Image: Andrew Kenny.

Williams Event Management (WEM) general manager Kevin Williams has supported the decision of Monster Energy MX Nationals race officials following a topical first turn incident in MX2 at Swan Hill yesterday.

A number of front-line MX2 contenders including eventual round winner Nathan Crawford exited the circuit in a controversial clash off the start in moto one, which resulted in no penalties applied by Motorcycling Australia (MA) race officials.

Like Crawford, fellow wildcard Egan Mastin, current national number two Kale Makeham, popular Queenslander Brenden Harrison, former MXD title winner Errol Willis and more were caught up in the off-track excursion during the opening moto. Riders also exited the track before rejoining in moto two without penalty.

Williams today commended the response of officials, who witnessed the incident firsthand, despite a social media frenzy on Monday morning regarding the incident.

“I didn’t witness the incident first hand, but I spoke with the officials at the event and it was certainly witnessed,” Williams said. “The officials made the determination that whilst one or two riders may have gained some kind of advantage in the back of the field, it was too difficult to tell.

“Of the riders in the infield, Errol Willis was congratulated by the assistant clerk of the course for his conduct in slowing right down and controlling the rest of the riders as they turned on in a safe and orderly manner as per the rulebook.

“A picture can tell a thousand words; it depends which way you’re looking at the lens. I was very comfortable in the decisions that were made by the MA officials.”

The incident has added to tensions within the quality MX2 class of 2014, as the four-stroke vs two-stroke tug of war continues to make headlines in the back half of the season.