I’ve watched the AMA Supercross series since I was all of about 13, when Jeremy McGrath began his tirade of complete dominance of the scene.

From the first gate-drop I was dumbstruck at the tracks, the riders, the speed, the crashes, the passes and the crowds that turned up. Compared to the New Zealand supercross series, it was like looking at another planet. It didn’t take long for me to make a vow that I’d one day see an AMA Supercross live.

Seventeen years later I finally fulfilled that vow when I attended the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship decider at Las Vegas. I had the privilege of returning again to the same round in 2012, and even in 12 short months the improvements have been astounding.

While both the East and West Lites and Supercross titles had been all wrapped up, the vibe and frenzy both in the pits and in the stands is infectious and consuming.

From the moment you walk through the gates at Sam Boyd stadium you realise Australia has a shitload to learn when it comes to “doing” supercross.

Mike Porra and the Global Action Sports team did a fantastic job the past few years of trying to drag the Australian supercross scene up to a level that was slightly comparable, but the Americans have been operating at the top level for decades and it shows.

The pits are abuzz with fans clamouring for a glimpse of their heroes, and if one happens to walk past on the way to or from the track they almost faint with ecstasy. These guys are treated like full-fledged rock gods. Even I as a journalist was a bit intimidated to introduce myself to them and get a well-rehearsed word or two from them.

And then there’re the actual semis. While the factory teams in Australia have some pretty trick set-ups, one semi isn’t enough for the high-rollers in the USA – they roll around in two of them: one for the team riders and mechanics and one for wining and dining sponsors, keeping spare bikes, and housing a plethora of extras the team needs.

But as amazing as the pits are, the biggest difference between the U.S. and Australian supercross series is the opening ceremonies. Each of the top 10 riders enters the frothing stadium amid smoke machines, lasers, their own theme song they choose each week and fireworks.

The national anthem is sung, low-flying fighter-jets screech overhead (OK, they didn’t this year, but that happened in 2011), the Monster girls are out in full force, and the whole event isn’t far-removed from a full-blown rock concert.

Hardly a wonder Bret Michaels has latched onto the series – he’ll get more publicity from this than he would from three years’ worth of shows.

And don’t even get me on the size and quality of the tracks (Vegas lap-times were around the 1:04 mark!) and riding pace.

There’s no doubt that the U.S. still leads the way when it comes to supercross and motocross. It’s easy to start thinking we’re beginning to reach their level, but a trip to Stateside will soon put an end to those fanciful thoughts.

If you ever get a chance to sit trackside in the USA, do NOT pass it up. You’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the sport, and will realise just how far the Australian scene has yet to come.