KTM Australia press release:

KTM’s Junior Supercross Challenge (KJSC) will see twenty lucky aspiring Supercross stars take to the big track in front of thousands of spectators at the biggest Supercross racing event in Australia, the 2017 AUS-X OPEN.

Split over two nights, ten riders each night aged between seven and eight years old, will be treated to a full KTM Factory Ride like nothing ever offered before in Australia.

Riding KTM 50 SX models equipped with KTM PowerParts and kitted out in the latest KTM PowerWear riding gear, riders will get to experience the life of a professional KTM Supercross rider for a day.

The KTM Team is out in full force to support the program with a Team Manager, a Team Media Coordinator, Senior Factory Team Technicians and Factory Team Riders Kirk Gibbs and Daniel Milner, all on site to mentor the riders throughout the day.

“The KTM Junior Supercross Challenge is an initiative originally started in 1996 in the USA” KTM’s Motorsport Marketing and KJSC Team Manager Kyle Blunden explains.

“It is a program that is designed to introduce the next generation of riders to the unique experience of being a professional motorcycle rider. They get to pit out of the KTM Racing Team Truck, take part in a track walk like the pros, sign autographs for the fans, participate in practice and an exhibition session during the Supercross program. In the USA there has been over 5,000 riders go through the KJSC program including Ryan Dungey, Zack Osborne, Mike Alessi.”

With over 170 applicants from all across Australia and New Zealand, the KJSC selection process for this years AUS-X OPEN came down to riders meeting a few key criteria which included age, one years racing experience and a report card or letter from their teacher. Riders were then selected on a lottery basis which resulted in twenty lucky racers who are very excited to take part in the first ever KJSC in Australia.

KTM Australia also secured a very special guest with KTM’s Selvaraj Narayana attending the event, the man who originally created the KJSC series in the USA.

“First of all the KJSC was introduced to attract the kids to be involved in the motosport industry and get an early experience with NO FEAR to ride in the same Supercross and on the same track as the pros” Sel explains.

“The discipline of the factory rider starts at the age of eight and this is a remarkable experience that the riders and their families get, which they will talk about for many years. We are all excited to feel the experience of KJSC first time in Australian supercross. Our theme as ways been: building the future of the next generation.”

AUX-X OPEN kicks off at Qudos Bank Arena tonight, November 11th, with the pit party kicking off at 1.00pm. Stay up-to-date with all the action on KTM Australia’s Social Media Channels on Facebook and Instagram.