Riders, teams, manufacturers and fans of Supercross racing are revving up for the revamp of their beloved sport with the 2004 launch of the Australian Supercross Nationals - a new ten round Supercross championship. In a massive boost to teams and sponsors, the series will receive national television coverage on the home of Motorsport, Network Ten.
The transformation of Supercross is being driven by international events and management company, Sports and Entertainment Ltd (SEL), and their new division - the Australian Motorcycle Racing Corporation (AMRC).
SEL is the organisation responsible for the hugely successful seven year overhaul of V8 Supercar racing, with the 2002 championship watched by more than 14 million people. V8 Supercars receives 75 hours live coverage of each round in Australia on Network Ten and New Zealand on TVNZ, and additional telecasts and highlight packages are broadcast to over 70 countries in more than 400 million homes as well as cable and satellite channels worldwide.
The Australian Supercross Nationals will deliver a new lease of life to the sport, with ten rounds of competition (commencing Jan 17). The new series will run over a 12-week period, forming a fixed term, professional season never before seen in Australian Supercross.
The series will visit major indoor and outdoor stadia in Brisbane,
Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, Townsville, kicking off at the Sydney Superdome on 17 January 2004. The outdoor stadia are particularly important for the new series. Developed to host large capacity Rugby League and Union games broadcasting to national and international audiences, the stadia have a capacity of around 20,000 -30,000 and benefit from international broadcast standard lighting.
The competition will consist of four categories: Pro Open, Pro Lite, 125cc Junior Development Series and the Big Air Championship for freestyle racing excitement. Race formats will include qualifying, semi-finals and finals with a Super Pole to determine the grid positions.
Garry Craft, CEO, AMRC said: "The new Championship will deliver world class racing. It's destined to give Supercross a national profile and secure a solid future for riders, team and sponsors.
He continued: "With major indoor and outdoor venues secured, we are forecasting crowds in excess of 160,000 in year one. The series will provide a welcome boost in revenue for the industry and host cities".
"Apart from the big crowds at the events, national television coverage will deliver sponsor recognition and the exposure will attract new fans to the sport.
"SEL has transformed the sport of V8 Supercar racing and our intention is to revamp Supercross. Performed in a stadium, it is a designed for television spectacle and a perfect marketing vehicle for brands aimed at men, in particular."
The teams and manufacturers are extremely happy with the new relationship that will deliver increased marketing opportunities and financial security through TV and sponsorship arrangements.
Craig Dack: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the teams and means bigger and better things for the sport in general. Not only will we benefit from the organisational strength and experience of SEL, proven through their record with V8, but the greater exposure on TV and quality venues will also mean greater marketing and promotional opportunities for the teams".
The new championships will benefit from marketing activity including print and television advertising through ACMN, an interactive website through White Digital and public relations campaign through IRPR in Sydney.
The new Supercross website, www.sxnationals.com.au is currently under construction and will go fully
live on 8th November 2003. However, Supercross fans can access the site from today to view the events calendar and register online to receive regular email updates.