Kurt Nicoll Resigns as KTM Race Director

After having been with KTM as both a racer and race director for a combined 20 years, former Motocross World Championship racer Kurt Nicoll announced that he has resigned his post as Director of Racing for KTM North America.

Nicoll is looking forward to a change in careers, as he has accepted the position of COO of Godfrey Entertainment, the company most noted for producing Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus videos and MTV television series.

“I’ve been doing a very similar job for 12 years now with KTM and it’s been absolutely great, but there comes a time when you fancy doing something else,” Nicoll commented.

In the midst of wrapping things up at KTM, Nicoll spoke with us about his reasons for making the change, and how it will affect his involvement in motorsports.

Tell us about the new job.
The job at Godfrey Entertainment is just a huge opportunity for me. It’s a company which is on the verge of growing hugely. I’ve known Jeremy Rawle and Greg Godfrey for about eight years – since they first came over [to Europe] and started doing DVD stuff at Erzberg. We actually talked about this possibility a couple months ago because the company’s growing so quickly. It’s just really a great chance for me.

How long have you been a part of the KTM family?
I’ve been working with KTM for 12 years. [Before becoming the Race Director of North America], I was Director of Racing at KTM Austria and then before that I was the Motocross Team Manager in KTM Austria. I’ve raced also eight of my 15 years of World Championship Motocross with KTM, as well. So there’s a combined total of about 20 years in there.

So you’ll be taking a substantial step back from racing. Are you going to miss it?
I’m sure I will. I mean, there’s still some connection. Obviously Godfrey Entertainment doesn’t just do Nitro Circus. They produced the Supercross Exposed DVDs before and do a lot of promotions work for companies in the industry. So it’s not stepping away completely. Racing-wise, I think I will miss it, but like I just said, after doing the same thing and going to the races for all the years I have done, right now I am really looking forward to a new challenge.

You’re not only the Race Director for KTM, but you’re a racer yourself for the Supermoto team. What’s going to happen there?
I’m definitely planning on carrying on racing KTMs and try and win the Unlimited Championship within the next two weeks. I love racing – no question about that. So I’m still plan to do motocross races occasionally and all the other riding I like to do. I’ll definitely continue to do it on KTM – that’s for sure. I don’t see myself on another bike after all this time.

What exactly is your role at Godfrey Entertainment?
Chief Operating Officer (COO) and it’s basically to run the whole business at Godfrey Entertainment top to bottom. All the merchandising, the marketing, the post-production, work out the deals for product placements in the TV shows and the DVD sales – everything.

How has everyone at KTM taken your announcement?
They’re really supportive – genuinely. There’s absolutely no animosity. Obviously they need to work their way forward from this, but I think they appreciate what I’ve done for them. I certainly appreciate what they’ve done for me. I will carry on supporting the orange crew and I think that they support my decision.
There are certain people – like our chief engine guy, Leighton Rice – that have been with me for, like, 14 years non-stop. He was my mechanic when I was still racing world championship motocross. People like that are shocked and obviously a little bit taken aback by it, but everyone will survive. I’m far from indispensable. They’ll still get bikes to ride and they’ll still get to the tracks and they’ll still go around. [laughs]

The following is a press release from KTM...

KTM Motorsports extends its deepest gratitude to Kurt Nicoll as he transitions from his 11-year role as Racing Director for KTM to a new position as COO at Godfrey Entertainment, Inc.

Nicoll began his career with KTM in 1984 as a professional motocross racer. Nicoll raced aboard his KTM as a member of the factory team for 8 years in the World Championship Motocross Series. Nicoll’s extensive accomplishments as a racer made him the perfect choice for KTM’s Director of Racing when he neared retirement in 1998.

Nicoll has worked hand in hand with many great riders throughout his time at KTM and has helped the company grow its Motorsports effort through his experience and vast knowledge of the sport. “Kurt has always been the perfect fit for this position. His skills and understanding as a past rider helped him bond with the racers. His wild side was also well known as he was always the first to celebrate and provide entertainment which I feel will make warmly accepted at his new line of work,” remarked KTM President Jon-Erik Burleson. “We sincerely thank Kurt for his service and look forward to working with him on future business opportunities.”

Antti Kallonen will remain as KTM’s Off-Road Team Manager while Casey Lytle will takeover operational duties as KTM’s Motocross Team Manager. Lytle raced professionally as a Supercross and Motocross rider from 1996-2004. From 2006-07, Lytle served as team manager of the Red Bull/KTM Motocross/Supercross Team before transitioning back to the R&D department and eventually to a position as the West Coast Customer Service Manager. “Casey has been a great asset to KTM in every department he has worked and I am confident that will continue as he makes the move back into the racing department,” stated Burleson.

While Nicoll transitions to his new role at Godfrey Entertainment, Inc. fans will continue to see him at the track aboard his KTM motorcycle as he carries on his racing endeavors.