AGV Dainese Riders Invade Top 5 at Daytona 200

Photo by John Hanson (Hanson Images)

Costa Mesa, CA – March 15^th, 2011

During a sunny weekend in Florida, at Round 1 of the series at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona last weekend, the AGV Dainese AMA riders started their 2011 campaign with bravado.

When the AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike class returned to the track in Daytona, the Dainese line up was stronger than ever with Rockstar Makita Suzuki Blake Young, Jordan Suzuki Ben Bostrom, 2010 Daytona SportBike Champ Martin Cardenas on his M4 Suzuki along with teammate Chris Ulrich, and Geoff May on the new Erik Buell Racing, along with privateers Shane Narbonne and Eric Haugo.  The AGV Dainese riders rode very strong races both on Saturday and Sunday with Blake Young making us all very proud at Dainese when he rode his Rockstar Makita Suzuki to victory in both races, taking the “double”!  Behind Blake, Ben Bostrom and Martin Cardenas were dicing it out in very close racing with a group of pretty fast contenders, Ben and Martin scoring Top 5 overall finishes.

AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike Points Standings (after 1 of 21 races) for AGV Dainese riders:

Blake Young – 1st

Ben Bostrom – 4th

Martin Cardenas – 5th

Chris Ulrich – 10th

In the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Supersport.com SuperSport Class, Dainese’s Tomas Puerta was the strongest, leaving Daytona with a win in race 1 and a second in race 2.  David Gaviria was the surprise rider of the weekend with two podiums: a third in race 1 and a victory in race 2!  He is riding with Dainese and alongside Tomas Puerta on the Team LTD Yamaha squad.  He should be someone to watch!  AGV Dainese rider James “The Rocket” Rispoli, a favorite, struggled with his bike set up in race 1 and ended up 7^th, just behind Dainese rider Elena Myers (6^th).  In race two, James had a much better bike after discussing the problems with AGV Dainese rider Jason Pridmore and was able to stay close to the leaders and manage a podium finish, giving Dainese a sweep of the SS podium in race 2!  Elena Myers felt strong in race 1, but lost out in the drafting sequence on the banking coming out of turn 4.  She performed better on the final lap in race 2, but could only manage 7^th.

AMA Pro Motorcycle-Supersport.com SuperSport Class Daytona 200 Race 1 for AGV Dainese:

1^st – Tomas Puerta

3^rd – David Gaviria

6^th – Elena Myers

7^th – James Rispoli

AMA Pro Motorcycle-Supersport.com SuperSport Class Daytona 200 Race 2 for AGV Dainese:

1^st – David Gaviria

2^nd – Tomas Puerta

3^rd – James Rispoli

7^th – Elena Myers

In the AMA Pro Vance & Hynes XR1200 series, long time faithful AGV Dainese rider Steve Rapp took his Harley-Davidson XR1200 to a 4^th place finish on the Daytona International Speedway.

AGV Dainese would like to congratulate all of our riders for racing hard and representing us with pride on the always difficult Daytona speedway.

Dainese's Aaron Yates Gatorade Commercial

After having his picture on a limited edition Michael Jordan Gatorade bottle, Jordan Suzuki's #23 aaron Yates is featured on this national TV Gatorade ad. It's short, it's fast but it's good.

AGV Protects Jordan’s Skull

From DealerNews' blog:

Michael Jordan showed up at last weekend’s fifth round of the AMA Superbike series at Infineon Raceway to support his team, as is usual for the motorcycle fan.
Michael Jordan

Jordan, after watching qualifications on Friday, jumped on a bike (a Ducati Multistrada) and went for a ride in the beautiful countryside of Sonoma protected with an AGV Stealth helmet.

The helmet on Jordan’s bean was one of the many helmets from the National Guard Jordan Suzuki Racing Experience: the 2-Up program sponsored by Dainese and AGV.

The 2-Up program, during which all riders participating are protected head-to-toe with Dainese leathers, gloves, boots and AGV helmets, provides an exclusive on-track experience for members of the media and other selected guests at each round of the AMA National Guard Pro Racing Superbike Series.

Great Racing Weekend ahead, MotoGP and AMA Superbike

Keep an eye on all AGV and Dainese riders this weekend with the boys of MotoGP battling it down at the Gran Premio de Espana inJerez, Spain and the AMA American Superbike down in the U.S. South at Barber.

For sure, some good racing for race fans.

MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS ON THE ROSTRUM FOR BOTH RACES AT ROAD ATLANTA

MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS ON THE ROSTRUM FOR BOTH RACES AT ROAD ATLANTA

BRASELTON, GA – Michael Jordan Motorsports riders Geoff May and Aaron Yates put in impressive performances this weekend during AMA Pro Racing's Round 3 of the American Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA. May earned double podium finishes in the races, while Yates enjoyed one top five finish and picked up valuable Championship points. The riders competed at Road Atlanta on their 2008-spec Suzuki GSX-R 1000s. The bikes will now be retired and May and Yates will race on brand new 2009 GSX-Rs for the remainder of the season.

Geoff May, National Guard Jordan Suzuki No. 54 May, of nearby Gainesville, took third place in both Saturday and Sunday's American Superbike races. He has now visited the rostrum in three of the five races he’s competed in this season and sits third overall in the Championship with 92 points.

3rd PLACE, SATURDAY RACE 1 – In Race 1 May found himself down in position six (P6) by the midway point of the race, after starting on the front row. However by continuing to apply pressure and drawing on his high fitness level, May moved himself forward during the later stages of the race and put his National Guard Jordan Suzuki on the box at the checkered flag.

"I just stayed motivated," said May, who raced in front of a large contingent of local family and friends. "I just stayed patient and every time somebody made a mistake, I just picked him off."

3rd PLACE, SUNDAY RACE 2 – In Race 2 May had a huge moment on the start that resulted in not one, but two, massive wheelies off the line. Finishing the first lap in 10th position, the Georgia rider made an inspired ride to the front and joined the frantic seven rider battle for second place. May methodically moved through this intense pack and soon found himself in a battle for second place with Factory Suzuki's Blake Young. At the line, it was Young in second with May third, just a scant .2 seconds behind for his second podium of the weekend.

"I was afraid I was going to get run over at the start," said May. "I just put my head down again and we had the bike set up good for the end of the race. I've been trying to really work hard on the end of the race, on the last half, on worn-out tires. I start getting faster and faster and faster and put in my fastest laps, usually, in the last couple laps."

Aaron Yates, Jordan Suzuki No. 23
Road Atlanta fan favorite and Milledgeville, GA resident Aaron Yates had a solid weekend at the Braselton circuit, culminating in a top five finish in Sunday's contest. Yates heads into Round 4 in eighth place in Championship points with 62.

6th PLACE, SATURDAY RACE 1 – Starting from eighth position on the grid, Yates moved forward through the tough American Superbike field and soon found himself in a tussle with the Factory Yamaha of Josh Hayes. Yates and Hayes dueled throughout the 50 mile contest with Yates crossing the line a mere .02 seconds behind Hayes, finishing in sixth position.

“We only had 10 minutes of practice this morning and that really put a damper on my setup for the race,” said Yates. “It was a good battle today with Josh and my Jordan Suzuki 1000 has what it takes to run up front.”

5th PLACE, SUNDAY RACE 2 – In Sunday's Race 2 Yates was embroiled in a seven rider battle for second position for much of the race. At the back of this group after the first lap, local hero Yates continued to move forward as the race progressed. At the line, Yates put his Suzuki GSXR firmly inside the top five and recorded the second fastest lap of the race while doing so.

“Considering I didn't get the start I would have liked I'm fairly happy to get a top five finish out of the weekend, after just missing it in yesterday's race,” said Yates. “We got my 2008 GSX-R1000 working well this morning and it was a good, fast group of guys for most of the race battling for that second spot. I would like to have been further up and know my crew and GSX-R can do it. We have our 2009 Suzukis coming for Barber and I'm ready to get up on the box.”

Dainese riders on front row at Fontana

Jordan Suzuki #23 Aaron Yates picked up 2nd in the AMA Superbike Superpole yesterday while his Dainese and Michael Jordan Motorsports team mate National Guard Jordan Suzuki #54 Geoff May grabbed 4th.
The 2 Dainese riders will be on front row for the AMA Pro Racing Aerican Superbike Championship at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.

Michael Jordan Motorsports Announces Racing Experience for 2009

Press-release

CHICAGO (March 10, 2009) – Jason Pridmore officially returned to the Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) family during Round 1 of the AMA Pro Racing Superbike Series at Daytona International Speedway. In conjunction with Jason Pridmore's Star Motorcycle School and the National Guard, Pridmore will be providing exclusive on-track experiences for members of the media and other select guests at each round of the AMA Pro Racing Superbike Series with the National Guard Jordan Suzuki Racing Experience.

