Source: Supplied.

Queenslander Jacob Wright has signed with the expanded SD3 Husqvarna team for 2016, alongside returning team regular Luke Arbon in a new-look two-rider factory support team.

Wright, 20, missed this season through knee and shoulder injuries while riding for CDR Yamaha, but will return next year on the brand new FC 450 in the premier class of Australian motocross and supercross.

“I’m really excited, it’s a new bike and a new team and everyone in the team is really enthusiastic about their job,” Wright said. “It’s going to be a good atmosphere to be involved with at the races.

“I didn’t have the best of years this year – I didn’t really get to do any racing because I had a knee injury, so I’m on the charge back to the top. Physically I’m ready to go. I’m 100 percent back and healthy and ready to storm 2016.

“I’ve had a lot to do with [HQVA national brand manager] Jon Hafey since I was about 10 years old and he’s helped me a lot over the years. I met Steve McKinnon in 2013 through Luke Arbon and ever since then we’ve been mates and talked, so it is nice that all this has come about and we are now here.

“It’s so nice after the year that I’ve had to be able to walk into a deal like this, it’s unbelievable and I am so thankful. I just can’t wait to have a wicked year!”

Team owner McKinnon said that after fielding Brett Metcalfe in a guest appearance at the Adelaide round of this year’s Australian Supercross Championship, the team saw advantages in running two bikes – Wright in MX1 and Arbon remaining in MX2.

“Having Brett Metcalfe at Wayville supercross, we learned that having riders in both classes was something really good and we are excited to have two of the most talented guys in Australia on their day on the SD3 Husqvarna team,” McKinnon said.

“I’m an absolute motorbike freak and a frustrated racer – I raced motocross in South Australia as a kid and I was terrible, but I’ve been blessed in my business life and I’m passionate about motorcycle racing. It’s something that my family loves.

“I met Luke when he moved over to Husqvarna and a guy I knew from school asked me to get involved from a sponsorship perspective. I got to know Luke and his family and we consider Luke part of the family. It’s critical to me to have good people around us and Jacob is a good kid as well.

“The thing I like about Jacob is everyone can see he’s got the talent. He didn’t get the ride at CDR because he’s a nice guy, he got it because, I think, he is the most talented guy in Australia on his day.

“I come from an IT world, but our entire business is about getting the best out of ourselves and I want to see Jacob performing at his 100 percent. I think if he does that, I’d challenge people to stop him!”

The SD3 team will also provide assistance in the career development of Toowoomba Motorcycles-sponsored MXD competitor Kaleb Barham. Husqvarna meanwhile will continue its factory support program across a number of other riders in addition to SD3, with an announcement of its complete pro-level motocross racing strategy coming in the near future.