We take you behind the Scenes at the Super X

At one stage a church, a bride, some councillors, and an old man stood in the way of the Parramatta round of the SuperX. With that first battle won it was sure to be an event that would be hard fought, but it turned out to be epic. What a night of adrenalin filled action

Four rounds down in the 2008 Rockstar SuperX is back. Ticketing sales for all rounds have been really strong, but are still available for the Wollongong round (Nov 15th), Townsville (Nov 22), and Brisbane (Nov 29)

Super X racing has been run in traditional 20 Lap format for the Pro Lites, but in the open class the organisers have provided a mix of final race formats, with each round having its own unique brand of racing.From a traditional 20 lap final at Perth, Super Sprint in Adelaide, to the Triple Challenge in Melbourne, the racing has kept the crowd on their toes. The Survival format was the one that had me excited though - more on that in a minute.
 

Bomberbuilt trackbuilders, Americans Mark Barnett, and Glen Bates, are renowned as the best trackbuilders in the business, and have been one of the keys to SuperX current success. Multiple American SX and MX champ, Mark "Bomber" Burnett has stamped his individuality on each track, and had this to say about Parramatta. "Parramatta is the smallest track of the season because of the venue dimensions, and because in NSW, there are regulations that say we need an extra cushion of space around the track. Compared to the first three rounds, this is definitely a lot tighter and more technical and it'll be slower than all the others. We still managed to cram a lot of obstacles into the track; its just that riders don't get a great deal of runup to each of them. This track will put a premium on good bike control and traction.And because of the Survival format used here, we had to make sure the finish line was close to the startline to allow qualifying riders to get back there quickly after each race. That's why the finish might seem to be in an unusual place."
 

The last time I went to SuperX was a few years ago at Brisbane. I took my family, and we had a great night of action watching Taylor, Dorron, Anderson, and Co. do their stuff. So when rumours circulated of a Reed/GAS partnership for bringing supercross back to the Aussie public, with a promise of high entertainment value, I was pretty stoked. The only down side to the traditional format we have been used to is that it can be a little daunting for the young, and uninitiated, with the 20 lap format confusing at times. I heard that the Survival format was being proposed, and then Sydney was the chosen venue, and Ticketek website became my instant friend. I was going, and my family was intent on ensuring I didn't get lost.

We arrived at Gates open at three PM, and headed to the paddock area where all the higher profile riders were set up. It was hard not to notice the Reed/Suzuki camp with two semi's and a huge quickshade, but Woodstock Honda Thor Racing, Kawasaki Racing, Motorex KTM, CDR Rockstar Yamaha, Serco yamaha, Fly Yamaha, and Cool Air Troy Carroll Kawasaki made the whole area look reminiscent of an AMA pit. This is where the most immediate area of change is evident. Things are so professional in comparison to just a couple of years ago.

Stars Galore

Race Team managers of the calibre of Roger DeCoster, and mechanics such as Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Gosselaar can certainly do the Aussie industry no harm by their presence. These two guys are field stars in their own right, and will head up Chad Reed's new team in the US this coming year. Simply having these guys in the paddock instills an air of seriousness and professionalism.

Reed is such a superstar and crowd drawcard that the whole event could easily slip into the Chad Show, if not for the ability and fighting spirit of the other competitors. Guys like Dan Reardon, Jay Marmont, Daniel McCoy, and Cam Taylor, show the depth of talent lies deep here. SuperX is a breeding ground for the next "Chad", and it may not be too far off.
 

The Pro Lites is the proving ground for the up and coming stars of tomorrow, and prove themselves they did very succinctly. Matt Moss again showed his talent with another top podium position for the night closely followed by Ryan Marmont in second, with Luke George third. Sixteen year old Tye Simmonds was unlucky not to attain a podium finish, slipping to fourth in the latter stages of the twenty lap final.

Matt Moss also won the MX Rad Holesot Award. Moss paid tribute to his brother Jake, who was seriously injured the week before in a training accident in Nowra. The accident, caused by a false neutral, has left him with multiple spinal fractures, and in traction at Royal North Shore Spinal Unit, and out of racing for the season. More importantly, he is expected to make a full recovery. Get well soon Jake.

Matts win has him now leading the Pro Lite pointscore on 94 pts, with Ryan Marmont 74, Jake Moss 72, Luke George 68, and Tye Simmonds on 54 points.

The Rockstar Australian FMX Championship had the crowd cheering with their sick tricks.Kiwi Levi Sherwood was amazing with his gymnastic-like flexibility, and taking out the Sydney round. Cam Sinclair drew on his signature "seat grab flip", and a three trick combo - Saran to Nac to one hand flip, to place second to Crusty Demon star Kain Saul in third.

The Super X Open class final in Survival was the feature of the night, and is quite honestly the best live SX or MX race I have witnessed. Although some of the racers, including Chad Reed, were not keen on the format, as a spectator it was awesome.

The attraction of the Survival format is its viewability. Each of the four races is five laps in length. The last five finishers are eliminated in each race, until five are left for the final gate. To add to the excitement, a two minute clock starts from the time the leader passes the chequred flag. All contenders have less than two minutes to return to the starting gate for the next race.

Reed copped a fifteen second penalty after his mechanic, Mike Gosselaar, pushed his bike to the gate. The rules say the rider only can do this. Chad seemed to take it ok, probably due to the pretty big lead he had on sixth place, otherwise he would have been warming the bench.

Reed has dominated all rounds so far in the season, but this format challenged even him. Having to run the holeshot gauntlet four times in the one final, poses extra risk for him, and almost proved his undoing in Race three where he was involved in a bit of bar bashing, and exited turn one in last position. Reardon got the holeshot in this race, and lead until the final lap, where Reed once again showed his class to take the race, and a series clean sweep - so far!

Reardon was very classy on the night, and after dislocating his shoulder at Geelong Rd3, proved he is still in top podium contention should a little luck go his way. He led most of race one, holeshotted and led to the final lap in race three,and holeshot and again rode the lead for the first two laps of race four. Look out Chad!!
 

Results for the round were; Reed, Reardon, Marmont, McCoy, Carrol Series pointscore to date is Reed 100, Marmont 84, Reardon 70, Boyd 67, McCoy 62.

The whole event was the most impressive and entertaining I have attended. Taking my wife and kids proved a winner. They loved the survival format commenting that "they loved that there was only ten, and then five riders because they always knew who was in the lead". Chad coming from last to first in race three had the entire crowd cheering. GAS has the event finely tuned with something always happening, and the seating was great with the crowd close to the action.

Yeah the racing was awesome, but the difference between SuperX and the supercross of old, is quite simply the enourmous entertainment value. I balked at the ticket prices a little at first, particularly when buying for a family of five, but post event the whole family is looking forward to next year. For nearly seven hours of entainment is was a bargain.

The highlight of the night for the EMD Sydney crew, both "big" and "little", was the opportunity to meet and greet with Chad, and his beautiful wife Ellie. Even after a full day racing and all the associated PR, Chad was only too happy to jump in front of the camera for quite possibly the thousandth time that day. A huge thankyou from your three newest fans Mr and Mrs Reed. Chad deserves all that comes his way, his work ethic is enourmous.I think that's what makes the whole story special, and Chad so popular. The little town kid made good. And with "Mrs22" at his side, he looks like he's having a ball.

With crowds screaming through the manproof fencing, it was like being around rock stars. Well .......... actually we were, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team!

Keep your eye out for next weeks Wollongong SuperX report. If this one was family day, next Saturday, Wollongong is Father and Son day!!