currently working with Joey Savatgy), track designer
(Monster Energy Cup), Suzuki ambassador, family man, and
he does the Ricky Carmichael University series throughout
the world. Ricky has many goals, one being to revitalize
Suzuki’s stake in Amateur racing. “I like to think that
doing things like Camp Carmichael helps Suzuki get back
into the Amateur scene. I wanted to help the movement,
because Amateur racing is the grassroots of the sport.
It’s important to get young riders on the product. We
want to see kids spending their Amateur careers on
Suzukis and then rolling into the professional ranks with
Suzuki support. We’re pushing hard, and I’m glad to see
that Suzuki is stepping up.”
“SURE, HIS VERNACULAR
WOULD MAKE AN ENGLISH
TEACHER CRINGE, BUT THAT’S
PART OF HIS CHARM. AT ONE POINT
HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID, ‘THIS
IS FUN. I FEEL LIKE THERE’S REAL
FRIENDMANSHIP HERE.’ I
HOWLED IN LAUGHTER
SINCE FRIENDMANSHIP
ISN’T A WORD, BUT SOMEHOW
CARMICHAEL MADE IT WORK.”
To find out more about Camp Carmichael and sign
up for Suzuki’s contingency program, you can visit
www.suzukicycles.com. This is your opportunity to learn
race secrets from the GOAT and earn free money from
Suzuki. As for my time at Camp Carmichael, it had a big
impact on me in more ways than just my riding skill—
I’ll never be able to look at a traffic cone again without
hearing Ricky’s voice. ❏
THE GOAT FARM
“Come on, Yates, get
with the program.”
Did you think you
would escape the
classroom by going
to motocross school?
Think again.