Tag Archives: Factory

NewsNew

RIDING THE 2024 KTM 450SX-F FACTORY EDITION

KTM invited us out to Glen Helen Raceway this week for our introduction to the 2024 450SX-F Factory Edition. Unfortunately, after we acquired there it was raining–solely at Glen Helen, nowhere else. The monitor was a swamp. We pickled up the bike anyway and headed into the hills to journey and check it in personal. The Factory Edition has been a convention since 2012 when it allowed Ryan Dungey entry to a motorbike that hadn’t reached full manufacturing. KTM promised to import the minimal variety of items earlier than spring in order that it might qualify underneath the manufacturing rule. All these years later, there was a Factory Edition launch whether or not or not there are any important adjustments that might violate AMA guidelines.

Sean Lipanovich on the KTM 450 Factory Edition.

This yr there are adjustments to the body. It has much less materials across the steering head and the shock tower. That would have been a transparent no-no in response to AMA guidelines, which let you add materials to the body, however not take it away. The engine hangars are new as properly. There was a big backlash over the earlier body which most amateurs and a few manufacturing unit riders thought of too inflexible. The new Factory Edition additionally has important suspension variations. The linkage is new and has a smaller pivot bolt with much less drag. The lever ratio is unchanged, however the spring price has elevated and there are valving adjustments to each the shock and the Xact air fork. In the previous, when there’s a body or motor change like this, the Factory Edition didn’t get too many different goodies. This one is an exception. It has an Akrapovic silencer plus the disc guard, glide plate, holeshot system, upgraded wheels and so forth. It even has new shrouds.


The greatest information of all is that it additionally has an up to date model of the KTM Connect Bluetooth system. This was first rolled out on the 2021 Factory Edition, but it surely didn’t actually get off the bottom. Only just a few items have been on the market. Now it’s rather more subtle. The bike has a sending unit on the fork tube reasonably than within the crossbar pad. It additionally has a GPS unit on the entrance fender. It has all of the engine tuning options that the earlier function had–engine braking, throttle response, traction management and launch management. Plus this one permits you right into a subscription LitPro service (which can value $8.99 a month).
The KTM LitPro service provides the identical options for lap instances and phase, coronary heart price and normal coaching as the final service. In addition, it’s built-in with the motorbike’s telemetry. It can inform you what gear you’re utilizing on any part of the monitor, what rpm you’re at, how far you’re twisting the throttle and extra. It opens up an entire new world of coaching potentialities.


There was method an excessive amount of within the KTM Connect app for us to discover on our first day of testing. Our essential precedence was to expertise the brand new body. Sean Lipanovich was our guinea pig. He has hours and hours of testing time on the 2023/2024 commonplace body, plus he owns a 2022 mannequin with the earlier, extra compliant body. Immediately he might inform the distinction. The new Factory Edition turns precisely like the present commonplace mannequin, which is to say it’s wonderful. It drops into turns simply and has little or no chassis motion on the exit. The noticeable change is in straight-line consolation, notably at decrease velocity. The earlier chassis gave you method an excessive amount of monitor suggestions. You felt each rock and pebble. Plus, you can really feel the motor pulse and vibrate. The new body takes away that onerous edge. You would possibly even assume it has a softer shock spring. It doesn’t–the shock is definitely one step stiffer.


On large impacts and in whoops, the bike feels basically the identical. The motor additionally appears like an ordinary mannequin with an aftermarket exhaust system, which is to say excellent. We nonetheless really feel it has one of the best energy within the motocross world proper now. It positively guidelines the dyno, and continues to be exceptionally controllable. Like The commonplace mannequin, it has a handlebar-mounted swap that permits entry to 2 completely different maps, traction management, launch help and Quickshift. All of these options may be fine-tuned now by means of the KTM Connect App.
The large query for Sean: will he lastly commerce in his 2022 mannequin for the brand new body? He says this one nonetheless isn’t as compliant as his bike, however we additionally know that KTM frames take time to interrupt in. A motorbike with 10 hours is simply stepping into its prime, so we must wait and see. By the time we deliver out our full check within the April, 2024 print version of Dirt Bike, we’ll know for certain. We’re fairly certain Sean might be on board for the brand new bike by then.

