Coast to host Australian Motocross Championships

Australia’s premier motocross series will continue to deliver significant economic benefits and widespread exposure for the Sunshine Coast over the next three years after council today extended its partnership with the event.

Two rounds of the MX Nationals Australian Motocross Championships – to be staged at Conondale and Coolum - will be held in our region from 2016 to 2018

Sunshine Coast Council CEO Michael Whittaker said the championships’ continued presence on the Coast was a coup for the local community.

“The World is Coming to the Sunshine Coast in 2016, with an unprecedented 60 council-sponsored major and regional events being staged in our region that will attract around 150,000 national and international guests and generate $100 million in economic activity,” Mr Whittaker said.

“It’s fantastic that the MX Nationals Australian Motocross Championships can be added to our unprecedented schedule of events, not only for this year but the next three years.

“The Sunshine Coast has enjoyed a very successful history of hosting this event over the past two decades and council has been a partner since 2013. It’s a real vote of confidence for our region to continue to host two rounds of this high profile 10 round series that is staged across five states,” Mr Whittaker said.

“The two local rounds at Conondale (Round 7) and Coolum (Round 10) in July and August are estimated to attract more than 1000 out-of-region participants as well as family, friends and support personnel.

“The two events are also attract lovers of motocross from outside the region who want to watch the best of the best of their sport in action. This will provide a terrific tourism and business boost, particularly to our Hinterland communities during the Conondale event on July 7.

“The business benefits from recent cruise ship visits have certainly been felt in the hinterland and the MX Nationals will deliver an even larger number of guests into these communities.

“The MX Nationals also enjoys widespread media coverage, particularly in digital media. The livestream broadcast for the 2015 series attracted 250,000 views across 136 countries and over 57,336 hours of viewing. So hosting two rounds of this very popular event will is another avenue for the Sunshine Coast to gain significant exposure.”

Series promoter Kevin Williams said the MX Nationals were delighted to secure a three-year deal and continue the partnership with the Sunshine Coast.

“We are entering our 20th year in business, and the MX Nationals has been visiting the Sunshine Coast since 1998, so the destination has been a great part of the success of the championship over the years,” Mr Williams said.

“When we are spending time racing down in the south freezing in the cold weather, we constantly have the Sunshine Coast in the back of our minds and always look forward to taking the series back to our official MX Nationals holiday destination every year.

"In addition to visiting Queensland with the MX Nationals, we are very proud to be able to showcase the Sunshine Coast’s beauty to the rest of the world, via live streaming and comprehensive media coverage of the series.”

For more information about the MX Nationals Australian Motocross Championships visit: http://www.mxnationals.com.au/