two-two on the day. Practice was good. I got off to
good starts on my RM-Z. I battled and almost got first in the first
moto; I just came up a little short. Second again in the second moto
– It was tough. The track was challenging and I fought the track in
a few places. But overall, it was a good day. My Rockstar Makita
Suzuki team did a great job and my Suzuki ran great this weekend.
We’ll just keep moving forward. I’m looking forward to Millville,
my hometown race. We have this week off and we’ll be able to work
on a few things on the bike and physically and mentally as well. Just
try to get better in a few areas and show up better. That’s the
goal. Millville is a great track; a fun race, my hometown race, and
the fans are great. It’s one of my favorite tracks in the series.”

Teammate Brett Metcalfe started the day
strong with the fifth fastest time in qualifying. The Rockstar Makita
Suzuki rider used the power of his RM-Z to launch himself into fifth
out of the gate directly behind his teammate in the first moto. He
was able to make the pass for fourth in the second lap and rode
strong for the remaining 14 laps to finish fourth. In moto two,
Metcalfe once again pulled a good start that put him up with the
front pack. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider immediately slotted
himself in fifth and charged hard for the 16-lap race to finish in
the fifth position. His four-five finishes were good enough for a
fourth-place overall. Metcalfe’s strong result moved him up two
slots in the championship points race to fourth place.

"Redbud went really, really good,”
said Metcalfe. “I was extremely happy with the day and to finally
have a result in the top five, where I feel I belong, was important.
Especially finishing up with a good result here before the week off
and heading into the second half of the season. Everything was
working great for us. My Rockstar Makita Suzuki was working awesome
and I really feel like we found the setup I need and now it’s just
getting out there and getting the results I want. I qualified well so
I got a good gate pick, which was important to get good starts. I was
able to run up to the front pack and keep myself separated from the
rest of the field. I was able to get a fourth in the first moto and a
fifth in the second, which gave me a fourth overall for the day – a
much better result than the last couple weeks. I want to thank the
entire Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and Yoshimura for getting my bike
dialed in here for Redbud. I’m looking forward to having a weekend
off and we’re gonna put our heads down and try to make more
improvements. I’m looking forward to Millville. It’s a great
track and similar to Redbud, so our bike setup should be pretty good.
I look to try to be up front and sneak in for our first podium of the
year.”

The Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s
next event is the seventh round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross
Championship on Saturday, July 16th, at the Spring Creek National in
Millville, MN.

Redbud 450 Class Overall Results:

1. Chad Reed

2. Ryan Dungey

3. Ryan Villopoto

4. Brett Metcalfe

5. Mike Alessi

6. Justin Brayton

7. Andrew Short

8. David Millsaps

9. Kevin Windham

10. Christian Craig

2011 Motocross 450 Class Standings:

1. Chad Reed – 268

2. Ryan Villopoto – 252

3. Ryan Dungey – 246

4. Brett Metcalfe – 178

5. David Millsaps – 173

6. Kevin Windham – 172

7. Andrew Short – 130

8. Christian Craig – 119

9. Mike Alessi – 115

10. Jake Weimer – 112

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.