Race Radio

Global Action Sports quits Australian Super X

Global Action Sports has today confirmed that Super X, the Australasian Supercross Championship, will not go ahead in 2012 or future years due to a number of factors leading to a substantial financial loss over the past four years.

Super X exploded onto the Australian market in 2008, taking the profile of supercross to a whole new level.

Live television coverage of every round, which was a first for any series in the world, revolutionary new race formats, world class tracks at premiere venues around Australia and New Zealand as well as the biggest supercross crowds and international riders ever seen in Australasia, resulted in recognition around the world.

However despite the positive reception to the series, a successive decline in ticket sales from year one has left the series financially non viable after four consecutive years of losses and a multimillion dollar investment in the sport.

Managing director of Global Action Sports, Michael Porra, said he was incredibly disappointed with this outcome.

“It is with very heavy hearts we have made this decision, but the bottom line is that there are not enough paying fans to support the huge expense of putting this series on,” Porra said. “Even in year two with Chad Reed racing at every round we saw a significant decline in ticket sales where we averaged approximately 6000 fans per round.

“This trend continued in year three and in year four we averaged only 3,500 fans per round resulting in a seven-figure loss. Australia is a very competitive market for action sports as well as mainstream sport and entertainment, and this combined with a very poor economy has definitely played a huge factor in this unfortunate outcome.

“We had a very ambitious vision for the sport of supercross in Australasia and have invested millions of dollars into this series, but unfortunately there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel and we cannot afford to continue with these huge losses.

“I have very much enjoyed my time getting to know the sport and along with my team, we have done all we can to try and make the series a success. I really hate the thought of giving up, but I am left

with no choice.

“I would like to thank Motorcycling Australia, Monster Energy, Williams Event Management and everyone who has contributed to the series over the years and wish them all the best for the future,” concluded Porra.

Motorcycling Australia today put out a release seeking expressions of interest for the 2012 Australian Supercross Championship series.

Nissan To Join V8 Supercars Championship

NISSAN will join the V8 Supercars Championship in 2013 and become the first new manufacturer to enter the sport under its new ‘Car of the Future’ rulebook.

The news was announced today at a press conference in the River Room at Crown Casino in Melbourne.

The Japanese car giant will take on Holden and Ford in next year’s championship – the first run under new ‘Car of the Future’ rules.

Kelly Racing has signed with Nissan to become the company’s factory team and will run four cars next year from their Melbourne workshop.

The team will have the full support of the giant NISMO Nissan Motorsport organisation.

Announcing the news today was Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO Dan Thompson, Ian Moreillon (Executive General Manager, Sales and Fleet, Nissan Australia), V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane and V8 Supercars CEO David Malone.

Solomon Wins All Stars, Rosedale

On a rain shortened A Main the Fire Service Plus Sprintcar All Stars Series trip to Rosedale Speedway was finished before they would have liked. Chris Solomon’s #V83 led the race for the entire 20 laps.

Lined up on the front row with Simon Amato’s #V28 Cool Solomon showed his ability from the start. ACT15 Harley Bishop’s JB Motorsport Maxim started in 5th and quickly moved up to 2nd with only 1 lap down.
He showed Solomon he was there a couple of times but Solomon wasn’t going to give in easily.

Brooks V97 running third and Wayne Logue’s V66 fourth for the majority of the race until Brooks right rear let go bringing on the yellows with V66 Wayne Logue becoming involved. Logue having to go to the rear for a second push.

Logue had been one of the movers on the night with great speed shown from his Ford powered Maxim. Unfortunately for the Ron Jones Racing V97 it was the end of their night.

Bishop had an uncharacteristic moment in turn 4 and bought on the yellows. With the line up ready to go the rain started and the race declared.
“We got 20 laps of our main in and the drizzle started – just a bit but enough to make us call the event, weight the top 5 cars and then clouds opened – so we were kind lucky to get this far.” Searle says. “The storms that hit Geelong and Melbourne finally blew to Rosedale. We got a bit of warning as the wind became cool and the lightening show in the distance got closer.

We reprogrammed the night, skipped interval and nearly made it – just not quite. But hey – we had another great feature race and an awesome crowd so we cannot complain too much.”
Heat wins – Wayne Logue, Chris Solomon, Colin Brooks, and Keke Falland.
Pole Shoot Out – Simon Amato

Final Placing’s – Chris Solomon, Simon Amato, Keke Falland, Peter Logue, Tony Moule, Mark Noonan, Phil Lock, Mark Weaver, Wayne Logue, Brad Foster, Harley Bishop, Colin Brooks-DNF, Paul Solomon – DNF, Shaun Forrell – DNF, Scott Irons – DNF, Owen Bulman - DNF

‘MURPH’ INKS WITH PEPSI MAX CREW FOR 2012

The Pepsi Max Crew have re-signed incumbent driver Greg Murphy – one of the most distinguished names in Australian motorsport – for the 2012 season.

“We’ve made significant progress in 2011 and I’m thrilled to be re-signing with one of the most exciting and daring teams in the V8 Supercar series.

2012 will be a huge season for usand it starts with a strong performance this weekend in Sydney,” said Greg Murphy.

Danielle Maher, Marketing Manager - CSD, PepsiCo, said: “Greg brings experience, supreme talent and a cool head to the driver’s seat and we are really pleased to be working with him again next year.

Pepsi Max is fully committed to this racing team and we’re hugely excited about the prospects of what can be achieved in 2012”.

Cranky Red Head Appeal

Donations for the “Cranky Red Head Appeal” can be made by direct deposit / internet transfer into the following ANZ Bank Account : BSB - 014 524 Account Number - 595 437 999

Cheques / money orders can be made payable to Matt Stocker, 6 Redstone Court, Carrera QLD 4212.

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