MX Nats ready to rock

On Friday, March 5th, Barrabool's McAdam Park hosted the media launch for this year's Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals championship. The choice of McAdam Park was significant, as it's not only one of the country's great tracks, but also one that the MX community was in serious danger of losing. But thanks to the efforts of local motorcycle clubs, Motorcycling Australia and the Victorian State Government, this iconic circuit was saved, and will once again host a round of the Rockstar MX Nationals, after a hiatus of several years.

Present at the launch were series promoter, Kevin Williams of Williams Event Management (WEM), local MP, Michael Crutchfield, representatives from Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling Victoria, plus several of the top teams and riders that will contest the 2010 championship.

CDR/Rockstar Yamaha, Rockstar Motul Suzuki, JDR Motorex KTM, SP Motorsports Suzuki, Yamalube/GYTR/Rockstar Yamaha and a number of privateers also used the launch day to rack up some valuable test laps on the McAdam Park track in the lead up to the first round of this year's MX championship at Horsham.

Speaking at the launch, WEM's Williams acknowledged the efforts made in saving one of Australia's top dirt circuits.

"It's certainly a milestone for the sport that, with support from the government at many levels, this iconic venue has been purchased, providing a place for us to bring the Championship too," Williams said.

"McAdam Park is a special place for WEM to come; we ran our 100th race meeting here many years ago and by chance, when round three comes to town, it will be our 200th race meeting.

"We're really looking forward to bringing the Championship to Geelong and this season is going to see a number of different formats across the Series - we're really mixing it up and developing our product for the fans. Television will play a big role in the Series this year, with a one hour program for Pro Lites and Under 19's, and a one hour program for Pro Opens to air on Foxtel and Fuel TV which is very exciting for the sport. Through this television package we will certainly be able to promote the regions we visit around Australia." Williams added.

"The Championship is about a $15 million travelling road-show, including the teams and all their infrastructure and it has, on average, a $350,000 impact to each community we visit. To the local community and all the people (in Geelong), we look forward to riding here in the first weekend of May for our Championship round", Williams concluded.

MLA for South Barwon, Michael Crutchfield, representing the Victorian State Government, spoke of his pleasure that the series was returning to the Geelong region, before chatting to 2008 & 2009 MX champ, Jay Marmont, and other members of team CDR/Rockstar Yamaha.

"Major events like the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals Series, help promote Victoria as a major events destination and help place our regions like the Great Ocean Road in the national and international spotlight, boosting tourism and investment," Crutchfield said.

"The Series visit to Geelong will inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy and I can't wait for the first weekend in May."

Humid and overcast conditions for the launch turned to rain in the afternoon, but that didn't stop a number of riders taking to the circuit to put themselves and their machines through their paces.

The 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals kicked off at Horsham on March 28th, with round two of the series to be held at Canberra's Fairbairn Park circuit on April 18th. Fairbairn Park is located 5kms east of Canberra airport, with circuit entry between Oaks Estate Road and Sutton Road (UBD Canberra - map 71 NB).


UPCOMING ROUNDS - 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals
Rd. 2 - APRIL 18, Canberra, ACT
Rd. 3 - MAY 2, Geelong, VIC
Rd. 4 - MAY 16, Toowoomba, QLD
Rd. 5 - May 30th, Raymond Terrace, NSW
Rd. 6 - June 27th, Wodonga, VIC
Rd. 7 - July 18th, Pt Macquarie, NSW
Rd. 8 - July 25th, Coolum, QLD