Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Reigning Australian supercross champion and current SX1 points leader Justin Brayton says he’ll maintain the same approach ahead of this weekend’s Monster Energy AUS-X Open, despite increased international competition and a substantially different style of circuit.

The Penrite Honda Racing rider, who has won the first three rounds of the Australian series, explained he’s raced the likes of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing duo Jason Anderson and Dean Wilson before, along with the strong field of local competitors that he’s faced all season long, indicating this weekend’s affair will be business as usual.

“I’ll maintain what I’ve been doing all season,” Brayton told MotoOnline.com.au. “I obviously want to get good starts and keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve raced those guys for a long time, they’re obviously super fast and talented, so it’s going to add some flavour to the class and I’m excited to get there and do some battling.

“I’m excited to race Jason [Anderson] and Dean [Wilson], we’ve raced each other for a long time, so I’m excited to battle those guys and excited to battle the regular guys in the championship. And obviously [Dean] Ferris is still going to be good, so you can’t count any of those guys out. I’m definitely really looking forward to that one, and getting second and third last year – I left there pretty bummed – so it will be nice to try and get a win.”

RJ Hampshire (Geico Honda) was recently announced to contest the event in place of Josh Grant (Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing), while Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) and Ronnie Mac (Honda) have been named to take part in the all-new 2-Stroke Showdown feature race.

Australian supercross icon Chad Reed was initially slated to contest the event, although an ankle injury has forced him to withdraw, although he’ll still be on hand to meet with fans.