Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

After a long partnership, Team Hammer, Inc., which races as Team M4 EMGO Suzuki (formerly Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki) in the AMA Superbike series, has ended its relationship with French tire manufacturer Michelin. The Alabama-based team will use Pirelli tires in 2005.

“We felt the need to make a change,” Team M4 EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief Keith Perry told Roadracingworld.com Monday at Daytona International Speedway. “Michelin in the U.S. has been behind us 100 percent, but they depend on getting that kind of support from France.

“We’ve been loyal Michelin users for 10-12 years, or whatever it is, and we wanted to stay with them, but we felt the kind of support we needed wasn’t there anymore.

“We are excited to be working with Pirelli, because they are excited to be working with us.”

Team M4 EMGO Suzuki will race with Vincent Haskovec and Geoff May in 2005. Both riders have had recent experience – and success – on Pirelli tires.