Image: Simon Makker.

Former MX2 world champion and Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East title holder has hailed the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland a ‘massive success’ following its inaugural showing in New Zealand on Saturday night.

Despite poor weather conditions looming over the event, over 21,000 fans packed Mount Smart Stadium to witness a selection of world class athletes take to the American-style supercross circuit, which ultimately saw Australia’s Chad Reed (Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) dominate ahead of DPH Motorsport Husqvarna duo Hayden Mellross and Dean Wilson.

New Zealand native Townley explained the S-X Open provides a significant boost to aspiring racers, with a domestic supercross platform for the next crop of Kiwi talents now on offer.

“It was a massive success,” said Townley. “Pre-sale was good, but for everyone to actually come out and see what supercross actually is – it’s the first time we’ve supercross at this scale – it’s been a huge success for the sport. A couple of the young kids have never been to a [supercross] event, let alone compete in something like this before.

“Hopefully if this event continues we’ll see them get in and get amongst it – it’s going to be a great springboard for our sport this event. All the kids in the crowd that I’ve seen now after the event are just fizzing – absolutely fizzing.

“This event just goes to show that motorsport as a whole, there’s appeal for events of this calibre and I know there were Kiwi kids in the stands tonight dreaming of being the next Chad Reed in the future so the sport is bright for us, we just need to capitalise on the success of this event.”

Townley put on an amazing display for his home crowd, going bar-to-bar with social media sensation Ronnie Mac to win the Boost Mobile International Showdown.

Auckland marked the second and final round of the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship, where Reed was able to eclipse Wilson for the crown by just a slender