Kawasaki Motors Australia press release:

Source: Kawasaki.

Kawasaki Motors Australia has relaunched the KX Junior Squad as an effort to continue supporting budding champions in Australian Junior off-road racing.

After a successful pilot year in 2014, Ken Hashiba, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Australia believes that this year’s program will again provide a foundation for these young athletes to build a Championship career. “Providing support for these promising riders will benefit Australian Off-Road racing in the long run. Our goal is to enable these riders to focus on their training and ability to win races”, commented Ken.

Grace Rowe, Mitch Brierley, Joshua Livsey & Brad West will all receive support from Kawasaki as they compete on board a KX85 while Lyndon Snodgrass and Josh Brierley, will fly the flag aboard a KX250F.

Kawasaki Australia’s National Sales and Marketing Manager, Robert Walker has hand selected each member of the KX Junior squad based on their attitude towards racing as well as their track history. “Each rider is far from a novice in their age group. It is through hard work, determination and sportsmanship that these individuals were chosen or reselected to be part of the KX Junior Squad and we are proud to provide support to each rider this year”.

Grace Rowe is determined to add to her collection of titles in 2015 after becoming Junior NSW motocross, Sprints and Cross country Champion last year. “Heading into the 2015 race season with the KX85 and the support from my Kawasaki family is incredible! My focus is on MX this year and to be selected to race for the KX Jnr Squad again is about the best start I could have to what I hope will be my best year yet.”

Go-getter Mitch Brierley has been given the all-clear after injuring his foot during training in the lead up to the 2015 season. Winner of the 2013 Australian Junior Off-Road Championship, Mitch Says “ I can’t wait to race my KX85 this year, hopefully everything goes to plan and I can come out on top. Mitch has teamed up with BikeBiz Kawasaki this year and says, “Thanks to everyone who helps me out, I’m looking forward to another great year of racing”.

Joshua Livsey will return in 2015 more determined than ever after missing out on a crack at the Australian Junior Motocross titles last year due to a crash in the qualifying round. “It’s fantastic to be chosen this year. Team green is the best machine!”. Team Moto Kawasaki Moorooka will be working with Josh this year to tune his KX85.

Brad West or ‘Westy’, as his friends call him, has the bragging rights of being chosen to represent Australia at the world Junior Motocross Titles in 2014 as well as securing the 2014 QLD 65cc Junior Championship. “I’m so excited – I rode the 85 a few years ago and I am at the stage now where dad and I are happy and look forward to winning”. Rosenberg Motorcycles will be assisting Brad with his race machine in 2015.

Max Whale will be representing Kawasaki in the Australian Dirt Track, Long Track and Supermoto arenas this year. Max took home the title of almost every racing series he entered last year including the Australian Long Track Championship (85/150cc), plus the QLD long track and Dirt Track titles. “I’ve always wanted to ride for Kawasaki and now I am living the Green Dream. Thanks Kawasaki”. Max’s local dealer, Bayside Kawasaki, will be supporting his workshop needs throughout this year’s racing season.

Lyndon Snodgrass is the oldest member of the KX Junior squad this year and he has partnered with Hands On Kawasaki and Jet Ski to compete in the under 19’s class of the Australian and Victorian Off-road Championship. Lyndon excelled as a junior competitor. Last year he was the Victorian Junior Off-Road Champion (J4), and placed second in the Australian Junior Off-Road Championship (J4). ” I am very keen for this year racing my KX250F in my first year of seniors, I just want to keep it consistently on 2 wheels, and hopefully be on the podium too!

Josh Brierley is the 2014 Australian Off-Road champion (J2), and the reigning Junior Endure and Sprint Champion (J2a). Josh has graduated from the KX85 and is excited to be competing on his KX250F for the first time this year with the support of BikeBiz Kawasaki. “I’m moving up from the KX85 to the KX250F this year, and am liking the change so far. My goal for the year is a podium finish in the Australian Off-Road Championships. I can’t wait to start racing”.

For more information on our Kawasaki Supported Junior riders, visit their individual rider profiles on our website at www.kawasaki.com.au