International Entertainment Group (IEG), promoters of the Australian Supercross Championship, today revealed a prize money initiative to support privateers throughout the 2013 season.
Factory riders and industry leaders are praising the bold initiative, which will see $25,000.00 paid out to privateer riders across the six rounds of the Australian Supercross Championship.
IEG Managing Director Yarrive Konsky understands all too well what it’s like to be a privateer, travelling and living in the back of a van.
“When I started racing I was working nights in a petrol station to pay for my racing,” Konsky said. “Getting to each event was a struggle so any prize money was appreciated.
“While factory riders have reasonable contingencies built into their contracts as well as personal sponsorships and contingencies it was important that we put a support package in place for privateers.
In addition to the prize money, Pirelli will continue their privateer contingency support valued at $9,600.00.
In a first for Australian privateer racers the Australian Supercross Championship is also providing free freight to the Darwin event.
Queensland’s Robbie Marshall who currently runs his own privateer operation said it was fantastic to see the championship providing a prize money structure to reward the efforts of privateer riders.
“It is definitely hard as a privateer trying to get to all of the races and cover costs,” Marshall said. “Sponsorships are scarce now days and without prize money, it’s near impossible, not is it worth while even going to the races.
“It is great to see IEG are doing something for the privateers. With the right steps and people behind our sport, we should see prize money and everything else grow and get better.
“Unfortunately I will be missing the first round in Darwin due to an overseas commitment, but now with a chance to cover costs and even make a little bit of money at the other rounds has motivated me to try and get myself to the rest and go for that top privateer place,” Marshall added.
Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Adam Monea knows only too well the struggles privateer riders are faced with.
“I think it is a great idea to offer prize money to the privateers,” Monea said. “There were many times I finished top privateer and walked away with nothing.”
Daniel McCoy, who will run as a privateer in the series this year also praised the initiative.
“It’s awesome to see the series actively support the privateers as every dollar counts in our sport to help get us behind the gates,”McCoy said.
“I’m really excited about the Supercross season after finishing second last year and I will be ready when we head to Darwin in September.”
IEG is actively working on other awards and contingencies for the 2013 Australian Supercross Championship.
