Graffunder to Ride for Husqvarna in 2010

October 30, 2009 8:23pm

Rapidly rising off-road star Cory Graffunder has been contracted by Husqvarna Motorcycles North America to compete in the 2010 season. Although the talent scouts have had their eyes on the likeable young Canadian rider all season long, it was his ride at Round #2 of the AMA EnduroCross Series that landed him and his Husqvarna on the podium that really opened some eyes.

"Cory's first ride on a Husqvarna at the EnduroCross in Oklahoma proved to us that he is someone we should have our eyes on," said Husqvarna Sales & Marketing Manager Scot Harden. "We're very pleased to have him join our Zip-Ty Racing team for 2010." In addition to the full AMA EnduroCross series, the 21-year-old British Columbia native will ride select local, national and international events, including the newly established World Endurocross Championship as well as the time-honored extreme events such as the Erzberg Rodeo in Austria, Hell's Gate and the Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania.

"Cory is a good choice for our team," said Zip-Ty Racing owner Ty Davis. "He's young and skilled, and he thinks when he's on the bike. His height and riding style also make him strong in the extreme races where you've got to ride smart." Under Davis' tutelage, motocross training will also play a role in Graffunder's training throughout 2010. "Cory has a lot of potential with a very bright future ahead of him."

Husqvarna's Canadian import, Cory Graffunder

Photo by Chris Hultner

"Joining Team Husqvarna and Zip-Ty Racing is a dream come true for me," exclaims Graffunder. "I'm excited about it and happy that all of my hard work has paid off. Things really started to click this past Spring. After I finished in 18th place at Erzburg in 2008, I knew I had to really step up my game," Graffunder explains.

"I went home to BC and did my homework. In 2009 I finished 5th overall at Erzburg and 7th at the opening round of the EnduroCross... then I got on the Husky and things really started happening! I had never ridden a Husqvarna before, but I really wanted to be on the 250 4-strokes this year. Even with me being a big guy at 190 lbs. I was blown away with both the torque and the fact that the bike was so light," claims Cory!"

The big Canadian kid also looks forward to riding the other products in the Husqvarna range like the WR300 2-stroke. "Ty and the guys really proved to everyone just how good the WR300 is by putting it on the podium at the Glen Helen 24 hour endurance race," Cory concludes.

Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.

Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007, are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.

Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC

Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC is part of BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America is located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC returned to off-road racing competition in 2008 and during 2009 Husqvarna will expand its professional race team to compete in AMA GNCC, Endurocross, National Hare & Hound, the AMA Hare Scrambles Series, and WORCS competition. Husqvarna team riders will compete in the premier classes of each series aboard 2009 Husqvarna TXC 450, TXC 510, and WR 300 off-road models.