Team M4 Suzuki will present a formidable line-up as the team contests the 2009 AMA Daytona Sportbike class. New Yorker Jason DiSalvo has signed a contract with Team Hammer, Inc. (racing as Team M4 Suzuki) and will join Colombian Martin Cardenas on the team's GSX-R600s this season.
Jazon DiSalvo testing the M4 EMGO Suzuki GSX-R600 with 2009-spec Dunlop tires at the Jennings GP track in Florida.
As a new era begins in motorcycle road racing in the United States, the lead riders for Team M4 Suzuki are both experienced and fast. Cardenas, 26 years old, has proven to be one of the fastest competitors in the American 600cc classes for the past couple of seasons on the team's machines. DiSalvo, 24, finished third in last season's Superbike points but has extensive experience on 600cc machines as well, including wins and poles in the former Supersport and Formula Xtreme classes.
"I'm super excited to be racing for the team this year," said DiSalvo.
"I think the team will be a great home for me and I'm highly motivated for the season. I enjoyed the first outing when we tested last month and thought we had some good success. I'm looking forward to many more days at the tack with the team in 2009. I think we're a good combo and all of us on the team will work hard to get the good results we want. I can't wait for the first race."
"I'm excited about racing the Daytona Sportbike class for Team M4 Suzuki," said Cardenas. "I feel really good on the 600cc bikes and it looks like it's going to be interesting, so I'm hoping to do good. The team has been great for me ever since I joined them and by now everything is very familiar. We should only improve as we continue to work together."
In Cardenas and DiSalvo, the team feels it has two racers capable of winning races and challenging for podiums as it begins its 30th season of professional racing. This year, mechanics Michael Tjon and Frank Aragaki will work with DiSalvo. Robin Hawley and Mike Canfield will again work with Cardenas.
"We were happy just to have Martin coming back because it gave us great potential to win races and earn podiums. We've learned just how much of a fantastic rider he is. Now, Jason coming in doubles our potential for the kind of results we strive for," said Crew Chief Keith Perry. "Having someone of Jason's experience is gonna be great for the team. We were impressed when he tested for us and we're all aware of his successful results in the past. I think both riders will work well together. There's a new era of racing beginning this year in America and we feel great about how we're going into it."
The season opening 2009 Daytona 2009 will be held under the lights at the Daytona International Speedway on March 6, 2009.
