Kawasaki Launches New Supersport Lites Team with Xtreme Pro Lites

Kawasaki Motors Corp., announced the formation of a new professional racing team, Xtreme Pro Lites, which will compete in the 2008 AMA Supercross and Motocross Championship.

Built on its successful amateur program Xtreme Team Green, the Xtreme Pro Lites program will offer a natural progression as Kawasaki's top amateur riders make the transition into the professional ranks.

"It only seemed right that we have a complete connection between amateur and pro," said Dave Gowland, Team Green; Motocross Supervisor. "This is a true farm club and we are working together to build a better program that will not only benefit Kawasaki but provide Xtreme Pro Lites and Mitch Payton at Pro Circuit with a higher class of rider."

Led by former MotoSport Outlet Kawasaki manager Bill Keefe, the rider line-up will include Tommy Hahn, Kyle Chisholm, Phil Nicolette, and Andrew McFarlane. The team will field two riders to compete in the East and West AMA Supercross Lites along with the AMA Motocross Lites Series, with an announcement expected soon to determine the line up.

"I'm excited to have the experience of Bill Keefe directing our team," said Xtreme Pro Lites and Xtreme Team Green owner Bobby Hewitt. "We are trying to make the program flow so that, theoretically, a rider could start at Team Green, move up to Xtreme Team Green, into the Xtreme Pro Lites and eventually into the Pro Circuit or factory teams."

The team will make its' debut at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. on January 5, 2008.