Michael Beck has signed a contract to race for Team M4 EMGO Suzuki in 2007. The 18-year-old second-generation racer showed promise in his first year as an AMA pro rider in 2006 and demonstrated that he is one of the most talented young racers on the AMA scene.
Beck, of Simi Valley, California, has raced motocross since he was four years old and began road racing in 2003. He competed as a privateer during the 2006 season and finished an impressive ninth in final AMA Supersport points, with his season highlight being a fifth-place finish in Utah. Beck won the WERA Sportsman C Superstock National Championship this year and also earned CCS Middleweight Supersport and Middleweight Grand Prix titles last weekend at Daytona. Also at Daytona, Beck raced 2007 teammate Geoff May for the ASRA Sportbike win, finishing a close second.
“I’m stoked,” said Beck. “I can’t wait to ride for a professional team. It has been my dream and I’m really happy I’ve signed on with Team M4 EMGO Suzuki. They are a great team and have a long history in the sport. It will be different for me next year because it was mainly me and my dad worrying about everything, working on the bikes and traveling to the races. Just concentrating on my riding will be good for my development next year.”
“I’m thrilled with our line-up for next year,” said Team M4 EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief Keith Perry. “Michael Beck is a rider who, along with Geoff May and Michael Barnes, gives us three legitimate shots at top-five finishes and podiums on any given race weekend. We have watched him closely all season and clearly he’s been one of the young guys to keep your eye on. He is a young rider, but he’s been very smooth in getting the impressive lap times. He also has experience on the Pirelli tires Team M4 EMGO Suzuki uses. We’re very excited to have signed Michael and can’t wait to get him on one of our bikes and see how he fares.”
Team Hammer, Inc., currently competing as Team M4 EMGO Suzuki, has raced professionally for 26 consecutive seasons. During the 2006 season, the team scored 14 AMA National podium finishes. The team’s headquarters are located in Lake Elsinore, California with a race shop in Athens, Alabama.
