Supercross returns to South Australia
Wednesday 09 October: Australia’s national Supercross championship (Milwauke presents the Terex Australian Supercross Champoinship) makes its return to South Australia this weekend following a five-year hiatus.
Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway will
host the iconic event, which boasts a stellar international line-up up
including X-Games silver medalist Josh Hill and AMA Supercross stars Weston
Peick and Gavin Faith.
Home-grown riders Motorex KTM's
Kirk Gibbs and Serco Yamaha's Luke Arbon have returned to South
Australia to prepare for the event, that will see them take on some of the
best riders from around the globe.
For Gibbs the event
marks a return to his hometown, the 24 year-old was born in Millicent and
grew up in Mount Gambier, honing his craft at the local motocross club.
Gibbs, who sits fifth in the coveted Pro Open class, is
hoping a good showing in front of friends and family will elevate him in
the championship standings.
Motorex KTM rider Kirk Gibbs is looking forward to racing in his
hometown. Shayne Rice image
Kirk Gibbs: "It is just awesome to have a
round of the national Supercross being run in my hometown of Mount Gambier.
It is something I never thought we would see. There are a
lot of people who have supported me over the years but haven't seen me race
before so it will be is great they will be able to come and see me in
action. I returned to South Australia straight after
Darwin to prepare for this round, I narrowly missed the podium so I
really want to get on the box at my local event but I know there will be
quite a few riders hungry for a good result following the double-header.
Serco Yamaha rider Luke Arbon is currently fifth in the Pro Lites
class.
Shayne Rice image
Luke Arbon had little time to prepare for the Australian Supercross
Championship, getting the call-up to the factory Yamaha team just four
weeks before the season kicked off. The 21 year old from Gawler
is currently fifth in the championship with just four points separating him
and third placed Ryan Marmont.
In addition to the national Pro
Open, Pro Lites, Under 19’s and Ultra Lites classes the event will
also feature the KTM Mini Masters where 20 of South Australia’s
budding young racers aged between 7-9 will get the opportunity to
demonstrate their emerging talent on the full-size Supercross track.
The youngsters will get to walk the track and talk with their idols
before cutting three laps of the full-size Supercross track in front of a
packed house.
"I think the KTM Mini Masters initiative is
fantastic,” Gibbs continued "it is a fantastic experience for the
kids and it gives them a glimpse of the big picture. There was nothing like that when I was coming through the ranks I
really think they get a lot out of it."
Tickets are
available for purchase at the gate. Gates open at
3.00pm with racing to
commence at
6.30pm.
Top Ten Pro Open Championship
Standings (after Rd 2 of 6)
1. Matt MOSS 50, 2. Jake
MOSS 42, 3. Weston PEICK 36, 4. Jay MARMONT 35, 5. Kirk GIBBS 31, 6. Daniel
McCOY 31, 7. Josh HILL 31, 8. Lawson BOPPING 28, 9. Kade MOSIG 26, 10. Tim
VARE 20
Top Ten Pro Lites Championship Standings
(after Rd 2 of 6)
1. Luke STYKE 47, 2. Gavin FAITH 47,
3. Ryan MARMONT 38, 4. Dylan LONG 35, 5. Luke ARBON 34, 6. Kale MAKEHAM 31,
7. Kayne LAMONT 27, 8. Nickolas SUTHERLAND 27, 9. Taylor POTTER 24, 10.
Luke WILSON 21