A brief history of how the team came to be
what it is today.
Wayne Hinson is universally considered the “Godfather” of ATV Racing. Once the mechanic of eight-time national champion Gary Denton, Wayne became the owner of Hinson Clutch Components. Wayne has a long standing friendship with both Yoshimura and American Suzuki and after a few conversations about fielding a competitive team- the conversation became a reality. Â
In 2003 Suzuki got behind the team with some significant support and the seed started to grow. Doug Gust was hired as the rider and at the end of the season, The team had won the inaugural Pro Production title and came close in the last year of the “Pro ATV” class.
When the 2004 season started, Suzuki and Yoshimura support went up to the next level and an even larger effort was fielded. Although it wasn’t a full factory effort, it was pretty darn close and was certainly the beginning of what was to come. The racing was quite good and in the end Gust dominated the competition, setting many win records in the process. The main prize: The GNC Pro Production title was captured. Few could deny that the highly modified LT-Z450 Suzuki was the dominant machine that season.
In 2005 Team Suzuki Yoshimura showed up with a 53’ semi tractor-trailer Big Rig and with it the return to full factory racing. The company that started it all (Suzuki) had come full circle. Doug Gust had been the instrumental key in this seemingly natural progression. After all, Doug walked away with the GNC Grand National Champion title in 1999, GNC National Pro Production title in 2003, the GNC MX Pro Production Championship title in 2004.
2005 however proved to be a tough year. Doug’s new teammate, Jeremiah Jones showed flashes of brilliance and huge speed, but had bad luck, and struggled throughout the year. Not reaching his stride till mid-season. Gust, had a few early season crashes that had him racing injured the entire 2005 Season.
 2006 saw the venerable LT-Z racer retired and the revolutionary new LT-R450 arrive. In spite of a slow start, Jeremiah Jones soon came to love the new fuel injected Suzuki. From mid season on, Jones was the man to beat as no one could come close to his incredible raw speed.
Unfortunately, Jones suffered a career ending injury at the Unadilla round. Doug went on, losing a controversial ATVA title but winning the exciting new WPSA SuperQuad Pro 450 title in its inaugural year.
2007 Doug was joined by new teammates Dustin Wimmer and Chad Wienen, and the Suzuki crew came back to focus on the WPSA series. Rockstar Energy Drink, MSR and Pro Taper, the team got a huge boost of support.
2008 Proved to be the year the team really hit its stride. Dustin Wimmer busted out of the starting gate on the first race of the season and never looked back on his way to the AMA Pro ATV Championship. With both Doug and Chad also finishing the year in the top 10, the team finished strong in 2008.
2009 should prove to be another great season for Team Rockstar / Makita / Suzuki / Yoshimura. The nice folks at Rockstar Energy Drink are back as the primary sponsor with Makita also returning as one of the teams major program partners. New for this year is the addition of the Parts Unlimited group and their Moose Racing line of riding apparel. Arthur Fullmer helmets and Memphis Sound Car Audio also are welcome to the team as is Alpine Star boots. Pro Armor is the new Chassis parts supplier.
The team has slimmed down to a two man team for 2009 with Digger Doug Gust and 2008 Series Champ Dustin Wimmer taking care of the riding duties.
“Let’s go racing!”Â
2009 ATV MX Series Presented by Parts Unlimited
Round 1
March 7-8
Glen Helen Raceway
San Bernardino, California
Round 2
March 21-22
Millcreek Raceway
Pell City, Alabama
Round 3
April 4-5
Ballance Moto X
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Round 4
April 18-19
Birch Creek Motorsports
Danville, Virginia
Round 5
May 2-3
Sunset Ridge MX
Walnut, Illinois
Round 6
May 23-24
Steel City Raceway
Delmont, Pennsylvania
Round 7
June 13-14
Unadilla
New Berlin, New York
Round 8
June 27-28
Muddy Creek Raceway
Blountville, Tennessee
Round 9
July 18-19
Pleasure Valley
Armagh, Pennsylvania
Round 10
August 1-2
Redbud
Buchanan, Michigan
Round 11
August 15-16
Loretta Lynn Ranch
Hurricane Mills, Tennessee
