Image: Jeff Crow.

KTM Enduro Racing Team newcomer Lyndon Snodgrass will enter this weekend’s Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) season-opening round as a factory contender for the first time in his young career.

Joining the factory outfit, managed by former AORC champion Glenn Kearney, is an exciting prospect for the teenager who will contest the E3 category aboard the new 2017 KTM 300 EXC.

“I’m excited for the first run, we’ve had a couple of state rounds at Rawson and it should be a good track for us.” said Snodgrass. “This year on the factory team will take the stress of trying to organise things off my shoulders. It’s a bit different to doing it all yourself or having parents there helping me out.

“GK’s [Glenn Kearney] been awesome, he’s got a heap of experience so he knows what he’s doing, and helping out with riding and testing and stuff. Hopefully he’ll be able to give us a few pointers on race day and Dan’s got heaps of experience so it’s pretty cool to be on the team I’m on.”

Snodgrass carries added confidence into his first factory season thanks to the development of the new KTM 300 EXC and extensive time riding alongside his experienced teammate.

“The 2017 model KTM 300 EXC is a whole lot better and I’ve been able to fine tune the motor and suspension for what I’ve wanted, whereas last year I just ran it how it was,” he explained. “I’ve been learning from Milner and trying to ride a bit smoother, it’s good to learn from him and watch him ride a bit.”

The 2017 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship will get underway this weekend at Rawson in Victoria on 22-23 April following the postponement of the original opening round set for 8-9 April in Dungog, New South Wales.