Chris Ulrich Retires From MotoAmerica
Chris Ulrich has decided to hang up his racing boots after missing out on both races at MotoAmerica Atlanta.
OMNISPORT
Chris Ulrich is retiring from professional motorcycle road racing. The M4 Suzuki rider sat out both MotoAmerica Superbike races earlier this month at Road Atlanta after aggravating a pre-existing shoulder injury.
Five-time AMA Superbike race-winner Larry Pegram will replace Ulrich this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, round three of the 2016 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship.
Ulrich, 36, has been racing for 23 years, including 18 years in the professional ranks. “My shoulder really bothered me at Road Atlanta," he said. "I couldn’t wrestle the bike through the esses and into the corners quickly enough to turn the lap times I’ve done before."
Injuries affected Ulrich's ability to train, which, in turn, impacted his ability to race. “It isn’t just the injuries," he admitted. "My heart just isn’t in it anymore. Added responsibilities that I have taken on with Team Hammer and the M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki program have made it more difficult to concentrate on racing.
“My racing future is in team management. What I need to do now is help my family’s team continue to focus on what it has always done well: building fast Superstock and Supersport bikes and scouting, recruiting, and developing talented young riders to put those bikes on the podium."
Ulrich, who is married and has two young children, will continue to help promote the MotoAmerica series by doing pre-race two-up Superbike rides for the media. "They’re just a couple of laps long," he said, "and involve rolling the bike smoothly into the corners. I can still do that."
A second-generation racer, Ulrich won two AMA Nationals, finished in the top five in points, and stood on the podium 10 times. He is also a four-time WERA National Endurance champion.
“I am very thankful that I was able to race professionally for as long as I have and learn as much as I have about the racing business," Ulrich said. "I am also thankful that racing has allowed me to meet so many great people from all over the world.”