Team manager Troy Carroll looks forward to wrapping up the season with a strong showing from riders Wil Hahn and Kade Mosig. Carroll expects the final round to offer up a range of challenges and changes within the championship with additional internationals and a unique circuit all part of this weekend’s event.
“I think there’s so many different elements coming into rounds five and six that could change the championship,” said Carroll. “We’ve definitely got a tighter and sharper track and all of the internationals are going to be here.
“There’s definitely a chance to move up or even lose points in the championship, so we just have to make sure that we’re consistent over the weekend and make sure both boys are on point with their starts.”
Set to pit out of the National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki rig this weekend, Carroll welcomes the addition of four-time AMA Supercross champion Ryan Villopoto to the series as he returns to the sport for a one-off, first-ever Australian appearance.
“I sat down with Ryan this week and had a chat with him,” he said. “He’s fairly relaxed coming into this race and I think he’s here for fun, but also to try and win. It’s great to see the international guys looking to Australia to come and do these Sydney rounds, along with the guys that are here already. It adds a lot of credibility to the series and our main focus now is to place ourselves better in the championship.”
American import Hahn is currently sitting third overall in the SX1 championship chase, hopes to move further up the leader board this weekend in Sydney with just two points-paying main events remaining.
“It’s the first indoor round, which is exciting because we don’t have to worry about any weather, there’s no wind this weekend,” Hahn said. “The dirt will also be really good and for me the tacky dirt is more my style. I also grew up racing Arenacross, so I’m excited about that and I’m excited to just go for it.
“Bringing over Cooper [Webb], Chad [Reed] and Ryan is exciting for me and I’d like to move up to second on the championship. Obviously I’d need some big luck to move into first and, with that being said, I don’t want anything to happen. So for me to goal is to try my best and bring it home in second place.”
Looking forward to the AUS-X Open event all season, determined Victorian team regular Mosig plans to turn his series around on his favoured indoor circuit against the world-class SX1 field of riders.
“This is the finale, it’s definitely exciting and it’s the biggest one for the year,” said Mosig. “I’m excited to see what the AUS-X Open guys have in store for us, the track should be good. I’ve always loved racing indoors since I was young, so I’m excited to go back and do that.
“It’s a world-class field this weekend, so that adds another element of excitement. I’m ready to lay it all on the line like I did last year and just go for it to see if I can get that Kawasaki up there.
“I haven’t got the results that I’ve wanted, but I’ve been working hard and I just want to finish this year strong and prove to myself that I can go out there and give it my all, so that’s what I’ll be doing.”
