Image: Foremost Media.

An overhauled 2020 MXstore MX Nationals calendar has been announced by Williams Event Management (WEM) as organisers continue to adapt to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

All nine rounds to be contested across six events including three double-headers will tentatively remain on the schedule for this season.

The series was originally due to commence at Horsham in April and conclude at Coolum toward the end of August. Instead, round one has been delayed until August 9 at Conondale when the gates are now anticipated to drop.

Each original location is set to remain, including Maitland, Newry, Horsham, Gympie and the traditional Coolum finals now slated for October 10-11. Maitland, Horsham and Coolum are the double-header events.

“It is important that everyone understands the new calendar is a projected series schedule with the current information that we have available to us,” explained WEM director Kevin Williams. “We are seeing positive information on the slowdown of this outbreak and we can begin to anticipate what a return to some normality in life looks like.

“Following the ease of restrictions will be the projected return to sporting events and ultimately a time for us to go racing. We are putting our best foot forward to give everyone the most time to prepare, including the riders, teams and hosting clubs.

“The major hurdles that will disrupt the projected start of the series in August will be the government not lifting the interstate travel ban and a continued restriction on the number of people allowed to attend outdoor events.

“We have continually stated that WEM is committed to delivering a full nine-round series in 2020 and this is still our goal. As always we will keep everyone updated with the relevant information as soon as it becomes available.”

This latest MX Nationals calendar will result in the start of the Australian Supercross Championship being delayed, with a 2020 scheduled yet to be formally announced by series rights-holders AUS SX Holdings. A draft outline circulated privately indicated that the series was initially going to begin on October 3 in Queensland.

2020 MX Nationals calendar:
Rd1 – August 9 – Conondale, QLD
Rds 2-3 – August 15-16 – Maitland, NSW
Rd4 – September 6 – Newry, VIC
Rds 5-6 – September 12-13 – Horsham, VIC
Rd7 – October 4 – Gympie, QLD
Rds 8-9 – October 10-11 – Coolum, QLD