Mason Klein’s decision to do the 2027 Dakar Rally as a privateer after three years with factory support understandably raised some eyebrows. However, besides the public explanation given that he prefers the independence that privateering brings, he also mentioned that he has yet to receive a paycheck from Hoto.

“They haven’t paid me,” he bluntly commented on Friday.

Hoto Factory Racing recruited Klein and Martin Michek for January’s Dakar, which was the Chinese marque’s first time competing in the premier RallyGP category. The company was formed from the remnants of a fracture at Kove Moto, for whom Klein ran the 2025 and 2026 Dakars before departing because they would not let him use a better engine.

Klein showed some solid pace at times, finishing as high as seventh in Stage 5, but his bike was plagued by a myriad of mechanical issues that ranged from a broken exhaust to brake problems. He also broke his leg in Stage 7, further hampering him. By the end, Klein had to settle for tenth in RallyGP.

He underwent surgery in February, the second year in a row that he had a procedure done for injuries. After being relatively mum on his future plans, he announced his intention to race independently again on Wednesday and launched a GoFundMe to cover the expenses.

“Turns out dirt bikes can be pretty devastating on a body. Even more devastating when you go out and destroy your body for a company who doesn’t end up paying you in the end,” Klein stated. “I wouldn’t ask for money if I didn’t need it but yeah, dropping $120K on a single race is really difficult for a 24-year-old to do all on his own.”

For the 2027 Dakar, Klein plans to be back on a KTM 450 Rally. While he doesn’t receive factory support from the Austrian manufacturer, he exclusively raced with the brand in rallies before his three-year Chinese stint.

Featured image credit: Antonin Vincent / DPPI / ASO