2018 KR4/Husqvarna Team Lineup
Layne Michael and Cory Buttrick Lead the Way in XC1 Open Pro

Media Contact:

Frank Keegan
f[email protected]
(724) 678-8727 

COAL CENTER, Penn. (January 26, 2018) – The KR4/Husqvarna team is pleased to announce their 2018 team featuring Layne Michael, Cory Buttrick, Liam Draper, Colin Keegan and Tayla Jones. 

Layne Michael will make his XC1 Open Pro debut in the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series with the KR4/Husqvarna team. Layne was a member of the winning U.S. World Trophy Team at the 91st running of the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) and most recently finished third overall in the XC2 250 Pro class, winning two races and finishing on the podium at eight of the thirteen rounds. Michael will also contest the Kenda Full Gas Spring Enduro (FGSE) championship.

Cory Buttrick will be a triple-threat this year with the help of the KR4/Husqvarna team. Buttrick will compete in the pro class of the GNCC, FGSE and Kenda National Enduro (NEPG) series. Buttrick is eager to join forces with the KR4/Husqvarna team and get back on top. He is also a vital part of the brand-new GTR Complex located near Columbia, South Carolina. A press release with more information on the facility will be distributed later this week. 

After a successful 2017 season with the team, Tayla Jones will return to headline the women’s pro part of KR4 Performance. Jones dominated the GNCC, FGSE and NEPG last year where she won all three women’s pro championships, and was just recently deemed the 2017 AMA Female Rider of the Year Award at the AMA Championship Banquet this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio. Jones will set her eyes on repeating her titles this year. 

Liam Draper will represent the team in the XC2 250 Pro class. Hailing from New Zealand, Draper’s background in trails, enduro and cross-country will prepare him for his first year competing in the United States. Draper was originally slated to compete in the first four GNCC rounds last year, but ended up having to undergo surgery on his elbow. Since then Draper has focused on recovering and will be 100% come the Big Buck GNCC. 

Colin Keegan will make his move to the pro-am ranks and chase the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class championship. Keegan has been practicing getting familiar with the two-stroke machine over the winter and is eager to has his focus completely on the GNCC series. 

“We have assembled a team that can find success in all three of the premier off-road series on the East Coast,” said KR4 Performance President, Frank Keegan. “Our mix of international talent, former champions and new members will be a force to be reckoned with this season.” 

The KR4/Husqvarna team is supported by the top companies in the industry including: Husqvarna, Kenda Tire, Moose Racing, AMSOIL, Enduro Engineering, GTR Complex, FMF Racing, Schulz Cycle, Seat Concepts, P3 Carbon, Wiseco Performance Products, ProX Racing Parts, Engine Ice, ODI Bars & Grips, IMS Products, Alco Cleaners, G2 Ergonomics, Twin Air, Moto-Master Brakes, Rekluse, Motion Pro, Cometic Gaskets, X Brand Goggles, TM Design Works, Regina Chains, HBD MotoGraphx, Trail Tech, FPS Racing, Bell Helmets, All Balls Racing, Sidi Boots, Super B Batteries and Nitro Mousse Bibs.

Interested in joining the team? Check out the Arrive-N-Ride Program where you can pit out of an exclusive KR4/Husqvarna amateur pit area and experience what it’s like to have a perfectly-tuned Husqvarna machine and mechanic. Check out the different packages and prices HERE. 

The KR4/Husqvarna team will kick off the 2018 season on February 4 with the season opener Sumter National Enduro in South Carolina. For more information check out www.kr4performance.com or call (724) 678-8727. Keep up with the team on social media here: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

About KR4 Performance 
KR4 Performance is a leading professional and amateur race team that participates in the Grand National Cross Country Championships (GNCC), the Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series (FGSE) and the National Enduro Promotions Group (NEPG) series. The 2017 KR4 team took home championships in each respective series. This year Layne Michael will make his XC1 Open Pro debut with the KR4 team, while Tayla Jones will look to repeat her Women’s Pro championships. KR4’s solid team structure is made up of former GNCC pros, expert motorcycle mechanics, and industry enthusiasts that are 100% dedicated to helping clients achieve their racing goals. Visit www.kr4performance.com for more information. 

About the KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Program 
KR4 is paving the way for the future of off-road racing with its unparalleled Arrive-N-Ride Program, saving riders time, money and hassle. For an affordable fee, KR4 can offset the cost of racing and have everything ready for riders on race day. With the KR4 Arrive-N-Ride program, bikes are prepped by the KR4 team before a race and delivered with gear to riders on race day to the location of their choosing. To learn more or sign up for the Arrive-N-Ride experience, please contact [email protected] or visit www.kr4performance.com. For additional information, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For the team’s photo gallery, visit their Flickr page.