An international line-up will take centre stage this weekend when the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, fires into life at Broadford’s State Motorcycle Sport Complex in Victoria on Sunday.

This weekend will mark the opening round of an action-packed nine-round series, where defending triple champion Jay Marmont (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) will battle for a record fourth straight Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open title.

Wollongong’s Marmont has been relentless in his pre-season preparations, determined to keep the Pro Open title on home soil as riders from all over the world align to challenge him for his premier class crown.

“I’ve been doing a lot of training during the season on and off the bike and I feel like I’m ready to go,” 27-year-old Marmont said. “My Yamaha is feeling good and we had a really good base to work from after 2010. The competition is gnarly this year – it’s definitely going to be a test and being consistent will be a huge thing.”

Marmont will be joined at CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha by former world number two Josh Coppins, the 34-year-old New Zealand native entering the series with 15 years of experience in world championship competition.

The current national number two and three plate holders, Scotsman Billy Mackenzie and Aussie rising star Dean Ferris, have formed an alliance at Monster Energy Kawasaki, teaming up in a new-look effort from the Queensland-based operation.

Another pair of teammates who will be on track to win come Sunday will be JDR Motorex KTM’s Dan Reardon and Ryan Marmont, both who have national titles under their belts already and are looking for more to come in 2011.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing has signed experienced Victorian Cheyne Boyd for this year, that combination certain to bring success as he’s paired with in-form Kiwi Michael Phillips. Phillips will substitute for injured Queenslander Todd Waters, who sustained a wrist injury last month.

Rockstar Motul Suzuki will field a single rider Pro Open team lead by New Zealand’s Cody Cooper, a rider who won races last season and enters the new year as a firm favourite for Pro Open class honours.

Suzuki will only field Cooper in its Pro Open factory squad, however NSW-based young gun Lawson Bopping will be another notable contender as part of the satellite-run Raceline Pirelli Suzuki team.

Amongst the top quality multi-rider privateer teams entered for the series are Craig Anderson’s Berry Sweet Strawberries Lucas Oil Honda Racing team, Coastal KTM and Top Gear KTM – all three expected to shine at various points of the season against the factory might.

A fresh new format for the Open class in 2011 will see a mammoth four-moto format, all contested back-to-back with just minutes in between to enable riders to regain composure ahead of the following races.

Also on track this weekend will be the Motul Pro Lites and Pirelli Under 19s categories, featuring Australia’s greatest up and coming talents in their bid for MX Nationals supremacy.

With manufacturers including Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha all fielding factory-supported efforts throughout all classes, the all-important opening round will mark a first look at who has done their homework during the pre-season.

This year’s opening round of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested at Broadford’s State Motorcycle Sport Complex in Victoria on Sunday, 13 March.

Practice and qualifying will commence at 8:30am with the start gates scheduled to drop on the first race action of the weekend at approximately 10:00am.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au on the web for complete series and round information on the 2011 season.

Spectator Entry Information:
Adults – $30
Children (5-15yrs) – $15
Children (Under 5yrs) – Free
Family (2 adults, 2 children) – $70