Dunlop Tyres press release:

It was an exciting start to the 2016 Australian Supercross Championship in Jimboomba, Queensland, on Saturday with multiple Dunlop-equipped contenders claiming podium positions in both the SX1 and SX2 categories.

In the premier SX1 category it was CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris who claimed a strong second place finish as the top Australian in the field. In his first supercross event since 2014, the recently-crowned Australian motocross champion also scored a second-place heat race finish to advance to the 20-lap main event.

Ferris’ CDR Yamaha teammate and defending SX1 champion Dan Reardon kicked off his title defence with a heat race victory, followed by a third place main event finish to round out the podium, gaining a healthy score of points in the process.

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Kyle Peters began his 2016 Australian Supercross Championship campaign on a high, qualifying first in the stacked SX1 class. Unfortunately for the American rider, a main event crash forced Peters an early exit from the event due to a hand injury.

In the SX2 category it was DPH Motorsport Yamaha’s Hayden Mellross who rode his Dunlop-shod Yamaha YZ250F to a second-place finish upon return home from the US. Mellross was joined on the podium by fellow Dunlop-supported racer Wade Hunter of the Serco Yamaha team.

Last-minute addition to the Serco Yamaha team, Jackson Richardson, rode his way to a fourth-place result in the SX2 final, while Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jordan Hill also wrapped-up his SX2 debut with a ninth place finish despite little experience in the pro ranks.

“The night’s racing was an exciting start to the ASX series,” commented Sabastian Mincone, Dunlop national motorcycle manager. “Dean and Daniel’s results were fantastic in SX1 against top-level international riders. Also my congratulations to Hayden and Wade, who rode brilliantly in SX2 to snare podium finishes.”

The 2016 Australian Supercross Championship will now take a five-week break before returning for round two of the six-round series at Toowoomba in Queensland on Friday, 14 October.

Visit www.dunloptyres.com.au or find Dunlop Tyres Australia & New Zealand on Facebook and @ridedunlopau on Instagram for further information on the brand.