MASON KLEIN

Dear Friends and Sponsors,

I am in a rough situation with my Dakar 2024 effort and I wanted to reach out to as many people as possible in hopes of finding a solution to attending Dakar this year. Earlier this year, my support contract with KTM was cancelled ci5ng budget cuts. I was left sort of high and dry with several seats on factory teams offered to me that have since been filled. Disappointment is an UNDERSTATEMENT. After considering my op5ons for this year’s Dakar, I decided to go with a sponsor who agreed to create a team and support me. Without going into details, it seems like he might not be able to fulfill his promises to me (and two other experienced racers). I am not quite sure what the situation is and there has been a lack of recent communication. I have decided that if I am to continue to show the world what I am capable of and that I am deserving of a place on a factory team, it is important for me to show up at Dakar. I have a huge problem – the entry deadline! I was wondering if you could help me think of a solution. Of course, it’s a money problem. If I can’t figure this out quickly, I will have to be okay with staying home and see what I can figure out next year, but because my opportunities for the future are very closely tied to my racing performance and media coverage, not attending is the worst-case scenario.

Do you know sponsors that would be willing to help? Everyone has been very generous for the past two years so to be asking for help again is embarrassing. I have spots on my gear or my entire helmet could be a sponsor. I could do training or work. Bike graphics and logos. Budget is around $80k. I have $10k so I need about $70k more. Ideas? I know a lot of you are well-connected in the business world so I thought I would reach out and see if you know anyone that can help or would be willing to be a corporate sponsor. I have a link below to a bio and a Dakar document which tells about the media reach of Dakar and publicity. I have just under 80k Instagram followers too. I really appreciate all of you.

Your friend, Mason Klein