Motorex KTM Off Road Racing team manager Brad Williscroft has welcomed the incoming challenge of Craig Dack’s CDR Yamaha squad on the eve of the 2013 season.

Williscroft’s factory KTM team has been the class of the field in recent seasons, and with CDR’s official entry into the Australian Off-Road Championship taking place this weekend at Bulahdelah, a new rivalry will evolve within the enduro ranks.

“It’s a little bit of a new era in off-road with some of the other manufacturers raising their game, so we’ve raised ours as well,” Williscroft said.

“We’ve been the number one off-road team for the best part of five years and we want to continue that.”

CDR Yamaha’s challenge picks up where legendary off-road icon Geoff Ballard’s left off, continuing the dynamic KTM vs Yamaha battle at the head of the pack.

The Melbourne-based CDR Yamaha operation has featured as Yamaha’s factory motocross for over 20 years, winning the last five straight MX Nationals titles with Josh Coppins and Jay Marmont respectively.

After a stellar 2012 that included outright wins in AORC, Finke and Hattah races, the Motorex KTM Off Road team will use the same proven, world class lineup as in 2012, with Toby Price, Chris Hollis and Ben Burrell.

“I think it’s going to be a pretty good season, with 12 rounds and some new venues in Queensland and South Australia that we haven’t seen yet, and we’re pretty well placed with the development of all our bikes and riders,” he added.

“Benny’s looking really comfortable on the 250 and we’ve helped him make some gains for his bike. He’ll be looking for a podium in E1.

“Chris is always a tinkerer and he’s got his suspension to a place where he’s really happy with it. He’s also done a heap of training to build his fitness and it won’t surprise me if he can win E2.

“Toby tested his 500 for a couple days before his Baja visit and got a really good setting with suspension and mapping.”