RUSSELL WIKLE JOINS TEAM ROADRACINGWORLD.COM SUZUKI FOR 2009

Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki will support promising racer Russell Wikle during the 2009 season. Wikle, a second-generation racer from Huntsville, Alabama, will contest the AMA SuperSport East Division and will also enter selected West Division races. Additionally, Wikle will race in the Daytona 200 and other AMA Sport Bike events this year.

Wikle, 17, has raced in WERA endurance and sprint competition the last several seasons, winning six championships while ranked as a Novice. He earned an Expert ranking for the 2008 season, and he responded to the challenge with numerous top-10 finishes while racing a Suzuki GSX-R1000 and a GSX-R600. Russell also impressed with the M4 Avteq endurance squad, competing in MOTO-ST.

Russell closed the 2008 season in strong fashion, adding to his impressive resume at Road Atlanta and the Daytona International Speedway. At the Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta, Wikle earned third place in the GSX-R600 Cup Final. A week later, Russell also won pole position and a top-five result in the ASRA Superbike event at Daytona in October, then followed that result with second place in the Factory Pro Sportbike race.

"I'm excited that Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki is giving me this opportunity to race in the AMA SuperSport class this year," said Russell. "I'm really glad there's now a class to help us young guys get to the 'big leagues.' I'm expecting to run in the front in SuperSport and to get in the top 10 when I get a chance to race in Daytona Sport Bike. I have been waiting for an opportunity like this for a good while and I know I am ready for the challenge. I can't wait to get started."

Russell's father, Luther Wikle, was also a racer of note, competing in AMA Superbike, WERA endurance and at the Suzuka 8-Hour race. Russell, who is named after the late racer Russ Paulk, began riding at four years old.

"We've had our eye on Russell for a long time," said Team Roadracingworld.com's Chris Ulrich. "He's the son of a racer and his family has a connection to our team, so we've been watching Russell's progress for a good while. We think he's ready to take the next step and we're happy to welcome him to the team. He's impressed us along the way, including at Daytona last fall when he ran in a fast pack and held his own against some good pro racers. He's also quick in the rain and I watched him duke it out with an AMA pro rider for a full hour stint in an endurance race last year. We think he will blossom into a front-line racer. "

DETERMINED VILLA RETURNS TO TEAM ROADRACINGWORLD.COM SUZUKI FOR 2009

Former Colombian Superbike champion and CCS regional champion Santiago Villa of Colombia will return to race for Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki in 2009. Villa will enter the AMA Daytona Sport Bike class on board Suzuki GSX-R600 machinery. Crew chief James Lickwar and mechanic Peter Hively will serve as Santiago's crew.

"I'm very exited to race again with the team. With all the changes in the AMA, it's going to be an great season," said Villa, a multi-time champion in his native country who joined Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki in 2008. "I'm going to have a new crew this year and I think that James and Peter are going to help me achive my goals. I have seen their work and I admire them a lot. I can only expect great things from them."

In addition to his talent, Santiago has shown remarkable toughness in his time with the team. After suffering serious burns in a fall 2007 pit lane refueling incident at the Daytona International Speedway while racing for a different team, Santiago worked hard in his recovery to be ready for the 2008 season. Villa showed speed and promise in the early rounds despite still struggling with his injuries, but had another setback when he broke his femur and hip in a mid-season crash.

"The team is really excited to have Santiago back," said Team Roadracingworld.com's Chris Ulrich. "He really made some great progress on the Superstock bike last year before he got hurt again. We were really bummed because he had worked so hard and was really shown something. A lesser man might have thrown in the towel after some of the things that happened to him along the way but he's a true racer with more determination and desire than ever. He's one of those guys willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals."

Santiago said he finds the new era in AMA racing exciting and the change to a Dunlop control tire is favorable to him, given his previous experience. "The spec tire is one of the big things for me. I have always considered myself a Dunlop rider as I won the 2007 CCS Florida Regional Championship with them and I love those tires, so everything is working my way now. I just have to step up and give my best for my country, my team, my crew and for myself," said the 33-year-old from Bogota.

Ulrich said he like the personnel changes with Santiago's crew. "Villa will race Daytona Sport Bike in 2009 and we have James Lickwar and Peter Hively working with him," added Ulrich. "James did a great job helping his previous rider get on the podium and the team has a lot of confidence he'll be able to help Santiago as well. Both James and Peter have the experience to help Santiago continue improving."

"I just want to say thanks to the team for having me on board again, and for all their support in 2008," said Villa. "It's good to be home again with the team and we're all excited for 2009."