Russell Pauses Retirement,
Joins AmPro Yamaha
T
he AmPro Yamaha Racing
Off-Road Team acquired one
of GNCC's most successful rac-
ers by signing eight-time GNCC
Champion Kailub Russell.
Russell retired from profes-
sional racing in 2021 after 16
years with KTM; the 34-year-old
(he'll be 35 in February 2025)
says he wants to go racing
again.
"I'm very excited to come
back to GNCC after four years of
watching," Russell said. "I was
at a point where I just needed
a break from racing. I realize
now that life goes by even faster
away from racing, and I don't
want to miss out on being able
to do what I love.
"I'm very happy AmPro Yama
-
ha is giving me the opportunity
to come back. It's exciting to see
how stoked the whole team is to
have me join, and I can't wait to
return to the races!"
"When this opportunity came
up, I was pretty excited," said
Team Owner Randy Hawkins.
"I've known Kailub since he was
riding 85s, and he's always had
such a passion for winning, and
that hasn't changed. So, having
him come back from retirement
and want to join the team and
put his trust in our program is a
big deal for us. I also think that
it is good not only for the team
and Yamaha to have Kailub back
racing but also for the sport."
Donnie Luce, Amateur MX/
ATV / Off-Road Coordinator for
YMUS, said, "Having an eight-
time champion join your team
only further validates what
Randy Hawkins and his entire
AmPro Yamaha team have been
building for over 25 years. We
look forward to seeing him back
in action and representing the
bLU cRU in the premier class."
Russell will make his debut
aboard the number-557 Am
-
Pro Yamaha Racing/bLU cRU
YZ450FX at the opening round
of the 2025 season in March.
CN
WIND
IN THE
P30
GNCC Champion
Kailub Russell
is coming out of
retirement to seek a
ninth title. This time,
he'll pilot an AmPro
Yamaha alongside
teammate Liam
Draper.
