Image: Foremost Media.

Penrite Honda Racing team owner Yarrive Konsky is remaining optimistic that the sport can bounce back domestically in 2021 after this year’s Australian motocross and supercross championships were both cancelled due to the impact of coronavirus.

Ongoing restrictions including the closure of state borders has forced the cancellation of both national championships in 2020, severely compromising the business model of professional race teams in Australia that commercially rely on competing.

However, Konsky has been able to weather the storm from the team’s Victorian headquarters, mindful that a positive frame of mind will be important in a bid to reset and move forward once the series return in the new year. Both Brett Metcalfe and Luke Clout have been racing in their respective states during recent months.

“Some sports have been affected more than others,” Konsky stated. “The impacts on sport and active living have been transformative, complex and highly uneven. Motorcycle sport in Victoria has been negatively impacted and, as a result, the national championships have been affected, which is disappointing.

“I need to trust our governing bodies and respectively the decisions they are having to make as they keep up to date on the latest news surrounding COVID-19. It’s disheartening for motocross and supercross teams and competitors, but it’s no-ones fault.

“I am concerned about the physiological and psychological affects on sports people, young and old – I want to encourage everyone to use this time to better prepare for when we return. We have raced in every event possible in every state we have riders, our factory riders and Ride Red riders have not stopped competing and we won’t stop competing in permitted events.

“I’m optimistic about the sport’s future and return to national competition. State and federal government are supporting amateur and professional sports and the millions of dollars they are providing will be the foundation that spearheads our improved return to competition.”

With Motorcycling Australia taking control of the outdoors following Williams Event Management’s departure, Konsky is expecting progression to be evident: “Whilst it’s been a challenging season to navigate, I am confident and I remain positive that we will return to a higher level of competition with more exposure than ever before.”

In addition to operating the Australian factory Honda team, Konsky has also been feverishly preparing for a second season in the US-based Monster Energy Supercross championship, where it’s understood he is looking to expand from being a 250SX West operation to campaigning the full season in 450SX.