Tyler Scott Steps Up to Superbike, Bodie Paige to Supersport

Team Hammer has called up Supersport rider Tyler Scott to replace the injured Richie Escalante on its Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike for this weekend's MotoAmerica round at the Circuit of the Americas. The event runs from September 11-13 in Austin, Texas.

Escalante is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in a crash at the previous round at Virginia International Raceway. The 2020 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion has been forced to sit out despite a strong season that has included five top-five finishes and a sixth career podium in the premier class.

Scott's Superbike Opportunity

Twenty-year-old Tyler Scott is a highly decorated Supersport rider. He has finished in the championship's top five in all four of his previous seasons, collecting six wins and 33 podiums. His earlier accolades include the 2021 Junior Cup crown and being named AMA Youth Dirt Track Racer of the Year four times.

Scott acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances but expressed excitement for the chance. "It's going to be awesome to get to see what I can do on a Superbike," he said. He expects a learning curve but notes the Circuit of the Americas is a more open layout, which may help. His only prior Superbike experience was about 15 laps during a test several years ago.

Paige's Promotional Path

Scott's promotion to the Superbike creates a vacancy on the team's Supersport entry, which will be filled by 16-year-old Australian sensation Bodie Paige. Paige will ride the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.

Paige is considered one of the sport's brightest prospects. In 2025, he became only the second amateur rider ever to win the Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award in both road racing and flat track. His professional career has lived up to that promise.

He currently sits second in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup standings, with seven podiums including two wins aboard a Suzuki GSX-8R. He has also finished on the podium in all three of his Progressive American Flat Track starts this season.

Paige sees the Supersport ride as a critical opportunity. "It's a great chance for me, and it could help determine my future," he stated. He has some familiarity with the bike from a test at Daytona and has raced at COTA before, which he believes will aid the transition.

Team Hammer's Racing Pedigree

The 2026 season is Team Hammer's 46th consecutive year as a professional road racing team. According to the team's announcement, its machines have achieved a formidable record of success.

The team provided the following summary of its accomplishments:

The team also holds the U.S. Record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race and won four Formula USA Championships in the 1990s with its methanol-fueled GSX-R1100 Superbikes.

The weekend's action at the Circuit of the Americas will test two young riders in new competitive environments, offering a glimpse of potential future stars for the Suzuki-backed squad.