Marmont will defend the Pro Open Championship for the second season in a row.

The 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals was officially launched at McAdam Park in Victoria today, where Williams Event Management director Kevin Williams revealed that the series would be receiving a great amount of television coverage for all categories on Foxtel during the season.

WEM’s Williams is stoked with the progress of the series and can’t wait for the championship to kick into gear at the first round.

“It’s certainly a milestone for the sport that, with support from the government at many levels, this iconic venue has been purchased, providing a place for us to bring the championship too,” Williams said.

“McAdam Park is a special place for WEM to come – we ran our 100th race meeting here many years ago and by chance, when round three comes to town, it will be our 200th race meeting.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing the championship to Geelong and this season is going to see a number of different formats across the Series – we’re really mixing it up and developing our product for the fans.

“Television will play a big role in the series this year, with a one hour program for Pro Lites and Under 19’s and a one hour program for Pro Opens to air on Foxtel and Fuel TV which is very exciting for the sport.

“Through this television package we will certainly be able to promote the regions we visit around Australia.

“We can’t always get near a major capital city, however in coming to these regional areas, the economic impact the Series brings is substantial and also helps to introduce sports tourism to the regions.

“The championship is about a $15 million travelling road-show, including the teams and all their infrastructure and it has on average a $350,000 impact to each community we visit.

“To the local community and all the people here, we look forward to riding here in the first weekend of May for our championship round.”

Local MP Michael Crutchfield joined Geelong-based team CDR Rockstar Yamaha and some of Australia’s best Motocross stars to launch the series at Barrabool today.

Speaking at the launch, Crutchfield said he was excited to have a round of the National Motocross Championship coming to the local area.

“Major events like the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals Series, help promote Victoria as a major events destination and help place our regions like the Great Ocean Road in the national and international spotlight, boosting tourism and investment,” Crutchfield said.

“The benefits of Motocross for all riders – who may not be at the elite level these guys are here, has an important educative message, which I think this facility and the events it will host will have a role in.

“Even though these riders are performing at a National level, they are teaching our juniors responsible riding manners, whether it is here on the track, keeping them out of the bush, or being safe on the road, and this is an invaluable message to be getting out there.

“The Series visit to Geelong will inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy and I can’t wait for the first weekend in May.”

The first round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals kicks off on Sunday 28 March at Horsham in Victoria.