THE nation’s best motocross riders will be heading to Port Macquarie next month with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council successful in securing round two of the NSW Motocross Championships.
The event will be held over three days (7-9 June) at the Hastings Valley Motocross track near Wauchope.
It will attract hundreds of people – competitors and officials as well as spectators – and will inject at least $1 million into the local economy.
Mayor Peter Besseling joined Motorcycling NSW general manager Daniel Gatt at the official launch of the event in Port Macquarie last Wednesday.
Cr Besseling said the Port Macquarie region had a great track record when it came to hosting major sporting events and it was great to see a round of the motocross championships added to the list.
“Obviously it will provide local residents with the opportunity to catch some great action with the nation’s best motocross riders across all age groups competing for NSW championship titles.
“But it will also provide us with the opportunity to showcase the greater Port Macquarie region to a new audience and help ensure the economic benefits of hosting an event like this are on-going.”
Cr Besseling said 400 riders would take part in the event but the total number of visitors over the three days would probably exceed 2000. They will be encouraged to make the most of their time here by exploring everything the region has to offer in the three key areas of Wauchope, Port Macquarie and the Camden Haven.
Mr Gatt said Motorcycling NSW was very pleased to be working with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in bringing a round of the motocross championships to the area.
He said an event such as this could only be possible with the support of the Hastings Valley Motocross Club.
“We anticipate that more than 2000 people will come to town for the three-day event with some riders already visiting the area to get some early track down,” Mr Gatt said.
“This is great news for the Hasting Valley Motocross Club, which will benefit through record membership, but it will also come as a massive and continuing economic boost for local business and the community.
“The event is the pinnacle of the motocross calendar in this state and we encourage all locals to come out to the Hasting Valley track to watch some great racing.
“I am certain that once the riders experience everything that the Port Macquarie-Hastings has to offer, they will return over and over again – not just to compete but to experience all the attractions of this gorgeous part of the world.”
