Watts sets up privateer team
By TMX Archives on 22nd Feb 07
FORMER WEC and US GNCC Champion, Shane Watts , has announced that he will start his 15th season aboard KTM machinery competing for a newly formed dealer and trade-supported race team. Receiving no direct' support from KTM North America, the team will supply the Aussie racer with machinery and support to tackle the factory supported riders he'll compete against in the 13-round US GNCC series.
''It's been a heap of hard work to pull this all together,'' explained Wattsy, ''But we are now heading towards the first race of the GNCC championship and I'm fully prepared and ready to get on the podium. This is the best prepared I've ever been and that's a huge bonus.''
Watts will be mounted on a KTM 250XC two-stroke this season, and not his previously preferred 200XC. ''This will be my 15th year racing KTM machinery, but due to KTM's current indication of being unable to support my racing efforts in any form, this is the first year that I have had to go out and buy all of my own KTM bikes and parts.
"We have obtained great support from all of our team sponsors but unfortunately it won't be enough to cover my expenses for the year. Hopefully further support will be forthcoming soon, at least from KTM, otherwise I'll be off to see my friendly bank manager.''
Having spent several seasons battling injury after injury in 2006, Shane produced some solid results in the GNCC series and despite considering retirement at the end of 2005 will make a full-time commitment to racing this season.