WESTERN Australian junior motocross riders converged on the Horsham motocross track to gain some valuable local knowledge before the Australian Junior Motocross Championships from September 30.
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The Horsham Motorcycle Club is set to host the event which will attract thousands of motocross enthusiasts to the region.
In the lead-up to the event junior riders have come from all over Australia and New Zealand to prepare.
Club treasurer Laurie Pearson said there will be 500 entries for the championships.
“With that 500 families will come, with support crew and coaches as well,” he said.
“Accommodation will be booked up within 100 kilometres of Horsham.”
Pearson said this is a big deal for the region and the club has some big plans organised for the future.
“The Australian juniors is a lead in to the World Junior Championships in 2018,” he said.
The World Junior Championships have been hosted at every corner of the globe and their next destination is a motocross track in Dooen.
Forty countries with teams of five will converge on the region and Pearson said it has taken time to get the facility up to professional standard.
“We hope to have it ready for the Australian juniors so we can test it out,” he said.
“Around the same time representatives from FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) will come to the region and look at our facilities, the hospital, accommodation and our city to make sure our region is suitable for the world juniors.”
Pearson said the club has been thankful to everyone that has helped make it possible to bring large scale attractions to the region.
“We’re waiting for one final piece of the puzzle which will be critical to helping our facility meet world standards,” he said.
“We’re desperate to put Horsham on the map in the best possible way.”
Pearson said the club recently sent club member Mark Hancock oversees to gain his level five officiating license.
“We now have the highest qualified official in Australia,” he said.
“It’s great to be able to offer that in a place like the Wimmera.”
Pearson said he looks forward to the clubs next two junior events.
“We are grateful for all of the support the council has given us, they helped get the clubs hygiene up to scratch and Vic Roads for helping with the roads,” he said.
The motorcycle club draws massive numbers to the region and Pearson said it has come down to hard work.
“We’re all in the same boat, we want to make the club better for the future.”