Following a successful debut to ATV racing in 2009 with Chris Brenton winning the National Title on board the KTM 450 SX quad, manufacturer commitment has stepped up with KTM Australia to see Ryan Lancaster join the team for 2010, alongside existing riders Chris Brenton, and Len Pipiciello.

The team will have a mixed racing calendar for the season, with Chris Brenton heading over to the USA to race eleven rounds of the Pro Amateur class on board the KTM 450 SX quad, while new comer Ryan Lancaster will also ride the KTM 450 SX quad, but focus on the Pro Class in Australia for the WA State Rounds, and the Tri State Series.  Meanwhile, Len Pipiciello will continue on as technical adviser, and Vets Class racer riding the KTM 505 SX quad in selected East Coast events.

The one event on the Australian ATV racing calendar that will see the trio all compete together will be the National Titles at Southern Capes - Jindong near Busselton in October, where Brenton will return from the USA in hope of retaining his number one plate, and ranking in Australia.

Commenting on his ride in the USA, Chris Brenton from West Swan WA said, "I have to earn 150 points in the Amateur Class before I can qualify to ride the Pro Class in the USA, but even if I do achieve those points mid season, I will stay in the Amateur Class to prove myself, and gain as much experience as possible before stepping up to the Pro Class the following year.

"It's my long term goal to race professionally in the USA, so this is a great start in achieving that goal, but I still hope to return to race in Australia for the National Title each year, which is my commitment to KTM Australia for all the support they have given me, and continue to give me for ATV racing."

On Australian soil, new team member Ryan Lancaster from Tom Price in WA is best renowned for his National ATV title win in 2008, while 2009 was a come back year for him after breaking his wrist in pre-season training, which required six months of rehabilitation.  Time off the bike didn't deter Lancaster, who still achieved a commendable fourth place at the National Titles in 2009, plus a round win at the Tri State series in Toolleen.

"I've had the KTM 450 SX quad since December for testing and I'm loving it," said Lancaster.  "I have always ridden a Yamaha in the past, and I have achieved some great results on that bike, but I'm looking forward to improving on those results with KTM.

"I have no pressure on me from KTM, they just want me to bring out the best in my racing, and in the performance of the KTM 450 SX quad, which will be my goal for the year, plus as many podiums as I can achieve. 

"In between racing I work fulltime as a tyre fitter with my family business, so I can't spend day-in, day-out testing like a professional dirt bike racer would, but I will certainly be giving as much as my spare time as possible to getting out on the KTM and ready to race.

"My toughest competition for most of the Australian Pro Class racing will be CAN AM rider Chad McKay, he's from WA as well, and just as familiar with the sandy terrain, so we will be on an equal playing ground in terms of preparation, and then of course there is Chris Brenton when he returns for the Nationals.

"I consider my strengths in racing to be whoop riding and my fitness, which is what I pride myself on.  I follow the STG training program which is renowned in the industry for great fitness results, it focuses on gym work, core strength, cycling and running.  This program combined with my bike time should be all the ammunition I need for a successful racing year ahead."

Back with KTM factory ATV racing for 2010 is Len Pipiciello of Avoca Beach in NSW, who will continue with racing the KTM 505 SX quad in the Vets Class, while also providing technical support to the team. 

As an East Coast based rider, Pipiciello will focus on the Tri State Series, the VIC and QLD titles plus the Australian National Titles, in which he placed second in 2009 for the Vets class.

"I had a great year in 2009 leading up to the National Titles with a win in the Tri State series Vets Class, and a win in both Expert and Vets Class in the NSW KTM Quad Challenge, but then misfortune struck when I burst my appendix and spent a week in hospital," said Pipiciello.  "This was six weeks prior to the Nationals which dampened my preparation, so this year I'm hoping to come back stronger and improve on my National number two spot.

"With assistance from Wayne Mooradian, founder of PEP Suspension, my company ATV NRG, Australian distributors of PEP Suspension will be proudly supplying the entire team with suspension throughout the year to compliment each KTM quad bike.  PEP Suspension is renowned by racers and quad riders in general to be the best suspension available for ATV racing, which is a good indication of the performance level we can expect throughout the year." 

"With assistance from Wayne Mooradian, founder of PEP Suspension, my company ATV NRG, Australian distributors of PEP Suspensions will be proudly supplying the entire team with suspension throughout the year to compliment each KTM quad bike.  PEP Suspension is renowned by racers and quad riders in general to be the best suspension available for ATV racing, which is a good indication of the performance level we can expect throughout the year." 

Ryan Lancaster and Len Pipiciello will first team up for KTM factory ATV racing on Sunday March 7 at round one of the Tri-State series in Victoria - venue still to be confirmed, while Chris Brenton will commence his first race on March 27 at Pell City in the USA. 

Racing results will be posted at www.ktm.com.au