Pirelli Signs M4 EMGO Suzuki and Attack Kawasaki It’s official. Pirelli has signed on to support the powerhouse road racing teams of M4 EMGO Suzuki and Attack Kawasaki, for the 2007 racing season. M4 EMGO Suzuki returns after a hugely successful year of posting over a dozen podium finishes in the AMA Superbike Championship Series, while Attack Kawasaki will be enjoying its first year on Pirelli’s Diablo racing tires: the New DOT Diablo Supercorsa and the Diablo Superbike Slick. Riding for M4 EMGO Suzuki in 2007 are team regulars Geoff May and Michael Barnes, joined by hot new talent Michael Beck. In 2006 May and Barnes finished second and third in the Supersport Championship, respectively, with May also claiming fourth in the Superstock class and Barnes taking sixth in Formula Xtreme, after missing three rounds. Attack Kawasaki’s riders for the new year are top-running racers Steve Rapp and Ben Attard. Contacted at the M4 EMGO Suzuki race shop, Team Manager Keith Perry said, “We’re all looking forward to impressive results. The Pirelli guys are more serious now than ever and it shows in their latest products. Following the Pirelli test at Daytona, I have to say I’m pleased. I like how well the Pirelli people here are supporting us, and the engineers from Europe, and I like the company’s approach. We’re looking forward to continued improvement and development for our mutual goal. Pirelli’s commitment is going to get us results.” Barry McMahan, Crew Chief for M4 EMGO Suzuki rider Geoff May, said, “Based off the Daytona test, with the Italian engineers there getting data, we’re all confident, for sure. Daytona is unique and we feel good about our new tire choices for it. We’re confident in our expectations that the tires are right for the other tracks too. The engineers felt they got the information they wanted even though it was cold at the test. They’re happy, so we’re happy.” Mike Earnhardt, Crew Chief for Michael Barnes, added, “Looking at the new season, I think it will be real good. The Pirelli guys are trying hard and we can see it’s getting better with every race. I’m feeling more positive than ever. It was great having the engineers who design our racing tries at Daytona to help with technical problems, with no guessing. They saw what’s working and why first hand. We had many podiums with Pirelli last year so now we’re looking to top that.” Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki racer Chris Ulrich will also be returning for another season on Pirelli tires. Ulrich’s Suzuki is prepared by Rick Kress, who said, “Seeing what happened at the Daytona test, I think things will just continue to get better. It’s amazing what Pirelli have done over the last couple years. In 2007 we’re looking for consistent performance throughout each race. At the test, we saw how the tires held their times for every lap. We can’t wait to be back in competition.” Attack Kawasaki has a long history of being at the front of the field, so Pirelli is looking forward to this team crowding the podium with the M4 EMGO Suzuki riders. Attack Kawasaki team principal Richard Stanboli said, “Before this year we were one of many teams with our tire sponsor. Now, with Pirelli, we’re one of the top two teams. So we know with Pirelli we will always be getting the best race tires they have. This is a chance for us to move the team forward.” Look for the Pirelli riders at the AMA Superbike Series opener at Daytona International Speedway, March 7-10, when the real test begins.