The Australian Supercross season is upon us and while the rest of the world winds down, we’re just getting started in our domestic supercross series. And for us, it marks another exciting time to produce core local content.

On paper, this year’s supercross series is shaping up to be a cracker. Somewhat low key compared to recent seasons, I am confident the three-event/five-round calendar will provide a strong platform to build from in years to come.

As for the riders, Matt Moss enters as the pre-season favourite at Team Motul Suzuki, but be assured that the likes of Jake Moss (NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki), Jay Marmont (Penrite Honda), Lawson Bopping (Team Motul Suzuki) and more will contend.

Jake Moss was in doubt after a heavy practice crash, but has since been on the bike and his shoulder seems to be holding up decent at this point. He’ll definitely be at round one and as long as he’s all good, you’ll see him at all the rounds.

Some of the premier class’ more recent newcomers will be supremely strong come Friday, when you look at Kirk Gibbs (KTM), Kade Mosig (DPH Motorsport Yamaha), Adam Monea (NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki), plus Josh Cachia on his brand new factory-backed Husqvarna FC 350.

Image: Grant Reynolds.

On the privateer front, don’t discount Daniel McCoy (MC Motorsport Honda) or Sam Martin, who has transferred back to his favoured Suzuki for supercross. Last time we saw him in SX was on the podium at Phillip Island last year. Overall, there are plenty who will shine.

Of course Yamaha’s decision to exit supercross has remained in a factory manner, which is disappointing for multiple reasons (especially that we’re keen as to see Luke Clout in SX!). Hopefully if Full Throttle Sports can reach expectations this year, we’ll see the blue teams back and the series can progress forward.

But either way, all things surrounding the series have been positive so far and from the outside right now, it looks as though Yarrive Konsky, Phil Sargent and co. are making some decent headway. That’s it from me, here’s Simon Makker…

This time of year throws up some pretty wild, unique, one-off events that help whet the appetite of starving moto fans around the globe. Two weeks ago we witnessed the Motocross Of Nations go down, then on the weekend the inaugural Red Bull Straight Rhythm contest went down in Cali.

Straight Rhythm was based purely from feedback and demand that Red Bull received from last year’s viral video of the same name, when people screamed and shook fences demanding the energy drink make the concept into full competition-style straight-line event.

Red Bull listened and put on one hell of a show, inviting some of best racers on the planet to the event. While James Stewart won the Open class, it was Travis Pastrana who stole the show and viral video hits with his under-rotated, over-shot backflip after beating Josh Hansen in their second of three heats.

While Straight Rhythm was an amazing spectacle for video, well-renowned photographer Simon Cudby mentioned on social media that it was probably one of the hardest events he’s ever had to shoot, as the photographers were only allowed in a handful of pens and had to be transported between them.

Source: Red Bull.

Add to that the harsh lighting, limited angles, the 100-degree weather and fact you only get one shot of each rider with each pass, and you suddenly get a whole new appreciation for how hard those guys had to work to get the quality images that bombarded social media and websites in the days afterward.

Back on this side of the world, though, the Australian Supercross Championship fires up this weekend. I had a good chat with event director Yarrive Konsky this afternoon for an interview we’ll release tomorrow and things are looking very promising for this weekend’s double-headed opener.

Yarrive revealed the track they’re building will be between 48 and 52 seconds long (very respectable by SX standards) and they’ve recorded enough numbers within the Opens and Lites classes to be able to run heat races before the main.

Pre-bought ticket sales have also been pleasing, and the promoters are gunning for between 8-10,000 people coming through the gates over the two nights. With the weather looking promising for both days of racing, we’re excited to see how it all pans out.

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