Michael Jordan Motorsports / Suzuki today announced that riders Jason Pridmore, Steve Rapp and Montez Stewart will compete on Suzuki GSXR 1000 motorcycle road race equipment for the 2005 American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Superbike Series.
The riders will concentrate on two classes of racing. Pridmore will focus on both the AMA series 1000cc Superbike and 1000cc Superstock feature classes, with Rapp and Stewart focusing on the Superstock class. Rapp and Stewart are also scheduled to appear in the Superbike class with Superstock equipment throughout the season. All riders will compete using new 2005 Suzuki GSXR 1000 machines prepared by Gemini Technology Systems.
Primary sponsorship for the Michael Jordan Motorsports team will come from the Jordan Brand. Other major team sponsors include Suzuki Motor Company, Yoshimura R&D, Gatorade, and Dunlop Tires, with more to be announced at a later date. Pete Mauhar of Gemini Technology Systems of Wisconsin will again manage the technical aspects of the team. Ammar Bazzaz of BPD (formerly with Yoshimura / Suzuki's Mat Mladin) will also be assigned as team Superbike Crew Chief and attend to the technical data acquisition and electronic management systems. BPD will also provide the suspension maintenance for all 3 riders.
Racer Jason Pridmore, 35, is the 1997 AMA 750 SuperSport Champion, 2002 AMA Formula Extreme Champion, 2003 FIM World Endurance Champion, and is the founder of the STAR Motorcycle School. The 32-year old Rapp won 2 AMA Superstock races in 2003, with 5 more top-5 finishes. Montez Stewart, 30, raced for Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2004 and is the only returning rider for the team. Richie Alexander, 1998 AMA 750 Super Sport Champion and Pridmore's fellow STAR School Instructor will also work with the team as the Superstock class Crew Chief overseeing all three Superstock machines, riders, and crew.
The Michael Jordan Motorsports team will attend the Dunlop Tire test with new Suzuki GSXR 1000 equipment at Daytona International Speedway from January 3-5, 2005. Pridmore, Rapp and Stewart will all attend the tests.
Legendary NBA star Michael Jordan formed Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2004 as a result of his passion for motorcycle racing. His mission is to bring a new level of excellence and style to the motorcycle racing industry.
Michael Jordan Motorsports race team operations are being managed by Clear Channel Motorsports, a division of Clear Channel Entertainment.