MORE KTM TESTING


Also within the April subject we can have a brief comparability between the KTM 450XC-W and the KTM 500XWF. What’s a 500XWF you ask? Most riders don’t even understand it exists. It has the identical chassis because the 450XC-W off-road bike that we examined late final yr. However, it has a motor similar to the one within the 500EXC dual-sport bike. Why trouble? It’s largely to present California sellers one thing to promote. For over a yr, it’s been a battle to register closed-course competitors automobiles in California and only a few bikes meet the present inexperienced sticker requirements. KTM hasn’t even had a inexperienced sticker bike for a while. Now they do, and we wished to know if the 500XWF works in addition to the 450 closed-course model. We’ll fill you in, so keep tuned.

Pete Murray on the KTM 500XWF.

VIRGINIA CITY GP

The Virginia City GP goes again over a half century. The begin on C Street is an honored custom.

The 53rd Virginia City GP is scheduled for April Twenty seventh-Twenty eighth.

  • The Drawing Party is scheduled for five:00pm April 6, 2024 on the iconic Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City, NV. This annual occasion guarantees to supply good instances and lasting reminiscences. As in previous, the beginning numbers and grid positions are revealed, together with superb sponsor publicity through the raffle and dwell auctions, all whereas elevating cash for native charities and neighborhood companions supported by the VCMC.
  • Drawing Party occasion posters are again from the printer and prepared for distribution later this week. Please use the connected Drawing Party poster file together with your social media accounts. We might be contacting everybody for each give-away (raffle) objects, in addition to objects for public sale, to schedule pick-up, properly forward of the occasion.
  • New for 2024 is the Vendor Area will now embody the usage of the historic Virginia City Train Depot. While further inspection and planning is required, we need to take full benefit of this unimaginable property…extra to observe!
  • Move-in to the Vendor/Sponsor space race weekend will start on Friday April 26 at 7:30am. The present plan is to have a gentle opening of the seller space at 12:00pm Friday April 26, to take full benefit of the registration (strolling) site visitors.

See you subsequent week!

–Ron Lawson
BMW

Preparing for WorldSBK 2024: BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK groups full intensive testing schedule at Jerez de la Frontera.

Jerez de la Frontera. Three groups, six BMW Motorrad Motorsport manufacturing unit riders; the primary check session of the yr noticed BMW Motorrad Motorsport kick off the crucial section of preparations for the 2024 season within the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) with an enormous line-up. The official assessments at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) on Wednesday and Thursday not solely featured the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team with Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) and Michael van der Mark (NED) and the Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team with Garrett Gerloff (USA) and Scott Redding (GBR) on the circuit. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport Test Team was additionally in motion with Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) and Bradley Smith (GBR).

 

The two days of testing in southern Spain additionally represented the primary alternative to go up in opposition to WorldSBK rivals, as all producers had been participating. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK groups and the check crew loved good situations at Jerez de la Frontera, with loads of sunshine and delicate temperatures. They had been capable of full a complete testing schedule. The focus was on set-up work in a variety of areas comparable to chassis and electronics, in addition to evaluating newly developed parts.

An additional two days of testing are scheduled for early subsequent week at Portimão, Portugal. Phillip Island in Australia would be the location for ultimate testing on nineteenth and twentieth February. That can be adopted by the season-opener there from twenty third to twenty fifth February.

 

Quotes after the Jerez de la Frontera check.

