Image: Foremost Media.

A late schedule overhaul has been implemented ahead of this weekend’s double-header rounds of the 2018 Pirelli MX Nationals at Ranch MX in New South Wales due to time constraints associated with the venue.

On-track activity isn’t permitted at the Raymond Terrace-based circuit until 10:00am under its current DA approval, which was initially lodged to cater for its primary use of being a ride park. National rounds usually commence from 8:00am.

It’s understood that series organiser Williams Event Management (WEM), which is hosting this weekend’s round alongside local promoter Boyd Events, were only advised of the restrictions late last week, prompting the late shuffle of the schedule. It will remain a two-round weekend with a full slate of point-scoring motos, albeit with competitors now only being charged a single entry fee due to the compacted revisions.

“The industry wants a race in the Hunter and a race in this region is important to the MX Nationals series,” stated WEM’s Kevin Williams. “At the moment the time constraints are 10:00am until 5:00pm when it gets dark at this time of the year, so right now we are working on it and have adjusted the schedule to ensure we can still deliver quality racing and the same amount of point-scoring motos.

“We’re excited at the opportunity to change it up a bit,” he added. “This round was originally going to be a stadium-cross, one where we were to see what we could do, so it will be interesting to see how the format goes. People have been critical about crowds and a lot of sports are readdressing what they’re doing. Well, this is an opportunity that’s presented itself to try something different and see how it goes.”

Saturday will see practice/qualifying including Super Pole take place in the morning, determining gate selection for the entire weekend, before the opening MX1, MX2 and MXD championship motos take place that afternoon. Sunday is to feature another full-length moto for each championship class in the morning, before shortened back-to-back motos for those categories cap-off the weekend.

This weekend at Ranch MX will feature the regular Thor MX1, Pirelli MX2 and Motul MXD divisions, as well as the Yamaha 125 Gold Cup and newly-introduced YZ65 Cup. The 125s will contest two races on Saturday and another two on Sunday, while the 65s are to have one race on Saturday and two on Sunday. A full copy of the schedule is now available.