Ryan Dungey could make a shock switch to the Red Bull KTM team for season 2012. Image: Hoppenworld.com.

KTM could produce a special fuel injected version of its 450 SX-F in a bid to secure the services of current AMA Pro Motocross Champion Ryan Dungey for season 2012.

Various sources in the United States media have suggested this week that KTM could homologate a ‘Dungey Special’ for next year.

It’s believed that the 21-year-old isn’t in favour of riding KTM’s 350 SX-F if he does indeed switch from Suzuki to the Austrian manufacturer next year, however KTM’s current and 2012 model 450 SX-F don’t feature EFI.

KTM does have a fuel injected 450cc in its line-up however with the 2012 model 450 EXC enduro engine, plus Max Nagl rode a factory 450 SX-F with EFI at the end of last season in World Motocross.

According to an intriguing story over at Motocross Action, the possibility of KTM building a Dungey Special using the technology of the EXC engine – which is 2.5 kilograms lighter than its predecessor – is an option.

Due to the AMA’s production rules, it’s expected that KTM would have to build a minimum of 400 EFI models in order to contest next season with a Dungey Special.

According to MXA, Mike Alessi’s carburetted Red Bull KTM 450 SX-F that he’s racing in the outdoors weighs around 103.4 kilograms, while teammate Andrew Short’s factory 350 SX-F weighs around 99.8 kilograms.

If the lightweight technology of the 450 EXC engine was to be incorporated in an SX-F version, the weight difference between a 350 SX-F and Dungey Special 450 SX-F would be minimal.

Dungey has been linked to KTM ever since Roger DeCoster switched from Suzuki for this season, with the motocross legend being instrumental in giving Dungey his break at the pro level.

MotoOnline.com.au’s U.S. contributor Steve Matthes has put together an informative silly season article over at PulpMX.com, including the possibility of Dungey riding an EFI 450 SX-F at KTM.

Watch this space…