Wikle joins Team Roadracingworld.com

From Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki

Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki will support promising racer Russell Wikle during the 2009 season.

Wikle, a second-generation racer from Huntsville, AL, 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 Wikle. "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."

Russell's father, Luther Wikle, was also a racer of note, competing in AMA Superbike, WERA endurance and at the Suzuka 8-Hour race.

"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."