New world champions will be crowned as the pilot FIM World Supercross (WSX) season comes to a close in Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Marvel Stadium has been transformed for the WSX Australian Grand Prix, with more 6,000 tonnes of dirt creating the ultimate supercross race track.
The event has attracted supercross fans from across the country with more than 50,000 spectators expected.
German rider Ken Roczen is favourite to take home the premier WSX tittle, however he will be challenged by American Vincent Friese.
Roczen, who rides for Australian team Honda Genuine, told today’s press conference: “It’s been a long drought for me winning a championship for me. Having the opportunity racing for this is awesome. The competition is stiff. I’m excited to be in this position.”
Friese, who rides for Motoconcepts Racing, said: “This bike and this team deserve a number one plate. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got and have some fun in the process.”
The pilot WSX season has featured 10 international teams including NASCAR and IndyCar team owner, Rick Ware and two Australian teams – Honda Genuine and Craig Dack Racing.
SX Global President Tony Cochrane AM said Melbourne will feature as the series grand finale over coming years.
“This is an amazing sporting city, probably one of the best in the world to be frank.
“They have an incredible sports portfolio all year around. With motorsport they don’t miss anything. In bikes they’ve got MotoGP, Superbike World Championship and now they’ve got the Supercross World Championship so they’ve got a complete deck here in Melbourne.
“It’s a great sports loving city. Over the next two nights we’ll see a bit over 50,000 people so it’s an enormous vote of confidence in supercross we’re just delighted to be here.
“It’s going to be officially the grand finale for the next few years.
While the WSX Australian Grand Prix Round takes place on Saturday, the supercross action at Marvel Stadium starts tonight with the first round of the Australian Supercross Championship and the first practice round for WSX Australian Grand Prix.”
Mutli time Australian Supercross Championship Justin Brayton, who is striking distance of the WSX Championship, will be racing both nights.
Brayton, who rides for Honda Genuine, said: “It seems the older I’ve gotten and the more riding I do the better. I’m like an old Diesel engine, takes a while to start up and get going. I’m going to wake up tomorrow morning feeling loosing and ready to go.”
The weekend’s high-flying supercross and freestyle motocross action will be supported by leading Australian recording artists – Peking Duk (Friday) and Bliss N Eso (Saturday).
Fans will get the chance to meet their heroes during autograph sessions today from 4pm to 5pm and Saturday from 12pm to 1pm.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and for more information on the FIM World Supercross Championship, visit www.wsxchampionship.com
Words and image: WSX
