Feature Story
Rider Feature:
Comeback Kid
Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Austin Forkner takes it all at the Eastern Regional 250SX Championship Season Opener
In a sensational comeback that captivated fans at Ford Field, Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Austin Forkner wrote a compelling chapter in his racing journey by securing both his first heat race and main event victories of the season. Following a setback from an injury sustained at Anaheim 1 in 2023, Forkner's triumphant return to Monster Energy® AMA Supercross was nothing short of extraordinary. The weekend at Ford Field witnessed Forkner's tenacity as he navigated the challenging track with precision during the heat race, claiming victory and setting the stage for an exhilarating main event. In a display of sheer skill and determination, Forkner conquered the competition, crossing the finish line in first place and signaling a remarkable return to form. This outstanding performance not only marked a personal triumph for Forkner but also solidified his status as a force to be reckoned with and holding the points lead in the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross 250 Eastern Regional Championship.
Austin Forkner
"I went from being down in the first turn at Anaheim 1 last year, blowing my knee out to holeshotting, winning my heat and main event this year. Me, along with my Monster Energy®/Pro CIrcuit/Kawasaki team kept working and never gave up. Taking home the red plate and the win at the first race of the year, this is awesome. If this is not a rebound, I don't know what is. Let's go!"
STATISTICS
2023 AMA Pro Motocross Championship Results: 4 Top 10 Finishes 3 Top 5 Finishes 1 Top 3 Finish
2022 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Results: 9 Top 10 Finishes 6 Top 5 Finishes 1 Top 3 Finish 4th Overall Points Finisher
2021 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Results: 9 Top 10 Finishes 8 Top 5 Finishes 3 Podiums 2nd Overall Points Finisher
Mark Gomez
“After entering multiple classes my goal was to just make it on the podium in Huntington. I charged hard and started to fatigue after the motos, but coming home with back to back wins in 2 classes made it all worth the pain. It was a big weekend that made me dig deep to finish through, but I did it because riding my Kawasaki SXR 160 is my absolute favorite thing to do.”
“ Krystian Janik
I finished last year out really strong with Championships in Schoolboy 2, and 250B at Mini O's, so I'm really aiming to carry that success into 2023. I've spent the last few months working on improving the areas where I felt I could be better and I've made a solid amount of progress. Looking to RCSX, my goal is to go out there and execute what I've been working on at the practice track because I know if I do that then I'll be finishing at the front.
“Carson Wood
I look forward to these first few spring races every year, it's so exciting to come out and show everyone all the hard work that we put in during the winter time. I'm really excited to be with Kawasaki Team Green this year. I joined the team in November last year and after only two weeks on the Kawasaki KX™85, I won a few championships and two Olympiad awards at Mini O's so that was really encouraging. Now that I've had a few more months of training and testing on the bike, I'm super optimistic about what we can achieve this year and a strong showing at the RCSX will give us a chance to start the year on top.
Snodgrass Prepares for Title Defense
After 12 rounds of action-packed off-road racing, Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki Team Green’s Lyndon Snodgrass secured the 2022 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) XC2 250 Pro Class Championship. The championship capped an incredible year of racing for Snodgrass who entered the 2022 season with a career-best third-place finish in the GNCC Championship. Building on his success from the previous year, Snodgrass went on to claim his first GNCC victory at Round 4, with additional wins coming at Rounds 6 and 12.
The 2022 GNCC XC2 250 Pro Class title marked the inaugural GNCC championship for the Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki race team and added Snodgrass’ name to the growing list of Aussies who have found success in GNCC racing. The No. 178 KX™250X rider has had his sights on the championship trophy ever since and looks to carry his momentum into Round 1 at Big Buck on February 18th.
“Lyndon Snodgrass
I’m stoked to see my teammates kick off the 2023 racing season with wins in two very competitive enduro races. Watching them succeed has me extra motivated to start my XC2 GNCC title defense this weekend. The Babbitt's Online/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki Team Green™ squad has a proven record of success in GNCC racing and I feel more prepared than ever to continue Kawasaki's winning legacy in 2023.
“
Grant Baylor
"Things have been going really well since joining the Babbitt's Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green crew. We've had a good season of preparation through the winter and feel ready to compete at the front of the pack. I've had a quick adjustment to the Kawasaki KX450X and I'm looking forward to going racing in just a couple weeks."
“
Robby Bell, Team Manager
"I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season. Zach has been back on the bike for a few months and he's looking fast and fit. It'll be so great to have the No.100 back under the tent. And after a very successful season in 2022, I'm quite excited to see what Tyler will be capable of this year. Our guys are armed with the 2023 Kawasaki KX450X, which has proven to be an incredibly competitive platform in the pro class. That foundation, along with all of the amazingly supportive companies that are backing our effort have me feeling confident we'll make 2023 a truly rewarding campaign."
“
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager
“2016 was a very succesful year for us. We achieved all the objectives within our reach. Our riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes topped the first two positions in the overall classification and Kawasaki obtained the Manufacturers’ title for the second consecutive year in the World Superbike Championship. Still, after that nearly perfect season, we were straight back to work to challenge again in 2017.
Question
Robby Bell's primary focus in 2023 will be managing the Chaparral Motorsports/Precision Concepts/Kawasaki racing effort and helping the riders achieve their very best throughout the racing season. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Bell will also compete in the Pro Class at most WORCS and NGPC rounds to dice it up and have some fun in what can be a very stacked class, with many former Pro Class winners participating.
Notable Achievements:
• 3-time WORCS champion
• 3-time SCORE champion
• 3-time Baja 1000 winner
• 3-time Lake Elsinore GP winner
• 4-time Best in the Desert champion
• 2012 NGPC (then WCGP) champion
“
Jonathan Rea
“It was such an incredible journey that 2020 season. My gratitude to WorldSBK, Dorna, all the circuits and organizers to even get racing through the year. In the middle of what everyone had experienced in 2020, sport always comes second – but we managed to race. I missed the fans in attendance and all my traveling support from back home in Northern Ireland; I wish they could have been there but we were happy to be racing nonetheless. That championship was for all of them and my Kawasaki Racing Team, for continuing to push forward. We started behind, like the year prior but never gave up. It was a hell of a journey and something to truly be proud of for all of us."
Robby Bell
#32
Robby's primary focus will be managing the effort and helping the riders achieve their very best in 2023. But he'll also get out in the vet pro class at most WORCS and NGPC rounds to dice it up and have some fun in what can be a very stacked class, with many former pro-class winners participating. Notable Achievements:
• 3-time WORCS champion
• 3-time SCORE champion
• 3-time Baja 1000 winner
• 3-time Lake Elsinore GP winner
• 4-time Best in the Desert champion
• 2012 NGPC (then WCGP) champion
“
Jonathan Rea
"It has been an incredible partnership, we have enjoyed so much success together that it is almost a natural progression to continue our agreement for the years ahead. I am looking forward to continue making memories and representing an incredible manufacturer and brand. My team is my racing family. I love everyone inside the team like my own family and relationships like that count for a lot in racing. Huge credit goes to every single person in the staff, from Provec Racing, all the engineers in Japan, and everyone in the Kawasaki family."
“
Jo Shimoda
"It is an honor to be selected for Team Japan and represent the Japanese people at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) race. I earned my first overall win at Red Bud earlier this year so I hope I can have similar success against the other MX2 competitors and make everyone back home proud."
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