From a press release issued by Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Signs Peris

Team Hammer, Inc., racing as Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki, has signed a one-year contract (with options) with Chris Peris, 18.

Peris will compete in the 2004 AMA Supersport Series on a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R600.

Peris lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada but has competed regularly in the United States since he was 15. In 2000 and 2001, Peris raced exclusively in the U.S., winning the 2001 WSMC 125cc Grand Prix Championship. In 2002 Peris continued to race with WSMC, competed in the Canadian 600cc Supersport National Series with a best finish of third, and qualified for and competed in a 125cc World Championship Grand Prix.

Peris ran most of the 2003 AMA Series in the Supersport and Superstock classes on a private 600cc machine, with a best finish of 13th in Supersport and best finish of 11th in Superstock, and ended his 2003 season racing with F-USA at Daytona in October.

Peris’ results in the F-USA Sportbike race at Daytona were notable because he not only ran with the lead pack but also ran second at one point; he got shuffled back in the draft run to the line, finishing just ahead of Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp. That race illustrated Peris’ improvement over the course of the 2003 season, and pointed toward his future potential.

“I’m excited to finally be making a career out of my racing and actually getting paid to race,” said Peris. “This definitely furthers my career and I’m real happy with that. I’m excited to ride with the team and to be on a Suzuki next season.”