Image: Supplied.

Beta Australia has formed an all-new team to contest the 2021 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) after signing Fraser Higlett for the remaining rounds of the current season.

Higlett, a two-time AORC EJ champion and part of the runner-up Australian EJ squad at the 2019 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), initially failed to sign a deal for 2021 and subsequently missed the opening two rounds at Golden Beach in Victoria.

The signing comes as a career lifeline for the popular Queensland, who after many years challenging the E1 category, will step up to the E2 class aboard the Beta 430 RR Racing edition.

“I’m really excited to be onboard with Beta, the bike is awesome and I’m really keen to get back out there and see what we can do,” Higlett explained. “I’d like to thank everyone that has put this deal together for me and I’m looking forward to the remainder of the season.”

The introduction of the Beta Factory Enduro Team is a massive boost for the AORC, with the manufacturer using the remaining rounds of this season in preparation for a full assault in 2022.

“We always had in our plans to get more serious about a factory effort in enduro and the AORC championship for the 2022 season,” said Beta Australia managing director Patrick Lowry.

“When the opportunity came up to secure a rider of Fraser’s calibre, we went ahead as it gives us a great chance to get some time under our belt before next season.”

Rounds three and four of the Australian Off-Road Championship are due to take place on 17-18 July at Kyogle in New South Wales.