Marmont set to defend his King of the Cross title

Pics: John Innes

Jay Marmont will return to Western Australia to defend his title in the BGC Contracting King of the Cross, held on August 6/7 at the Southern Cross motocross track.

There will be 450-500 riders competing over the two days, with the seniors chasing a share of $45,000 in prize money over the weekend and the winner takes home $10,000. This year the event will also play host to the third round of the State Women’s Motocross Title.

The big names expected to make the journey to the west this year include: Paul Grant, Craig Anderson, Michael Addison, Jay and Ryan Marmont and Daniel Reardon.

The KTM Kid of the Cross will be decided on the Saturday with trophies and vouchers up for grabs. In what is a new innovation for the Sunday, every race will have a Holeshot Award with $50 up for grabs, courtesy of Prestige Honda Motorcycles.

There’s also a riding school on Thursday and Friday prior to the weekend’s racing with Paul Grant and Craig Anderson taking the coaching classes. It’s open to anyone who wants to attend but bookings are essential. You can book through the Southern Cross Motorcycle Club.

There will be 450-500 riders competing over the two days, with $45,000 in prize money up for grabs.

The first King of the Cross event was held way back in 1976, with a first prize of $500, and continued at the original track until 1987 when the track was closed to make way for mining operations.

A new track was opened in 1988. Described as hard-pack red dirt, the 1.6 kilometre track was used for two years before being temporarily mothballed. In 2002, King of the Cross was reinstated and has run every year since.

Over the years, winners have included: Jeff Leisk, Stephen Gall, Glen Bell, Eddie Warren, Graeme Smythe, Jumpin’ Jimmy Ellis, Daniel McCoy, Jarrod Hockley, in 2009 the winner was Dean Porter and in 2010, Jay Marmont. Marmont is currently on fire after his recent win at the Manjimup 15,000 and his first win of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals at Coonabarabran and will be looking to defend his King of the Cross title.

Camping is permitted and there’s fireworks on Saturday night, with a bar and canteen open all weekend. No BYO. For contact details head to http://www.sxmcc.com.au/contact.html.