Pridmore will be riding a #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki GSXR-1000 race-prepared motorcycle specially equipped for passengers and outfitted with a state-of-the-art electronics telemetry system by Bazzaz Performance. This system will produce a custom video for each passenger featuring multiple camera views, RPMs, gear position, MPH, track positioning via GPS and more.

“Jason has been instrumental in making Michael Jordan Motorsports the organization it is today,” said James Casmay, General Manager of Michael Jordan Motorsports. “We are proud to be able to continue our relationship with the Star School and re-incorporate Jason's personal talents within MJM. This program is an exciting addition to our race weekend activities and is part of our expansive #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki promotional plan.”

Over the last 20 years of his professional career, Pridmore has earned national and international roadracing championships and has provided over 10,000 two-up rides to students at Pridmore Schools.

For more information on Michael Jordan Motorsports and Jason Pridmore's Star Schools, please visit:
http://www.23race.com/
http://www.starmotorcycle.com/

Michael Jordan Motorsports Launches New Websites

Press-release

CHICAGO (March 10, 2009) – Michael Jordan Motorsports is pleased to announce the launch of its 2009 website and associated internet outlets.

The website, 23race.com, has been completely revamped and redesigned to provide an internet base for both the #23 Jordan Suzuki and #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki teams. With content directly pertinent to each team and team color way, 23race.com now has improved functionality. MJM will also provide an increased virtual fan experience, via live Twitter updates and Facebook social networking.

“New media marketing is an increased focus for Michael Jordan Motorsports and to that end we've put tools in place to help keep our fans connected to the world of MJM no matter where they are,” said Kreig Robinson, Director of Business Development for Michael Jordan Motorsports. “Even if you can't make it to the race in person, you'll be able to follow the team with anything from a mobile device to a home desktop computer with intimate on-the-fly updates and then share those updates with friends.”

Over the course of the season, 23race.com will continually be updated with not only news and photos, but evolving features and team downloads. For more information please visit:

http://www.23race.com/

http://www.twitter.com/23race

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Jordan-Motorsports/51748732097

AMA Superbike - Round 1: Daytona

The various AGV and Dainese riders didn't do too bad at the first round of the AMA Superbike series in Daytona where the 2 Italian brands had strong representation.

In 2009 Dainese sponsors Team National Guard Jordan Suzuki, especially providing all the leathers and AGV helmets for the 2-up event at each race, and Team Road Racing World.

New AMA Superbike riders for 2009 include Aaron Yates, Neil Hodgson, Blake Young, Barrett Long, Shane Narbonne, all the Road Racing World team.
Great to see Geoff May extend his partnership with Dainese.

Aaron trying a perfect fit suit
Paradigm Racing's Barrett Long

Daytona 200:
Congrats to Ben Bostrom for a great win under the lights. A first at the Daytona 200. The AGV Dainese riders didn't make the podium, but come out on a rather positive note for a group of privateers and semi-privateers.
6th - Barret Long
12th - Steve Rapp
15th - Russell Wikle
41st - Shane Narbonne


AMA Superbike:
#100 Corona Extra Honda's Neil Hodgson (wearing an AGV GP-Tech helmet) finishes second ahead of Tommy Hayden, in a near dead heat that had to be decided by AMA Pro Racing's at-the-finish-line photography.
Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Blake Young took 5th
Team Jordan Suzuki Aaron Yates took 7th
National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Geoff May finished 10th
Roadracingworld.com's Chris Ulrich clinched a Top 15th spot
Barrett Long - 17th
Hooters' Shane Narbonne - 19th


AMA Supersport:
From roadracingworld.com: "Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki’s Russ Wikle made a stunning AMA Pro SuperSport Series debut at the season-opening and inaugural round of AMA Pro SuperSport at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Thursday afternoon. The 17-year-old, Huntsville, Alabama, rider rode an aggressive race on his Roadracingworld.com Suzuki GSX-R600, leading multiple laps before taking third place in the race. Wikle is racing the East Coast championship in the dual-class series."

Inside Team National Guard Jordan Suzuki
Jason Pridmore getting ready for the Two-Up rideHooters' Shane Narbonne
Photos courtesy of John Hanson (www.hansonimages.com) and Allan Jones