Australia’s Dean Ferris has been officially confirmed to be joining the ICE1RACING team in the 2012 MX1 Motocross World Championship riding a Kawasaki.

As previously reported on MotoOnline.com.au, Ferris will join the team of former Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen, making a full time switch to Europe after a stellar two years battling for the Pro Open ouutdoor title in Australia.

“I am really excited about joining ICE1RACING,” 21-year-old Ferris explained. “It is a relatively new team in world championship motocross but the guys in the team are really experienced and know what it takes to win races.

“It’s a real family sphere and they have made me feel welcome already which is great – I feel at home with them. Their goals are realistic and I have no doubt that they will support me in every way to achieve my goals.

“I really enjoy the Kawasaki and have had great support from Kawasaki Australia and now that support is being extended here in Europe. I tested the ICE1RACING Kawasaki 450 and I love it!”

Räikkönen, who moved from F1 to WRC, expanded his motorsport variation by founding a motocross team ICE1RACING to compete in MX1 and MX2 in the Grand Prix circus this season.

“The season 2011 we gave for Finns. Young talents need to be supported and we wanted to be a part of giving the Finnish champions a chance,” he said. “This is how we feel with Dean also. He’s a great rider already, we want to see how far he can go.”

The European Race Planning Manager of Kawasaki Motors Europe, Steve Guttridge feels also very satisfied with the union.

“The ICE1RACING team has arrived at MXGP’s this year and presented a very calm but professional structure for Kawasaki,” Guttridge said. “I think adding a guy like Dean into the team for 2012 can only be a good thing.

“Dean can make the full time move from Australia where he already races the KX450F to the highest level and so move into the ICE1 team very easily, working well together for the best results possible next season for the team and Kawasaki.”