Supercars founder Tony Cochrane behind all-new Supercross

Supercars founder Tony Cochrane behind all-new S-X Open International Supercross FIM Oceania Championship

8th August 2018: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The man that created and grew the V8 Supercars Championship into the fourth largest sport in Australia - Tony Cochrane, has cemented his involvement in what he calls the next big thing in sport, Supercross.

The Monster Energy S-X Open International Supercross FIM Oceania Championship, promises to be the largest off-road motorcycling series, outside of the USA.

The all-new championship will captivate sports fans by combining what is already the most prestigious Supercross racing event in the Southern Hemisphere in Sydney, the AUS-X Open, with a brand new event that promises to be the largest ever held in New Zealand; the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland, at Mt Smart Stadium on November 24.

Supercross has been touted as one of the fastest growing and most extreme forms of motorsport on the planet. Athletes battle side-by-side, on 100 kg motorcycles, which are as commonly off the ground, as they are on it. Soaring 40 feet into the air and aggressive bar-to-bar contact is a regular occurrence throughout the short, explosive racing formats. Riders are more like modern-day gladiators, fighting within millimeters of catastrophe at all times.

Cochrane was inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 2012, credited with taking the sport of touring car racing in Australia, from relative obscurity to one of the world's most recognised motorsport Championships. He believes Supercross will be the next big sporting spectacle, to captivate audiences attention, in an ever-changing sporting landscape. That he is willing to put his name to it as the Chairman of the series, is a testament to his faith in its future potential.

“Full credit to Adam and Ryan – they have created a truly world class show and over the next couple of years with their FIM Oceania rights they have great opportunity to grow this in Asia and the Middle East as well as the expansion into New Zealand, and I know just how much Kiwi’s love their motorsport! I am very proud to help them grow foreign markets, in this exciting sport franchise.” Cochrane said.

“Anyone that hasn't witnessed Supercross absolutely has to see it to believe it. Whether you are a motorsport fan or just a fan of good entertainment; you will love this. It is motorsport's answer to 20-20 cricket. The action is non-stop, explosive and absolutely amazing to watch. Better yet you can see everything from the comfort of your seat, anywhere in the stadium. I'm certain fans in Auckland are going to love it, just as much as they already do in Sydney." He added.

With the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney event, which is now in its fourth year at Qudos Bank Arena, forming the curtain raiser for the 2018 championship, the brand-new Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland event and series finale at Mt Smart Stadium, will be the first time Kiwi fans get an opportunity to witness the best Supercross athletes in the world, challenge for the most prestigious FIM sanctioned Supercross championship crown, outside of the USA.

In addition to the world's best Supercross racers, each championship event features the best in international Freestyle Motocross stunts, stunning pyrotechnics, live music and concert-like entertainment values.

Series Co-Founder and Director Adam Bailey stated that an unwavering focus on spectator entertainment is the cornerstone behind the series' creation and international expansion for 2018.

"Since the inception of the AUS-X Open in 2015, it has always been our goal to expand into overseas markets, so it is fantastic to be able to finally announce the Monster Energy S-X Open in Auckland and all-new FIM Oceania Supercross Championship. Our philosophy is really simple; to give our audience non-stop entertainment that is unscripted, unpredictable and absolutely unmissable. Sydney is going to be our biggest and best event yet and we can't wait to share what we have planned with Auckland. It is going to blow their minds!" Bailey exclaimed.

The move to expand from a one-off event in Sydney, to international championship status is a huge one, but series Co-Founder and Director Ryan Sanderson, says the timing could not be better to make the move across the ditch.

"After three years of growth in Sydney and a growing international audience, the timing for expansion and to announce the 2018 Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland event, is perfect. Today's sports fans and in particular the younger, millennial audience, command premium and memorable live event experiences that offer sensory overload from the moment they arrive. We're certain, whether they think Supercross is their thing or not, they will be converted. There's nowhere else they should be other than Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on November 10 and Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland on November 24." Sanderson stated.

FIM Oceania President Glen Williams is excited by the prospect of crowning an FIM Oceania Supercross Champion in 2018 and is looking forward to experiencing the excitement around the two world class events.

“FIM Oceania is thrilled to be working with these two truly international events and to be sanctioning the FIM Oceania Supercross Championship. We look forward to seeing some of the world’s greatest Supercross riders battling it out for the prestigious FIM Oceania Supercross championship trophy." Williams said.

"FIM Oceania has the important role of helping to create rider development, the best regional competition and FIM Oceania championships within our region of the FIM global framework. In addition, to ensure these FIM Oceania programs and events are of truly international level.

"I am sure the FIM Oceania Supercross Championship will be action packed and hotly contested. It will amazing to see the handle bar to handle bar action in both Australia and New Zealand, it will be racing not to be missed.’’ Williams added.

With a full lineup of international heavyweight athletes set to be announced, fans are urged to register for access to pre-sale tickets, before they go on-sale to the general public, via www.sxopen.com, to avoid disappointment.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) will be supporting the Monster Energy S-X Auckland as part of Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio, which generates social and economic benefits for the region.

For further information and tickets to this year's Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney visit www.ausxopen.com

The AUS-X Open Sydney is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Monster Energy S-X Open International Supercross FIM Oceania Championship

Round 1 - Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney - November 10 at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Round 2 - Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland - November 24 at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

© Scoop Media