Image: Supplied.

An all-new KX450 has led to Empire Kawasaki committing to the premier class full-time in 2024 with Luke Clout, whose future is now official after his CDR Yamaha Monster Energy departure.

The 29-year-old Clout has long been linked to the Kawasaki-backed squad, with the Empire Motorsports-operated team making a low-key announcement on social media this evening.

Clout’s final appearance at CDR in Melbourne’s final round of the Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) and World Supercross Championship (WSX) was a convincing one, winning SX1 on the Friday night and then going on to claim an SX2 main event and series podium in third position to cap-off the WSX season.

Now, he has turned his attention to putting Kawasaki back on the map across both the Penrite ProMX Championship and AUSX. The Empire team focused on a 250-only program this season outdoors, before drafting in Matt Moss for AUSX prior to him sustaining an assortment of injuries in Newcastle’s second round.

Clout will be teamed with incoming MX2 signing Reid Taylor at Empire Kawasaki for 2024, with MWX front-runner Tayla McCutcheon also to be KX250-equipped for a second season in a row.

Empire Kawasaki has also recently brought in longtime Craig Dack Racing (CDR) technician Brad McAlpine in a senior position, making the move during AUSX in preparation for next year and he will be instrumental in Clout’s program for next season.