MOTOR SPORT
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THE 2014 Australian Supercross Championship will see an influx of talent from the coveted American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) Supercross Championship, with at least five internationals confirmed to head to the Bathurst Showground for the opening rounds of the series this week.
Gavin Faith returns to the Penrite Oil Honda Racing Team for the fourth consecutive season. The 2012 Pro Lites Champion will be looking to reclaim the title after finishing a hard-fought runner-up in 2013.
“I feel that last year’s title really was the one that got away,” Faith said.
“It was a tough season and I made some mistakes, so I am looking forward to coming back and rectifying that.”
Chris Plouffe is also making a return to the Australian Supercross Championship. The 21 year-old Californian has joined Gold Coast based team Boardstix Motorsports, and will contest the 250 class onboard a Honda CRF250.
A two-time AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion, Plouffe raced select rounds of the 2012 Australian Supercross Championship and said he is looking forward to a full season Down Under.
“I am really happy to be racing for the Boardstix Tapout Energy Race Team at this year’s Australian Supercross Series,” Plouffe said.
“I’m looking forward to racing at some awesome venues against the best our sport has to offer.”
Team-mate and fellow Californian Jake Lyon started riding at the age of 10 and came up through the amateur ranks.
“I’m really excited to gain experience racing in Australia for the Boardstix Tapout Energy Race Team,” Lyons explained.
“It’s a great chance to race on different tracks and in different conditions to what I am used to.
“I’m looking forward to giving it my all against the Aussies and other international riders that have come out for this years Australian Supercross Series.”
AMA Supercross East Coast Lites rider Kyle Peters will be another foreign rider to watch onboard the Wilson Jetpilot Honda.
“I am really excited to be here and riding for Wilson Jetpilot Honda Racing,” Peters said.
“I first met Neale [Wilson] at A1, we talked and he mentioned there was an opportunity to come over and race for his team. We kept talking and it all worked out.
“I have never raced a double-header before, but I am looking forward to it. We will soon see who has the endurance. The racing in the 250 class at Bathurst is going to awesome.
“I am definitely ready and excited for these opening rounds. I have been doing a lot of riding with Luke [Wilson], so now I just want to get the series underway.
“Being on the same weekend as V8 Supercars is pretty cool. I watched a bit back home on TV, so I excited that I will get the chance to see it live,” Peters added.
Rounding out the international contingent is 17-year-old Keith Tucker who will contest the 450 class for Penrite Oil Honda Racing.
The opening rounds of the 2014 Australian Supercross Championship will be held at the Bathurst Showground on October 10-11.
With the racing kicking off at 7pm, fans will be able to enjoy a full day at Mount Panorama before heading to town for an evening of family entertainment, world class supercross racing, and freestyle motocross.
For further information or to purchase tickets visit www.australiansupercross.com.au