Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Mega Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki will make its final appearance in tonight’s final round of the 2017 Australian Supercross Championship, marking the end of an era for team owner Troy Carroll.

Carroll Motorsports was launched in 2011 and has operated as Kawasaki Motors Australia’s factory motocross and supercross program since, but will bow out of the sport at the conclusion of the current season.

“It’s definitely been an emotional week, especially seeing the truck pull out to go to its final race that we will be doing,” Carroll commented. “In some ways I’m also proud and happy to see it roll out for the last time. This is a decision that never came lightly, but it was one that we had to make – financially it wasn’t viable any more.”

Lead rider Dan Reardon will enter tonight’s final round of the SX1 championship second in the standings, 18 points behind Penrite Honda-mounted defending champion Justin Brayton and with rain forecast, the team’s first crown since Jay Marmont won in 2012 isn’t out of the question.

“We all want the big ‘W’ at the end of the day,” Carroll continued. “Both Dan and Nato [Crawford] have proven they’re getting faster and faster as the championship goes on, so 100 percent I want to see a win going out. As long as they put everything in, I’m still going to be a happy man.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved over the years and thank all of the staff that I’ve had, plus I have dealt with some absolutely awesome riders over the years. It’s definitely going to be an emotional night, but I want to also thank everybody who has supported us as a team, both currently and also over the years.”

This evening will also mark the final showing of the Crankt Protein Honda Racing outfit operated by Motologic’s Paul Free, following two seasons competing in motocross and supercross as the official team of Honda Australia.

While Kawasaki Motors Australia is yet to finalise its plans for 2018 – recently linked with an assortment of existing teams in the pit – it’s understood that Yarrive Konsky’s current Honda Racing team will compete as the factory team outdoors as well as supercross after signing Brett Metcalfe on an MX Nationals deal.