Cycle News Staff | December 3, 2018
Kawasaki Team Green is getting back into the off-road racing business again. It’s returning in 2019 as Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green and is planning to field a two-man XC1 (450) team in the Grand National Cross Country and Full Gas Sprint Enduro Championships.
The new team has announced one of the two riders—2010 GNCC Champion and current Full Gas Sprint Enduro Champion Josh Strang.
Babbitts/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green
Josh Strang and his new Babbitts/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green
The following is a release from Kawasaki:
Following the team introduction at the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) banquet, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. is pleased to introduce the Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green effort that will field two XC1 class riders in the 2019 GNCC and Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series. With this effort, Kawasaki will continue a long and successful racing relationship with Team Babbitt’s Online where they captured eight of the last nine AMA Arenacross Championships from 2010-2018. Joining the team aboard his all-new KX450 motorcycle will be former GNCC XC1 Champion and current Full Gas Sprint Enduro Champion Josh Strang.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to ride the all-new KX450,” said Strang. “It’s exciting to join a team like Kawasaki, who believe in the potential of my riding and my results. I rode Kawasaki’s in Australia for many years before moving to the U.S. to race, so it’s really gone full circle for me. I can’t wait to get back on a brand that helped start my career and continues to provide support, which is a big part of succeeding.”
In addition to the Team Babbitt’s Online racing effort, Kawasaki Team Green will have a lot to offer off-road racers, including a $1.7 million racer rewards program with $427,700 dedicated to the GNCC series. The Team Green trackside support crew, featuring technical assistance and parts sales for customers will attend seven rounds of the 2019 GNCC series as well as other off-road race events across the country. For GNCC events where the Team Green trackside support crew is not present, the Team Babbitt’s Online semi will have a supply of OEM parts to assist KX™ customers in need. To further support our customer, racers can visit their Kawasaki Team Green dealer to earn up to a $1,500 rebate for the purchase of a new 2019 KX model. Kawasaki Team Green dealers have until February 15, 2019 to submit Racer Support applications.
“We have been working hard to put these programs together and re-establish our presence in the off-road segment,” said Team Green Manager Ryan Holliday. “Having the opportunity to continue our successful relationship with Team Babbitt’s Online and be involved with the GNCC series was an easy decision for us. The combination of having a great new KX450 model, experienced riders and the knowledge of our team staff gives us the potential for success right away.”
Team Babbitt’s/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green along with the Team Green trackside support crew will take on the treacherous terrain of the Big Buck GNCC season opener in Union, South Carolina on February 24, 2019.
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