Features 3 Mar 2016

Top 10: Must-see 2016 Australian events

Taking a look at the hottest events scheduled for 2016.

Each and every year Australia showcases a range of world class motocross, supercross and off-road events, and 2016 is set to be no different. For this latest edition of Top 10, MotoOnline.com.au takes a closer look at a selection of those events.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Image: Jeff Crow.

1. AUS-X Open:
In its first year the AUS-X Open blew minds, plain and simple. The guys at AME Management truly put together a world class event inside Allphones Arena, and it’s coming back in 2016 for round two, so you would be simply stupid to miss it. With riders such as Chad Reed, Cooper Webb and The GOAT Ricky Carmichael in attendance, fans were treated with an absolute spectacle in 2015, not to mention to list of talented Aussies such as Lawson Bopping, Dan Reardon and Dan Mccoy getting in the mix. Throw in an amazing freestyle motocross best trick event to top it off and you’ve got one event that’s a definite must-see.

2. MX Nationals (Coolum):
Coolum’s final round of the MX Nationals championship is a truly awesome event, the vibe at the season finale each and every year is electric. Warm spring weather, located close to the beautiful beaches, a swarm of motocross riders on hired scooters and plenty of action out on the track. Coolum’s circuit is demanding on the riders, the soft surface makes for a gruelling final round before riders can have a well-deserved break. The most exciting part are the championships, every year the championships go down to the wire at Coolum and you have to be there to experience it.

3. MX Nationals (Horsham):
The opening round of the 2016 MX Nationals championship, the moment you see all of the new team livery hit the track for the first time, the moment you see who’s been putting in the most work during the off-season, it’s all happening at round one. New rivalries are born, old rivalries continue and championship campaigns begin, who will make a statement and show everyone they mean business? Who will stand out and make an unexpected performance? This is why round one is so great.

4. Finke Desert Race:
The Finke Desert Race is one event that attracts a vast range of riders from all over the country. Located in the Northern Territory, the annual event pushes both man and machine to their limits with the tough terrain, high temperatures and hours upon hours of racing to contend with. In 2016 Australia’s very own Dakar Rally winner, Toby Price, will return to the event to attempt a record five victories with the factory KTM crew.

5. A4DE:
A staple event on the Australian off-road calendar, 2016 will mark the 38th consecutive running of the Australian Four-Day Enduro. This event attracts the best off-road riders in the country and features a range of challenging terrain for riders to battle through over four days of competition. A truly gruelling event, the A4DE is not for the faint of heart, only the most prepared and talented riders will rise to the top at the end of the fourth day.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Image: Jeff Crow.

6. AORC (Penshurst):
The 2016 Australian Off-Road Championship will span across six weekends with 12 rounds of racing to be contested throughout. After battling it out in some of the toughest terrain in the country, each class championship, E1, E2, E3 and Outright, will be decided at this round. The AORC series is considered the premier Australian off-road series, attracting the highest calibre riders and factory-backed teams each and every season.

7. MX Nationals (Conondale):
Conondale, the most picturesque venue on the MX Nationals calendar. Missing from the schedule briefly, the Queensland event will make its return in 2016 to the applause to riders, media and fans alike. There’s something unique about the lush greenery combined with a pack of 40 motocross bikes roaring down the start straight, it’s not something you see every day that’s for sure. We can’t speak about Conondale without mentioning that rather large leap can we? The track features by far the largest jump on the Australian motocross circuit, it’s huge, and you really do need to see it in person to appreciate the shear distance and height the riders achieve.

8. Australian Supercross (Queensland):
Following a long 10-round series of motocross racing in the glaring sun, brutal conditions, long motos, it’s a refreshing change when the supercross season kicks off each year in Queensland – the lights come on and it’s time for some night time action. Supercross is always a exciting time of the year, it gives riders the chance to show some added style with the jump-filled circuits, which for the fans is awesome. If you’re a fan of close racing, jumps, whips, scrubs and cooler viewing temperatures, supercross is the place to be!

9. Enduro-X (Clipsal 500 Adelaide):
Taking place this weekend in Adelaide, the Enduro-X event held alongside the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercars spectacle is something very unique and exciting in our sport. The mixture of enduro, motocross and a hint of trials riding side-by-side around a man made circuit in front of screaming fans is already enough to get you going. Now add in the V8 Supercars element and you’ve got something absolutely awesome happening, fast cars, motocross bikes, jumps, water, logs, tractor tyres, that just has action-packed written all over it.

10. MX Nationals (Wanneroo):
The rough sands of Wanneroo are known to separate the men from the boys, it’s motocross in its purest form. This event is making a welcome return to the MX Nationals series in 2016 following a brief hiatus from the 10-round schedule, and it’s definitely one you’d be crazy to miss. If you want to see the best motocross racers in Australia battle it out in the most rough, tough and challenging conditions possible, then Wanneroo is the place to be 29 May in 2016.

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