From a press release issued by American Suzuki:

Suzuki’s Championship-Winning Racers Honored

BREA, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2004) – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) congratulates its world-class, multi-championship-winning athletes for garnering well-deserved top honors in front of the racing community at the 2004 AMA Banquet, held at Paris Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004.

At the event, Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael accepted the number-one plate for having won the 2004 AMA Motocross Championship. Carmichael has won three Supercross titles and eight Motocross Championships. During the 2004 Motocross season alone, Carmichael led 370 out of a possible 382 laps. Furthermore, he is the all-time wins leader in AMA Supercross/Motocross with 108 victories.

Not only was Carmichael honored for winning the AMA Motocross title, he was also awarded the prestigious AMA Pro Racing SPEED Channel Athlete of the Year. “I really appreciate this award,” said Carmichael. “I’m ecstatic to be accepting this and I’d like to thank the AMA and everyone who voted for me. The older I get, the more I appreciate this. I’d also like to congratulate everyone else who’s been up on this stage and hopefully we’ll have a Suzuki up here next year.”

Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin was also presented a number-one plate, having won an unprecedented fifth AMA Superbike Championship this year. Mladin carded eight victories in 2004, becoming the all-time AMA Superbike wins co-leader in the history of the series.

Mladin, who lives in Australia, was unable to attend the event. ASMC Vice President of Motorcycle/ATV Division Mel Harris accepted on his behalf. “On behalf of Mat,” said Harris, “I’m really honored to accept this award. He had a great team with guys who were dedicated to winning a fifth Superbike championship for him. We at Suzuki are proud of the whole Yoshimura Suzuki crew.”

Also honored was Team Makita Suzuki Racing 125 phenom Broc Hepler, who was named AMA Motocross/Supercross Rookie of the Year. Said Hepler: “Winning this award was awesome. I look at past winners who have been so successful and I want to follow in their footsteps. I’d like to thank my mechanic and Suzuki for giving me such a great bike in the RM-Z250.”