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M4 EMGO team has successful test

Posted by Staff

Thursday, 20 March 2008

SUCCESSFUL BIRMINGHAM TEST FOR TEAM M4 EMGO SUZUKI

Team M4 EMGO Suzuki concluded two productive days of testing at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, AL on Tuesday in preparation of the second round of the 2008 AMA roadracing championships.

Looking to build upon their extremely successful season opener at Daytona International Speedway where the team kicked off their '08 campaign earlier this month with a podium and three top fives, Team M4 EMGO Suzuki spent their time on the undulating BMP circuit testing Pirelli tires as well as suspension settings and various other components for their Suzuki GSX-R racebikes.

Team Crew Chief Keith Perry said, "We had a very productive test at Barber, especially on the second day. We tried a lot of tires for Pirelli and were encouraged with what they had for us to run through. It was good for Team M4 EMGO Suzuki to get some more track time, and it was also a chance to try some settings they might normally not have time to try during a race weekend because of the time element. We're pleased at how the test went."

Coming of his sensational debut with the team, all eyes are on Blake Young, who took a close second in the Superstock race at Daytona and backed that up with a fifth in Supersport and ninth in Superbike.

Perry remarked, "Blake surprised us a little bit, maybe, with how well he did at Daytona. With young riders, it's wise not to put the expectations too high too soon, but Blake has already shown us he's a racer with a lot of personal drive and determination to go along with the talent. He was up to speed at the test and he's not satisfied with just doing well or finishing where he was last year. He has a good mindset for a racer and he wants more."

Colombian Martin Cardenas also had a fine Daytona, claiming fourth in the prestigious Daytona 200 in Formula Xtreme and taking sixth in the Supersport race, finishing just fractions of a second behind teammate Young.

"Martin got in a lot of laps at the test and ran through everything we had for him and gave us his feedback," Perry commented. "He's in a little bit different place than our other two riders since he has more experience. Raceday is where he really puts it together and kicks it into another gear. I think his record with us shows that. He's the kind of rider that learns from testing and then puts it to good use in the races."

Cory West had a more difficult go in Daytona, crashing out of the top ten early in the Supersport final, but charging up from 40th to 19th by the conclusion of the race. He's hoping to join his teammates up front when the series picks up again in Alabama.

Perry said, "Cory rode his Supersport bike both days and he and his crew have a good direction. He's working well with his mechanics and putting in the hard effort that will pay off in the future."

Team M4 EMGO Suzuki will return to Barber Motorsports Park for the real thing on April 18-20 when the track plays host to the second round of the 2008 AMA Superbike Championship.

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