MOULAMEIN will host the first of a three-race season for Australian Grand National Cross-Country motorcycle racing this weekend as a property on Balpol Road becomes the setting for the competition’s opening round.
Professional and amateur racers will go handlebar to handlebar in the three-hour races, with classes ranging from junior through clubman and women’s to expert classes.
Gates will open at noon this Friday, with the racing to take place over Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26 in an event entitled Jawbone 2024.
It’s expected a crowd of about 800 spectators and competitors will attend the event, which is creating much excitement for Murray River Council residents.
The area began hosting cross-country racing last year and has already grown into a popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts wanting to take in some of the best racing across the country.
GNCC director Mitch Jones said organisers were “very excited to have it in this location”.
“This is the first time we’ve been there,” Jones said.
“It’s a very good property for the race and sort of ticks all of the boxes we have when we’re looking for a property to host our races.
“It’s quite a nice area so we are happy to be racing there.
“We pretty much have two full days of racing with some of Australia’s best riders in attendance.
“From juniors all the way to our women’s and club races and our professional riders, these are some of the nation’s best riders.”
Jones said cross-country racing was an exciting sport for both spectators and riders.
“It might be a different format from what people are used to,” he said.
“It’s a three-hour cross-country where riders will be going toe to toe from a mass start and practically racing bar to -bar against each other for about three hours.
“Riders will be racing practically from the early morning to the late afternoon.
“It’s going to be pretty exciting to see who is where as they come around each lap.
“It’s a very good spectator track.
“They’ll be hitting some pretty high speeds out there while side by side.
“There’s a lot of tight areas out there so it’s a bit of a tricky course but that’s really suited to the best riders out there.”
Even after the racing action had concluded for the day, Jones said spectators would be treated to an entertaining event.
“There’s plenty of access for spectators out around the track,” he said.
“We will be running a complimentary bus service that will allow people to access a few spots around the track.
“We’ve also got an event village there that will be hosting a few food trucks and some entertainment on the Saturday night.
“We have a local band who will be performing for everyone that night.
“People will be able to stick around and have a bit of fun after they’ve watched some great racing.”
Live music will be performed from 8pm to 9pm.
Spectator entry will cost $10 a person at 3707 Balpol Road, Moulamein.