Garrett Gerloff (#31 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team): “Overall, it was a good test. We were able to sort out a few problems that we had which is good. All in all it was just really nice to get on the bike again after two months of not riding and to finally do some laps. I am really excited to head to Portimão and keep trying to get faster. I feel like we have an idea of what we want to try and change at Portimão and then we should be good to go for the season. I am happy with this test, happy to reunite with my team and looking forward to riding again in a few days.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu (#54 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “These two days of testing have been very positive for me, especially as I am still learning the bike on every lap and I am improving. Especially on these two days we have learnt a lot and we improved some things. We tried many new parts. Sometimes they worked well, sometimes not, but this is normal. We just try to find a good set-up and good parts. In general, it has been a very positive test. I did not expect to ride a 1:38 lap time. I’m very surprised because for me the bike is still new, I am still learning and usually my plan is to do a mid 1:39 maybe, but yesterday I started straight away with a 1:39 and I believe that I also could have made a 1:38 yesterday. Today I finally made it and I am very happy about it because I see the potential of the bike and this is very good for me. Now we keep working hard and we just need to find my set-up. And after that we will start fighting.”

Scott Redding (#45 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team): “So, the first two days of testing this year are completed. On day one I was feeling pretty sick. It has been difficult but we have been able to do some laps and find some feeling with the bike. It was just about settling with the new team and blowing the cobwebs away. Coming into day two I felt a lot better and then we worked a lot with the bike to get my confidence and my feeling. We played a little bit with the set-up and tested a few new parts from BMW and I was reasonably happy with the steps that we made for my confidence on the bike. I am looking forward to Portimão next and see if the set-up also works on another circuit.”

Michael van der Mark (#60 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “It has been a busy test; two perfect days with amazing weather, so it was great for testing and I really enjoyed riding again. We’ve been trying to test a lot of different set-ups and different parts on the bike.  They have been quite busy days but I really enjoyed it. We are still trying to improve the bike, and are getting better and better. Also myself, my riding has improved so I am quite happy with it. We learnt a lot and I’m looking forward to Portimão. It’s one of my favourite tracks so I can’t wait to go out there and keep working.”

Motorsport

GM Will Pause Truck Production For This Sunday’s Lions Game

Not a lot can fell a automotive manufacturing unit, particularly one which makes ultra-profitable heavy-duty pickup vehicles. Supply points, a strike, a once-in-a-generation pandemic, stuff like that. Now, you’ll be able to add a soccer sport to that record.

The Detroit News reports that GM will delay a shift begin time on on the Flint Assembly Sunday so workers can watch the Detroit Lions within the NFC Championship sport. Ordinarily, the shift begins at 9:45 PM on Sunday, however will likely be delayed by an hour to 10:45 PM so employees can (hopefully) catch the top of the 6:30 sport. 

Flint Assembly is the one Michigan GM plant that runs on Sundays, and it builds the vastly essential — and big — Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickups. “We know this is a rare moment in Detroit sports history and we want our team to savor the moment, while still assuring we’re providing our customers and dealers with the trucks they need,” mentioned a GM spokesperson in an announcement to the Detroit News. One hopes with tongue firmly in cheek.

It is the primary time the Lions have made the NFC Championship sport 1992. The staff will play towards the San Francisco 49ers in an away sport at Levi’s Stadium. If victorious, the staff will advance to the Super Bowl for the primary time since 1957. For a football-loving state like Michigan, this can be a large deal.

NewsNew

2024 NGPC ROUND 1 PRO RACE RESULTS: DELANO DOESN’T DISAPPOINT

FMF KTM Factory Racing rider Dante Oliveira has opened the 2024 AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) with a Pro Class victory at Round 1 in Delano California . Oliveira was locked in a race lengthy battle with Beta mounted Dare Demartile for the highest spot. Justin Hoeft, Cole Martinez, Mateo Oliveira, Ryan Surratt and others weren’t far behind all the 90 minute predominant occasion. You can see all the race action here!

Defending champ Dante Oliveira got here out swinging profitable a tough fought spherical one.

Beta mounted Dare Demartile in on fireplace proper now! He lead most the race and seemed very snug on the bike. He completed within the runner up spot however undoubtedly has the velocity to win.

