New direction for Raceline Performance – team on hold!
Raceline Performance has mutually agreed to part ways with KTM Australia after a five year relationship representing the brand. Initially Raceline was the home of KTMs MXD and professional development program from 2016 through 2018, before being named the official factory Australian Motocross and Supercross team in 2019 and 2020.
The conclusion of the 2020 season also marks the end of the Raceline Performance National Motocross and Supercross team fielding a professional line up of riders, as 2021 see’s a new direction for the Raceline Performance organisation.
Kevin Williams, head of business development for Raceline Performance commented further on the announcement;
“ Firstly I would like to thank KTM Australia for their support and valued partnership with Raceline Performance over the last five seasons. It has been a pleasure to work with them and we wish KTM all the best in their future endeavours. In regards to Raceline Performance not fielding a professional racing team in 2021, there are many factors that have influenced this decision.”
“Raceline Performance was founded by John Tisdale in the early 2000’s as a junior support program with the goal of providing young riders with both equipment and infrastructure to help take their riding to the professional level. Evolving into a MXD support program and eventually a factory team over the past twelve years has been an incredible journey and we have helped many young riders and their families achieve their racing dreams.”
“The Raceline Performance racing organisation has fielded international stars and national champions en route to professional Motocross and Supercross Victories in all classes of Professional competition. In order to facilitate this elite level of racing, the Raceline Performance workshop (the main business interest for the organisation) has been expanded and refined to a business structure where we have our workshop based in Burleigh Heads, QLD, along with an import and distribution program for performance products with brands such as Pro Circuit.”
“The signing of Dean Ferris for the 2020 season after a successful appearance for the team in 2019 winning at the Murray Bridge round of the MX Nationals has been a huge success for our program as a whole. This is a relationship that will continue into the future with Dean as an ambassador for the Raceline Performance program, mentoring our junior riders via his Motocross Masterclass coaching, developing our products and representing the brand to the highest of levels. Dean being sidelined for twelve months with his back injury has played a role in Raceline not competing in the 2021 season and we are happy to reevaluate our position on professional competition as a team when Dean is willing and able to return to racing.”
“In the current global climate during the COVID-19 pandemic and the instability around national competition, we feel it is best for us to focus on our growing performance workshop and distribution programs along with returning to our roots with helping to develop the next generation of junior talent via our local level racing support and club activations. Raceline Performance will still be involved with racing at a national level via our race bike lease and rider support programs and we look forward to providing more details in the coming weeks on our 2021 initiatives including local and state level club and event partnerships” concluded Williams.
Raceline Performance would like to take this opportunity to thank all previous and current partners, riders and stakeholders in our race team program.
Words and pic: Raceline Performance
