The Safety First Suzuki race team visited Central Elementary School in Lexington, OH on the Thursday of the AMA Superbike Shoot-Out Weekend as part of their ongoing effort to educate children from 1st 5th grade regarding helmet usage and safety. The rain allowed a number of team members to attend the presentation given by Team Owner, Kevin Hanson, which was attended by 180 kids and their teachers. As part of the presentation, Hanson uses a team Suzuki GSXR 600 race bike, his own personal bicycle, a bullet-proof police vest, a set of Komodo race leathers and a previously crashed Suomy helmet as props to have an immediate impact with the kids. Hanson runs through a pre-ride bicycle safety check list, how to properly fit and wear a helmet, usage of other safety gear, rules of the road and proper signaling. By playing an interactive game with the students regarding hand signals, he is able to reinforce the point of safety. “I was really impressed how Kevin held the attention of the kids. Anyone who knows the attention span of 1st-3rd graders would be highly impressed on how Kevin interacted with the kids on their level and kept them riveted for the 30 minute presentation per group.” noted Safety First Operations Manager Dr. David Eric Boll. “The children were really enthralled and Kevin had them eating out of his hand. He really made an impact on them, as they were still talking about the presentation the next day” quoted Central Elementary School Principal Kathy Dinkel. Riders Tony “The Tiger” Meiring and Shane Narbonne also were on hand to field questions from the children and hand out Suzuki balloons, shirts, key chains and Safety First Suzuki rider posters. For 2007, the team has committed to at least 100 presentations to be given around the county as part of the ongoing public relations aspect of the team and is currently seeking appropriate corporate sponsors to allow the team to handout properly fitted helmets and other items of appreciation to all the children in attendance. The presentation was picked up by the local paper called “The School News”, a monthly publication sent to all residents in Richland County. A picture of Hanson with some of the kids sitting on and around the Safety First Suzuki race bike, along with Safety First riders Meiring and Narbonne will appear in the next issue. Safety First Suzuki was formed in 2004 by police officer/racer, Kevin Hanson, based out of Chicago, IL. For 2006, Safety First Suzuki is competing in the AMA Superbike series in the Supersport and Formula Xtreme classes. The bikes are prepared by Jim Rashid and the team at 4&6 Racing in Skokie, IL. Checkout www.SAFETYFIRSTRACING.com to see the new Safety First/Suzuki/Komodo line of riding apparel and casual wear. Kevin Hanson continues to educate elementary school aged children nationwide about the importance of helmet usage.