Justin Hoeft put his Purvines Yamaha on the rostrum in third.

SLR Honda’s Cole Martinez was within the combine for the win and finally completed simply off the rostrum in 4th.

Mateo Oliveira rounded out the highest 5 aboard his manufacturing facility Red Bull KTM.

Ryan Surratt with out an official journey this yr borrowed an engine SLR simply to race the occasion and completed sixth.

Tyler Lynn is new to the SLR Honda workforce and completed a robust seventh on the opener.

Trevor Stewart has a brand new search for 2024 and completed eighth at spherical 1.

Vet racing famous person Giacomo Redondi combined it up within the premier class ending a strong ninth aboard his Gas Gas .

New to the open professional class Purvines Yamaha Jack Simpson rounded out the highest 10.

NewsNew

BILY BOLT ON TOP AGAIN AT SUPERENDURO IN GERMANY

BILLY BOLT EXTENDS SUPERENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt noticed his win streak within the 2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship proceed, with the Brit claiming the general victory at spherical three in Riesa, Germany. Bolt took two race wins from three begins on his FE 350 to increase his championship result in 16 factors. It was not clear crusing for the defending world champion in Germany. Landing awkwardly quick on the end line bounce throughout observe, Billy injured his left knee. Initially not sure if he may proceed with the evening’s racing, Bolt opted to attempt the night’s SuperPole scorching lap to see how he felt on observe. Going on to say second place, the tough-minded Brit opted to line up for the opening race

Billy Bolt’s hit a bounce badly in timed observe, injuring his left knee sufficient for the large man to be on the ground in critical ache.

Moto one had Jonny Walker getting the holeshot, which was short-lived when Bolt blew by in a rock backyard. It took Walker a few laps to slide previous although and it appeared like a accomplished take care of Bolt driving on one and a half legs. But Walker’s Beta  took a success to the rear brake pedal with two laps to go, and Bolt sucked up the hole to take again the lead and remarkably win together with the quickest lap.

Moto two noticed the reverse grid begin and a Beta assault within the high three starters with Tim Apolle forward of Walker with Will Hoare shadowing him. Billy Bolt plodded his manner by means of the pack into second on the half manner level. Walker had a giant lead,  however he bought hung up on the large tire impediment, letting Bolt take the moto win.

Moto three lastly noticed Walker snag a win, giving him second general for the evening. KTM’s Mani Lettenbichler completed third general, although he was by no means within the hunt for the general.

Mini Lettenbichler switched again to a 2-stroke and felt far more snug on the German spherical of the SuperEnduro sequence. A primary flip crash within the last didn’t assist his outcomes. 

Billy Bolt: “What can I say, it’s been a tough night. After injuring my knee in practice I wasn’t 100 per cent sure if I could race, so to finish on the top step of the podium is beyond my expectations tonight. It was a tough track out there, but I tried to be as patient in my riding as I could. Winning the opening race was great and it gave me motivation to keep pushing through each moto. Claiming two out of three race wins for the overall victory has been great for the championship. The plan now is to get checked out and get ready to go again in Romania for round four.”

Results – 2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship – Round 3, Germany

Prestige Overall
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 59pts
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 57pts
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 39pts
4. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 37pts
5. Will Hoare (Beta) 35pts

Prestige Race 1
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 10 laps, 7:13.164
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 10 laps, 7:20.391
3. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 10 laps, 7:33.261

Prestige Race 2
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 10 laps, 7:15.777
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 10 laps, 7:27.188
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 10 laps, 7:30.345

Prestige Race 3
1. Jonny Walker (Beta) 10 laps, 7:09.279
2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 10 laps, 7:20.705
 3. Will Hoare (Beta) 10 laps, 7:35.862

Championship Standings (After Round 3)
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 182pts
 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 166pts
3. Will Hoare (Beta) 117pts
4. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 110pts
5. Dominik Olszowy (GASGAS) 85pts…

Motorsport

Ford Still Can’t Find A Buyer For The Factory Where It Makes The Focus

Ford is searching for a brand new proprietor for its Saarlouis manufacturing facility, and Dacia retains the brand new Duster comparatively reasonably priced.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s day by day have a look at the information you want earlier than you get in your automobile.

