Experienced American Joey Savatgy will be a high-profile addition to the 2024 Fox Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) after committing to a multi-year international program with Fire Power Honda Racing.

A full-time 450 class return has been announced for 30-year-old Savatgy, set to include World Supercross and AUSX this year, before extending into 2025 in the US.

Savatgy spent a single season outdoors with Triumph Racing’s factory organisation on the new TF 250-X, but delays to the brand’s premier class effort has resulted in him joining the independent Honda team.

“I’m excited to work with the team, they’ve had some great success in the past with other riders over the years, and I feel like I’m on a competitive bike,” Savatgy commented. “The team is dedicated to getting me what I need to be successful.

“The team has been with Honda in America for five years and in Australia for 20 years, so needless to say, they’ve gathered some good data over the years and we have a good starting platform – we’re not starting from scratch.

“I won’t have as much time as I would like to have on the 450 come race time, but we’re putting in the work and we’re doing everything we can do to be ready. The bike so far has been really good and I can see why Honda’s had success.”

The Fire Power Honda team – which has largely operated as a Supercross-only program since its American launch in 2020 – referenced the Pro Motocross series as part of Savatgy’s schedule, which will in turn lead into the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) post-season.

Savatgy will line up alongside defending SX1 champion Dean Wilson when AUSX drops the gates in Redcliffe, Queensland, on October 12-13, in addition to Australian signing Aaron Tanti.

Following Max Anstie’s mid-season switch to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, Fire Power Honda had signed Carson Mumford to its 250 roster, but he was injured in Texas at SMX Playoff 2 with a compound fracture of his right leg.

It’s expected that Honda Racing Australia team owner Yarrive Konsky will call upon additional imports – Shane McElrath linked to the team – for the AUSX series in SX2.