Giant Toowoomba Supercross track to test world-class field

Shaped from over 5000 tonnes of dirt, the 700 metre track features jumps that will see riders soar up to 20 metres high over distances of up to 40 metres.

Thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday to see a world-class field of riders race the first ever Supercross event held in Toowoomba.

Multiple World/AMA Supercross Champion, Australia's own Chad Reed will be a huge drawcard for motorsport fans who are travelling from across the state to see him race.

Toowoomba local, Troy Carroll’s Monster Energy Kawasaki team takes the points lead and a surge of home crowd support into round three.

1-2 finishes to Jay Marmont have the defending Champion sitting steady at the top of the table, but he’ll hardly be resting on his laurels this weekend.

One to watch will be CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping, who has recorded consistent top-four finishes at the first two rounds.

Bopping has snuck somewhat under the radar in his first Supercross season with Craig Dack’s decorated team, and is hoping to make his way onto the podium this weekend.

"I went home from Phillip Island and continued to train on my Supercross track at home,” said Bopping.

"My starts haven't been great so I’ve done a lot of work in that area since the last round.

"I went to Sydney earlier this week and got in some testing with Daniel (McCoy), now we’re on the way to Toowoomba and really looking forward to racing.

"The track looks amazing – it’s by far the best track we have ever had here in Australia and it’s fantastic that they bought Malcolm Cash in to do the track as he’s a great builder.”

Bopping currently sits third on the standings behind teammate Daniel McCoy.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ben Townley is a rider on the charge, steadily regaining speed over the past two rounds.

Townley jetted back to his native New Zealand after Phillip Island and dominated last weekend's Waikato Motocross Championships event.

"It was a good workout for me,” said Townley. "I can practice on my own allI like but there’s nothing like the intensity of real racing, and being behind an actual start gate, to get you in the groove.”

The Carlton Dry Pro Open field will fight it out for Main Event honours over 20 laps on Saturday night.

The battle for the Terex Pro Lites class title was dealt a blow during the week when Geran Stapleton was sidelined with a fractured radius while training.

The privateer’s promising charge comes to an end in 2012 and the task of stopping form rider Gavin Faith has now been charged to Ryan Marmont and Steven Clarke.

JDR Motorsports KTM’s Marmont has experience on his side and hopes to be able to challenge Faith for the top step of the podium this weekend.

"I’ve had a couple of consistent rounds and it was good to get on the podium at Phillip Island and get some good points,” said Marmont.

"Toowoomba should be a great event. I’m fortunate enough to have the same track builder making my personal track so I know he’ll do a great job.

"It is a real shame that Geran hurt himself, he was riding the best of his career.

"Steven (Clarke) and I are in the same position – we come into Supercross after a few injuries throughout the MX Nationals and are now tied on points, hopefully I can get ahead of him and really make a case for the Championship.”

Marmont and Clarke are 14 points off the lead of Carlton Dry Honda Thor’s US import Faith who has recorded two flawless wins from as many starts.

The standings were shaken up at Phillip Island as a first-corner crash took a number of high-profile competitors out of contention.

Riders including Kade Mosig and Erroll Willis lost out in the melee and will be looking to fight back in the 15-lap Main Event.

The Unit Under 19’s class will put on a united front to stop the run of Honda Thor Racing rider Hayden Mellross.

Mellross is skipping away from the field following his two wins and enjoys a 12-point buffer over closest challenger, Suzuki’s Jay Wilson, heading to Toowoomba.

The class will contest a 12-lap Main Event, and, along with the Junior Lites category, offers fans a chance to see the sport’s future stars in action.


The gates drop on the Pro Open field including (L-R) Sam Duncanson, Chad Reed, Jay Marmont and Cheyne Boyd. Rice Photography image.