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RICHIE ESCALANTE PUTS THE GSX-R1000R IN THE TOP FIVE IN RACE 2

Suzuki GSX-R1000R Shines in Alabama in Superbike & Stock 1000 Races

BREA, CA, May 22, 2023 — With the weekend’s MotoAmerica Supersport action already concluded following Saturday’s long race at Barber Motorsports Park, Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer focused solely on its Superbike effort on Sunday. The squad performed well on center stage, with rising star Richie Escalante, in particular, excelling under the spotlight.

Race Highlights:

  • Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki 
    • Superbike
      • Richie Escalante equaled the best result of his premier-class career after battling for the podium. 
      • Toni Elias continued to gather data and rediscover his championship form in his return to competition. 
  • 4SR Disrupt Racing
    • Stock 1000
      • Team 4SR Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim dominated the class going two for two in the weekend’s Stock 1000 races.  
 

Richie Escalante (54) shows the competitive strength of the GSX-R1000R with a strong fourth-place finish.

 

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante demonstrated his mammoth potential on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, battling with some of the most decorated Superbike pilots on the planet en route to a fourth-place result. Escalante got away quickly from the second row aboard his factory-backed GSX-R1000R and found himself in fifth following an early incident and resulting back-and-forth action. Escalante scrapped for a podium position early with two former Superbike champions directly in his sights and a former World Superbike pilot right on his heels. Undaunted, he executed a slick switch-back maneuver to grab hold of fourth, a position he wouldn’t relinquish.

After matching his best-ever MotoAmerica Superbike result, Escalante said, “It was an amazing weekend. I got a great start and saw what was going on around me. I knew I had to make a pass as quickly as possible. After that, I was just working on my pace. I’m super happy – my Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R was working so well. My crew is working so hard to give me the best bike possible. I’m getting closer and closer to the podium. Now it’s time to keep working. I just want to say thank you to my friends and team and all the people who support me.”

 
 

After a tough weekend, Toni Elias (24) caps the weekend off with a valuable top-ten finish.

Former MotoAmerica Superbike champion Toni Elias improved upon his Saturday result, claiming his third top ten in four attempts as he rounds back into his trademark form. The Spaniard had a front-row seat for the four-rider fight for third that involved his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki teammate in the opening stages of the contest before eventually fading to ninth. 

“We definitely did better than yesterday. I improved one second with our fastest lap and with our pace in the race,” said Elias. “Our changes this morning helped the traction. Now, I need more feeling and confidence in the front. I think the team has worked hard and I am thankful. We were faster but it wasn’t where we want to be. We will keep fighting.”  

 
 
Congrats to Hayden Gillim (69) on board the GSX-R1000R for a double win in the Stock 1000 class this weekend.
 

Meanwhile, the GSX-R1000R proved dominant in the Stock 1000 competition at Barber Motorsports Park, with weekend double-winner Hayden Gillim notching a pair of blowout victories aboard the 4SR Disrupt Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000R.

Suzuki Motor USA will look to capitalize on its surging moment as the series next travels to the ultra-fast Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on June 2-4.

 
For more racing news, results, and special team content please visit https://suzukicycles.com/racing/road-racing.


Photos by Brian J. Nelson Photography