NEW MODEL TO FORM THE BASIS OF THE ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING MACHINE FOR THE 450SX CLASS OF THE 2018 AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES
Husqvarna Motorcycles is proud to introduce the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider line-up for the 2018 AMA Supercross Championship. Featuring a mixture of championship winners and promising youngsters the team of Jason Anderson, Dean Wilson, Zach Osborne, Michael Mosiman, and Mitchell Harrison will be looking for top honors in all classes of AMA SX competition.
Coinciding with the introduction of the 2018 rider line-up, Husqvarna Motorcycles is pleased to lift the covers on the FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION – an exciting new model that will be used as the basis of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing machines Jason Anderson and Dean Wilson will compete on during the 2018 AMA Supercross Championship.
Collecting feedback from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders and combining it with extensive testing, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ engineers bring an extended list of upgrades to the FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION. Featuring engine and chassis advances together with redesigned bodywork, this unique machine sets the benchmark in terms of handling, weight and aesthetics.
Paying tribute to a successful partnership with Rockstar Energy Drink that has brought Husqvarna Motorcycles two AMA championship titles, three 450SX class victories and numerous winning results in MXGP World Championship competition, the FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION will be offered in limited numbers solely in the US market.
2018 AMA SX RIDER LINE-UP
Featuring a solid five-man squad, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team is set to take on the AMA Supercross Championship that begins on January 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California.
Leading the team’s efforts in the 450SX class once again will be Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson. Making history for Husqvarna Motorcycles by winning the opening round of the 2016 AMA SX series, Jason will make his competitive debut aboard the all-new FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION machine on January 6.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s 450SX class squad will be completed by Dean Wilson, with the Scot looking forward to his first full season of Supercross competition aboard Husqvarna machinery. Fresh from a solid fourth place at the 2017 AMA Motocross Championship, Dean will be a strong asset to the team in the premier class of the 2018 SX series.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne will be looking to successfully defend his title in the 250SX East Region Championship. Aboard FC 250 machinery, Zach is looking forward to a strong season of SX competition. Osborne will be joined in the 250SX East Region series by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team rookie Michael Mosiman.
Officially representing Husqvarna Motorcycles in the 2018 250SX West Region Championship will be Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders Mitchell Harrison.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 2018 AMA SX Line-Up
Jason Anderson – Husqvarna FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION – 450SX
Dean Wilson – Husqvarna FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION – 450SX
Zach Osborne – Husqvarna FC 250 – 250SX East
Michael Mosiman – Husqvarna FC 250 – 250SX East
Mitchell Harrison – Husqvarna FC 250 – 250SX West
Bobby Hewitt – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing US SX Team Manager: “We really have a powerhouse team this year. There’s so much talent under our tent and they’re going to be amazing to watch. These boys have been training and preparing for a long time for this, and every one of them is ready for battle. I’m excited to see Jason and Dean race the new FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITIONS. We’ve all put so much effort into that bike, it will be interesting to see the results. We’re all ready for the gate to drop at A1.”
Jason Anderson: “It’s great to be back on the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. We have a really great team this year and I’m excited to get the season going. I’m also looking forward to racing the new FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION, and hope to keep it out front all season.”
Dean Wilson: “I’m really excited to be part of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team again. I had one of my best years ever in 2017 thanks to this team, and I’m looking forward to an even more successful 2018. I’ve been working so hard in the off-season and the bike is amazing. I’m at a good place with my fitness and health and I’m definitely ready for A1.”
Zach Osborne: “2017 was a dream season for me. I checked off so many of my goals last year, and I’m looking forward to defending my 250SX East Championship in 2018. My FC 250 is perfect, and I’m feeling good for Arlington.”
Michael Mosiman: “I got a taste of being on the team during the outdoor season, and I’m really excited to line up for them on the East Coast for Supercross. This is a great group of people and the FC 250 is on-point, so they really set you up for success. I feel confident that I’ll be prepared and ready for the gate to drop at Arlington.”
Mitchell Harrison: “250SX West has always been a hard class, but I’m ready. I’ve prepared as much as I possibly can and the team is great. I’m focused and ready for A1.”
FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION
Remaining committed to innovative product development, Husqvarna Motorcycles has used top-level competition as its base for the development of the new FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION. Offering a series of major engine and chassis advances, this special motorcycle ideally matches a clean and unique design with outstanding on-track performance.
Among a series of key engine upgrades, a more compact SOHC cylinder head brings a significant reduction in the external dimensions and the overall weight of the 4-stroke power-plant. Continuing to set the standard in the 450cc class, the engine features an updated cooling system, a Pankl gearbox and a new exhaust system.
Designed with the goal of offering increased rigidity, the stiffened frame works in collaboration with a 0.5 lb (250g) lighter subframe and a stiffer upper triple clamp. A series of special parts such as a carbon fiber skid plate, a Rekluse billet clutch cover, updated ProTaper handlebars and a standard holeshot device strengthen the link to the team’s factory machines. With redesigned bodywork taking design and functionality to a new level, the FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION combines race-winning performance with unique aesthetics straight out of the showroom.
The all-new FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION will be available from February 2018 at authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles Dealers solely in North America. For all details on pricing please refer to Husqvarna Motorcycles North America.
