The VRT KTM team will have a new rider under the awning this weekend for the EMX250 finale. The team have decided to give Rian King from New Zealand an opportunity to impress racing the hotly contested EMX250 championship.
The King name was famous in the Grand Prix paddock in the 90’s with Shayne King winning the 500cc in 1996 to become the first World Championship form New Zealand and this weekend he’ll be back in the GP paddock but this time to watch his son. Shayne’s brother, Darryl was also very competitive as the pair even raced and battled together.
Now Rian will try to follow in his dad’s footsteps as racing the EMX250 finale could be the perfect opportunity to land a fulltime ride in the paddock in 2024.
We caught up with King to talk about the great opportunity at the Matterley Basin track…
How the opportunity came about…
First of all, I’m super excited to be racing this weekend it’s been a dream since I was a young kid to race in Europe. It started with a conversation with Paul Malin and he spoke with Pela from VRT KTM junior team and they just opened there arms to it and got approval from KTM to race.
How he feels heading to Europe and racing Matterley Basin…
I’m so excited to race in Europe with such a great team VRT Dad has told me so many cool story’s about his experience and I looking forward to just being in the environment. Matterley Basin is such a cool place and probably a track that’s similar to New Zealand I have watched every Grand Prix and feel like it’s going to be exciting to ride.
Expectations and on if he’d like to do the full series in 2024…Â
As for expectations, I am going to give it my all from gate drop to the checkered flag and see what it brings. I would love to ride the season in 2024 but the first thing is to turn up to the start line at Matterley and put my best foot forward have fun and enjoy this opportunity with VRT KTM.
Article: Andy McKinstry
