KTM Australia has announced an exciting 2015 off-road racing squad which it hopes will again be the orange juggernaut for the others to chase, with the amalgamation of its enduro and desert racing teams into a single squad, and the signing of two new recruits to help tackle its packed and varied calendar.
The 2015 KTM Off-Road Racing Team will see champion off-road racer Toby Price return alongside South Australian desert racing hotshot Ivan Long, with new team members Victorian Daniel "Chucky" Sanders and former top-level pro motocrosser Tye Simmonds.
The team, managed by decorated racer Ben Grabham, will see Price, Simmonds, and Sanders target all enduro and off-road majors, with Price, Simmonds and Long forming the brand's three-pronged desert racing arm.
Former top-level pro motocrosser Tye Simmonds is an exciting new member, with his passion for motorcycle racing now restored after a burnout-induced halt to his motocross career more than a year ago.
While he might be technically an enduro racing rookie, the 22-year-old from Bourke can drop into virtually any dirt riding format and excel, and KTM Enduro Racing Team Manager Ben Grabham has every faith in Simmonds‰Ûª ability to make his transition to AORC a highly notable one.
‰ÛÏIt's something completely different for me, obviously I‰Ûªve raced motocross and supercross all my life." Simmonds said. "The only thing I've done with these guys has been Hattah, so it's completely new, and I'm really stoked that Grabbo has given me a chance to have a go.
"It‰Ûªs all escalated pretty quickly, and before I knew it we were down in Melbourne to race at the Expo, and I‰Ûªd signed the contract. I've always known Grabbo, he was the King of the Desert, and we hung out a lot together when I was on KTMs in 08 and 09. He‰Ûªs a top bloke and definitely a good role model.
"I think the KTM Off-Road Team is the best team in the off-road and desert scene, and the bikes are unreal - I think they are the best out there, both stock out of the box and with what they can do with a little testing.‰Û
