Moto | SX Global Team, Rider and Race Updates

MDK Motorsports added as one of ten teams, MotoConcepts Announces Rider Lineup and the 250 Class riders will compete for a FIM World Title

The news from the all-new upcoming SX Global series continues to happen at a rapid pace. Within the last week, MotoConcepts Honda has announced their 4-rider lineup. Another team was announced today and for the first time ever in a supercross series, the 250 Class riders now will compete for a FIM World Title.

SX Global Adds MDK Motorsports to Its Lineup of Exclusive Race Teams for the FIM World Supercross Championship in 2022

Announced today, one more of its 10 exclusive team licenses for the global WSX Championship. The team is well-established American supercross operation, MDK Motorsports.

 

As has been the case with the six previously announced teams, MDK is highly capable of fielding competitive offerings in the SX1 (450cc) and SX2 (250cc) classes with significant years of operational and competitive experience at the highest levels. Moreover, the team and their management enter the WSX Championship powered by a vision and desire to elevate supercross globally through this dynamic series.

 

By early July, SX Global will round out the exclusive WSX 10-team field with its final three teams, while rider lineups for each team continue to take shape. Official word from SX Global on its first slate of WSX Championship rounds is also upcoming.

Mark Kvamme: Successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist is a long-time industry veteran and former Supercross team owner, who is well versed in championship-level racing, both in the driver’s seat and as an owner. He brings a wealth of operational and technical experience across multiple motorsports and business in general. Combined with his knowledge and understanding of Supercross, he is set up to deliver a first-class and highly competitive race operation. Aiding Kvamme in the relaunch of MDK Motorsports’ Supercross program is Jamey Grosser, a former professional supercross racer turned entrepreneur. Grosser also brings a wealth of knowledge in racing, sponsorship, marketing and team management.

“MDK Motorsports adds another proven and respected American team to the WSX Championship, and we’re excited to have a strong foundation of established and recognized American operations,” said Adam Bailey, managing director – Motorsport of SX Global. “As our competitive line-up takes form, teams are working feverishly to lock in and announce riders and I have no doubt that fans are going to be excited by the news to come. There’s a powerful sense of momentum as we finalize details in preparation for our official Championship round announcements.”

 

A model unprecedented in supercross yet utilized amongst the majority of thriving sports leagues and motorsports series around the world, WSX features an exclusive team ownership structure that allows each team to increase its value over time, while also enabling a host of commercial opportunities on global and regional levels for international and local events. This unique model, combined with SX Global’s allocation of $50 million specifically for team and rider support over the Championship’s first five years, has driven widespread interest for the coveted 10-team allotment, as evidenced by more than 40 ownership applications submitted from suitors across the globe.

MotoConcepts Racing Honda Unveils Rider Lineup for FIM World Supercross Championship

MotoConcepts Racing Honda, after gaining a team license for the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), has announced its lineup of riders for the newly formed series. MCR’s determination to contend for wins is reflected in the four-rider lineup: Justin Brayton and Vince Friese, competing aboard Honda CRF450R motorcycles in the SX1 division, and Mitchell Oldenburg and Cole Seely taking on the SX2 division with Honda CRF250R motorcycles when the pilot season begins later this year.

MCR believes the model presented by SX Global, which supports new business opportunities, handles logistics for the tour, and includes the distribution of $50 million to competing teams over the next five years, will boost the profile of Supercross and its stars to a worldwide audience.

“I’m excited for the new opportunity the World Supercross series provides," said Mike Genova, owner of MotoConcepts. “We’re going in strong with our rider lineup and know that each one of them is a title contender in their class."

“WSX is an important and exciting opportunity for MCR in many ways! We now have a world platform to operate from and, as one of the ten charter teams, are a leading group that is capable of winning races and championships. This project is nothing short of a dream come true for me, team owner Mike Genova, and our entire crew,” said Tony Alessi, Team Manager of MCR. “Preparation will begin with our annual team summit during the second week of July in Priest Lake, Idaho, and we will then move to Southern California for a six-week summer boot camp.

Justin Brayton

Vince Friese

Mitchell Oldenburg

Cole Seely

Justin Brayton, who recently retired from the Monster Energy Supercross series, is excited to begin a new chapter of his career in familiar surroundings. Although the accomplished racer and father of three has stepped back from full-time competition in the AMA SX series, the opportunity to compete on a world stage prompted his participation. Brayton’s experience at the highest level of the sport, domestically and internationally, will be put to the test in his pursuit of the SX1 title. “I’m very excited to be joining MCR for WSX. I think this is a great opportunity for teams and riders to race Supercross around the world at a high level," said Brayton. “I’ve been traveling the globe in the fall months racing SX-only for years now, so it’s something I’m familiar with and am looking forward to!"

Vince Friese has spent much of his career with MCR and contributed significantly to the group’s success, including his participation in an innovative split program that yielded 250 Class podiums and 450 Class top-ten finishes in 2022. An excellent starter who is determined to get the best result possible, Friese should flourish and be a front-runner in the SX1 division. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to compete in this new series. Everything about the WSX seems to point toward it being the future of racing at the highest level, and to be there for the first season on what I believe is the best team in the series is a dream come true," stated Friese. “I plan to take full advantage of this opportunity to show that I can compete with the best on the world stage!"

Mitchell Oldenburg’s move to MCR was a worthwhile decision for all involved, as the rider’s on-track talent, constant improvement, and willingness to work with the team towards a common goal in 2022 proved they reach their full potential together. With Oldenburg’s experience in the small-bore class and the team’s proven equipment, the goal is for race wins and the SX2 championship. “I’m looking forward to continuing my partnership with MotoConcepts in this new venture of WSX," Oldenburg explained. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to travel the world and do what I love as part of a group that is committed to success."

