The Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will make a heralded return to Sydney when the Australian Motocross Championship visits Appin for the first time since 2003 on Sunday, 3 April.

Featuring the nation’s top dirt bike talent, the Macarthur District Motorcycle Club will host the second round of the 2011 championship season, set to be staged on an all-new circuit at the popular Appin-based complex.

The Macarthur region marks a hot spot for national motocross talent, and leading the local charge will be new Rockstar Motul Suzuki signing Daniel McCoy.

McCoy, 26, finished seventh on debut with the factory Suzuki team in his return to the Motul-supported Pro Lites (250cc) category at round one in Victoria earlier this month, but a hometown advantage could spur him onto victory alongside a host of upcoming Sydney-based talent.

“The first round didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I’ve done some racing in New Zealand since then and have made some good improvements,” McCoy said, who currently leads the NZ domestic series.

“I’m really confident for Appin and being in my hometown so close to where I live will definitely be a boost come race day. I’m looking to climb up the point standings and aim for the podium.”

Leading the Pro Lites title chase heading into the Appin round is South Coast-based 2009 title winner Matt Moss, who returns to Australia for JDR Motorex KTM after a season in the U.S. last year.

Moss fronted an emotional clean-sweep for the factory KTM effort at Broadford’s opening round, joined by teammates Brenden Harrison and rookie Josh Cachia on the podium. Appin also marks the local round of the series for the first class JDR Motorex KTM team, based out of Emu Plains.

The Pirelli-sponsored Under 19s development category is currently led by GYTR Rockstar Yamaha’s Luke Arbon, the 18-year-old victorious on debut with his new team and looking to carry that momentum into the second round. Arbon leads Pirelli Raceline Suzuki’s Errol Willis and teammate Shaun Redhead in the standings.

Stay tuned for a full preview to come on the premier Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open (450cc) category, that series currently headed by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Scottish star Billy Mackenzie.

Mackenzie won a treacherous opening round of the series held in heavy rain in Victoria, beating out Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Kiwi contender Cody Cooper and 21-year-old Braidwood-based Aussie Lawson Bopping (Pirelli Raceline Suzuki).

Wollongong’s defending triple champion and fan favourite Jay Marmont currently sits ninth in the points chase for CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha after a difficult season opener, this year joined by younger brother Ryan Marmont (JDR Motorex KTM) in the premier class.

Ryan, 26, was able to upstage Jay, 27, on debut at Broadford with fifth overall behind Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Cheyne Boyd.

Round two of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested at Appin in New South Wales on Sunday, 3 April. 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