James Stewart #7 | Official Site | JS7.com

Yoshimura Suzuki Racing is proud to announce the signing of famed Supercross and Motocross Champion, James Stewart, to a multi-year contract effective immediately. Stewart will compete in both AMA Pro Motocross and Supercross aboard the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 beginning with the first round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Sacramento, CA on May 19th, 2012.

Stewart, often called the “fastest man on the planet”, comes to Yoshimura Suzuki with a long list of accomplishments. The 26-year old, native Floridian has amassed 6 AMA Championships, including two AMA Supercross titles and a perfect season, AMA Pro Motocross Championship. He also has a FIM World Supercross Championship as well as two Motocross des Nations titles to his credit.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the team,” said Stewart. ”It’s been a pleasure to get to test with these guys and meet the team. I’m very excited – I love the bike – Ever since I rode it from day one I knew it was a great opportunity for me to come out and showcase my talent. With Mike Webb as the team manager and Don (Sakakura), the President of Yoshimura Racing – It’s been great what they’ve been doing – The whole team is phenomenal. We’re all excited to get the ball rolling and see what we can do over the next few years. I just want to thank everyone at Yoshimura and American Suzuki for giving me this opportunity.”

“James is a great addition to our team,” said President of Yoshimura Racing, Don Sakakura. “He is an amazing rider and gifted athlete and we feel very fortunate to have him join Yoshimura Suzuki. We will do everything possible to help ensure his and the team’s success. Our company has been built on racing and winning championships and we intend to keep that tradition alive with James and his incredible skill on a motorcycle.”

Team Manager, Mike Webb, as well as long-time Team Suzuki mechanic, Lee McCollum, and the rest of the Yoshimura Suzuki squad, will support Stewart in his run for the 2012 AMA Motocross Championship and beyond.

“We’re extremely pleased with the announcement of James joining the Yoshimura Suzuki team,” added Team Manager, Mike Webb. ”We all look forward to working with James and a rider of his caliber. We feel very confident we can provide him with the equipment that he needs to ride to his capability. We’re working hard right now, though we don’t have a lot of time, but we’re very focused on getting ready for Hangtown and we’re definitely looking forward to the opener.”

Stewart will join Yoshimura Suzuki Racing teammate, Brett Metcalfe, at the first round of the 2102 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, May 19th.

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Message from James

Nils Granger — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:31:20 +0000

I just want to take the time to publicly thank everyone affiliated with Joe Gibbs Racing and with Yamaha for everything we’ve done together this year. It has been a rough year and it’s obvious that this is not the outcome any of us saw coming. But in the end, we believe this is what’s best for all of us. There have been a lot of rumors and talk about our relationship, but there’s really not a lot of truth in them. I do and have always appreciated the time and effort put in by everybody at JGR and at Yamaha. With Yamaha we’ve shared some really great times and those are times that I will never forget. Thank you all for the effort, the support and for the good times we’ve had. I really do wish the best to you guys and congratulations to Davi on finishing up the season on such a high note.

Let me also take this chance to be clear. My focus is on racing and fighting for wins. It always has been. And I really look forward to lining up on the gate and competing at all the MX races this season. Thank you to all the fans out there that have stuck with me through thick and thin. Thank you to my sponsors, thank you all for your support and we’ll see you at Hangtown. I can’t wait to get out there.

- James Stewart

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James Stewart Daytona Recap

Nils Granger — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:48:33 +0000

Watch as James Stewart takes us to his home compound in Haines City, Florida and talks about his season up until his win at the Daytona Supercross.

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TOUGH BREAKS CONTINUE FOR JAMES IN HOUSTON

Ryan Cooley — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 06:15:52 +0000

Houston’s Reliant Stadium played host to round 13 of the 2012 AMA Supercross Series on Saturday night, and some of the biggest news heading into the weekend was no doubt the return of JS7 to the series. After sitting out of last weekend’s race in Toronto thanks to the lingering effects of his heat race crash in Indianapolis two weeks ago, James and team decided to give it a go in Houston despite a severe lack of seat time prior to the event. “I’ve only been on the bike once since Indy, so I just plan on taking it one lap at a time here in Houston,” James said just before practice. “I’m not gonna lie… I’m pretty sore. But I really wanted to come out here for the team and my fans to give it all I’ve got.”

Rolling to the line for Supercross Heat #2 after a Ryan Villopoto win in the first qualifier, James wasted little time getting back into the racing groove, as he grabbed the holeshot and early lead aboard his JGRMX Yamaha. After an intense back-and-forth battle with Kevin Windham, JS7 slowly began opening up a gap, and eventually crossed the checkers with a satisfying heat race win.

When the gate dropped for the main event, James got a decent jump, but unfortunately got pinched off and shoved back to just outside the top-10 through turn one. After making a few passes early on, disaster struck on lap seven when James went down hard at the end of a tricky rhythm section. Unable to remount and finish the race, JS7 exited the stadium in utter disbelief. Physically banged up and mentally frustrated, James looks forward to a much-needed week off, but hopes to come back strong in New Orleans two weeks from now.

SUPERCROSS RESULTS
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Davi Millsaps
3. Jake Weimer
4. Mike Alessi
5. Justin Brayton
6. Robert Kiniry
7. Broc Tickle
8. Nico Izzi
9. Weston Peick
10. Josh Grant

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