Heavy 2004 Motocross/Supercross schedule claims first victims

Australia’s most successful privateer racing team, Staintune MXM will not continue its operations into the new season, Team owner Lyndon Heffernan announced today.

With the support of name backer Staintune and a host of the industry’s most enthusiastic businesses, the team achieved some very special results in a very short time, with what were relatively limited resources.

Now with the change in the climate of supercross and motocross promotion in 2004, the cost of running a race team has increased significantly, and with few outside companies as yet investing in the sport, the industry has borne the increase in cost almost solely.

“Unfortunately, we won’t be able to take part in the new season,” said Team Owner Lyndon Heffernan. “We were going to need another $150K of budget to meet the demands of the new season in 2004, and the industry is already fairly stretched.

“We had a serious go at securing a major corporate backer, but with the SEL deal only coming to light in July it didn’t allow enough time, given how far the corporate players look ahead with their marketing.

“Most of our sponsors know about this by now, and I really want to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make 2003 what it was.

“It’s a real shame because we got off to a great start in 2003 and achieved a lot with an extremely limited budget. We had Broomy finish fourth overall in the motocross nationals (the second Australian rider) and Urky finishing fifth in the Thumper Nats, and Paul’s efforts were recognised with selection to represent Australia in the Motocross of Nations.

“It’s a credit to all the guys in the team, Paul, Chris and Byron, and our apprentice Michael Goodfellow who served way above his years. They’ve all made me very proud.

“Byron has taken a GP job in England, he’ll be working for the Moto Vision Yamaha team, and he’s really looking forward to a change of scenery after four years on the Aussie circuit.

“Paul will continue coaching at the Academy, and he’ll be doing the SEL Supercross series and possibly the motocross championship, hopefully with support through Yamaha Australia; we’re trying to organise that now. Chris will ride for Star Yamaha in Queensland and selected National races, and will continue coaching with the Academy.

“As for our major sponsor Staintune, they’ll continue to back motorcycle racing 100%, and they’ve actually bought the race truck to offer privateers support at motocross and road race meetings in 2004. We’re also pleased to announce that they’ll continue their support of the Academy of Off-Road riding, and the Detour trailbike tours.

“At the moment the extra support required to compete in the new format series is coming almost entirely from the industry, and is taken up by the bigger teams, but if SEL proves a great success and attracts new companies to the sport, you can bet MXM will look at fielding a team again.

“Once again, a big thank you to all those who supported Staintune MXM in 2003; we hope you’re not too disappointed. I think the team did a good job in exposing our sponsors, and with limited resources, punched above its weight on every possible occasion.”