Former E3 champion Geoff Braico will join the Motorex KTM team when the Australian Off-Road Championship continues this weekend at Corner Inlet, Victoria.

The experienced big-bore lover and currently third ranked E3 rider in the AORC, Braico received the call up to ride the team’s KTM 500 EXC for the remainder of the series.

The ride is left vacant by injured Toby Price, the popular AORC champion who has dominated Aussie off-road racing in recent times.

Price was seriously injured while racing in the United States recently, and is sidelined for the foreseeable future while he recovers from multiple spinal fractures.

“It’s been a hectic few weeks for me racing endures in Louisiana and Tennessee, great fun but unfortunately I was still a little injured with the PCL damage I picked up from that knee hyper extension in Queensland,” Braico said.

“I only got the call to come and ride the bike a week ago, and I am allowed to use the same sponsors as normal and everybody’s been really supportive.

“It’s really unfortunate for Toby and it’s not the way I wanted to enter the team… For my part I’ll try to to win races and keep Toby’s bike in the winner’s circle where it belongs.

“I’ve only had the bike for a week but it’s unreal. Toby’s definitely doing something right with it.”

Team manager Brad Williscroft welcomed Braico to the team under difficult circumstances.

“The biggest change for us will be the addition of Geoff Braico to the team,” Williscroft said. “Our truck is set up for three riders and with Geoff on the ‘berg, already in the E3 class and in the points he was the obvious choice and with a bit more support he has a chance to win the E3 championship.

“I’ve known Geoff for years and he’s completely dedicated. He works full time and always puts a big effort in so for him this is both a reward and an opportunity. Toby’s injury is very disappointing in what was to be a very exciting year but it could have been worse – he’s walking and he’s going to be okay and that’s what matters.

“It won’t be the same without him – well it will probably be a lot quieter! But nothing really changes in that we’re still here to do a job and that means going about things the same way as always.”

Price is happy to see the team welcome Braico to the team and wished him the best of luck.

“Everything is going well and it’s all improving little by little and looking good,” Price explained. “It’s a shame we won’t be contesting this weekend’s rounds but I wish all the KTM guys and everybody the best and hopefully we’ll be back soon enough.

“I’m out for the whole year, so it’s good to see the team keeping the bike out there and I’m sure Geoff will love riding it and give it a good go.

“The support has been overwhelming! It’s crazy but it definitely helps with the recovery side of things and it’s just been amazing, so thanks to everybody around Australia and around the world. It’s going to be a long trip but I’ll be back out there as soon as I can.”

Braico will join team regulars Chris Hollis and Ben Burrell when racing resumes this weekend.