Donald_Duck
25-10-2006, 09:34
Rizla-Suzuki: Latest News
25 October 2006
Walker signs for Rizla Suzuki
CHRIS WALKER will race a Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 in the 2007 British
Superbike Championship.
Fans' favourite Walker earned his seat with Rizla Suzuki by winning the Race
of the Year at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on October 15th - and by
bringing a fresh, professional and hungry-for-success approach to the team.
"I am absolutely made-up to have signed on the dotted line to be a Rizla
Suzuki BSB rider in 2007," explained Walker. "I think just about everyone
knew how much I wanted the ride, it was number one on my wish list and I
couldn't be any happier than I am right now.
"The Rizla Suzuki team was exceptional at Mallory Park, providing me with
the platform to win the race despite years away from the circuit and having
to get used to a new bike and Dunlop tyres. The performance of the 2006
GSX-R1000 I rode was mind blowing and just made me want to be a part of the
team even more.
"I had a nervous week after Mallory Park waiting for the phone to ring but
now it is all confirmed and it is a huge relief. My heartfelt thanks go to
the team, Crescent Suzuki – and to Suzuki GB in particular - for their faith
in me.
A four-time runner-up in BSB, most recently with Suzuki in 2000, Walker
knows what it will take to win in the most competitive national Superbike
Championship in the world.
The 34-year-old from Nottingham said: "The scale of the task before me and
Rizla Suzuki is immense. I have watched the BSB Championship during the last
couple of years and the competition is fierce and of extremely high quality.
Given the level of riders and factory-backed machinery, I'd say it could be
every bit as difficult as winning in World Superbikes.
"The big difference for me is I will be with Rizla Suzuki on a factory bike
and that gives me great hope. The hard work starts now in preparation for
the 2007 British Superbike Championship with a test at Valencia next week.
We have a new bike to develop before the season starts.
"To all the Stalker fans in the UK: I'm coming home and can't wait to be
racing in front of you, I hope you are looking forward to joining me on the
next step of the adventure with Rizla Suzuki."
Walker proved his class by winning a race at Assen World Superbikes in
August, but he is expecting to be pushed next year by his new Rizla Suzuki
team mate Cal Crutchlow, the reigning British Supersport Champion and one of
Britain's hottest young talents.
Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: "Chris really wanted to
race for Rizla Suzuki and his positive, hard-riding, never-give-up attitude
at Mallory Park's Race of the Year convinced us he was the right person for
the job. With his experience and ability matched with Cal's raw enthusiasm
and talent, we have what we believe is a very strong team for 2007."
Walker's first public appearances as a Rizla Suzuki racer will be at
Birmingham's NEC Bike Show on Trade and Preview days 26-27th October, on the
Suzuki stand T174, Hall 19. He will then travel to Valencia with the Rizla
Suzuki Superbike team for a test alongside the MotoGP regulars on 1-2nd
November, before returning to the NEC Show on 4-5th November.
25 October 2006
Walker signs for Rizla Suzuki
CHRIS WALKER will race a Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 in the 2007 British
Superbike Championship.
Fans' favourite Walker earned his seat with Rizla Suzuki by winning the Race
of the Year at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on October 15th - and by
bringing a fresh, professional and hungry-for-success approach to the team.
"I am absolutely made-up to have signed on the dotted line to be a Rizla
Suzuki BSB rider in 2007," explained Walker. "I think just about everyone
knew how much I wanted the ride, it was number one on my wish list and I
couldn't be any happier than I am right now.
"The Rizla Suzuki team was exceptional at Mallory Park, providing me with
the platform to win the race despite years away from the circuit and having
to get used to a new bike and Dunlop tyres. The performance of the 2006
GSX-R1000 I rode was mind blowing and just made me want to be a part of the
team even more.
"I had a nervous week after Mallory Park waiting for the phone to ring but
now it is all confirmed and it is a huge relief. My heartfelt thanks go to
the team, Crescent Suzuki – and to Suzuki GB in particular - for their faith
in me.
A four-time runner-up in BSB, most recently with Suzuki in 2000, Walker
knows what it will take to win in the most competitive national Superbike
Championship in the world.
The 34-year-old from Nottingham said: "The scale of the task before me and
Rizla Suzuki is immense. I have watched the BSB Championship during the last
couple of years and the competition is fierce and of extremely high quality.
Given the level of riders and factory-backed machinery, I'd say it could be
every bit as difficult as winning in World Superbikes.
"The big difference for me is I will be with Rizla Suzuki on a factory bike
and that gives me great hope. The hard work starts now in preparation for
the 2007 British Superbike Championship with a test at Valencia next week.
We have a new bike to develop before the season starts.
"To all the Stalker fans in the UK: I'm coming home and can't wait to be
racing in front of you, I hope you are looking forward to joining me on the
next step of the adventure with Rizla Suzuki."
Walker proved his class by winning a race at Assen World Superbikes in
August, but he is expecting to be pushed next year by his new Rizla Suzuki
team mate Cal Crutchlow, the reigning British Supersport Champion and one of
Britain's hottest young talents.
Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: "Chris really wanted to
race for Rizla Suzuki and his positive, hard-riding, never-give-up attitude
at Mallory Park's Race of the Year convinced us he was the right person for
the job. With his experience and ability matched with Cal's raw enthusiasm
and talent, we have what we believe is a very strong team for 2007."
Walker's first public appearances as a Rizla Suzuki racer will be at
Birmingham's NEC Bike Show on Trade and Preview days 26-27th October, on the
Suzuki stand T174, Hall 19. He will then travel to Valencia with the Rizla
Suzuki Superbike team for a test alongside the MotoGP regulars on 1-2nd
November, before returning to the NEC Show on 4-5th November.