Exclusive: Yates Signs with Kawasaki for 1999!!

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In a bombshell move, this afternoon Aaron Yates signed a one year deal with Rob Muzzy's Kawasaki Superbike team to ride the Kawasaki Superbike and 600 in 1999.

This means Yates will leave the only factory team he's ever known, Suzuki, for Kawasaki.

"After long negotiations with Yamaha's WSC team, Suzuki US and Terry Vance, Aaron decided that it was in his best interest to sign with Kawasaki next year. He signed today," said Yates' business manager, Cliff Nobles. "He'll ride both 600 and Superbike."

"I'd like to thank Suzuki, Yoshimura and especially Don Sakakura and Mr. Itoh at Suzuki," Yates said in a prepared statement. "I've ridden for Suzuki for five years (two years as a support rider and three as a factory star--dca) so it was a hard decision to make, just because of our close association over the years. Don Sakakura is a class guy; it's hard for me to leave. I thank Suzuki for the opportunity and support they have given me in the last five years."

"I'm looking forward to riding the Kawasaki at the Daytona tire test."

Yates has won two Superbike races this season and nearly won the 600 Supersport title last year.

--Dean Adams