Image: Foremost Media.

Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki has revealed it will be a 450-only program for the 2026 season, with the team focusing its resources on premier class success in both ProMX and AUSX.

Since debuting in 2018, the team has competed in the 450 and 250 divisions throughout the following eight years, along with the MXW class in ProMX and the MX3 development category.

After initially gaining official Kawasaki support in 2019, Empire will now transition to a premier class effort altogether for next year in a bid to consolidate attention and focus on success in the MX1/SX1 category.

“We will be a 450-only team from next year – which is something that I have been pushing for since I got here, actually,” team principal Brad McAlpine confirmed. “Basically, we were running a bit too light in having one rider in each class, especially when an injury came up. Having a dual 450 program will benefit us. It’s the main stage, and this is something that I have been working for, so it’s nice to have it pulled off.”

Speculation has risen as to who will pilot both KX450s, with current rider Luke Clout revealing that he is a free-agent for 2026. Four-time MX1 champion Dean Ferris has been linked with a return to racing outdoors, as has Queensland prospect Brad West.

“We’re currently discussing with Luke about a supercross program for next year – for motocross, I’m not too sure if he is still interested in doing that,” McAlpine added. “I did see the news online about Dean Ferris. I’ve worked with him before, and I have seen West mentioned, too.”

Gold Coast-based JPM MX Development – which fielded Haruki Yokoyama and Jet Alsop in ProMX aboard Hondas this year – has indicated that it will take on the official Kawasaki 250 program, with no announcement regarding riders having surfaced at this point.