From a press release issued by Fast Company Suzuki:

FAST COMPANY AND SUZUKI END SUCCESSFUL ERA

BRESLAU, ON – One of Canadian motorcycle racing’s most successful partnerships has come to an end.

Breslau, ON-based Fast Company has announced it will not run Suzuki Canada’s primary program in the 2003 Parts Canada Superbike Championship, bringing to a conclusion a successful and harmonious five-year relationship.

The Fast Company Suzuki partnership reached its peak in the 2002 season, with Jordan Szoke of Brantford, ON claiming the Parts Canada Superbike title and Sherbrooke, QC’s Francis Martin earning the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike crown. The Superbike crown was Suzuki’s first since 1987, when Michel Mercier rode Mike Crompton-prepared GSX-R750s to the title.

“Suzuki Canada has been a fantastic corporate sponsor,” said Fast Company owner Scott Miller. “They have always been supportive, in good times and bad, and above all highly enthusiastic at every level. It has been a pleasure working with them over the past five years.”

Miller joined forces with Suzuki Canada for the 1998 racing season and Kitchener, ON rider Neil Jenkins gave the program its first win in the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike race at Mosport International Raceway. Jenkins finished third in the final class standings that year and placed seventh in Superbike points. In 1999 Jenkins improved to fifth in Superbike and took seventh in the 600 Sport Bike rankings.

Barrie, ON racer Linnley Clarke joined the Fast Company Suzuki team in 2000 and scored another 600 Sport Bike victory at Mosport on his way to fourth in points. Clarke was fifth in the Superbike standings.

Martin hooked up with the Fast Company Suzuki team in 2001 and the squad enjoyed its most successful season yet. Riding Suzuki’s new GSX-R1000 Martin won three Open Sport Bike rounds to take second in points.

In Superbike, the 1999 series champion was runner-up to Steve Crevier, standing on the podium at six of the seven series races. Martin capped the campaign with a victory at the season finale, giving Suzuki its first win in the feature class since 1991.

Last year Fast Company Suzuki was the most dominant team in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. Szoke joined the squad after the first race and reeled off five straight Superbike wins on the GSX-R1000 on his way to his second national title.

Szoke set new lap records at three venues on the Miller-prepared GSX-R1000s.

Martin added the Open Sport Bike crown to the 2002 trophy haul and picked up a win at the Autodrome St-Eustache event. He was third in the Superbike point standings.

Fast Company would like to thank its product sponsors Dunlop, Akrapovic, Ohlins, The Mortgage Centre, Fast Riding School, Pro Fuels, Motul, Ferodo, Race Tech, Steen Hansen and Body Double for their generous contributions to its race effort.