Carmichael signs with Suzuki!

[Mungoman58]

Ricky Carmichael has just signed a multi year contract with American Suzuki effective November 1st 2004. Heres a link to Suzuki's official press release http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=5991

[Mungoman45]

Ah well, i guess if anyone could put Suzuki back in the lime light and winning circle it's Carmichael. But i got a feeling if Ricky was on the outs with some people before, he deffinatly wont be winnin many fans over with this lil doozy. Whats left for him to go to? Yamaha?.....ah good ol' Carmichael, leavin the best for last LOL.

[ChAgAp]

And bubba is sighning up with KTM, and Reed with Honda.

[fmx_kid89]

i wonder how much suzuki is payin charmichael??????????????

[kyle]

ALOT! Honda wouldnt pay him 5 million US a year, so he left for a better deal, most likely 4 million US+ a year on two year contract.

[bearings]

id say hed be getting paid more than that

[fmx_kid89]

i would love to get paid that much just to ride my moto!!!!!!!

[Mungoman58]

Kids kids kids. Honda offered Carmichael less money but with big win bonuses while Suzuki just offered him a big money contract so he obviously went for the money. Its a 2 year deal with the option of a 3rd year. Honda could have outbid Suzuki if they wanted but obviously they didn't think it was worth it, heck Honda could buy Carmichael, Stewert and Reed if they really wanted. No other manufacturer has the cash reserves Honda has. Reed going to Honda and Stewert to KTM are RUMOURS for the moment so don't look into it to much. KTM doesn't have the money to afford Stewert, all the other manufactureres could out bid KTM, ESPECIALLY HONDA. I doubt Reed will leave Yamaha as his very comfortable there although Honda may wave lots of money at him which they could. Theres an outside chance that Reed and Stewert could both end up at Honda. Its a sure bet at least one of them will

[Robbo66]

yeah, i hope reed stays with yamaha. he has been having a good season, very re-liable and its working good for him right now.

i personally think, that it will take a fair bit to get reedy out of his comfort zone.

i heard that it is offical that bubba is on the ktm. thats what i have heard.

[Pedigree]

wtf

[kyle]

its this time of year again in the AMA.

MONEY time

[Mungoman58]

Bubba hasn't signed with KTM, there hasn't been any official press releases so until there is, its just a rumour

[bearings]

bubba better not. hes been with kwaka his whole life hasnt he?

its pretty crook when you change teams for better money. its not like any of them really need it anyway

[NOLIMITS]

Look let's all be honest.. Someone offers you say $1M and another factory offers you $2M what are you going to take..??

Let's get serious.. Most motos are close enough to the same now days.. And if you ride you know you won't be in the game for long so you have no choice but to take the $$$.. We all need to secure a future for ourselves right..? It's not like you hear a lot about guys riding really well at 30 do you..? It's a young mans game and you take what is best suited too you.. Does anyone here know what Ricky's lifestlye costs him per year..? I doubt it..

A $1M sounds like a lot when you are earning $20K-$30K a year but when your earning $500K plus you'd be amazed how your lifestyle changes.. Suddenly your not snorting wizz anymore and your've moved onto coke... Your not drinking beer anymore, your've moved onto Jack.. Etc.. It's all about perspective...

Just my thoughts based on personal experience... Ahhh.. OK They were just examples not based on personal experience.. Right..?

[kyle]

This is from American Suzuki's web-site:

BREA, Calif. (April 2, 2004) - American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announced that all-time SX/MX combined champion Ricky Carmichael signed a multi-year agreement to join Team Suzuki beginning with the 2005 AMA Supercross season.

"We're absolutely thrilled that Ricky Carmichael will be a part of Team Suzuki in the future," said Mel Harris, ASMC's Vice President of the Motorcycle/ATV Division. "Hiring Ricky demonstrates Suzuki's commitment to putting our Supercross/Motocross team back on the racing map."


Look for RC & his number four in yellow for 2005
"This is a very exciting time for me. The agreement is multi-faceted and Suzuki will be extremely supportive of me from a racing, marketing and business standpoint" said Ricky Carmichael.

With 10 AMA championships, including the past 7 consecutive national titles under his belt, the 24-year-old Floridian is excited about joining Team Suzuki and about racing the Suzuki RM250. He is confident not only in his own ability to win more championships, but also in working with a team as committed as Suzuki. He's also looking forward to working with motocross legend Roger De Coster.

Suzuki Team Manager Roger De Coster is also excited about the prospects of working with the much-celebrated champion. "I am elated," he said. "Ricky is such a talented rider with tremendous work ethic which will be a great example for Team Suzuki's young riders. I realize it won't be easy for him to come back and win after being off due to injury, but I have confidence in Ricky and in how much effort I know that he's going to put into winning."

The agreement will become effective November 1, 2004.

----------

Roger (De Coster) came up to me today and said "We are signing Ricky right now."

I've been a Ricky Carmichael fan for so many years, and I really appreciate his intensity towards racing. As Suzuki's riding coach, I look forward to helping him continue his winning ways in any way I can. RJ

Ricky Carmichael:

[mulisha_mike]

WTF!!!, isnt bubba going to 250 if not the ktm would be good but i dont like their 250s, but the 125s are the best i've heard

[kyle]

sorry about the seperate thread brad, i forgot ALL about this one.

[Mungoman45]

lol, no worries, thanks for reposting the info here but, for all of us that couldn't be bothered checkin around other sites :)

[mulisha_mike]

does any body know yet if bubba is goin to the 250 class?

[Mungoman45]

last time i heard, and as far as i know....he is. But as per usual, nothings set in concrete till that contracts signed...

Should be interesting season but with Reed, Carmichael, Stewart and Windham all in the 250 ranks.

[~FMXster~]

im glad hes goin i hate the stuck up red nob

[BORN2RIDE]

Originally posted by NOLIMITS
Look let's all be honest.. Someone offers you say $1M and another factory offers you $2M what are you going to take..??

Let's get serious.. Most motos are close enough to the same now days.. And if you ride you know you won't be in the game for long so you have no choice but to take the $$$.. We all need to secure a future for ourselves right..? It's not like you hear a lot about guys riding really well at 30 do you..? It's a young mans game and you take what is best suited too you.. Does anyone here know what Ricky's lifestlye costs him per year..? I doubt it..

A $1M sounds like a lot when you are earning $20K-$30K a year but when your earning $500K plus you'd be amazed how your lifestyle changes.. Suddenly your not snorting wizz anymore and your've moved onto coke... Your not drinking beer anymore, your've moved onto Jack.. Etc.. It's all about perspective...

Just my thoughts based on personal experience... Ahhh.. OK They were just examples not based on personal experience.. Right..?

If the 2M factory was shit like Hyosung i would take the 1M
and if u were offered a stock CT 110for 2M or a KXF250 for 1 M what would u do

[twothreesix]

haha good point.

[I_Bleed_blue]

reed is best on yamaha!
i cant imagine him on a honda
yamaha rule and it is taking him places

[freewheel burn]

yeh reed must be one rich dude, imagine getting paid to race motos all year roun, lucky @%#&^&^^^^