Kawasaki Tabs Rattray to Fill-In for Villopoto
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 | 11:00 AM
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Irvine, Calif. – Monster Energy Kawasaki enters the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship as the reigning championship team. In defending champion Ryan Villopoto’s absence, Tyla Rattray will compete along side Jake Weimer in the 450cc class aboard a Monster Energy Kawasaki KX™450F. Rattray, a former World Champion, finished second overall in the 250cc Motocross Championship last summer and finished second overall in the MX1 classification at the 2011 FIM Motocross of Nations.
“We are excited to welcome Tyla to the team,” said Reid Nordin, Monster Energy Kawasaki Senior Manager. “He has proven to be a contender for a national championship each and every year, and we are confident he can put Kawasaki up front this summer.”
Rattray has spent the last two weeks preparing for the outdoor season and is excited about the opportunity to race for Monster Energy Kawasaki on the championship proven KX450F.
“I’m pumped to race the 450cc class with Monster Energy Kawasaki,” said Rattray. “I know both the team, and the bike can win championships. I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone allowing me to have this opportunity.”
The 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicks off with the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, Calif., May 19th, 2012.
“We are excited to welcome Tyla to the team,” said Reid Nordin, Monster Energy Kawasaki Senior Manager. “He has proven to be a contender for a national championship each and every year, and we are confident he can put Kawasaki up front this summer.”
Rattray has spent the last two weeks preparing for the outdoor season and is excited about the opportunity to race for Monster Energy Kawasaki on the championship proven KX450F.
“I’m pumped to race the 450cc class with Monster Energy Kawasaki,” said Rattray. “I know both the team, and the bike can win championships. I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone allowing me to have this opportunity.”
The 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicks off with the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, Calif., May 19th, 2012.
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His fitness alone should make for many podiums..
Agreed, was thinking the same thing
Finally going to get Tyla 'The Style-a' on a 450! He's wanted to ride a 450 but we keep putting him on the kids bikes (250f). Cant wait for the Nationals to start!
about time he's on a 450. Does that mean Tickle will be back on a 250f? I hope he stays on a 450.
He's going to be good.
Yes about time now we should see more and betteraction iin the open class, hey I still wanna see the return of the 500cc 2 strokes when men are men!
I think Tyla will be a force to be rekoned with.
Sweet!!! RD's title run just got a nice wrench thrown into it, but the best part is having Styla' out there to knock Bubbles down another position every moto!!
An excellent choice....Tyla has some good speed outdoors and can definitely grind. Keep em comin 450 class.....
I like it, dude was hot at the MXoN, hope he stays on 2 wheels and makes an impact. If we had Bam Bam in the 450's as well, I'd be semi right about now..
Not the top speed but he keeps the pace all moto.
Cool for Tyla....His conditioning in the past on the 250 has been superb....30+2 on the 450 is a little tougher, but Im sure he will be ok out there....
The next Zulu warrior from S.A. will rock on that 450. Go get em Tyla!
This is a dream come true for Tyla, he has been training outdoors for longer than the other guys and that KX is as good as it gets for MX! Kawasaki must have made Mitch a great deal to give Tyla up. This just made the 450 class much better. Good luck, Tyla make it happen buddy!
hey mac-n-tyme, you're dreamin if you think Rattray's gonna beat Stewart or Dungey on a 450, he will be a nice addition to the series to keep the top 10 honest! He's probably a better choice than Tickle!
I am pretty sure Ivan Tedesco will be dropping down to the 250 class and ride for Pro Circuit, I don't think that's final though.
The Nationals just keep getting more interesting, especially the 450 class. I would've bet good money on Dungey taking the title last week. Now as it stands, Rattray and Stewart might have something to say. Just hope injuried don't destroy the field like they did to SX.
Good for him, he deserves this shot. We need more front runners in the 450's right now.
I think this is a good move - another fast guy in the mix! So who will be Mitch's 250 riders and will he field a 450 rider too?
I thought that Rattray was pointed out of the outdoors for this year, in the 250 class. Great to see Kawi step up. What happens next year when he beats Weimers results? #5 and #7 better be consistant on their starts. They may not be able to catch Rattray from 20th holeshot. The man is SOLID outdoors. It will be interesting to see if he has the Barcia like performance on the 450, look out boys if he does!
Fitness is his strong point, but he's coming off a pretty bad injury. I don't see him having Stewart or Dungey's speed. I would expect he'd be finishing about the same as Metcalf.
And for the umpteenth time, YOU CANNOT POINT OUT OF THE 250 NATIONALS.
Related to that, does this move mean Tickle is dropping down to the 250s?
Good Deal!!!
If Tedesco rides the 250 he will get smoked.I think it would be a bad move for him and pro circuit.
Tickle is not an outdoors guy. Last season he barely finished several motos.
i do not see him on the PC squad longer than this season....
any comments????
Sick! Great pick for the Kawi 450!
PC must feel pretty confident with who they have in the 250s. Has there been any official word on Wilson or Durham? They said on the broadcast that Wilson needed shoulder surgery, but I'm not sure if that meant immediately or post-season.
I don't know his contract situation, but you would think that Tickle needs a breakout season to keep his ride. Mitch has high standards.
I think this is a great move and if TR does better on 450 than 250's he will be on the podium consistantly. The guy reminds me of Larocco only he starts better, he charges hard til the chackers and is very fast. He also stays healty, very few injuries- I expect him do do wery well
This title goes through Dungey right now, but as long as Tyla is 100% after that nasty SX crash, he's the next guy in line. The 450 will suit him far better than the 250, and he's got the full package of speed, smarts, fitness, and consistency, unlike anyone other than Dungey right now.
This is awesome. I hope he rides the 450 like we think he can.
Yes! Another post about pointing out of the 250 class in the Nationals.
Another exciting addition to the class (two years late) For you short memory fans who have Dungy wrapping it up already, remember that JS7 has not raced a full motocross season for four years. I wonder how he did the last time he put in the full time work outdoors?
this guy will be fighting for podiums, just watch and see. He has the fitness and toughness. I just got a little more excited for the 450 class now. And its about time he out on his big boy pants and moved up. He will be tough, bet he finishes above Metcalfe.