Blazusiak, Oblucki, Hollis to contest QLD Enduro X this Saturday
Spectators and other racers alike will be in for a rare treat this Saturday when three of the world’s best off-road motorcycle racers bang bars at Queensland’s inaugural Stadium Enduro X, being held at The Caves Showgrounds, near Rockhampton.
It was confirmed today that Poland’s Taddy Blazusiak and Bartosz Oblucki and former Australian Off-Road Champion, Chris Hollis, would race the event.
It will be the first time Australian fans will see Blazusiak (sponsored by KTM/Red Bull) and Oblucki (Factory Husqvarna) race on Aussie soil.
Blazusiak is the world’s best extreme enduro racer – he won the United State’s 2009 Enduro Cross crown, is leading the European Enduro Cross series and has finished on top of Austria’s grueling Erzberg Rodeo the last three consecutive years.
“I’ve never been to Queensland before, I love it here, I’m loving every second,” Blazusiak, 26, said.
“[Bartosz] and I came here for a bit of a holiday and to practice, at home it’s too cold.
“The race this weekend will be good, racing is always the best practice. It will be good to have some fun and ride with no pressure for the first time this year.”
Blazusiak said he and Oblucki would hopefully go head-to-head in both Pro classes.
Oblucki has also had a strong 2009 season, taking two World Enduro Championship (WEC) round wins.
“The weather here is great. [Paul Feeney] from Husqvarna is great, he’s helping us a lot with everything,” Oblucki, 28, said.
“It will be nice to do some racing here. We came for a holiday, but it will be nice to have some fun and race against the other Polish crazy rider.”
Husqvarna teammate, Chris Hollis, is one of Australia’s most accomplished off-roaders and will be jetting to Europe after the holiday season to contest the 2010 WEC.
Entries for the Queensland Stadium Enduro X officially close today, however, late and morning of entries will be accepted. Go to www.stadiumendurox.com.au to download the supplementary regulations.
The cash prize pool for the Queensland Stadium Enduro X is the greatest ever offered by an Australian enduro event, with $2000 for the Pro Open winner and $1500 to the Pro Lites winner (the second and third placed riders in each of these classes will get $1000 and $500 respectively).
The top Clubman finishers will also take home a nice cheque, with the winners of Clubman Lites and Open getting $1000. Second and third in each will get $750 and $500 respectively.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three placings in each of the Junior classes.
The event boasts six classes, including Pro/Expert/Intermediate Lites, Pro/Expert/Intermediate Open, Clubman Lites, Clubman Open, Junior Lites (13-15 years) and Mini Lites (12-15 years).
Gates at the Caves Showgrounds (on Rossmoya Road) will open at 8am, this Saturday (December 19th). Qualifying will start at about 1pm, with main heats to run from about 6.30pm.
A free bus service will be running from Rockhampton, for more spectator info please visit www.stadiumendurox.com.au The venue is licensed and a full-service bar area will be available.
The Capricorn Dirt Riders and The Caves Progress Society would like to thank the event’s sponsors, without whom this race would not be possible.