Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Lee Acree and Chris “Opie” Caylor will race the 2004 AMA Superstock series for a new team, Empire Racing, according to several sources close to the team.

Although details have not been finalized, Acree and Caylor will most likely race on Suzuki GSX-R1000s with support from American Suzuki and Pirelli. In addition, Acree will also probably race in the Formula Xtreme class on a GSX-R600.

Acree is the two-time Formula USA Sportbike National Champion and finished third in the 2002 AMA Superstock Championship, with two race wins, and Caylor finished eighth in the 2003 AMA Superstock Championship with one podium finish and six top-10 finishes. In addition, Acree and Caylor are both multi-time WERA National and Suzuki Cup Champions.

Empire Racing fields John Dowd and Jim Neese on American Suzuki- and Pirelli-sponsored machines in the AMA-sanctioned, Clear Channel Motorsports-promoted National Arenacross series.

Empire Racing was formed by Mark DeWeese and Chad Newton in February 2003, according to the team’s website. In addition to being a motocross rider, DeWeese is the President and CEO of Empire Homes, a custom home and real estate development company operating in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Newton, a motocross racer, is the owner of Total Control Suspension, a motocross suspension tuning company.

Empire Racing, which is based in North Carolina, also backs a freestyle motocross team.