Ducati's nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi was on hand at the Monster Energy VIP area to watch close friend Chad Reed at Phillip Island. Image: Alex Gobert.

The Australian Supercross industry has labeled the series’ first ever round alongside Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix as a standout success.

Round two of the 2012 season was contested last weekend alongside the MotoGP World Championship event in Victoria, with the event held in high regard amongst Australia’s leading supercross identities.

Staged in between the world championship sessions on the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, a huge crowd flocked to the supercross come Saturday afternoon – including nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi and a host of leading road race stars.

The environment created a real buzz for Australian Supercross contenders, headed by returning TwoTwo Motorsports team owner/rider and SX-Open round winner Chad Reed.

“This was a really special event, I love it I and wish every Supercross weekend was like this,” Reed said. “Thanks to the fans for coming out today – I hope we will be back next year, bigger and better.”

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s defending champion Jay Marmont echoed Reed’s opinion, naming it one of the best event’s he’s ever taken part in.

“This was probably one of my favourite events I’ve ever raced,” Marmont said. “We didn’t feel like we were second fiddle to the road bikes at all because there were so many fans watching and everybody seemed to be really into it. It was a great event.”

CDR Yamaha team owner Craig Dack, a vocal member of the sport on a domestic level, was another to give the event a strong report.

“It was a great event with the crowd close to the action and also wandering through the pits,” Dack reflected.

“The atmosphere was good and it’s a credit to the organisers of both the GP and the Australian Supercross Championship that we were able to be part of this event. Hopefully it is the start of bigger and better things.”

Former world champion Ben Townley believes the merger between MotoGP and supercross will hugely benefit the sport in Australia, confident that it will take the series from strength to strength.

“I was stoked to be part of this weekends event. Huge props to all involved it can only benefit our sport,” Townley commented.

Townley’s American Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing teammate Gavin Faith win the SX-Lites main and agreed it was a massive boost for the sport to be showcased ahead of a record fan base throughout the weekend.

“It was an awesome weekend,” Faith said. “To be running on the same program as MotoGP was a real buzz and the atmosphere over weekend was incredible.”

Estimated crowds at the Island reached a record three day total of 122,470, more than 28 percent up on last year’s total attendance of 95,100. Over 40,000 fans were on hand at the venue Saturday when the pro supercross categories were on track.