News 11 Nov 2017

Former Supercars boss Cochrane in AUS-X Open driver's seat

Expansion to potential new markets considered as chairman is announced.

Image: AUS-X Open.

Co-founding former Supercars supremo Tony Cochrane has been named chairman of the AUS-X Open in what is a historic announcement for the sport just hours out from the 2017 edition.

Cochrane and partners took charge of the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1996 after acquiring it for a reported $52,000, building it into the $330-million V8 Supercars empire by 2011 when Archer Capital became majority shareholders.

Following an incredibly successful stint at the helm of Supercars, Cochrane stepped down from his role as the sport’s executive chairman in 2012. He is also currently the chairman of the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL).

“It’s exciting times for the AUS-X Open and I am delighted to get on board here and help Ryan and Adam grow this amazing event business,” Cochrane stated. “To be honest it is some of the most awesome and compelling motorsport product I have seen for some time – no wonder it’s attracting so many fans.

“Full credit to these two young guys, from a standing start they have built a hell of a show – I look forward to working with them to grow it both here in Australia and internationally as well. Australians do events as good as, if not better than, anyone in the world.

“This is but another terrific chapter in that story. People want events like this that they can get up close to, see the best riders in action and push the adrenaline button on the experience – AUS-X Open delivers in spades!”

For event directors/co-founders Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson, attracting Cochrane as chairman is a monumental step as it considers a pivotal international expansion stage for the world-class event. This weekend marks the third-annual AUS-X Open Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena.

“We are so ecstatic and proud to have Tony involved in our mission to grow the AUS-X Open brand including supercross, freestyle motocross and action sports in Australia,” Bailey said. The sport and it’s athletes are true gladiators in every sense of the word.

“We have no doubt that working with Tony is going to help us show the world what they can do and couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds for us and the sport. We’re always looking for ways to build our brand and create the greatest show for our fans and to do this we need a strong business base, which is exactly we’re our new chairman will be able to steer us moving forward.”

Sanderson, who himself comes from a motor-racing background and is still involved with Bailey in a production capacity as partners in AME Management, echoed the thoughts of Bailey and believes the addition of Cochrane will be a massive boost to the brand and potential expansion to new markets.

“Tony’s wisdom and knowledge of the sports and events sector is second to none, and to have a person of his calibre join our team is a real testament to the strength of the AUS-X Open brand,” Sanderson said. “He also brings a host of contacts and business relationships that will prove invaluable as the AUS-X Open looks to expand to potential new markets as it evolves.

“We’ve had the strongest TV package ever this year, best commercial support and ticket sales are also at an all-time high, so the news of Tony’s appointment as chairman only strengthens our desire to create the most action-packed event for our ever growing fan base.”

Founded in 2015, the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney is one of the largest supercross, freestyle motocross and action sports event in the world, attracting global superstars including Australia’s very own Chad Reed, the greatest of all-time Ricky Carmichael, FMX icon and stuntman Robbie Maddison, alongside many more.

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