Suzuki has today announced Yoshimura as the new naming rights sponsor of its Australian Superbike team Team Yoshimura Suzuki. The exciting new deal sees Yoshimura step up its support of the powerhouse Suzuki Superbike outfit with the view to developing a long-term relationship between the race team and Australian Yoshimura distributor, Mat Mladin Imports. “It is with great pleasure that I officially welcome Yoshimura aboard as the new naming sponsor of the Team Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike team,” said Glyn Griffiths, National Marketing Manager – Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia. “The Yoshimura brand is synonymous with quality and race-bred performance and those qualities have great synergy with Suzuki’s Superbike team. “Having won four of the last six Australian Superbike Championships, Team Suzuki has the pedigree and the experience to be able to deliver Yoshimura the results it deserves both on and off the race track.” On a global level, Suzuki has had a long and sustained connection with Yoshimura and its products and the relationship has obvious advantages for both parties. Assistance with product development has long been a benefit for both manufacturers, with Yoshimura able to release parts and accessories at the same time Suzuki releases its new motorcycles and sports ATV’s. Given Yoshimura’s long association with Suzuki Japan and Suzuki America, extending the relationship with Suzuki into the Australian market is a clever business decision with strong international foundations. Australian racing legend and six-time AMA Superbike Champion, Mat Mladin, has strong ties with the Yoshimura brand that extend well beyond his company’s Australian distribution rights. Racing a GSX-R1000 with the US Team Yoshimura Suzuki, Mladin has enjoyed massive success in America aboard his Yoshimura-kitted equipment and is heavily-involved with the company’s product development. Supporting Suzuki’s premier road-racing squad via his company Mat Mladin Imports, the reigning AMA Superbike Champion has increased his ties with motorcycle racing in Australia. Said Mladin: “The fit is a very natural one that will benefit all parties and encourage information sharing between Australia and America. “While my US racing commitments don’t allow me to get home as much as I might like, this is the perfect way for me to increase my interests in the Aussie race scene.” Winner of the 1992 Australian Superbike Championship, Mladin can expect a strong return on his investment with the Yoshimura backed Suzuki team set to achieve strong results in the 2006 season. “Suzuki Australia is 100% committed to racing and results, and in 2006 we are stepping up our activities in the advertising and promotion of these results, our riders, sponsors and our race teams,” Griffiths said. “The relationship we have built with Yoshimura and Mat Mladin Imports will allow Suzuki to push our commitment to racing even further, and ensure some impressive results in the future!” Sporting updated livery, Team Yoshimura Suzuki will take to the track for the first time this weekend, April 7-9th, for round one of the 2006 Australian Superbike Championship at Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Raceway.