Image: Marc Jones (Foremost Media).

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Luke Clout believes the real advantage of racing at his home Appin venue in New South Wales this weekend for the second round of the Pirelli MX Nationals will be the local support from friends and family on-hand.

Appin’s practice track is home to a number of riders in the series, however the national circuit is only accessible on a selection of weekends per year, which ultimately results in a level playing field when the MX Nationals contingent arrives.

“I do get to go out to Appin quite a bit, it’s close to home for me, but in saying that, I don’t get to ride the race track very often,” Clout explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I pretty much race it national to national, so it is kind of even in that aspect, but I also have the home crowd advantage and a lot of family who come out to support me, so having that in my corner is pretty good.

“I don’t get to race the track more than any of the guys either, so it’s kind of an even playing field. Appin is pretty tough, you never know what you’re going to get – they usually water it a lot and rip it pretty deep, so sometimes it can form up really well and other times you just have to follow the one line. I think getting two good starts will be good, and being really patient too.”

After charging to sixth overall at Newry’s opener two weeks ago in Victoria, Clout his hopeful of capitalising on the additional support he’ll receive this weekend, with a podium finish the clear goal for the talented number four.