Harri Kullas has been no stranger to change throughout his career, but 2025 has brought perhaps his biggest challenge yet: trading the familiar circuits of Europe for a full-time campaign in America. Arriving stateside in January, the experienced Estonian quickly found himself learning the ropes of AMA Supercross before diving into the outdoor season, all while adjusting to a new team, new lifestyle, and the notoriously demanding U.S. tracks. Despite limited preparation and an early setback with injury, Kullas has steadily climbed the 450cc standings and is now finding his rhythm as the season reaches its closing stages. We caught up with Harri to talk about his first taste of Supercross, his progress outdoors, life in the States, and what the future might hold as he looks to cement his career across the Atlantic.
GateDrop: Harri, let’s go back to the start of the season, I think you got to America in late January/February and then started to race Supercross shortly after that… How did you find SX – totally different, right?
Kullas: Yes, I got to America mid-January. It got delayed a bit due to visa but I had three and a half weeks before my first ever AMA Supercross race. That was not enough and everything being new to me, the real SX, new team etc so I didn’t know which direction to go with suspension etc – especially on the 250cc. Supercross this season was just to try to learn and hopefully get couple main events but it got cut short very quickly.
GateDrop: Did you enjoy riding and racing Supercross?
Kullas: I like Supercross yes, maybe more euro stuff as it is a bit easier and I’m a bit older now but the show and everything was awesome. It’s a pity I couldn’t make the mains though at those two races I got to do! I need a bit of a better and longer preparation.
GateDrop: You didn’t have too much time to prep for Supercross and even though you’ve got Arenacross experience, AMA Supercross is still different… What did you expect from the SX races that you did?
Kullas: Yeah, Arenacross and euro Supercross is totally different to AMA. In AMA the transitions are so steep and sharp, the riders here have ridden it most of their life so for them it is quite easy to go for a 3-3-3 or 4-3 in the rhythms. You need to be very precise and obviously I got one of the toughest whoops this season at Tampa.
I still managed to qualify to the evening show at Tampa and went to the first heat. But it was crazy, they fix the track and we go straight into the heat race, no sighting lap or anything, you never know what they have done to the track. This is the biggest difference as in Europe you always know what you get, here they water it or they fix whoops with dust and it was sketchy for me. I didn’t really expect anything and tried to have fun, enjoy, be at every round and hopefully qualify couple mains.
GateDrop: You got injured which was a shame and put an end to SX, that must have been disappointing?
Kullas: Yeah, I hate to get injured outside of the races. At the races you try to be at the peak level and obviously those races are what counts so you do take risks. If it happens then you have to accept it with our sport. But this was so silly injury and put the end of my Supercross season.
GateDrop: Are you keen to race Supercross in the future or will you stick to Motocross/SMX in the future? Perhaps in the future more prep time would be ideal?
Kullas: I mean I want to stay in America for the rest of my career. We have figured out many things here and the life has settled in here nicely. It is hard or nearly impossible to get outdoor deal only (unless you pay on your own) so I’m happy to do a full season of Supercross and Motocross but definitely with a better and longer preparation!
GateDrop: You are 14th in the 450cc championship standings after eight rounds of the series – you probably weren’t 100% at round one but you’ve been getting better and better. How would you reflect on the season so far?
Kullas: Yes, it has gone so much better lately. Everything was new with the team, it was the first year as a pro team so we had to learn each other which works and which doesn’t. I have found a setup during the season and we have improvement the results massively. It is so pity I lost so many points during first two rounds but at least we have turned it around. Also I didn’t get any preseason races which I’m used to in Europe. We have three rounds to go so really looking forward to end the season strong!
GateDrop: The likes of Valentin Guillod, Benoit Paturel and Jorge Prado are racing the series, is it fun to battle with guys you’ve battled with in the past as well as the best in America?
Kullas: Yes for sure it is fun, but they are like any other racers here. But obviously Jorge came last year for some Supercross races and he had the factory deal. But I think I showed last year that it is possible to compete being full privateer and you see riders are coming over here.
GateDrop: In the future do you expect more GP riders to follow the likes of yourself, Guillod, Paturel and Prado to race in America?
Kullas: Like I said, I think there will be few guys coming over in the future definitely. It is hard being non factory rider and get something back in GPs. Here each round you can take something back home with you. Also as a racer I like the race format much more so I think that suits many privateer guys.
GateDrop: Do you think the opportunities in America will allow you to extend your career further than it would have been able to in Europe?
Kullas: I wouldn’t say that. I mean if you look, you have teams and great national championships in the UK or Germany then you still can ride in those countries even if you are older and feel like the GP’s are too much. But being on a high level in Pro championships (AMA Outdoor or GP), I would say America has bit more in those terms.
GateDrop: We haven’t seen the best of Jorge Prado in America yet, are you surprised by that? I am sure you’ve seen how good he was on his way to winning four world titles!
Kullas: He is definitely a very good rider. He knows what he wants. I’m also older and I know if I get my bike right, my results are much better. I don’t know the details but I think it is similar with him. He is looking for the setup and obviously tracks are different so he needs to learn the tracks, learn the new bike and new team so I believe it takes time – also considering that he has been on one bike for his entire career.
GateDrop: Outside of racing, what would you say is the thing you’ve struggled with the most in America? What’s been the biggest challenge would you say?
Kullas: I guess the biggest would be to stay away from your family and friends.
GateDrop: You recently became a father, are you loving Dad life and does that help you when it comes to race?
Kullas: Yes I did, it is great. I love being Dad and seeing my daughter growing up. It is fun to travel all family together and do these last few years together with my wife and my kid. If the weekend doesn’t go as well, it is easier to wake up on Sunday morning next to her!
GateDrop: Have you got any plans for 2026 yet – I assume you’ll want to race in America for another year?
Kullas: I definitely want to stay over here and finish my career in America. But it is tough over here as well. We are working on it and hopefully we can get a deal done.
