Trail Jesters is excited to announce team rider Ben Kelley has signed a support contract with KTM North America and will be riding under the Trail Jesters KTM Racing banner for 2017. Kelley will race a 2017 KTM 250 XC-F in both the Grand National Cross Country and Full Gas Sprint Enduro series'. This will be Kelley's second season in the GNCC XC2 Pro Lites class. He will contest the Tennesse Knockout and Tough Like RORR hard enduro's on a 2017 KTM 300 XC, and will also race select National Enduro, JDay Offroad and NETRA events.   

"We are very pleased to support Ben and am looking forward to watching his continued development and success as he goes after the GNCC XC2 Pro Lites championship," said Antti Kallonen, Off-Road Racing Manager, KTM North America.

"It is such exciting news for me since I have spent so many years riding and racing KTM motorcycles. I want nothing but to win and put KTM on top of box every weekend at the GNCC races and any track we go to. Off the track I will be training with Steve Hatch Racing. I think we have a complete package for success this season with KTM on the track and the SRH training off," said Kelley. 

Kelley had a steller 2016 rookie season in the GNCC series finishing 5th in XC2 Pro Lites class and 12th overall (XC1, XC2, and all the A and B classes). Kelley also defended his JDay Offroad Sprint Enduro title in 2016 with back-to-back championships. In extreme enduro events, he won Tough Like RORR and just missed the podium, placing 4th, at the Tennesse Knockout. As a member of the 2016 AMA U.S. ISDE team, Kelley took home a gold medal as well as the C2 class championship and was a member of the 2nd place club team at the 91st running of the "six days" event in Navara, Spain.   

"Ben has been racing on KTM bikes since moving up from the junior ranks so we are thrilled to continue growing with a manufacturer that he is so comfortable and already successful with. I'm very pleased to be able strengthen our ties with KTM North America as we bring our rider support up to a new level for Ben and all the 2017 team riders," said Ross Mauri, the founder of Trail Jesters.

"Trail Jesters has put together a top team for 2017 and I am looking forward to working with them as they go after championships in all the major New England series' and at the national level with Ben Kelley," said Brooks Hamilton East Coast Regional Sales Manager for KTM North America.

The 2017 Trail Jesters KTM Racing team will have a six-rider roster comprised of some of New England's best off-road racers. Joining Ben Kelley will be: 

• Jason Klammer - KTM 250 XC - Gold Medalist 2016 FIM ISDE in Navara, Spain
• John Kelley - KTM 250 XC - 2016 NETRA Hare Scrambles Grand Champion
• Taylor Johnston - KTM 250 XC-F - 2016 JDay Sprint Enduro Women's Champion
• Simon Johnson - KTM 250 XC - 2016 JDay Offroad GP Juniors Champion
• Owen Giese - KTM 250 XC - 2016 NETRA A250 2nd Place

Trail Jesters KTM Racing continues their winning ways and working relationship with local KTM dealer, Edelmann Sales in Troy, N.Y., for the 2017 season.