Jeff Ward Racing Signs Dean Wilson
Friday, October 19, 2012 | 11:25 AM
Share
Comment
Email
PrintJeff Ward Racing Press Release
Jeff Ward Racing is proud to officially announce the signing Dean Wilson for the 2013 and 2014 AMA Supercross and Motocross seasons. The 20-year-old Scotsman will make his debut in the premier 450cc division after a very successful career aboard the smaller 250cc machines, on which he earned the 2011 250cc National Championship, as well as five Supercross Lites main event wins.
“Dean is one of the 450cc class rookies to watch, and I’m excited to help him transition into the premier division,” said Jeff Ward, team co-owner and a seven‐time Motocross and Supercross Champion himself. “He is a great kid, and I’ve admired his talent and work ethic at a distance for years now. I believe that he will be a frontrunner from the start, and we are all expecting great things in 2013.”
Wilson joins the Jeff Ward Racing team in its sophomore season but really, the squad has been working together for years under a different title. “I got into racing because I love motocross,” said team co‐owner Mike Kranyak. “I enjoy the challenge, and I believed that I could build a team that would be the best in the world. We accomplished our goal by winning the Supercross championships with Chad Reed and James Stewart in the past, and now our new challenge is to do the same with Dean Wilson.”
“I’m thrilled to join the Jeff Ward Racing Team,” said Wilson, from his new home in Clermont, Florida. “I had a few offers to choose from but joining JWR was a no brainer. I wanted to stay on Kawasakis, and the chance to work with Jeff Ward was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. The guy is a legend!”
Wilson will race a factory supported Kawasaki KX450F, tuned by respected technician Oscar Wirdeman, who helped guide Chad Reed and James Stewart to the 2008 and 2009 Supercross Championships, respectively.
Stay tuned for a complete team announcement regarding team sponsors and personnel. For more information, visit www.jeffwardracing.com.
Did you like this article?
Check out TEAM HONDA AT DAWN
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Forty years ago, Team Honda arrived on the American motocross circuit with a brand new motorcycle: the game-changing Elsinore CR250. Page 170.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Woooaaah did not see that one coming :-)
Hope great things for Dean I like to watch him ride, super riding style.
I hope Deano heals up good and rides to his potential! I hope it's not one man team
Didn't they tell Josh Grant they were falling apart and to look for another ride? They just wanted Josh off the team.
One more Green Machine inside the top ten... which is great for Kawasaki!!!
Seems like a great fit. Anybody know if the team will sign another rider?
It is doubtful from what I hear, they paid Deano quite well to secure his services and probally don't have the budget to get another rider...I think that is why Grant is gone..
Will he be racing for this team tomorrow at MEC?
this is news? man i hate the off season...local expert I agree they needed to free up some coin to sign Wilson FWIH. Anyways if that doesn't kick Josh in the ass nothing will..I mean having a "friend" tell you to look for another job because the team might fold then they hire this guy...OR the sponsors stayed on BECAUSE they hired this guy...
One rider only. Mr.Roboto...Wilson better keep er on two wheels.
BD25 & dino, thanks for the update!
Thought Matthes wrote about this several weeks ago like it was a done thing. Guess I missed something.
I think the page has turned for Grant. He is at an age that "potential" doesnt cut it anymore. He did have some injuries (they have added up and that is a factor too), but that seems to be his new normal.
On the whole I think he was a lifestyle casualty.
If everyone is healthy when the outdoors roll around.2013 is going to be a incredible year for the 450 class.SX as well.If 8 of the top 10 get hurt is SX this year then I guess it's time for everyone to ride 250's or for the manufactures to start making 350s.The 450 MAKES TO MUCH POWER FOR SX.2012 SX series has already shown us this.
