Mitch Oldenburg will join Rick Ware Racing for the 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) season to lead one of the series’ most successful teams as the coming campaign edges ever closer.
Oldenburg enters 2024 off the back of a highly competitive season in WSX in 2023, which saw the Texan compete in both the series’ premier WSX 450 and SX2 250 classes.
Representing MotoConcepts Racing, Oldenburg started the 2023 season in SX2, and after finishing fourth overall at the WSX British GP, stepped up to the WSX category for the remainder of the year, replacing Cole Seely.
Despite facing a change in machinery – and after missing the opening WSX round of the season – Oldenburg staged a strong recovery and placed second overall at the WSX Australian GP after showing immense consistency to finish 2-3-5 in each individual race.
After finishing ninth in points on a limited schedule, Oldenburg is on the verge of an even stronger 2024, running full-time with Rick Ware Racing in the series’ premier class.
With Rick Ware Racing, Oldenburg is in safe hands, with the team being a proven frontrunner in WSX, with one SX2 championship title, two WSX vice-championships, and five overall GP wins, including seven individual GP race wins and 18 individual podiums.
Mitch Oldenburg, WSX Rider, Rick Ware Racing, said: “I’m looking forward to competing full-time in WSX’s premier 450cc category this year after joining the class from SX2 mid-way through last season. The successes I was able to achieve in 2023 while running part-time really gave me a taste of what’s possible, and I want to build upon that momentum when we get started in Vancouver. Rick Ware Racing has a proven track record, not just in Supercross, but in motorsport more broadly, so I’m excited to be a part of such a successful organisation which has battled for the WSX title in every season so far.”
Oldenburg will be partnered at Rick Ware Racing by Luke Clout, who will step up to the WSX 450 class in 2024 following a breakout season riding in SX2 in 2023.
Clout, who is one of Australia’s hottest domestic talents, placed third in the SX2 riders’ standings, finishing behind champion, Max Anstie, and 2022 title winner, Shane McElrath, with an overall podium finish on home turf.
The 2021 Australian Pro Motocross 450cc champion will be hoping for a strong season with Rick Ware Racing ahead after completing another competitive year in ProMX across 2024.
Luke Clout, Rider, Rick Ware Racing, said: “Returning to WSX’s headline 450 class is a big opportunity for me, and I’m excited for the season ahead. Competing in SX2 in 2023 was an awesome experience, but I’m looking forward to racing 450cc internationally. Rick Ware Racing has been a dominant force in WSX since the championship started, and I’m ready to put in the work with the hope of chasing down a few podiums.”
WSX’s 2024 season will get underway on 26 October with the WSX Canadian GP at BC Place in Vancouver and will continue with the WSX Australian GP on 23-24 November at HBF Park in Perth. The campaign will end on 4 December at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where two World Champions will be crowned.
Rick Ware, Team Principal, Rick Ware Racing, added: “At Rick Ware Racing, our goal is very simple: we want to be at the front, win races, and most importantly, win championships, so I’m thrilled to have Mitch and Luke as part of our team for the 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship. Mitch showed tremendous speed and resilience in the series last year and staged a very impressive recovery to finish ninth in points, despite not running all of the 450cc races, and his experience will be critical as we aim for the top positions. Luke’s return to 450cc competition is also an exciting step, and it’s also fully deserved because his talent is undeniable. With Mitch and Luke, we have a very strong lineup, and we’re excited to see what they can achieve together.”
