Russell Ingall Becomes A 'Husky' Demon
8/6/2004 23:23 (Press Release) -
Dual Bathurst 1000 champion Russell Ingall now has sponsorship from off-road motorcycle manufacturer Husqvarna to assist his fitness program and preparation for V8 Supercar racing.
Ingall last week took delivery of a new TE450 enduro machine from the Gold Coast-based Paul Feeney Group, the Australian distributors for Husqvarna and also the MV Agusta and Cagiva brands.
"Riding dirt-bikes is a good way to stay in shape and keep the reflexes sharp, and it's a lot more fun than working out at the gym," said Ingall. "I'm now an official 'Husky' demon."
Under the terms of the sponsorship agreement, the Caltex Havoline Ford Falcon driver will have Husqvarna signage on his helmet during the V8 Supercar Championship, which resumes this weekend (June 12-13) at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth.
Ingall had his first ride on the TE450 on the Gold Coast, where he now lives, and said he was immediately impressed with the performance of the single-cylinder four-stroke machine, which features Marzocchi front forks and Sachs rear shock-absorber and was selected by influential American magazine 'Cycle World' as its 2004 Enduro Bike of the Year.
"I've ridden lots of different dirt-bikes, both enduro and motocross, and I can see why this bike has such a big reputation," said Ingall. "It handles really well straight out of the crate and there's plenty of usable power right through the rev range to keep things moving along."
"Another plus is the bike comes with everything you need such as top quality exhaust system, rims, and bars - you don't have to spend a lot of extra money getting the good bits because they are already there."
Ingall is fresh from a victory in the previous V8 Supercar Championship round at Hidden Valley in Darwin during May, and heads to West Australia currently sixth in the championship.
He said he had a lengthy background with off-road motorcycles, beginning at the age of 10 in motocross in South Australia, where he grew up.
"I started racing karts a couple of years later, and as far as competition goes I've stayed on four wheels since then," said Ingall.
"At the same time I always kept riding dirt-bikes, and some road bikes, except when I was racing in Britain (1990-96)."
Ingall said that his enthusiasm for dirt-bikes was shared by fellow-V8 Supercar drivers Greg Murphy and Steven Richards, and the trio had teamed up for enduro rides.
"When I was living in Victoria we used to go riding on trails around Torquay and Moe, and I've been out on bikes with Neal Bates (three-times Australian Rally Champion) around Canberra," he said.
The PFG became the Australian distributor for Husqvarna on April 1.
Husqvarna is a division of MV Agusta Motorcycles S.p.A in Italy.
Husqvarna commenced operations in 1903, and has won 67 world championship titles in motocross and endurance competition.
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