This is breaking news? I have known that for a few months. I think JGR resigning both past riders Brayton and Grant is more recent news then this. But good for Dean and Wardy. Dean is a amazing rider and Jeff Ward well his name speaks for itself in the industry. For a naturally talented rider like Dean moving up to the Premier Class I couldn't think of a better guy then Jeff Ward to help make that transition as quickly and smoothly as possible. Anyone that has spent time with Wilson knows he is a very intense and emotional rider which is good and bad as we have seen in the past. Now Ward is more of the calm, cool, collective type just don't get him mad. Wilson definitely has the talent to be a major player but so have a lot of Lites riders. I think Ward is the guy that can help Dean get to that level. A dominate rider from the start like RC4 and JS7 were. I doubt it those two are the few exceptions. But give him some time and he will be one of the guys to beat without a doubt. It will be a very interesting year with both Wilson and Barcia moving up to the 450's. I think Barcia may be a bit better at Supercross where Wilson may have the edge on him Outdoors. But as we all have seen with Barcia the 450 sometimes suites a rider better which I believe will be the case with Wilson. They are pretty evenly matched. Not to mention all of the the top 6 riders will be back and healthy from their 2012 Supercross injuries. Will we see a top ten rider battle this year? I think we might. We will get a brief glimpse tomorrow of what is to come in 2013. I know every year people say "this is the most anticipated Supercross season ever" but for once I actually believe it. I look for good things to come out of their camp next year with that said good luck to Jeff, Dean and the whole JWR team in 2013!
this was announced 2 months ago
JWR should be a good fit for Dean.They were both born in Scottland and both bleed Kawasaki green.
I bet they had to wait till his PC deal was done to make the big announcement even though we all knew this months ago.
With Ward & Wilson together, it's gonna be a Haggis-fest up in that mutha!
Hopefully, both this and the McBrooks-Honda team(s) can keep funded and / or add more, add riders and continue to keep afloat. This might be the new model for the future of factory racing teams........
Wow - Shocking News...Thanks for the insight and letter the "cat out of the bag" early...NOT... Well in any event, great to see Deano moving up to the premier class. Would have been much cooler to see him stay with Pro Circuit and Monster Energy (I don't need to know that they don't have a 450 team, as I believe Tickle was riding one this year). A 2nd great team would have been Two Two, but Jeff Ward Racing (boring). Deano Rock A1 along with Barcia and all the returning top riders. Hopefully everyone stays healthy. Stewart (we know he won't)
Worst-kept secret ever! The amazing thing is he passed up a factory Yamaha for this ride. (Sarcasm).
Joe Gibbs needs to close up shop he can't sign anyone but has beens, now Jeff has it going on with Wilson.
Surprise, surprise, surprise! It's like an 8 month old pregnant woman who makes an announcement that she is having a baby! But I realize there is a timeline for the official PR. Good luck to Dean and Wardy.
Claxton - I don't think Milsaps & Brayton are "has beens". More like "never was" riders. Milsaps is as good now as he always has been. He and Brayton are the next level (2nd tier) riders out of the elite riders in the pack. I also don't see Deano being an elite challenger in SX this year. He wasn't the elite in SX on a 250 (with the best bike). He'll need to prove himself in the outdoors. Lets hope TC can return to his old self and avoid injury in 2013. The potential for a great 2013 SX season lies ahead. Heck, it looks like even Pourcel wants to come back next year (probably the outdoors).
Claxton - I don't think Milsaps & Brayton are "has beens". More like "never was" riders. Milsaps is as good now as he always has been. He and Brayton are the next level (2nd tier) riders out of the elite riders in the pack. I also don't see Deano being an elite challenger in SX this year. He wasn't the elite in SX on a 250 (with the best bike). He'll need to prove himself in the outdoors. Lets hope TC can return to his old self and avoid injury in 2013. The potential for a great 2013 SX season lies ahead. Heck, it looks like even Pourcel wants to come back next year (probably the outdoors).
Ok, Deano.... Mov'n to the BIG bike. Gotta adj to it.. Also, hopefully ur voice will now get DEEPER to follow suit !
Here's hoping the two 'Scots' leave their 'Kilts' in the 18 wheeler.
Good luck to JWR.
They just might become real contenders in 2013.
1st year SX top 6-7 with a couple shots at the podium
1st year MX top 5-7 with a couple shots at the podium
Good Luck young Mr. Wilson
JimM
Pala374
There's a few guys who break into the top ten occasionally that would ride for not much moneys...they really should bring on a second rider. That's a lot of expensive equipment just sitting around if something happens to Wilson (knocks on wood).
@allthetruth, Deano challenged for the title and almost won it, and was the hands on favorite coming into the season from his impressive run the year before. Not sure why you think that he was not an "elite" 250 Supercross rider...
