Penrite Honda Racing’s Callum Norton will step-up to the premier class in the Pirelli MX Nationals at this weekend’s double-header hosted by Ranch MX in New South Wales, joining team regular Brett Metcalfe.

Norton, who was previously contesting the MXD category aboard a CRF250R, has also been piloting a CRF450R in numerous desert races for Penrite Honda, prompting a full-time transition to MX1 for the remainder of the MX Nationals season.

“I was originally contracted to race the desert races with Penrite Honda, so I’ve spent all year on the 450 preparing for Finke and Hattah,” Norton explained.

“Then I decided to do the nationals and jumped on the CRF250R for that, but I’m big guy and changing back and forth is harder than I thought it would be. After six months on the CRF450R I feel it’s the best place for me, plus it’s where I want to be next year.”

It won’t be Norton’s first affair in the MX1 division, as he completed the final two rounds of the MX Nationals in 2017 aboard a 450, scoring a top 10 overall placing at Toowoomba’s penultimate stop of the series.

The talented teenager most recently contested the Penrite Hattah Desert Race, finishing up ninth outright and fourth in the 450cc 4-stroke division.