Current MX Nationals MX1 Champion, Todd Waters, will race the Australian Off-Road Championship and Hattah Desert Race with the backing of a Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia supported program.
The 29-year-old will race the full 12-round series in the E2 class on a Husqvarna FE450 starting this weekend at Rounds 1 & 2 in Toowoomba.
Waters will also contest the Hattah Desert Race on the 450 machine, while also defending his MX1 title in the MX Nationals.
“I’m not one to shy away from challenges, and having ticked off racing a few rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship series in 2019, I needed something extra to fill up the 2020 race calendar,” said Waters on his decision to race the AORC and MX Nats.
“When the calendars were released and finalised at the end of last year I saw an opportunity to commit to the AORC. I am super stoked to receive the backing of Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia to attempt this new venture.”
Waters explains his riding career started in the bush before motocross became his focus. “I grew up riding, most days, in the hills behind my parent’s property on the Atherton Tablelands, so the transition to off-road feels really natural. I’ve taken my brand new FE 450 out for a few rides and test days and it feels really comfortable and similar to my FC 450.
“It’s been really refreshing to add in a new discipline. I’ve been having a ball getting out into the bush, popping off rocks, jumping into gullies and wheeling over tree roots! I’m excited for the first round of the AORC in Toowoomba this weekend. Hopefully in the next few days, I can get a bit of insider knowledge on what to expect in this off-road adventure!”
While defending his motocross championship is his priority, it is more riding time that has seen Waters want to take on the best riders in the world in off-road.
“The dates aligned for me and didn’t clash with our motocross championship because at the moment that is my priority to defend my motocross championship.
“I just wanted to race more, and I love riding motorbikes.
“There’s never really been another motocross rider that’s defending the championship and has gone off-road as well, it’s normally when they start to lose rides they will go off-road.”
Riders competing in the Yamaha Off-Road Championship, presented by MXstore will complete a track walk of the Toowoomba track this Friday afternoon before racing action kicks-off for the weekend on Saturday.