KTM WIN A4DE WITH WORLD CHAMP JUHA SALMINEN
17 July 2006 - KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG

KTM’s Juha Salminen has won the prestigious Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) held at Mogo near BatemansBayover the weekend.

The 10-time World Enduro Champion, made the trip down under whilst on break from his busy USracing schedule and he did not disappoint.

Sanctioned by Motorcycling Australia as the National Enduro Championship, the A4DE sees our countries best off-road riders rally together for four days of speed tests, where they set their pace against each other and the clock.

Finnish born Juha Salminen, took to the course on board the KTM 250 EXC-F, securing the fastest times out of all classes on his first day and continuing that way throughout the entire four day event.

Commenting on his win, Juha Salminen said, “I’m so used to entering longer distance cross country style racing in the USA, that the short sprints in enduro were quite difficult for me at first.

“In cross country everyone starts the same time and first home wins but here I had so many special speed tests where I had to really push myself.

“I grew up on sandy tracks back home in Finlandso I enjoyed the terrain of the MogoStateForest. The KTM 250 EXC-F handled really well on the sandy soil, it’s only the second time I’ve ridden this bike in a competition event so I’m pleased to add a win to its achievements down under.

“I had a great time racing in Australiaand meeting all the fans and industry folks. Everyone was very welcoming. If time permits between the world cup racing next year, I may make it back for another A4DE with KTM.”

Joining Juha Salminen as an international entrant into the A4DE was six-time Australian Enduro Champion, Shane Watts, originally from Maffra in Victoriabut now resides in the USAalso racing cross country.

Shane Watts entered the 200 two stroke class in the A4DE on board the KTM 200 EXC. He dominated in his class and finished second outright behind Salminen.

The two KTM imports were stand out riders throughout the entire event. The closest time clocked to Salminen by an Australian entrant was 10 seconds, while the closest time to Wattswas six seconds.

KTM also took home a class win with well renowned off-road rider Stuart Bennett who entered the 500cc four stroke class. This was Stuart Bennett’s fourth consecutive class win in the A4DE for KTM and his fifth in total. His first win was back in 1999 on a KTM 200 EXC, and since then he has entered and won on the KTM 525 EXC.

KTM’s accolades didn’t finish there as the European manufacturer smoked all its competitors in the trade team classes. Up to ten trade teams comprising of riders and companies in the industry took battle in the A4DE with KTM claiming first and second.

First home was KTM Trade Team 2 comprising of Juha Salminen, Shane Watts and Ben Kearney. Second home was KTM Trade Team 1 comprising of Brad Williscroft, Jehi Willis and Stuart Bennett.

KTM state team entrants Brad Williscroft and Jehi Willis also put in a good performance at the A4DE with both riders performing well in each of their respective classes. Brad Williscroft came home 4th in class and Jehi Willis secured 8th in class. Jehi Willis unfortunately had mechanical challenges on day four which pushed him back in points, yet his results from day one to three still contributed to his trade team finishing second in the A4DE.

Commenting on KTM’s performance at the A4DE, Enduro Team Manager, David Woodwood said, “KTM is stoked with the results all of our riders achieved over the weekend.

“It was a tough course in the MogoStateForestfor the first three days, and then the motocross format at Moryua Race Course on the final day really pushed the limits of all riders.

“Juha Salminen’s ride was amazing, we’re honoured to have him ride for KTM. He is a true champion and a pleasure to work with. Both our international riders were a stand out. Shane Watts was equally as commendable for his outstanding achievements.

“Our local guys also put in an awesome effort both in their classes and for the KTM trade teams entries. We had some friendly rivalry in our camp over the trade team ranking which complimented four great days of racing.

”It really was a team effort to achieve such great results, not only by KTM and the riders but also the family and friends of our competitors and our mechanics who all pitched in to bring us home with such great rewards.”

While Juha Salminen and Shane Watts return to the USAfor the Grand National Cross Country races, KTM Australia’s factory enduro riders Brad Williscroft, Jehi Willis and Stuart Bennett will continue to stake their claim on up coming home events including the Hattah Desert Race and the Australian Off-Road Championship.

Outright
1) Juha Salminen KTM 250 EXC-F
2) AJ Roberts Yamaha
3) Shane Watts KTM 200 EXC
4) Brad Williscroft KTM 450 EXC

200cc 2-stroke
1) Shane Watts KTM 200 EXC
2) Damian Smith Husqvarna
3) Mark Goggin Yamaha

220cc + 2-stroke
1) Josh Strang Kawasaki
2) Andrew Lloyd Husqvarna
3) Mathew Fish KTM 250 EXC

250cc 4-stroke
1) Juha Salminen KTM 250 EXC-F
2) Chris Hollis Yamaha
3) Ben Kearney KTM 250 SX-F
4) Michael Oliver KTM 250 SX-F

270cc - 450cc 4-stroke
1) AJ Roberts Yamaha
2) Brad Williscroft KTM 450 EXC
3) Blake Hore Yamaha

500cc 4-stroke
1) Stuart Bennett KTM 525 EXC
2) Adam Lees Husaberg FE550e
3) Mathew Robinson KTM 525 EXC

(8 out of the top 10 were KTM 525 EXC!)

Manufacturer Stats

Entries by Manufacturer
KTM x 85
Yamaha x 67
Kawasaki x 5
Honda x 25
Husaberg x 4
Husqvarna x 1
Husky x 18
Suzuki x 9
Gas Gas x 9
TM x 8
Sherco x 2

Top 20 Outright by Manufacturer
KTM x 8
Yamaha x 7
Husqvarna x 2
Husaberg x 1
Honda x 1
Kawasaki x 1

Photo courtesy of KTM

www.ktm.at

More News
  For July 2006
  From KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG
  For Enduro
  Biker247.com Home Page