For Sale: Ford Saarlouis Factory Where The Focus Is Built

Ford killed the Fiesta in 2023 and it will discontinue one other iconic automobile in 2025 when the final Focus will roll off the meeting line. While the Cologne manufacturing facility the place the Fiesta was made is being changed into an electrical manufacturing hub, the long run is unsure for the Saarlouis manufacturing facility the place the Focus calls house.

The meeting plant positioned within the German state of Saarland completely produces the Focus, making it crucial to discover a new companion to maintain operations past 2025. According to studies from the DPA information company, there’s a glimmer of hope as an investor within the automotive trade is allegedly desirous about taking on as soon as the present contract expires.

America sadly by no means received the final-generation Fiesta, nor the Focus. The Blue Oval gave each the ST scorching hatch therapy, plus a Focus ST wagon. Ford even launched a diesel Focus ST.

The New Dacia Duster Is Still (Relatively) Cheap


Motorsport

The World’s Best Factory Drag Car Is No Match For The Tesla Model S Plaid

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is undoubtedly essentially the most succesful manufacturing unit street-legal drag automobile ever made. Built with quarter-mile instances in thoughts, it comes with a supercharged V8 engine able to 1025 hp, together with drag radial tires, particular drag-ready suspension, and even a transmission brake. But it is nonetheless no match for the Tesla Model S Plaid.

Brooks Weisblat from the DragTimes YouTube channel introduced the 2 straight-line missiles collectively throughout a latest go to to Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida to see which might be faster in a quarter-mile showdown. 

In the primary of three races, the Plaid is ready to get an amazing begin, launching away and leaving the Demon within the mud. The second race is quite a bit nearer, with the Demon nailing a formidable launch. While the 2 vehicles are side-by-side for just a few seconds, it is the Tesla that slowly walks away and takes the win. The third race is a little bit of a bust, because the Demon driver fudges the beginning, permitting the Plaid to take a straightforward victory.

As Weisblat factors out, these vehicles are extra carefully matched than the outcomes would counsel. In reality, it is attainable the Demon may beat the Model S Plaid if it have been to get an ideal launch. But in the actual world, the Tesla is way simpler to drive, which means it is at all times going to put down constantly fast quarter-mile instances. The Dodge, then again, wants a talented driver and an ideal setting to extract essentially the most efficiency.

If we had to decide on one, we would take the Dodge each time, regardless of the outcomes.

Motorsport

Beloved Roadster Factory Declared A Total Loss After Christmas Day Fire Engulfs Building

The Roadster Factory, a beloved components provider of classic British sports activities automobiles, suffered a catastrophic loss after a hearth tore via its Indiana County, Pennsylvania facility on Christmas day, The Tribune Democrat studies. 

The firm’s 48,000-square-foot constructing was declared a complete loss by the hearth chief following a whole day of dousing flames. More than 100 firefighters from two completely different Pennsylvania counties had been referred to as to assist comprise the blaze, says The Tribune Democrat, after the Armagh and East Wheatfield Fire Department obtained the decision at about 1 a.m. Christmas morning. 

Fire crews might be seen sifting via the constructing’s stays as late as midday on Christmas to extinguish hotspots that may restart the hearth. “I would think we’re going to be here for 20 hours,” Armagh and East Wheatfield Township fireplace Chief Tom Fry instructed The Tribune Democrat, “and then we’re probably going to get called back.”

The Roadster Factory makes a speciality of manufacturing and supplying components for classic British sports activities automobiles from the likes of MG, Triumph, and extra. Founded in 1978, the corporate is a “British Motor Heritage Approved Supplier,” with direct entry to original-equipment components in addition to high quality reproductions, based on its web site.

