There’s not much Harri Kullas hasn’t seen in the sport of Motocross as he has pretty much raced everywhere and he’s fast everywhere he goes. Although the 2024 season was even new for him as he raced in Brazil and the majority of the AMA Nationals to then qualify for the SMX finals.
For the 2025 season, Kullas has secured a full time AMA ride which will see him roll back the years racing a 250cc but in Supercross. Even though he has plenty of Arenacross experience and some SX experience in Europe this will be all new for the Estonian. The MRPSBR (Michael’s Reno Powersports Stan Benson Racing) Husqvarna team have decided to sign him up for the 2025 and give him this great opportunity.
We recently caught up with Kullas to discuss a range of topics…
GateDrop: Harri, let’s touch on your 2024 season first of all. Racing in Brazil as well as the AMA Nationals. How was all that? Did enjoy racing these different championships?
Kullas: Yes I did enjoy. But of course it was a tough year to try to organize everything. I made a deal with Balbi and his KTM team last winter. I hurt my shoulder in February so I was out from the first rounds but in the summer I managed to race few rounds and also the Arenacross in Brazil. I have raced many national championships so it was great to explore one more country and championship. My goal this year was to race as many AMA outdoors as possible. Obviously the first rounds at the AMA outdoors were pretty stressful as there wasn’t any practice as I had every weekend race between Brazil and America.
GateDrop: You were racing the AMA Nationals as a privateer, how did you find that? Pretty stressful I imagine!
Kullas: Yes it was pretty stressful but again it was my dream so once I got to Friday evening then I tried to enjoy and give my best on Saturday. Just organizing the bike, parts and traveling is a lot but it is privateer life. After every trip (was either a week or 3 weeks) I realized later how fun those weeks were. Luckily I had and met some new friends in America. I think that was one of the greatest thing to meet new people.
GateDrop: You managed to qualify for SMX. Is that something you expected or even thought about when racing the AMA Nationals and how did you find those races? Very different!
Kullas: I had calculations from last year and after this year’s SX season that it is possible to qualify top 20 with 9 rounds as I couldn’t do every outdoor round due to the Brazil deal. When I did 3 times top 9 in July I knew that if I kept going I could make it to top 20 if there were no issues. Being privateer we had zero DNF’s and I scored points every race except one moto. My goal always was that the bike has to be ready for Saturday and finish each moto. SMX finals were unreal, lots of crowd, tracks being more technical and great atmosphere. The first 2 rounds I was quite nervous but the last round in Las Vegas I made a pretty good race to finish the season on a high note over there.
GateDrop: What was the Brazilian series like? There were a few riders from Europe also racing like Rubini and Sihvonen…
Kullas: The Brazilian championship was bit different. I know they have so cool tracks but unfortunately they didn’t use those or I missed the 2nd round which was great track they said. The level is pretty good, they have some good riders all around Europe and locally so the intensity was high and they have long 30 min motos. Obviously it is far away so the organization on some tracks could have been better but like I said before I explored A new championship and country so I take all the positives with me including some advice I got from Balbi and the team around him.
GateDrop: For 2025, you have signed a deal with MRPSBR (Michael’s Reno Powersports Stan Benson Racing) Husqvarna to contest a full AMA season – Supercross and Motocross! Just how did this deal all come around?
Kullas: Obviously I have to thank all the guys from Michael’s Reno Powersports. They helped me at the end of the AMA season this year giving me a bike to use for the last 6 rounds. I met these guys through Tarvo Jurima, one Estonian guy who helps us in America. Grateful to meet these guys and their support. They saw my work and effort I put in the whole summer and they came to see the Las Vegas final where I
managed to ride good so that gave good emotions definitely. So, they put team together with Stan Benson Racing and now I’m going for a full season.
GateDrop: You aren’t getting any younger and a few years ago the focus was on the British Championship. Back then did you ever think you’d have the possibility of doing a full AMA season?
Kullas: Never thought I would get a chance to do a full season. Maybe something like this year (outdoor only) or some fill in ride for few rounds but now getting full season deal. I’m not getting younger but I feel like I’m getting wiser so I know how much and how to train. I feel I can still race for few more seasons.
GateDrop: So, Supercross… I have to ask, what SX experience have you got apart from SMX which is still pretty different from AMA Supercross (laughs)…
Kullas: I think it was 2014 when I went for 3 weeks supercross training in States, that’s it as much as it comes to SX experience in America. I have raced many seasons in Germany and some years Arenacross in the UK and some races Finland and Holland. I know those are definitely pretty small compared to AMA Supercross.
GateDrop: Where are you at the moment, in USA? If not when do you go and have you done any Supercross prep?
Kullas: At the moment I’m in Estonia. Enjoying the time with my family and going to America early January. That gives me month or so for the first Supercross round. I did race Tampere SX in early November so that is all my SX prep at home.
GateDrop: Where will you be based in America throughout your stay there?
Kullas: Our plan is to do the first ride and tests in California in January and then once the season starts then move to North Carolina and train at Club MX.
GateDrop: How do you feel around a Supercross track? When it comes to Motocross you are fast anywhere but SX is totally different!
Kullas: SX is totally different, especially America. I’m okay to ride in Europe so I try to use all my experience I have and test good suspensions and just build from there. Obviously I have not high goals for SX. I take it step by step, stay healthy and try to learn and see where we end up.
GateDrop: What’s your expectations for Supercross and then the AMA Nationals in the 450cc class?
Kullas: In 250 SX the goal would be to qualify for the main events and everything else will be extra. For the 450 outdoors, the goal is to obviously qualify to the SMX finals and try to get as many top 10 as possible.
GateDrop: Is this a one year deal – have you got the option of staying for 2026 if you improve?
Kullas: We have a one year deal. Let’s see how it goes and how the team enjoys being at the paddock. If results are good then I believe it is possible to continue but now let’s take race by race.
GateDrop: Just on MXGP, the level is obviously really high but when it comes to the privateers or non-factory rides it is getting more and more difficult. Have you had any MXGP offers the past few years and what do you think needs to change?
Kullas: I have not, I have not shown my interest either. I raced many seasons in MXGP so I have seen that world already. The level is definitely high, the mid pack is also very strong. But again there isn’t racing all the riders from national level who could be part of the mid pack and fill the gates each time because of the finance and teams stopping. Many top teams are stopping which is pity to see. The change, I think many factory riders have tried to say/change some things, maybe even more this year than ever but it doesn’t seem to bother the promoter so I guess my opinion won’t change anything.
GateDrop: Thanks for your time and good luck in 2025!
