Empire Kawasaki Launch Their 2023 Team In Victoria!
Empire Motorsports are now going into their fifth year as a race team with Kawasaki. For 2023 they are putting their focus into the 250cc classes. We attended the launch of the 2023 Empire Kawasaki team and rode some bikes! Pics: Kane O’Rourke Photography
We attended the launch of the 2023 Empire Kawasaki team and test out the the new Kawasaki KX250F!
The choice to focus on the 250cc classes was made to keep budget down due to COVID hitting the industry very hard the past few years. This in hand gives more opportunity to the 250cc class riders, and with bikes suited to each of their specific riding styles and the options they feel will assist them to get to the top of their class.
2023 Empire Kawasaki Riders
Empire Kawasaki (MX)
- #386 – Haruki Yokoyama (MX2)
- #44 – Jai Constantinou (MX2)
- #10 – Taylah McCutcheon (MXW)
- #82 – Cambell Williams (MX3)
Empire Motorsport (off-road)
- #50 – Will Price
The team also made the move into enduro racing with Stelios (Stel) Liakopoulos as the team leader. Going into 2023 will be their second year of enduro with rider Will Price.
The team also made the move into enduro racing with Stelios (Stel) Liakopoulos as the team leader. Going into 2023 will be their second year of enduro with rider Will Price.
After having put the team on the podium in both first and second positions at a local Vic round, they have their sites set high and have a very busy schedule this year. Keep an eye out for them at all of the AORC Rounds (Australian Off-Road Championship, Hattah Dessert Race, A4DE – Australian 4 Day Enduro) and the Victorian Off Road Championships.
Back on the motocross side of the team starting off in MX2, EMPIRE have riders Jai Constantinou and Haruki Yokoyama. Along with Haruki comes his wife and mechanic Haruka Yokoyama, who checks over and services Haruki’s bike before and during every ride. Both riders are enjoying the way the new 2023 KX250F feels, with increased bottom-end power and an amazing feeling chassis. This year both riders have their targets set high, being to get the team on the podium in all races.
Empire motorsports are also now going into MXW with their rider, the talented Taylah McCutcheon.
Empire motorsports are also now going into MXW with their rider Taylah McCutcheon. This is Taylah’s first time riding a Kawasaki and already she says she prefers the bike over any other brand bike she has previously ridden. Going into the season this year Taylah is excited to get out there and compete in a very competitive field and aims to keep it consistent to try take out that top position.
The MX3 rider Campbell Williams is also another new face to the team. He is enjoying his first time on a Kawasaki and having such a good team helping piece everything together ready for the year.
MX3 rider Campbell Williams is also another new face to the team. He is enjoying his first time on a Kawasaki and also having such a good team helping piece everything together ready for the year. Being on the older side of the class, Campbell says he is excited to see what he can bring in a field full of new fast racers.
The team all work closely together to improve their bikes and provide each other with feedback and data to improve their chances of coming out on top. Watching the entire team throughout the day, sharing thoughts on the track and their bike setups, was a good indication that these guys work well as a team and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2023. Make sure you look out for the Empire Motorsports Kawasaki’s at up-coming events.
We had Dan Thomerson (pictured) out there testing the new 2023 Kawasaki KX250F, he also scored a ride on all of the Empire Kawasaki machines! Keep an eye out for his features on the new bike and the team.
Make sure you keep an eye out for our full features on the 2023 KX250F, the 2023 Empire Kawasaki bikes and the 2023 Empire Kawasaki team as a whole soon! For more information on Empire Motorsports head on over to their website https://www.empiremotorsports.com.au/ and check them out.
Empire Kawasaki Team Launch Gallery
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