The 2018 season is behind us, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to follow this path of motorcycle racing. I now have seven seasons under my belt with my KWR team and it’s amazing how we’ve grown and learned, starting in the Harley-Davidson series, working through to Supersport, Superstock 1000, and now completing our third season in Superbike. 

I consider myself lucky to be able to hold a primary job title of motorcycle racer. In a time where it’s difficult to find support and build strong teams, KWR still continues to grow. The life experience I’ve gained as a rider and the challenges I’ve faced as a team owner I feel have prepared me for anything life could possibly throw at me. The people I’ve met along the way have made this sport even more fulfilling for me than I could ever imagined.
The 2018 season was the most challenging that I have ever faced. The teams and riders in the Superbike class continue to raise the bar and the level of competition has reached unbelievable heights. We had a year of many trials but I have learned more in the last 10 rounds than I have cumulatively in the last five seasons.

I want to thank my guys who busted their butts all year — Gary Dean and his shop Speed Demon Motorcycles for building and maintaining top level chassis and engines, Ryan Luft who has worked for KWR as a mechanic for five full seasons now, Jeff Soucek who continues to find ways to get to the race track and work with our electronics. My father Bob who has sacrificed more for me and my brothers’ racing than I ever could have imagined. He is truly the backbone of my program and I am infinitely grateful for everything he does. My Mom for always having the food hot for the boys this year keeps them ready and willing to put in the work that they do.
Our team is tight knit and so are the sponsors who support us. We cracked the top five only once this year, after doing it more than 10 times in 2017, but we always finished the fight week in and week out thanks to the support of our partners. Lucas Oil has been a loyal sponsor of KWR for six seasons running, and helps not only keep the race engines spinning but keeps our Silverado tow vehicle ready for anything a cross-country drive can throw at it. Mark Laniak from Excelsus Solutions, who has generously kept KWR looking amazing with his array of print materials and decals for the bikes, is a big supporter of the team.
The guys from Motovation USA in Austin, TX have been a gracious partner, providing us with custom SC-Project exhausts that perform, sound great and turn heads. When things go wrong, 6D Helmets and Dainese leathers have been there to protect me from significant injury, and for them I am thankful to head into the off-season in one piece. Nick Ienatsch, Keith Culver, Chris Peris, Josh Siegel and the entire Yamaha Champions Riding School family are always behind me, always tuning up my riding and challenging me to become a better athlete.

What can I say about Cycle Gear? These guys have welcomed me into their family with open arms, and made me seem like a rock star. Thanks to Andy who is just an amazing friend and partner in CG. These people and countless friends who have backed me and helped me through the challenges, you know who you are and I love you guys.

I want to recognize the entire MotoAmerica staff, especially Chuck Aksland, Wayne Rainey and Richard Varner for creating a great environment for teams to go to work. You guys are the reason we get to do what we do, and I look forward to the next five-10 years of the KRAVE group reign of motorcycle road racing in the United States.

Hannah, my lovely wife… thank you so much for always supporting me in everything I do and pushing me to new heights. I more than love you.

So what’s next for 2019? I’m still working on the plans as always. I’ll be back racing in the Superbike class with KWR and an even stronger program for next year and beyond. I would expect to see some exciting changes in the KWR camp with announcements coming soon! Thank you to each and every one of my readers who tune in and look for updates. I look forward to sending the news to you for many years to come.

See you at the track.

Kyle Wyman