MILLICENT Show’s Stadium Cross will reach new heights with former local and current professional motocross rider Kirk Gibbs, along with Jed Beaton confirming their commitment to racing the unique event that runs both tomorrow afternoon and Saturday.
The “one of a kind” event run by the Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club has a consistent number of entries for this year’s competition.
However, the club aims to draw a big crowd for the two days of entertainment.
Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club secretary Jodie Dixon said both the fraternity and riders alike were excited to hear high-profile names returning to the South East for competition.
“Jed has been racing overseas this year and has had some great results, while Kirk has done really well in Australia,” she said.
“It is particularly nice to see Kirk come home to race an event.
“It is just exciting to have such talents come down and compete.”
Gibbs finished second in the recent MX Nationals to Dean Ferris and finished sixth in the Motocross des Nations open class, while Beaton managed a top-10 finish in the MX2 class in his MXGP debut earlier this year before returning to the European Motocross Championship.
Gibbs’ brother Corey expressed his hope for Kirk to return for a race on his KTM 450SX-F, but Dixon said the club also encouraged his appearance.
“The club contacted him and then it was just up to him to make a decision on whether he could get here to do it,” she said.
The two professional riders will showcase their talent on the technical track, which has seen many put to the test over the years.
“The track is a lot shorter and tighter than a normal motocross track,” Dixon said.
“And the other spectacular thing is the riders get to compete under lights, which is not an everyday thing.”
For the young and more experienced riders alike, having two professional athletes enter is a big draw-card.
“Our riders will be able to see where they are at against some of the best Australia has to offer,” Dixon said.
“It is phenomenal to have Kirk to come back and race one of our events.
“It is a bit like having an AFL player come down to play for a club.
“It is of that standard.”
Dixon said she was unsure why neither Gibbs or Beaton were competing in the Australian Supercross Championships, but the club was grateful for the opportunity.
“I don’t know why they aren’t doing supercross, but it has opened them up to come to our event, which is lovely,” she said.
“We are hoping it is a big draw-card now that we have got the confirmation they are definitely coming.
“We are still hoping we are going to get some late entries and that we will have a bigger and better crowd to support the Millicent show.
“Plus, to see two fantastic riders compete isn’t an everyday occurrence down here.”
It is expected both Gibbs and Beaton will take part in the iconic Dale Teagle Memorial Race with the winner earning $1000, plus $100 to the rider who takes out the holeshot.
While yet to be set in stone, Dixon said the two professional riders will most likely sign autographs once the events are completed both tomorrow and Saturday.
“I haven’t discussed anything with them yet,” she said.
“But I am sure they will be more than happy to talk to the kids and have them come up to them.”
Practise will start at 2pm tomorrow, followed by racing at 3pm.
In turn racing will begin at 9.30am on Saturday morning.
