History will be made in Perth on November 23-24 with the first ever ‘double-header’ showstopper for the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), as the city’s HBF Park football precinct is transformed into a high-octane arena.
At rounds two and three of the 2024 WSX in Perth, 32 riders will compete in the WSX (450cc) and SX2 (250cc) classes, including eight Australians in full-time and wildcard guises.
Veteran Matt Moss (Yamaha) and Luke Clout (Kawasaki) are the regular Australian WSX riders – eighth and 13th respectively after Vancouver’s round one on October 26 – and they will be joined in Perth by reigning ProMX champion and Motocross of Nations winner Kyle Webster (Honda) and Nathan Crawford (KTM) as the wildcards.
The quartet is backing up after competing in last weekend’s Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) round in Adelaide, with Webster particularly excited about his WSX return.
“I’m looking forward to racing WSX in 2024, especially on home ground in Australia,” Webster said.
“After racing part-time in the championship last season, I feel like I have some unfinished business, and I’m excited to put my speed on show in the 450cc class.
“I’m feeling good, but most importantly, I feel focused, and that should give me a good edge in Perth.”
American star Eli Tomac (Yamaha) currently leads the WSX class by 16pts (100 to 84) over Germany’s defending champion Ken Roczen (Suzuki), followed by three more Americans: Joey Savatgy (Honda, 79), Colt Nichols (Suzuki, 74) and Vince Friese (Honda, 65).
Locally, Savatgy is in searing form after claiming three wins and a second from four outings in the 2024 AUSX title, so he could certainly steal the spotlight from Tomac and Roczen. Savatgy finished second in the 2023 WSX title, followed by Dean Wilson.
Meanwhile, Perth will be a new frontier for Tomac.
“The WSX Australian GP will be my first time racing down under, and I’m really excited for the event,” he said.
“As a double-header with two rounds the weekend will be very unique. And because the track will evolve from race to race, and from night to night, it’ll be a constant challenge for riders to contend with. The layout looks fantastic and I can’t wait to ride it over the weekend.”
In the SX2 class, Shane McElrath (Honda) leads the way by 10pts (89 to 79) over 2023 champion Max Anstie (Yamaha) and Cole Thompson (Honda) in equal second.
And like compatriot Savatgy, McElrath also cuts a swathe through the local scene and leads the SX2 class in AUSX with one round remaining.
Thompson and the two Aussie SX2 wildcards – Reid Taylor (Kawasaki) and Kayden Minear (KTM) – are also regular AUSX front-runners, with the latter making his WSX debut in his home state.
“I’m super excited to make my WSX debut,” said 17-year-old Minear. “As a West Australian, having the chance to race in Perth, my hometown, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and being able to do that not once, but twice, will make it even more special.
“This year has been very kind to me so far, and I want to carry my current form to WSX. In Vancouver we saw just how competitive the SX2 class is, but as always my target is to fight at the pointy end.”
Yamaha teammates Ryder Kingsford and Kaleb Barham are the Aussie SX2 regulars, and are in seventh and eighth overall after Vancouver.
Featuring three GP races per class and one multi-class SuperFinal each night, a total of 14 races will take place over the double-header.
A massive 6000 tonnes of dirt has transformed HBF Park – the home ground of soccer team Perth Glory and rugby union’s Western Force – into a purpose-built supercross doozy. There will be rhythm sections, whoops and double, triple and quadruple jumps.
To purchase tickets for the WSX rounds in Perth, click here.
For more information on the FIM World Supercross Championship, click here.
