FIVE Americans are among the racers set to compete in the first round of the Australian Supercross Championship at Jimboomba next month.
Organiser Scott Bannan said the event – from 10am to 6pm on September 15 – would be adrenaline filled and action packed.
“Holding the event in the day means there will be more racing to watch,” Mr Bannan said.
“There will be about eight hours of racing and the event will be more family friendly.”
He said racers from the United States, China and Japan had previously competed at Jimboomba since the first supercross event was held four years ago.
“People know where Jimboomba is because of supercross.”
While last year’s final round at Jimboomba was almost rained out, up to 8000 people have attended one racing event at the Hills College venue.
Among the Americans is two-time winner Justin Brayton, who has set his sights on three consecutive championship titles.
Honda Racing’s motorsport manager Glyn Griffiths welcomed Mr Brayton’s return.
“Justin is world class,” Mr Griffiths said.
“His inclusion the past two years has lifted the level of competition in Australia and has created worldwide awareness for our program and Australian racing.”
Mr Brayton said he had spent nearly as much time in Australia as he had in his Charlotte home since 2016.
“Australia feels like my second home,” Mr Brayton said.
This year sees Junior Lites and Junior 85cc classes competing in all five championship rounds for the first time.
Junior riders will compete for the Peter Melton Trophy, named after the Regents Park motocross and supercross legend who died in a riding accident last year.
Mr Melton won four Australian Supercross Championships, three Motocross National titles and two Pan-Pacific SX titles.
Mr Bannan said he hoped up-and-coming juniors would take advantage of the opportunity to compete alongside their heroes in the championship.
“To have the Junior 85cc and Junior Lites compete in the entire championship is a great step forward for the sport,” Mr Bannan said.
“Giving these young riders a chance to compete at a national level, at world-class venues, alongside world-class riders will go a long way in helping produce Australia’s next Chad Reed.”
The event on September 15 will be from 10am to 6pm, with the main races from 2.30pm to 6pm.
The pit party from 1.30pm to 2.30pm will give fans the chance to meet and greet stars.
Mr Bannan said work on the track would begin at the end of this month, while equipment would start arriving at the Hills College site about a week before the event.
Tickets for round 1 at Jimboomba are available via Ticketbooth.