'Aprilia
USA and Atkins Global Management Announce...
Aprilia USA and Atkins Global Management Announce
2007AMA Supermoto Championship Team
Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing and the Aprilia SXV Debut May 19
NEW YORK, May 15, 2007 – Aprilia USA and Atkins Global
Management, along with a world-class roster of sponsor partners
led by Rip-It Energy Drink®, have teamed up to challenge
the ‘establishment’ in the 2007 AMA Supermoto
Championship.
Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team riders Ben Carlson,
the 2006 AMA Supermoto Unlimited Class champion and team
owner Darryl Atkins, the 2005 AMA Supermoto Unlimited Class
runner-up will race the World Championship-winning Aprilia
SXV 4.5 V-Twin in the Supermoto class for the first time.
Until 2007, AMA rules have only allowed multi-cylinder machines
to compete in the unlimited class. For the 2007 season the
V twin Aprilias will also compete in the 450 class. Wisconsin
native Carlson and New Zealander Atkins will also return
to contest the Unlimited Class with the Aprilia SXV 5.5,
beginning with the season opener AMA Supermoto Championship
races on May 29, at the St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
“
We’re really excited to expand our factory Supermoto
race program for 2007,” says Rick Panettieri, brand
manager, Aprilia USA. “The SXV 4.5 has proven to
be very competitive in the FIM S2 Supermoto World Championship
taking the title in 2006.
“
All of us, from racers to sponsors, are focused on showcasing
the Aprilia’s competitiveness on North American soil
as well,” he says.
Aprilia’s race engineering heritage – the company
has 32 on-road and off-road world championships on the books – has
delivered a machine that’s designed to blend the benefits
of increased horsepower with an exceptional chassis. "While
the bike is heavier than the competition, the responsiveness
of the SXV’s awesome chassis and the added horsepower
give us a real unique advantage,” says Atkins. “We
feel we maximized the 2006 season to get an in-depth understanding
of this machine’s potential, and we’re excited
about making the SXV as competitive on the North American
circuit as it has been in the World Championship series.”
Ben Carlson cites the Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team
dynamic as another factor in the team’s favor. Former
rivals, Atkins and Carlson will compete for the podium as
teammates for the first time. “Darryl has been a tough
competitor in the past few years and I’m happy to join
forces," says Carlson. “Add the opportunity to
compete on a powerful new machine like the SXV, and it’s
a real adrenaline rush. You can bet that we’re committed
to making the most out of these strengths every time the
tires touch the track.”
The Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team’s first outing
on the SXV 4.5 and 5.5 was at the Stateline Supermoto Challenge
- a season primer held in Primm, NV. Carlson took a seventh
place finishing spot competing amongst some of the top riders
in the 2007 AMA season, while Atkins was involved in a multi
rider accident and did not finish the race.
The Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team is sponsored by
Rip-It Energy Drink, Aprilia USA, Parts Unlimited, Bel-Ray
Oils, Groove wines, Thor, Scott, Alpinestar, Asterisk, Ogio,
ZLT, Dunlop, Beringer Brakes, K&N Filters, Pit Bull,
Suzuka, Alpina Wheels, Renthal, Mechanix Wear, Regina Chains,
Works Connection, Acberis and AF1 Racing.
For more information on the SXV 450 and 550, plus race reports and photos,
log on to www.apriliausa.com For a complete schedule of the 2007 AMA Supermoto
Championship series, visit www.amasupermoto.com.
About Aprilia and Piaggio Group Americas
Aprilia world headquarters are in Noale (Venice, Italy).
Founded in 1962, the company designs and manufactures motorcycles
in Noale, with additional production facilities in Scorzè.
With 32 motorcycling world championship titles (27 road
and 5 off-road) under its belt, Aprilia is the only European
manufacturer to have a complete on- and off-road model
portfolio, ranging from sporty scooters, innovative off-road
bikes and tough adventure tourers to award-winning super
sport bikes. For information on Aprilia's complete U.S.
model line, visit the company's website at www.apriliausa.com.
In December 2004 Aprilia became part of the Piaggio Group,
Europe's leading manufacturer of two wheelers and one of
the world's most recognized and respected names in motorcycle
and scooter production.
With over 6,700 employees, an annual production of more
than 680,000 vehicles, 5 R&D centers, 7 production facilities
in Europe and Asia, and operations in over 50 countries,
the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European
2 wheeler market. Its production includes scooters, motorcycles
and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed
under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo
and Moto Guzzi brands.
# # #
Media Contact:
Elke Martin; Brandware Public Relations (for Aprilia USA)
emartin@brandwaregroup.com, 770.649.0880, Ext. 305
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