The possibility of racing WSX aboard a powerful motorcycle was enough to coax Cole Seely out of retirement, and the skilled rider will join MCR as part of the exciting expansion. A former factory racer with multiple Main Event wins to his record, Seely is expected to be a force in the SX2 class and is hopeful to end the season with the number one plate. “I’m stoked to come back to racing with a switch-up in the normal routine and travel the world. I never lost my competitive side, and it was good to get back to the basics the last few years and find the fun in riding again. I still love to go fast on my dirt bike," Seely shared. “Mike and Tony have given me a great opportunity to do this right, on the best equipment I could ask for, and I’m very thankful for that. I’m also looking forward to running number 200, as it was picked out by Troy Lee the first year that I raced for him!"

SX Global Redefines Supercross 250cc Class with Official FIM World Championship 

SX Global, the Australian sports and entertainment company spearheading the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), recently announced an official FIM World Championship for the 250cc class (SX2) and an open format for the class that provides significantly more freedom and flexibility for teams and riders.

For the first time in the history of supercross, an official FIM-sanctioned world supercross championship will be up for grabs in the SX2 class for the upcoming FIM World Supercross Championship, scheduled for this Fall. To date, supercross has only offered an official FIM World Supercross Championship for 450cc riders, a title currently held by Cooper Webb after his Championship in 2021. SX2 250cc riders were never previously competing for official “FIM World Champion” status. That all changes with the upcoming pilot season for WSX and will continue ongoing, with official FIM World Championship titles available for both classes.

“An official FIM World Championship for 250cc riders is something that’s been a long-time coming in our sport, and with the truly global nature of our series, it just made sense to finally make it a reality for WSX as we move into this new era of global supercross competition,” said Adam Bailey, managing director – Motorsport for SX Global.

In addition to the official SX2 FIM World Championship, the entire structure of the SX2 class has been redefined to move away from the more “developmental” nature that the class has traditionally been held to in prominent supercross and motocross series. For decades, the sport’s most prominent series have mandated a system of points thresholds and age limits that restrict participation in the 250cc class. The mandates force riders to move up to the 450cc class once a certain amount of competitive points have been earned over time. But with available seats in the 450cc class typically being severely limited, these rules have forced many talented riders out of the sport entirely. The removal of these parameters will translate into significantly increased freedom and flexibility for teams in selecting riders, while also increasing competitive and professional opportunities for riders looking to extend their careers and maintain relevance.

“We want to ensure that the 250cc (SX2) class features the best talent the world has to offer and, to achieve that, we are opening it up to all competitors regardless of age or past success,” said Bailey. “There have been numerous examples of limitations on 250cc class eligibility pushing high-level talent out of the sport, or into compromising scenarios that impede their career progression and earning potential. We want to ensure we’re doing everything we can to give supercross athletes the best possible career opportunities and increased longevity. A rider-first commitment is core to SX Global’s mission, and we feel this is the right move for the sport and its competitors.”

The announcement of the FIM World Championship for the SX2 class, reinforces SX Global’s commitment to elevating opportunity for its teams and delivering a significantly enhanced rider experience. This will occur through the addition of unique competitive dynamics and innovative formats, higher prize purses, increased financial support for teams and riders, and a team-ownership model that provides teams more autonomy to pursue and realize higher financial returns through global and regional sponsorships.

Cole Seely | Seely will be one of 20 riders to compete in the 2022 SX Global 250 Class

The FIM World Supercross Championship will annually take place in the second half of the year, including up to four events in 2022, from October through November. 2022 will serve as a “pilot” season, allowing the Championship to establish itself and build momentum going into 2023. 2023, and subsequent years, will see the FIM World Supercross Championship expand annually between June and November, with up to twelve events in 2023.

For more information and updated news and announcements from SX Global and the FIM World Supercross Championship, visit SXGlobal.com and wsxchampionship.com.

About FIM World Supercross Championship

The FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) is a comprehensive global Championship series led by SX Global in Australia. The world governing body for motorcycle sport, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), awarded SX Global the exclusive organizational and commercial rights to stage and promote the World Supercross Championship commencing in 2022. The global Championship series represents the most progressive and ambitious platform to elevate the sport of supercross and expand its appeal across the globe. WSX will follow the established two-class format, with each independently owned team fielding four riders – two in the WSX (450cc) class, and two in the SX2 (250cc) class with a prize purse of up to USD$250,000 at each event. With more than $50 million allocated over the first five years, the global Championship features an unprecedented level of financial support for teams and riders, including seed funding for every team awarded a license, appearance fees at every event, and logistics and freight support. The independent team ownership model, similar to that of F1 and NASCAR, will expand opportunities for global and local sponsors. WSX will offer an elevated experience for fans, through unique race formats, broadcast innovations, and in-stadium attractions that elevate the overall entertainment experience.

About SX Global

Based in Australia, SX Global is a collective of world class sports marketing and entertainment experts who operate globally within the motorsports and entertainment industries. Considered the “founding father” of the modern era of Australian motor racing, Tony Cochrane leads the SX Global team as president, bringing more than 45 years of experience in developing and managing successful motorsports series and events. Managing Directors, Adam Bailey, a former competitive rider, and Ryan Sanderson, bring extensive proven experience in supercross event development, management, and promotion after five years of successfully delivering the largest action sports and supercross event in the Southern Hemisphere, the AUS-X Open.