There had been a number of automobiles contained in the construction on the time of the hearth, solely three of which had been eliminated by firefighters earlier than the constructing collapsed, says CBS Pittsburgh. It’s unclear what number of automobiles had been misplaced to the hearth. 

Thankfully nobody was significantly harm, with solely minor accidents reported from firefighters working with particles.

The explanation for the hearth is unclear. The Tribune Democrat says the Pennsylvania state fireplace marshal has been contacted to research.

The Factory’s proprietor, Albert Runyan, was on the scene as firefighters fought the blaze, however declined to remark when questioned by The Tribune Democrat. We’ve reached out to The Roadster Factory ourselves for extra data, together with an inquiry into whether or not it is arrange a strategy to settle for donations for help and rebuilding. We’ll make sure you replace this text once we hear again.

NewsNew

THE WEEKLY FEED: ICONIC MOTO • COOL VIDS • CHRISTMAS GEAR BAG

The Jammer Jimmy Weinert- Factory Kawasaki, Marty Tripes- Factory Honda and John Desoto- Factory CZ circa 1973. This is an iconic shot of three American motocross pioneers.

•

While doing a little shopping at Fasthouse, Wolf ran into this dude, a 2-time 125 Supercross champ, ISDE Gold Medal winner and full time LAPD motorcycle cop- Damon Huffman. He was doing a bit of buying for his boys, both of whom ride.

•

•

•

•

•

A pivotal moment in MX history, Pierre Karsmakers championship winning 1973 YZ360, the forward mounted shocks modification came late in the season as the flames of long travel gained traction. In  1974 Pierre was on the new Monoshock YZ!

•

HERE’S SOME SUPERB BILLY BOLT FOOTAGE FROM THE LAST YEAR! 

•

THE JETT/HUNTER CHALLENGE!

•

THE OLYMPICS OF MOTOCROSS! THIS IS EXCELLENT

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to introduce the latest addition to the Geomax family – the AT82, the most versatile off-road race tire Dunlop has ever developed. With championship proven Progressive Cornering Block Technology (PCBT), a complete redesign inside and out, as well as a bi-directional rear tread pattern, no matter what the course has in store for you, you can be confident knowing you are prepared with the Geomax AT82.

Geomax AT82 Features and Benefits:

  • New front tread pattern design increases grip and predictability under load.
  • New Progressive Cornering Block Technology (PCBT) design in both front and rear tires reduces knob deformation for better handling and performance.
  • Increased damping and bump absorption due to new profile and construction.
  • New bi-directional rear tread pattern has been optimized for both soft and hard terrains simply by changing the mounted direction.
  • New rear pattern provides increased drive grip and consistency while cornering.
  • Updated pattern and knob design provide increased durability.

•

SHOP FMF NOW!

•

KTM 50 2016-2023 • KTM/GASGAS 65 2016-2023 • KTM Big Bike 2023-2024 • HQV Big Bike 2023-2024 • KX m65/85 • YZ 65/85

Hit this button for Nihilo Concepts 

•

STR OIL PRESSURE TEST KIT FOR KTM•HQV AND GASGAS 4-STROKES

KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas  Oil Pressure test tool. Verify your Four stokes oil pump’s good output pressure. Make sure your Stroker lives on and on.

www.systemtechracing.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIPPER!!  HAVE A GREAT DAY MY BROTHER!

The Baja 1000, 1991. This was the only time I raced any Baja event (I raced the Tecate Enduro 6-times) and we put together a team racing a fully back Honda XR630. Bruce Ogilvie organized everything, my teammates were Billy Berroth and Alan Cunningham and we actually did quite well, although none of us pre-ran any sections. I went into it like it was an enduro, I’d read the terrain and my speed would be dictated by my comfort level. To be honest, the event scared me, as an enduro guy I love tight stuff, this sucker was warp drive on a machine that had an appetite for it. I had some moments that stained my jockey shorts, but came through it wide eyed and happy to be downing a Pacifico in Ensenada. Billy Berroth was the hero, Alan stayed tough, we finished (I believe 3rd in the 30 Pro class) and I never, ever had the gumption to do it again.