Metta - Seriously? - I love Dean Wilson as a rider, Tomac was crushing the class until his bad wreck and DNF. You know as well as I do that the pre-season hype was inpromptu. Yes, Dean was "king" of the outdoors and rightfully so, but hasn't challegend outright yet in SX. Even he was extremely disappointed in his lack of ability to compete for the wins. So, based on past history, not to mention him missing the entire MX season this year, I don't see him being able to challenge this year (I hope i'm wrong). Now Barcia on the other hand. He never shows up not to challenge for the win. You'll see this weekend.
CoD Howdy back to Mr Mx, wish I could join ya for all the excitement, but I will be working tomorrow...I will be watching on Speed, so have him give a big wave with those wrapped up hands..Heel up there MM.... All us old times who post constantly on here need to meet up and party like its 1999 at one of the events this year!!! Dallas supercross Freestone or Millville works for me!!! Bucky you think that sounds good!!!
This kid will be a factor from day one I think...
Dean-O staying GREEN!!! Thata boy....like him as a rider, as a person, and like him even better on a GREEN MACHINE!!!
Congrats Dean and JWR, top 5 in Supercross and Outdoors all year long. Dean will be a contender for the #1 plate and visit the podium from the get go! Cheers Deano.
It's strange how the talent pool fluctuates in MX. If Deano and some of these other up and coming 250 riders were around in say post RC 2007-9 they might have won a few championships. (think how well an older Tim Ferry did) As it stands they may have to wait until RV and RD retire before they win consistently. If everyone stays healthy I thnk the 2014 450 class will be the deepest ever.
@Claxton
JGR doesn't sign "has beens" with the exception of JS7. They had Millsaps who was solid 2nd in the points. Now they have Brayton and Grant. All three finished better indoors and outdoors this year then the guy who promised JGR a championship. After being embarrassed in Supercross they went back to a solid foundation of riders who will give 110% no matter what. That is how you get and keep sponsors. Would you sponsor a team when the rider blames his failure all on the team and its equipment? Brayton finished tied for 3rd with Dungey. Now they resigned Grant who took a 2nd place finish at New Orleans after coming back from a bunch of injuries. He finished 6th outdoors plus he won the first Supercross race in the 450 class for JGR. Grant has beat all of the top guys and now that he has a full season injury free I bet you will see him mixing it up with the top 5 riders. Now we know that the Yamaha was not the problem. The Suzuki has had the reputation of making the best handling bike for years now. But it was on the ground in the corners all the time. Sometimes two or three times in a single Moto. I applaud JGR for not shutting down shop and trying to regroup. Same with JWR, two two motorsports and H&H. All of them had bad luck and could have just shut down shop. If it wasn't for teams like that there would be no racing. You need to brush up on your facts instead of making comments about a team who has invested millions in the sport you are on here talking about.
By the way Wilson is not a Factory Kawasaki rider. JWR leases Factory bikes from Kawasaki and Kawasaki also gives them some support. I can't wait to see Wilson and Barcia go at it. They are pretty evenly matched. Barcia has a edge on him but I expect Dean will give it his all. Dean is a great rider and person so he will do fine. Any guesses on who the 2nd rider for the newly made over RCH team is going to be. They are debuting the new team today in Vegas. I know they have Tickle the only other rider that makes sense is Rattray. I don't understand how he ended up without a ride after how well he did getting forced up to the 450 class.
@b787tech, that's probably one of the most dumbest comments i have seen a while. Why you hating on the fact that you will be nothing more than a little washed piece of shit unlike dean...
Wow... And I thought my girlfriend woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.. This dude is really grumpy.
Glad I'm not a factory rider, because people would hate me for making my OWN career choice. Sad...
I can't even imagine how George W Bush feels.. And we voted OBAMA in to the house??????? I wonder if people blame Bush for that too along with global warming. I know I heard a so lady in New Orleans say that GW Bush had the CIA manipulate the weather pattern and steer hurricane KATRINA in because he didn't like black people! What next???
Geez.. Let people make their own decisions and don't blame them for everything that goes wrong that they can't control.
Bush even got blamed in 95 for the Vegas power outage 10 years before his presidency!!
In all seriousness- please vote republican before the liberals take away supercross from us. We already lost half our outdoor tracks because birds had no place to land.
(Sorry, I feel political today)