Most supercross fans will have heard about Chad Reed’s new L&M Racing Yamaha team, which is managed by former KTM Team Manager Larry Brooks and will field Chad Reed and Nathan Ramsey in the 2007 SX championship. The team had previously announced that sporting apparel manufacturer Nike had signed on as an associate sponsor, but until a few days ago the team’s title sponsor was still unknown.
Not anymore – for the 2007 season, L&M Racing will carry title sponsorship from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Not the San Manuel casino owned and operated by the Band, but the Band themselves. Apparently the Band wants to use their sponsorship of the team to promote rider safety, although I’m not sure how this will benefit them, and I find it hard to believe that we will see no mention of the San Manuel casino. However, acquiring a sponsorship of this type is a first for the MX/SX industry, and definitely indicates that our sport continues to generate high interest from companies and organizations outside the motorcycle industry.
