Fans tell Suzuki: Race in Rizla blue.

Although no secret that they were to keep Rizla backing for 2003, Suzuki have waited for fans to decide the race colour of John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama's GSX-R1000 machines.

After questioning visitors to November's NEC show and asking the readership of MCN to choose between the red [raced at Donington], blue [used throughout last year] and green colours, the fans decided the GSX-R should run in Rizla blue - and that's what it will be.

"Due to the support and loyalty from Rizla Suzuki fans during 2002 we thought they should choose the colour for their team in BSB 2003," explained Team manager Paul Denning. "Rizla blue is a great colour and while the red is exciting, it was a distant second in the eyes of the fans, with the green colour coming in third. Rizla blue is unique and we intend to stand out from the rest of the paddock in lots of ways this year."

Rizla's Paul Fallon added that they had always planned to stay with Suzuki, despite the 2002 season being a difficult one.

"We planned to stick with Suzuki in British Superbikes a long time ago," declared Fallon. "We had a good year in terms of exposure to the public, but we had some bad luck on the track. In 2003 we expect to get better results across the board. We are proud to 'roll-up' to the grid with Suzuki in 2003."

All entrants who suggested their favourite colour at the NEC Show had their names put into a competition to win John Reynolds' actual Suzuki AY50 paddock scooter - the winner was Jim Downs from Eastbourne, East Sussex.

"What a fantastic prize to win!" smiled Jim. "I now own a bike that was ridden by double BSB champ JR. It is a pukka paddock scooter and all my friends are really jealous - thanks Rizla Suzuki."