SX Series shaping up
With a calibre of riders rivaling the world’s best, the title of Australian Supercross Champion will be fiercely contested across the four rounds on 2012 calendar.
The Australian Supercross Championship (ASX) will host its first round under new promoter International Entertainment Group (IEG) at Dubbo on October 13, with the track to be simplified the following day for an amateur Arenacross competition for developing riders.
This will be followed by a highly-anticipated clash at the Phillip Island MotoGP event a fortnight later from October 27-28 where international sporting audiences will get a chance to see the nation’s top talent up front in an exciting cross-discipline showcase.
Riders and teams will head north to Toowoomba for the third round on November 10, with the final event to be held in Newcastle a week later on November 17.
Dates for rounds 3 and 4 have been revised in order to accommodate the ASX’s teams, riders and sponsors at the Australian Motorcycle Awards which will be held at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on November 23.
The event will encompass awards ceremonies for the ASX and the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), along with other special features.
Riders are excited about the four-round format which will see traditional Main Events return to the sport.
Defending Champion, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont expected the competition to be closely-fought given the importance of taking top points from each event.
“I’m pumped and can’t wait to get started with the new series,” said Marmont. “I’ve had an up and down year so far due to injury so the emphasis is now on defending my Supercross title.
“I’ve got my own track built and have been practicing at every chance – there’s lots of people who want to write me off this year and that’s only fuelling the fire.
“It’s going to be important to be scoring good points at every round, there’s no room for error and the pressure will be high.”
Marmont supported the ASX’s move to race alongside the MotoGP Championship at Phillip Island.
“I can’t think of a better move than to have our sport at the MotoGP.
“Just being trackside is great, but to actually be racing there is amazing, and I’m sure everyone will agree it is a super exciting opportunity for us.”
Aiming to make his return to racing for the opening round in Dubbo will be Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ben Townley.
Townley’s motocross campaign suffered a cruel blow as he was forced to the sidelines with injury during peak form.
He too is expecting the ASX field to be stacked with talent.
“I’ve been working away at the final stages of rehab and am just taking things week by week as I get ready to get back riding,” said Townley.
“The Supercross talent here is strong and the level of riding has definitely been raised over the past few years.
“It will be good to be part of and of course it’s a massive thing for our sport to be aligned with the MotoGP event.
“This is a chance for us to reach a whole new audience and create a new level of interest.”
The ASX website and social networks will be launched shortly with full details of the championship including venues, schedules and ticketing information.
