Australian Supercross Championship Rookie Perspective: Chandler Burns

Australian Supercross Championship Rookie Perspective: Chandler Burns

This weekend, the Australian Supercross Championship will come alive at the AUSX-OPEN Qudos Bank Arena with the best action under one roof! With the spectacular Rounds 4/5 of the championship quickly approaching, Motorcycling Australia caught up with one of rookies of the SX2 Class, Chandler Burns to gain an insight into the young rider’s transition to a national championship.

Burns at the fearless age of 16, will be going head to head with Australian and International riders at the pulsating AUSX-OPEN round, this weekend. Riding for the Davey Motorsports KTM Team, Burns hopes to continue his progression and take it to the ultra-competitive Australian Supercross Championship field.

“I’ve just transitioned over from the Juniors into the SX2 class for the 2017 Australian Supercross Championship. It’s been a year of building experience and adapting to the senior class. I wasn’t expecting to be competing in the Main’s or anything in my first full season. I’m a realist when it comes to expectations.

“I can’t wait to compete at the AUSX-OPEN and it’s going to be absolutely massive! Luckily the track I’ve been practicing at, Park4mx is very similar to what we can expect for the AUSX-OPEN, so hopefully it will provide me an advantage.

“In terms of goals, I’m aiming to get into the night show at the Open, as they only allow twenty competitors in. Getting in the Main will of course be difficult, but if I could get into the night show, we would be pumped for sure.

“I’m with the Davey Motorsports KTM Team for 2017 and they’ve really made my transition into the SX2 class as easy as it could possibly be. I’ve been with them for three years now and they are a professional outfit despite being a privateer operation.

“The majority of the paddock is made up of competitors in the SX2 and SX1 classes that have been around for a while and have plenty of experience. As a result, the competition is fierce and the rookies really have to step up to the plate if they want to make a name for themselves in the Australian Supercross Championship.

“I’ve been racing ever since I was seven and dad managed to buy me a PeeWee 50 when I was four. Ever since I was old enough it’s been all about racing! I’m enjoying it more than ever even though it’s difficult to compete near the front. For several of the riders they’ve managed to make a career out of racing and they’re able to spend all their time training and practicing. I’m still completing my studies in VCAL but I really wanted to compete in Supercross as it is my favourite discipline. It’s taken a while for it to sink in and for me to get used to it. Now I’m feeling more race ready and really looking forward to the AUSX-OPEN.

“My goal for the season is to make a Main, with the training and practicing I’ve been doing, I’m confident I can achieve that by the final round at Jimboomba. Hopefully we make the night show at the AUSX-OPEN and that will give me the confidence I need to make the Main. If not we’ll take it as a learning curve and come back stronger in 2018. Supporters of mine such as Jack Links, have really helped me out as it can be difficult for riders at the back of the pack to get exposure. It’s great to see sponsors getting behind riders and supporting them as they look to make it to the top of the standings.

To find out more about the AUSX-OPEN head to https://ausxopen.com/about/

2017 Australian Supercross Championship calendar:

Photo: Chandler Burns