After several seasons riding for American Honda factory and satellite teams, former Daytona 200 winner and AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jake Zemke is switching to the Suzuki family, as he has signed to ride for the National Guard Suzuki in 2010. “We kind of knew fairly early on that Honda wasn’t coming back,” said Zemke, who rode for Erion Racing Honda in 2009. “As soon as Kevin [Erion, Erion Racing Honda Team Owner] knew that Honda wasn’t renewing his deal he let me know immediately so I wouldn’t be hung out or anything. “I’ve talked to the Jordan [Michael Jordan Motorsports/MJM] guys over the last couple of years during the off-seasons and stuff, but the timing never worked out for something to happen, for us to put something together. This year it definitely did, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to the change. I’m looking forward to getting back on big bikes [Superbikes] again. I’m really excited. I literally can’t wait to get on the bike and start riding. “I’m just happy that it all came together. It’s a great team with Jordan Motorsports and National Guard behind it. That makes things really good. It’s looking like we’re going to be a very strong team. We’re going to come into the season a little fresh, a little wet behind the ears seeing as how we will only have one test before we go to Daytona, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t do good things this year. I’m excited, and the team is excited, and we’re just looking forward to getting this thing rolling.” Along with the change of teams and machinery, Zemke’s switch to MJM organization means that his long-time affiliation with personal sponsor Red Bull will come to an end. “It does bring to an end my affiliation with Red Bull,” Zemke confirmed to Roadracingworld.com. “Those guys have been good to me over the years. It’s been great to be affiliated with them over the years. They make a good product, but I’m also looking forward to being associated with [MJM/National Guard sponsor] Gatorade. They’re a huge company, and we all know about Michael’s affiliation with Gatorade and how that all goes. It’s cool, really cool.” As for his outlook on AMA Pro Racing in 2010, Zemke said, “I’m pretty optimistic that our series has probably reached its lowest point and that things can only get better from here on out. I’m hoping that we only have good things coming in the pipeline. Only time will tell, but I know as far as the racing goes the series is going to be great. If you look at the riders who are racing — and there are some really good riders out there — I think that the racing is going to be incredible. It’s going to be great for the fans. “I just hope that the economy end of it turns around. Obviously, we’re going to be short a few teams this year. Hopefully, those guys can get back in it and get things going for 2011. That’s my hope, to see all the guys out there who deserve rides out there racing. There’s a few guys out there that have had to jump series, and there are a few guys out there who are out of rides. I don’t think that’s really fair in that these guys are all capable and should be out there racing. Hopefully, this is as bad as it’s going to get, and it’s only going to get better from now on.”