Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The Yoshimura Suzuki road racing team will now be known as Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki, in accordance with a new sponsorship deal.

In announcing the biggest motorcycle road racing sponsorship news in recent memory, Suzuki’s Morgan Broadhead, speaking at California Speedway, said, “We have come to terms with Blimpie, and the new name of the team for the rest of the (2002) season is going to be Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki.

“It’s a very exciting deal that we’ve put together. Obviously, we’re very excited to have Blimpie as part of the team. An out-of-the-industry sponsor means a lot, and of course just having a good name like Blimpie in with the Suzuki program means a lot to us.

“I can’t comment on what the terms of the deal are obviously, but it’s a pretty good-size sticker.”

When asked about how the deal came together, Broadhead answered, “I just learned about it yesterday (Tuesday, February 12), and just found out it was official this morning. To the best of my knowledge, it started with Mel (Harris – Vice President of American Suzuki), but I don’t know more than that.”