Team Suzuki Press Office – October 12.
Many manufacturers work with their technical partners for a number of years to build expertise and experience, but there are few that have the length and strength of collaboration as that between Suzuki in MotoGP™ and Motul and 2017 celebrates 30 years together.
Suzuki Motor Corporation first entered a factory team in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship in 1974 with a Suzuki RG500, but it was from the start of the partnership with lubricant partner Motul that Suzuki really made its mark in the modern era. Aside from winning two world titles in 1993 with Kevin Schwantz and another in 2000 with Kenny Roberts Jr., there have been no fewer than 39 victories over the years on Suzuki machinery, lubricated to success by Motul, the most recent in the 2016 MotoGP™ Championship with Maverick Viñales aboard the Suzuki GSX-RR at Silverstone in the UK.
Over the past three decades, Suzuki’s engineers and Motul’s technical experts have forged a deep-seated understanding and symbiotic working relationship. The perfect oils have been developed especially for Suzuki’s engines, including an exclusive, experimental lubricant for use in Suzuki’s MotoGP prototypes, which responds to the extreme conditions and mechanical restraints presented by the top level in two-wheeled competition. Those 30 years of collaboration have helped in the development of Motul’s Factory Line; a racing-oriented range of products that the Team SUZUKI ECSTAR MotoGP team is using today.
Team Suzuki MotoGP’s latest bike, the GSX-RR, is this year in the hands of Grand Prix winner Andrea Iannone and young Spaniard, a former Moto2 runner-up and Rookie of the year, Alex Rins.
MotoGP remains at the pinnacle of the competitive motorcycling world, and each year is a living laboratory for Motul to develop and innovate new products which are destined for the brand’s 90+ markets worldwide.
Both brands are going to celebrate this anniversary with their closest partners during the 2017 Motul MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan this weekend.
Mr. Masahiro Nishikawa, Suzuki’s Executive General Manager, Motorcycle Operations, said: “Suzuki Motor Corporation is proud to have enjoyed such a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Motul. A 30-year partnership with one single technical partner in the rapidly-developing world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing is an extraordinary achievement for both companies. It certainly proves the total belief that both Suzuki and Motul have in the value of this unique relationship in developing both Grand Prix-winning motorcycles and Grand Prix winning lubricants. Suzuki Motor Corporation looks forward to continuing this long and successful relationship with Motul as we continue on our MotoGP development program together.”
Hervé Amelot, President of the Managing Board at Motul, added: “Motul is extremely proud of the very special relationship it has with Suzuki, one of the world’s best known and most successful manufacturers. What has been achieved in MotoGP has been the result of a great collaboration over 30 years which is focused around communication, vision and an endless pushing of the boundaries of technology. We look forward to many more years working together, and will enjoy celebrating this anniversary with Suzuki!”
ABOUT MOTUL
Motul is a world-class French company specialized in the formulation, production and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its Motultech activity.
Motul is also recognized as the specialist in synthetic lubricants. As early as 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant for automotive engines, the 300V lubricant, making use of Esters technology and issued from the aeronautical industry.
Throughout the years, Motul has gained experience as an official supplier to many racing teams and manufacturers and contributes with them to further technological development in motorsports.
Motul is supporting those teams in international competitions such as: 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Super GT, Drift, Japanese Championship Super Formula, Blancpain Endurance Series, Dakar, Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, MotoGP, World Superbike, World MX, FIM Endurance World Championship, IOM TT, MOTUL FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship, Roof of Africa and score of others.
ABOUT SUZUKI
Starting business in 1909 as Suzuki Loom Works, the firm was incorporated in 1920. Since foundation in Hamamatsu, Japan, Suzuki has steadily grown and expanded. During the post-WW2 period, the motorized bike ‘Power free’ which earned a good reputation was followed by the 125cc motorcycle ‘Colleda.’
Suzuki entered motorcycle Grand Prix road racing in 1962, winning that year’s 50cc championship and going on to win a further five titles in that class, plus three World Championship wins in the 125cc class, and a total of six world championship wins in the 500cc Premier class. Also, in the pinnacle category of 500cc/ MotoGP™ class, Suzuki has achieved 91 victories in total to date.
Today, constantly going forward to meet changing lifestyles, the Suzuki name is seen on a full range of motorcycles, automobiles, outboard motors and related products such as motorized wheelchairs and industrial equipment. The “S” trademark is recognized by people throughout the world as a brand of quality products that offer both reliability and originality.
