International Entertainment Group director Yarrive Konksy has outlined the significance of the Australian Supercross Championship opening in Darwin this season, the event confirmed alongside Australian Superbikes on 12-15 September.

Since yesterday’s announcement (click here for more), the event has received a mixed response, especially considering it’s scheduling just two weeks following Coolum’s MX Nationals finals in Queensland.

“I believe we are providing enough notice for people to prepare early enough,” Konsky told MotoOnline.com.au. “There is a four-week break in-between the nationals in June. The national riders will have time to prepare, they also have time.

“We will provide freight for the riders, if they require it to lessen their financial load. This is something that hasn’t been provided to them before. We aren’t a dictatorship, we are trying to provide riders and sponsors the best exposure and opportunity possible and the NT government are right behind our initiatives.

“In America riders race 36 times a year, have a small break in between supercross and motocross and I think that is the difference between their speed and ours. They are intensely racing against one another week in, week out.

“Chad [Reed] has said before that we don’t race enough in Australia and the gaps between races are too long.”

While Darwin will open the season, Konsky confirmed that round two will likely take place at Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix over a month later on the weekend of 18-20 October.

“The second round will most probably be at MotoGP and that provides riders a substantial amount of time to save and prepare,” Konsky added.

Australian Superbikes have received substantial interest in the Northern Territory since first returning under the promotion of IEG in 2010, the sport gaining incredible amounts of exposure through mainstream press during the past three years.

In an event heavily supported by the government, Konsky is confident this direction will be vital for the sport’s growth in the future.

“Supercross riders will have never witnessed such embracement – they will be treated like celebrities and made to feel welcome as well as be very much appreciated,” he explained. “I have worked closely with the NT Major Events to make sure we are showcased in manner befitting to our sport.

“This model works well for V8 Supercars and F1. They work closely with countries and states that are interested in showcasing the sport at a level deserving to the efforts and levels of professionalism the teams and management provide.

“This is no different to the riders and teams that support the championship – IEG are only interested in working with people interested in working with them for the betterment of the sport.

“Together the sport will gain momentum and we need only to work with people that understand it wont always be 100 percent right for everyone, but its right for the sport.”