Having hosted the 2018 FIM Junior World Motocross Championship, the Horsham track is well-known to many of Australia’s top brass motocross competitors, including reigning MX1 and MX2 champions Dean Ferris and Wilson Todd – both claimed maximum points when the championship last travelled to the precinct in 2017.
Motocross Australia operations director Martin Port said the economic injection into Horsham was dependant on visitor numbers this weekend.
“It’s always difficult to tell until we get the final numbers. But we average between $2 million and $3.5 million in economic impact for local communities when we roll into town,” he said.
Mr Port said the Horsham venue was chosen for its superb spectator, competitor and administrative facilities.
“Horsham’s always been a very strong track in Victoria,” he said.
“The club itself is very dedicated. It’s got a loyal team of club representatives and volunteers.
“It’s a strong club, a good venue with solid facilities, and the council is obviously very clearly supporting us with not only some good signage and branding, but in-kind services around marketing collateral.
“There’s a real sense of the local community backing the project and for motocross to work well, we need the local council, we need the club and we need the championship to collectively work together to make these projects work.”
Mayor Robyn Gulline said it was fantastic Horsham had been chosen to host the Penrite ProMX Championship.
“It’s exciting to have worked with ProMX to bring elite riders and their teams to our city,” she said.
“We can’t wait to welcome the competitors and trust they will enjoy their weekend and get a taste of what our part of the world has to offer.
“Volunteers at Horsham Motorcycle Club have worked hard to raise the profile of motocross in our region and across the state.
“The club has continually upgraded the quality of the motocross track and support facilities to a level that is suitable to host state, national and international events.”
Presented by AMX Superstores, the Horsham event is round two of an eight-round national championship.
The Horsham track is known for its challenging 1.7-kilometre layout, complete with state-of-the-art in-ground watering system.
Mr Port said after taking over as promoter of ProMX, Motorcycling Australia’s primary focus was to secure ongoing television coverage, which it had done through SBS, Stan Sport, SkySport, Eurosport and livestreaming platforms.
“The championship is going very well. It’s the best motocross riders in the country and some have actually represented Australia abroad, coming second in the MXON last year, so that’s on the world stage,” he said.
“We’ve got riders coming from all over the country. We also have a couple of international riders involved as well, from New Zealand and Japan.
“We are going from strength to strength with that sort of level and the depth of talent in the field.
“That’s what’s so impressive, to watch these elite athletes operate at that level.
“You’re going to see the best riders in the country, and the entries are very heathy for this round.
“We have 177 entries, which basically means every one of our classes is full – in addition to the primary classes of MX1, MX2 and MX3, which are the primary national championship classes, which are full. MX3 actually got twice as many entries as we can handle, so we’re going to have to run a qualifying process for those competitors.”
Mr Port said the first round of the MX85 for juniors would also be at Horsham on Sunday – an event considered part of the World Qualifier Program.
As well as the action on track, people will also have the chance to meet their favourite riders and grab a bargain in Trade Alley.
Tickets, costing $35 for adults, $15 for youth aged 13 to 17, and children under 13 free, are available at www.ticketebo.com.au/motorcyclingaustralia.
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