FMX Insider No.19: Adam Grope - SA FMX

Welcome to our brand new weekly web-exclusive column, Transmoto‘s FMX Insider. Penned each week by South Australian rider, Ben Heidrich, the FMX Insider will present the story-behind-the-stories of the Aussie and international freestyle motocross scenes.

The SA FMX Championship is full speed ahead this year, growing in size with larger numbers of riders traveling interstate to South Australia to compete. We are well into the series now, with the second round playing out in Morgan, SA last weekend, leaving one round to go in Barossa Valley. I caught up with event organiser and series founder, Adam Grope, to have a chat on what the series is all about and where it’s heading.

Ben: Tell us, Adam, what is the SA FMX Championship?

Adam: Originally named the SA FMX Series, it’s a small-scale series of freestyle motocross competitions held in SA, which started from humble beginnings in my backyard compound. It’s in its second year running now, growing in popularity and is now named the SA FMX Championship.

How did it begin, and why was it created?

In 2013, I was sitting at home with a broken foot and I was bummed that I’d therefore be missing all of the 2013 Australian and Underground FMX Championship (AUFMXC) that I’d been working so hard to compete in. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Joel Rayner for creating the original RFD Underground Tours, and what that’s done for the sport. I started talking to all of the guys on what they thought about doing a similar thing here in SA, and everyone was all for it!

With a bit of advice from Joel, I basically followed the same concept: the events are for riders, close friends, sponsors and media only. We use our own compounds that are already developed, follow a simple outline for the competition and basically just have a heap of fun. The FMX scene in South Australia is very small and tight-knit. There is very little opportunity for shows and there haven’t been any other competitions here in years. This has been great to not only get everyone together for a few good weekends, but to also help push ourselves.

Who has been involved in running the SA FMX Championship?

I’ve been the creator of it and the main organiser, but everyone in the SA FMX scene has had a part in making it all happen. Whether it’s sponsors, judges, media, property owners, press releases, track crew and of course, riders. It wouldn’t happen without everyone pitching in.

Since the beginning, how far do you think it has come?

In 2013, the original plan was to keep it for the local boys and generally attract an “amateur” level of riders. With the FMX scene here being so small, after a few of the guys got injured or were unable to compete for one reason or another, we were struggling to pull together enough guys to run at all. Since then, a lot of guys have started coming across from interstate because the opportunity to compete in a smaller scale competition has attracted a new wave of riders – some reasonably new to the FMX scene. It’s been great meeting new people and seeing everyone improve with each event and having fun. Basically we’ve gone from struggling to get six riders for an event to 12 or 13.

The level of competition has stepped up another level each round, and after the first two rounds this year having been so popular, I feel like the SA FMX Championship is becoming an important part of the sport here in Australia. It’s becoming clear that with the increased popularity of the SA FMX Championship, the field is mixed between guys happy with a simple bag of tricks and others pushing themselves to be at the top of the sport.

It’s awesome seeing such a high level of riding in these events. It’s good motivation to ride harder when there’s tough competition and it helps everyone push themselves. At the same time I don’t want to see a high level of riding deter any of the riders at the bottom half of the field who are riding for the love of it.

In which direction would you like the series to continue?

Well, that been said, next year we are looking at running a split field, with two classes. Obviously it will depend on how many riders there are keen to ride, how many sponsors are on board and whether it is feasible to do so. There’s a lot of work involved in making it work but it will help keep everyone keen no matter what level they’re at and what ultimate goal they are chasing. We all want to see it continue to grow, so the best way to keep all involved keen will help that happen.

One thing I do want to move away from is the use of the common terms we use in FMX, that being whether we are “pros” or “amateurs”. They are categories that are far too complicated to define and every rider’s background, event experience and bag of tricks are different. Having two classes is always going to make things a bit more complicated, but hopefully everyone understands the need to keep pushing the events to bigger things, but also keep everyone interested. This needs to happen.

How can fans of the SA FMX Championship see these events?

We have a round open to spectators each year (Round 2 has just been). There is also plenty of photos following the events thanks to some great photographers and of course the awesome highlight videos provided by Heidrich Films which are found on Youtube, Vimeo and the SA FMX Facebook page.

Plans for the future?

Next year will be a four-round series, with the first round to be held at the Ponde Sand Drags in February, on a new and improved compound. This is a public event so there will be two rounds open for all spectators. In addition to that, the plan is to continue growing and having fun!

There’s no way this would have been possible without the crew judging, filming and photographing, and the help of our awesome sponsors who have helped in so many ways. From Doseink making the signs and banners, Soules Earthworks for prepping the compounds before each event and Motorcycle Parts and Gear, JDR Racing, SRH Clothing, MV2, Heidrich Films and Fullperch Footpegs for their support!