Five classes will contest the 2019 season, with the three-round series visiting Victoria, ACT and Queensland between February and April. The season kicks off at Traralgon in Victoria on 10 February, before heading north to Coolum, QLD, for round two on 3 March. The season finale will take place at Canberra, ACT, on 27 April.

The classes contesting the series are:
•    Junior – 65cc; 85cc and 125cc
•    Senior – Two-Stroke All powers; Retro All Powers for motocross bikes aged 20 years or more

Several factors encouraged YMA to expand its extensive support of grass-roots racing to include the new two-stroke championship; including the affordability of the series and the extended track time offered to each category. Most importantly, the new series will assist junior racers with the transition from junior to senior racing as well as preparing them for international events such as the FIM World Junior MX Championship.

Kevin Williams from Williams Event Management (WEM), the commercial rights holder of the Australian Motocross Championship, said the recent World Junior Motocross Championship held at Horsham, Victoria, revealed Australia is lagging behind the rest of the MX world when it comes to preparing its juniors for international events.

“I was fortunate enough to spend a week at Horsham for the World Junior Motocross Championships, and I spoke with people from the FIM as well as most of the international riders and teams about two-stroke racing. I then met with Motorcycling Australia, and we put together a program that will help close the gap between how we prepare our juniors, and how the rest of the world is doing it.”

Peter Doyle, CEO of Motorcycling Australia added that the new series would also provide another opportunity for Australia’s up and coming talent to shine.
“MA is pleased to be able to work alongside WEM to create a series that will help develop junior riders in preparation for international competition. We will be looking at the results in this series, along with other events, during the selection process for the Australian Junior World teams.”

Doyle also put the call out for parents of junior racers as well as legends of the sport to dust off their old boots and get involved, but he pulled up short of announcing a comeback himself.

“The senior two-stroke classes are a great opportunity for parents and amateur-level riders to put some fun back into their racing. It may also encourage a few legends of the sport to pull their boots back on for some healthy competition against former rivals and teammates. I’m sure it will bring out a great camaraderie amongst everyone and help create a family-friendly environment within the sport.”

Full details of the new Yamaha bLU cRU 2-Stroke Amateur Nationals, including supplementary regulations and entry details, will be available online from 7 January 2019 at www.mxnationals.com.au

Further announcements regarding the 2019 YZ65 Cup – which will remain part of the MX Nationals series – will be made soon. So stay tuned for more exciting news about two-stroke MX racing, including special Yamaha guests and support for Yamaha riders.