Kristian Whatley's new team
By Sean Lawless on 18th Oct 17
British Motocross Championship
The former British champion will be joined in MX1 by Ryan Houghton who raced for the iFly JK Racing Yamaha team in 2017 with the pair contesting the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championships, the Michelin MX Nationals, the Bridgestone Masters and other selected events.
The Whatley name is no stranger to the team back in the late 80s Kristians father Jem was taken under Robs wing and rewarded him with the British 250cc title.
Its been a long few months, said Rob, with lots to organise and arrange so its great that we can finally officially announce our 2018 line-up.
Its fantastic to welcome Kristian onto the team. Everyone knows what he is capable of and with an injury-free year on the new Yamaha YZF450 we feel we are in for a great season.
Kristian, like his father, comes to us at an important time of his career when he is reaching his peak and, like we did with Jem, we are very much looking forward to helping him achieve great things.
Kristian, who was sidelined this season after breaking his femur in April, cant wait to get started.
Im really excited to be on board a Yamaha again, he said. Since my injury I have been working really hard to ensure I am in the best condition possible for when the season begins. I am also looking forward to working with Rob who I know had a fantastic relationship with my dad and I cant wait for the season to begin.
Rob is also looking forward to working with Ryan.
Ryan is my sort of rider, added Rob. He digs deep and keeps working hard throughout a moto. You only have to look at some of the wet MXGP rounds when he toughed it out to finish the moto in extreme conditions.
To win a championship, however tough it gets, you have to keep working for every point and we can see that in Ryan and we are very happy to welcome him to the team.
Ryan finished the Maxxis series in seventh this year with an overall podium finish at Blaxhall and has set his sights much higher for 2018.
I really enjoyed riding the Yamaha in 2017, he said. With what I have learned this season and with the support of Rob, Yamaha and the team I feel we are capable of a rostrum position and more in 2018.
The team will be announcing a supported 250 rider soon.
