From a press release issued for Team Hammer, Inc. by freelance publicist Dorina Clarke:

Nine Riders In Team Hammer Talent Search Presented By Alpinestars

Lake Elsinore, Calif. – A total of nine riders have signed up for the 2003 Team Hammer Talent Search Presented by Alpinestars.

The final four riders accepted into the program include first-year Expert Ivan Garza, 26, of El Paso, Texas; second-year Expert Paolo Mariano, 22, of Canyon Country, California; second-year Expert Darren Luck, 28, of Bonita Springs, Florida; and Jack Pfeifer, 35, of Las Vegas, Nevada.

They join previous program signees Matt Elliott, 17, a first-year Expert from Blountville, Tennessee; Greg Moore, 25, a first-year Expert from Brookwood, Alabama; John Ross, 39, of San Antonio, Texas; Chris Siglin, 22, of Clayton, California; and Mathew Wise, 24, of McKinney, Texas.

Two program finalists will be seeded into the GSX-R750 heat races and will enjoy full rides at the 2003 Suzuki Cup Finals, including the use of a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 tended by a team mechanic, Michelin tires, entry fees and a complete set of Alpinestars leathers, boots and gloves in team colors. The best-finishing participant at the Suzuki Cup Finals will go home with a race-ready Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 racebike. Judging of finalists will be based on a number of factors, including the ability to be competitive at a variety of racetracks, rider improvement over the course of the season and race results in 2003.

One of the two finalists will be considered for a 2004 ride with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki.

The Talent Search program starts with a set-up and practice day February 26 at Daytona.