Ok ayround one of the FIM World Supercross Series is kicking off this weekend in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. The series is under new ownership, they’re focusing on starting and finishing in the fall for now and they want to take the great sport of Supercross all around the world. There’s a modest four-round series this season and they’ll work from there.
Friday was press day and it’s funny to see the grey “moon dirt” that we last saw when the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series last visited here in 2006. Not the same dirt but it looks the same and probably rides the same, you know? It’s really soft with the riders talking about it being “Indianapolis” like. It’s also a little rocky…or a lot rocky in some cases. Fun layout though, whoops are pretty decent and the rhythm lanes look fun.
Who looked good? Well the usual guys, Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen in the 450’s, Max Anstie in the 250’s…I don’t know, hard to put much stock into one session out there. The official WSX site has a short practice report with some lap times. It was Tomac, Joey Savatgy, Roczen, Mitch Oldenburg and and Dean Wilson in the top five for the 450s. Anstie, Shane McElrath, Coty Schock, Cole Thompson and Enzo Lopes were the top five in 250s.
For the best and latest updates, stay tuned to our Racer X Twitter/X and Instagram accounts.
By the way, Tomac is in for the whole four-race series this year so it will be fun to see him and Roczen (defending WSX Champion) battle both here and over the next few weeks. Anstie is the defending 250 WSX Champion but he is only in for this round as a wild card and not the full series this year.
The format is interesting, 16 riders per class and each of them do three main events which are 8 minutes for the first one, 12 for the second and third ones. Then the top eight overall in each class race one more time in a super final to end the night. Yes, that means 250 versus 450! Plus, all four races count for points for the championship in each class! Oh and there’s a Superpole also that counts for points.
So a busy night for the riders and teams. We’ll see how it goes.
The following is a press release from WSX:
Vancouver, BC – [October 25, 2024] – BC Place is set to roar with excitement as it hosts the season opener of the 2024 FIM World Supercross (WSX) Championship—the Canadian Grand Prix—this Saturday, October 26.
For the first time in history, the WSX series will kick off on Canadian soil, marking a significant return of competitive Supercross to Vancouver after a 20-year hiatus.
With one of the most stacked rider lineups ever seen in WSX (450 class) and SX2 (250 class), the 2024 season is poised to deliver unparalleled excitement as the world’s best Supercross athletes battle for the prestigious world title.
WSX reigning champion Ken Roczen (Pipes Motorsports Group) will defend his crown against a fierce field of riders, including notable stars Eli Tomac (CDR Yamaha supported by Star Racing), Vince Friese (MCR), and Fire Power Honda teammates Dean Wilson and Joey Savatgy.
Ken Roczen, Pipes Motorsports Group, said: “I’m pumped to kick off the 2024 WSX Championship here in Vancouver. It’s amazing to see Supercross returning here after so many years, and I can’t wait to get out there and do what I do best. The track looks incredible, and with the level of talent on the grid this year, defending my title is going to be a huge challenge, but from the first gate drop, I’ll be giving everything to stay on top.”
In the SX2 class, the line up is similarly stacked where reigning champion Max Anstie (Wildcard) will be looking to fight off the challenge from the likes of Shane McElrath (Fire Power Honda), Cullin Park (MCR), Enzo Lopes (Rick Ware Racing) and Maxime Desprey (Team GSM).
Max Anstie, Wildcard, said: “Starting the 2024 season in Vancouver is huge for all of us and I’m thrilled to be involved as a wildcard. The level of competition this year is off the charts, and coming in as the reigning SX2 champion, I’ve got certain reputation to uphold. I’m buzzing for the new SuperFinal format which is going to add a whole new element. I’m excited to get out there, push the limits, and see how it goes down. It’s going to be a wild ride, and I’m ready for the fight.”
The riders will compete on a purpose-built, high-intensity track designed by Canadian action sports company Jetwerx specifically for the world-class BC Place stadium. Over 6,000 tonnes of dirt have been trucked in to create a challenging course that features fast-paced rhythm sections, tight turns, doubles, triples, quad jumps, and a set of 12 whoops, ensuring a breathtaking experience for both riders and fans.
Fans in attendance can look forward to edge-of-their-seat action, with gravity-defying jumps and intense head-to-head battles between supercross legends and rising stars from around the world. Beyond the racing, the event will feature a full slate of entertainment, including interactive fan zones, live music, and unexpected surprises, making it an unforgettable experience for all ages.
Vancouver will also debut an exciting new race format—the SuperFinal. For the first time in WSX history, riders from both the WSX and SX2 classes will face off against each other in this thrilling race. Determined by the points standings after three GPs, the top four riders from each class will qualify for the SuperFinal, where they’ll compete for additional championship points. At the conclusion of the SuperFinal, the riders with the highest overall points in each class will be crowned the Canadian GP winners.
The 2024 WSX Championship promises to set new standards in international Supercross, with Vancouver serving as the perfect backdrop for this monumental season opener. The event is expected to draw thousands of supercross enthusiasts from across Canada and around the world, putting Vancouver in the global spotlight for motorsports. Following Vancouver, WSX heads down under to HBF Park in Perth, Australia for rounds two and three (November 23/24), before making a highly anticipated return to Abu Dhabi for the season finale (December 4).
Tom Burwell, CEO, FIM World Supercross Championship, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the 2024 WSX Championship here in Vancouver, marking a new chapter for Supercross on the global stage. Bringing Supercross back to the city for the first time in 20 years is a testament to our vision of taking the sport to a range of vibrant cultures and passionate communities across the world. With a world-class rider line up and an exciting new race format, fans can expect a level of competition and entertainment that sets a new standard for Supercross. Expect great racing, absorbing entertainment and a few surprises on the way.”
