Supermoto Racing
A Supermoto bike can be built with minimal expense. Even better, riders can compete in Enduro or Motocross events and still turn up and ride their bike at a Supermoto meeting! Supermoto Racing really came to the fore in Australia when we held a round of the FIM World Supermoto Championship in 2003 at Broadford in Victoria. It became extremely popular around this time, and while the discipline has taken a back-seat to some of the other forms of two-wheel action since then, many riders continue to enjoy the format.
Supermoto bikes are mainly converted Motocross machines that have different brakes, wheels, tyres and, in some cases, different front suspension. The bikes are set up to do the combination of mainly road surface, but also dirt surfaces as well. There are a some tracks around the country specifically designed for Supermoto, but more often than not, the tracks used are road race or go-karting tracks which include a dirt extension. In terms of affiliated Supermoto clubs, there are three specific Supermoto clubs - in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. Their details are below, and anyone interested in taking up Supermoto as a form of racing should contact their relevant club:
Motorcycling Victoria:
The Supermotard Riders Club
Phone: 03 5441 2409
Po Box 875
Eltham, 3095
Motorcycling WA:
The Supermoto Club of Western Australia
Email: [email protected]
http://www.supermotowa.com
Motorcycling Queensland:
Motorcycle Sportsmen
Clubhouse: 35 Crosby Rd Albion 4010
Postal: P.O. Box 201 ALBION Qld 4010
Phone: 07 3262 6677
Fax: 07 3862 4975
Email: [email protected]
http://www.motorcyclesportsmen.com.au/
These clubs will be able to help you with information on when racing occurs, how you can get licensed, what gear you will need, what changes need to be made to your bike, etc.
As mentioned previously, most Supermoto racing is done at venues that have been adapted to suit the particular format of racing. As such, there are many clubs (mainly Road Racing Clubs) who still have Supermoto ride days. The best way to find out exactly which clubs these are, is to contact your State Controlling Body (SCB), and they can give you further information. They will also be able to help you to ensure that you have the right type of license to go racing with.
SCB Contact details:
Motorcycling New South Wales (02) 9635 9144
Motorcycling Queensland (07) 3281 2255
Motorcycling South Australia (08) 8332 9000
Motorcycling Tasmania (03) 6426 1988
Motorcycling Victoria (03) 9482 5422
Motorcycling Western Australia (08) 9371 5333
Motorcycling Northern Territory (08) 8983 2200
Motorcycling Australia creates the rules for this form of racing, and changes are made through its Dirt Track Commission, which is chaired by Kevin McDonald. Suggestions on ways in which Supermoto racing can improve come through this Commission, and this helps the sport to grow.
In terms of the sport at a national level, the first round of the 2008 Australian Supermoto Championship took place in Ipswich, Queensland on 7-8 June. It was the first of three rounds which form the Championship.
Round two of the 2008 Australian Supermoto Championship will be held on 9-10 August at Mildura, Victoria and the third and final round will be held on 28-29 November at Northam, Western Australia. The latest news and results from the Championship can be obtained from the MA website. If you are interested in Supermoto racing, why not head to one of the rounds of the Australian Championship, or check with your SCB as to when rounds of the State Supermoto Championships are run.
So in order to go Supermoto racing in Australia, you should do the following:
1. Contact one of the Supermoto specific clubs in Australia listed above
2. Get in touch with your SCB to find out licensing requirements
3. See if you can get down to a club day, State or National Championship round
4. Prepare yourself for some of the best riding you have ever encountered!!
Next issue we'll take a closer look at Enduro competition in Australia.
