Carlton Dry Honda Racing has confirmed it will field American rider Weston Peick in the Pro Open class for the 2013 Australian Supercross Championship which begins next week.

A privateer racer in the US, Peick is a regular top 10 runner in both AMA Supercross and Motocross competition, recently taking a credible fourth at the Utah National.

The Californian rider has set lofty goals in what will be his first full championship campaign in Australia – he aims to win the Pro Open class to open up further opportunities for 2014.

“I am excited to be returning to Australia,” said Peick. “I came out in May and raced the Manjimup 15,000 in Perth but I am really looking forward to a full season with the Carlton Dry Honda team.

“It has all come together quite quickly but the team organised me a Honda last week, which I have been riding and will keep testing on until I leave for Australia on Sunday.

“My goal is to come out and win the Pro Open title. I want to get good results to help me secure a full time ride for the 2014 AMA Supercross season; I don’t want to have to race as a privateer anymore.”

2012 Under 19s class runner-up Hayden Mellross returns to the factory Honda team, upgraded directly to the Pro Open class to partner Peick on a CRF450.

“This is like a dream come true, I am officially a team Honda factory open rider,” said Mellross, who has spent the past 12 months in training at the acclaimed Millsaps Training Facility in Georgia.

“I am hoping to use this as an opportunity to prepare for the 2014 American Supercross Championship where I will be returning to for next year. As for my goals, I will take each race as it comes and access my position after each round.”

Gavin Faith will complete the team’s line-up for 2013, returning to the Pro Lites class wearing the number one plate after a dominant championship win last year.

Rounds one and two of the championship will be held at Darwin’s Hidden Valley from 14-15 September.