Excel Rim will launch a Samurai Trophy to be awarded to the off-road rider of the year.

This year is going to see the announcement of the inaugural Excel Rim Samurai Trophy Rider of the Year presented by Dirt Action Magazine.

The criteria for this award are simple: rising talent combined with brilliant performance on and off the race track. This award is open to all Motocross, Supercross and Enduro racers.

The Excel Rim Samurai Trophy will be awarded to the Off Road Rider of the Year as judged by a panel of experts who are actively involved within the off road racing fraternity.

These judges will not just look at the final race results. They know the riders, the teams, the effort put in behind the scenes and the level of professionalism the riders carry on and off the race track.

In 1987, the inaugural RK Samurai Trophy was presented to Grant Hodson with names like Mick Doohan (1988), Daryl Beattie (1990), Troy Corser (1993) right up to 2008 recipient Pad Medcalf.

This prestigious road racing award has continued on (with the exception of 2009 due to logistical difficulties) to become the country’s most sought after road racing honour.

Excel Rim would like to create the same prestigious award now for the Off-Road motorcycle riders. Who will etch their name in history alongside the some of the greats who have gone on to become world champions in their discipline?

Would you like to be involved? Nominate the rider you think should become the Excel Rim Samurai Trophy winner by emailing your suggestion to [email protected]. Once a list is compiled, the panel of experts will come to an agreement on the Australian Off-Road Rider of the year.

Excel Rims have a long rich history with its association with RK Chains.

Dating back to March 1952 with the Kusatsu Factory first manufacturing rims for all two-wheeled vehicles, before the establishment of Takasago Manufacturing took over two years later.

In 1958 Takasago Manufacturing started production and sales of their first aluminium rims for motorcycles. This technology gradually grew and in 1982 they commenced production of the coloured rim, a product which is now used widely through many forms of motorcycling including Motocross, Freestyle MX, Enduro, Trail riding, Supercross and Motard.

In 1989, Takasago Chain Co. Ltd. Merged with Takasago Manufacturing to establish Takasago RK Excel Co. Ltd, brands that are synonymous around the world for producing strong, quality aluminium rims and world class leading motorcycle chains for almost 60 years.

July 2010 sees the establishment of Excel Rim Co. Ltd to take over production of the Excel Rim range. The creation of Excel Rim Co. Ltd also sees the inception of the Excel Rim Samurai Trophy to be presented to the Australian Off-Road Rider of the Year.