Image: Simon Cudby.

RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Suzuki Factory Racing has added Jake Weimer to their roster for the remainder of the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Championship.

The 2010 Western Regional 250SX champion, originally riding for Team Tedder during the first three rounds of the 2016 series, was called up by the Factory Suzuki outfit following Broc Tickle’s unfortunate forearm injury which will see him miss four to six rounds of racing.

Having worked with select members of the RCH crew in the past, and holding both team owners Carey Hart and Ricky Carmichael in high regard, it was an easy decision to make according to Weimer.

“It’s a good opportunity for me to be on a team of this caliber,” said Weimer. “I know most of the guys on the team and have worked with some of them before. I have a lot of respect for both Carey and Ricky so when the opportunity presented itself, it was really something I wanted to do.

“RCH is a team that I’ve been interested in for the last few years but the opportunity hadn’t come along so when it did, it was pretty easy for me to say yes.”

The move to Suzuki will be a substantial change after seven years aboard a Kawasaki, but Weimer hopes it will give him the extra edge he needs to step up his game and climb his way up the leader board.

“As of now, my best finish this year is eighth. I just want to keep raising that bar, grab another gear and try to be a little more competitive with the next little group of guys,” he added. “I’ve been on a Kawasaki for the last seven years so this is a huge move for me, but it’s an opportunity I’m excited about and couldn’t pass up.”

With Tickle on the sidelines until further notice, RCH team co-owner Carmichael is pleased to be able to add a veteran rider with Weimer’s talent to the team.

“I think Jake will be a great fit,” said Carmichael. “I know he’s worked with several members of our technical group in the past and knows just about everyone on the team so that should make it a smooth transition for everyone – we will give him our best.

“He’s going to be fun to watch. At the same time, we want to wish Broc a speedy recovery. He had a great off-season and worked his butt off so everyone is really bummed about his injury. We’ll have his bike ready to go when he’s ready to get back after it.”

The RCH team plans to field a three-rider team when Tickle returns alongside Weimer and Germany’s Ken Roczen.