Australian MX Nationals promoter quits after 23-year reign
WEM has fast-tracked its decision to withdraw from the MX Nationals, with COVID-19 leaving a 2020 season in doubtWilliams Event Management (WEM) has withdrawn from promotion and management of the Australian MX Nationals, effective immediately. WEM has been at the helm of the national championship series for 23 years.
The company had previously announced plans to hand over promotion and management of the motocross series from 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic has fast-tracked the move, with racing in 2020 still in doubt.
In an emotional statement, Kevin Williams thanked fans, riders, industry and sponsors. “It has been a long journey and a major part of my life,” he said. “But we didn’t expect COVID, and we didn’t expect not to go racing this year. But we’re proud of what we have achieved over 23 years.”
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The future of Australian motocross is now unclear, with Motorcycling Australia set to explore all options for 2020 and beyond. Expressions of interest for individual promoters to host rounds was initially encouraged.
It is now more likely that MA will handle the promotion and management of the series in the same way it does with the Australian Off-Road Championship and the Australian Superbike Championship.
Despite WEM’s instrumental role in the revival of motocross in Australia throughout the 2000s and 2010s, which included hosting rounds of Motocross World Championship in 2000 and 2001, the sport has struggled on home soil in recent years, with dwindling gate and crowd numbers.
MA is currently working out if a 2020 season is possible, and how it could be run in conjunction with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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