The Australian MX scene is becoming more and more an international field and it seems that former world championship contender Billy Mackenzie started that trend and opened the flood gates for the rest to join our series.

With the arrival of Mackenzie in 2009, Josh Coppins last year and now Brad Anderson coming to race the outdoor series for 2012, Australia has fast become a hot bed for world class international riders.

“I wouldn’t say I started the whole thing, but I think I’ve had a bit to do with it in the recent years,” Mackenzie told MotoOnline.

“It’s not often a top rider would leave the world championship behind, in search of riding in Australia, but that’s exactly what I did. I was still in my prime in the world championship at the time, but I just wasn’t really enjoying it over there.

“I’ve always made my own decisions and they always seem to work out in the end, so I wasn’t gonna stay somewhere I was unhappy just because I was pressured into it. I made my decision to come here and I haven’t looked back.

“It seems like now with Brad coming over, more people want a piece of the Aussie action. Its tough to leave your home behind though, I don’t think its right for everyone. But I don’t know, I don’t want to be the one to say it’s all because of me, but I think I started off a bit of a trend there.”

With a full field of Australian and international riders, the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals series is set to be the best yet.

Click here for the complete interview with Mackenzie here on MotoOnline.com.au this week.