I had to have a little work done on my right knee as the patella mount on my replacement knee let loose and dislodged the patella. That equalled big time pain and made it just hard to walk. They remove the old poly (as the mount is glued to the new knee), resurface the patella surface and cement in a new one. Those contraptions on my legs are vibrators to fight blood clots. Love getting old!
NewsNew

FACTORY HUSQVARNA SET FOR 2024 DAKAR RALLY : ALL IN WITH BENAVIDES

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides is all set to race the 2024 Dakar Rally, beginning on January 5 in Saudi Arabia. The forty sixth version of the occasion is billed to be one of the crucial difficult to this point, with practically 5,000 kilometres of timed specials and a brand new 48-hour stage designed to push riders and groups to the restrict.

After clinching the world championship title in 2023, Luciano is keen to maintain his constructive momentum going as he heads into the 2024 Dakar. At the 2023 occasion, the Argentinian received three levels and completed sixth total, matching his career-best end result from 2020.

Going on to assert 4 podiums on his FR 450 Rally in 2023, Luciano had a stellar rally-raid season. At the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge he positioned second after a troublesome race by the UAE desert. At the Sonora Rally in Mexico, Benavides as soon as once more completed on the rostrum, this time in third place.

Luciano devoted himself to in depth testing and coaching with the group in the course of the lengthy summer season break. That onerous work paid off, with the 28-year-old securing a second-place end at his dwelling race in Argentina – the Desafio Ruta 40. A fourth podium end result on the remaining spherical of the championship, the Rallye du Maroc in Morocco, ensured the Husqvarna Factory Racing star was topped world champion. Overall, Benavides claimed a formidable 10 stage wins throughout the five-round season.

Heading into 2024, and fired up by his championship win, Luciano is trying to enhance on his earlier Dakar outcomes and end on the rostrum to make sure a powerful begin to the brand new season.

Hosted in Saudi Arabia for the fifth time, the Dakar Rally begins on January 5 within the metropolis of AlUla. This yr’s version of the 14-stage occasion will current riders with loads of new challenges, specifically within the type of the 48-hour ‘Chrono Stage’, which is the revamped marathon stage. With 60 p.c of the 2024 route protecting brand-new territory in Saudi, navigation abilities will likely be extra essential than ever.

Luciano Benavides: “I was 14 years old when I realised I wanted to be a Dakar rider. I remember watching the Dakar in Salta, seeing all the top guys race so close to my home was a crazy experience. When I watched that day, I was still riding enduro at the time and I remember saying that I wanted to race rally one day – and now I’m here! The Dakar is such a cool adventure for 15 days, where you have to be fully prepared for everything – happy, sad, tired, hungry – some days you just don’t want to race again and your emotions go up and down. But when you’re feeling on top, that’s what you want to get back to. You go through so much and feel so much in just one Dakar that you would need 10 years to fit it all in any other way. It’s a race that makes you a better person both physically and mentally. Last year’s Dakar gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to know that I have what it takes to win. Winning stage six was something that changed my mind and perspective on racing and confirmed to me that to be a Dakar champion is my dream. Every day, I wake up and think about it! Riding for Husqvarna is really important to me, it’s a brand that I love, from the team to the bike. I will do my best to achieve my dream and make it a reality as it’s something I’ve prepared for my whole life.”

Andreas Hölzl – Rally Team Manager: “To win the world championship with Luciano this yr was unimaginable! Now, heading into Dakar 2024, Luciano has been trying super-fast within the testing classes, his pace is unimaginable and he’s clearly very assured on the bike. He has made an enormous step ahead on his technical driving, so with the arrogance from his world title behind him I feel he can do rather well at Dakar!