Racing supremo Tony Cochrane ramps up global rollout of the FIM World Supercross Championship
Tony Cochrane built a fortune with V8 Supercars and now he is back as the boss of a daring global motocross championship that promises to set the racing world alight.
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Gold Coast sports supremo Tony Cochrane is back on the race track.
The former V8 Supercars boss is one of the brains behind the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) that now calls the glitter strip its global headquarters.
The WSX has the backing of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Capital, which has pumped $50m into the rollout of the championship across the globe.
Old timers will recall Cochrane, who is also chair of the Gold Coast Suns, famously bought the rights to V8 Supercars for $52,000 in 1996 and built it into one of Australia’s most watched sports before selling it to private equity in 2011 with a value of more than $300m. City Beat hears Cochrane hopes to repeat his V8 success with WSX, the first truly global supercross championship and the only supercross championship officially sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
The first round of the pilot season was held last weekend in Cardiff, Wales, with the next event set for Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on October 22. “I have been out of motor sport now for about 10 years but have kept an eye out for opportunities,” Cochrane says.
Top riders can earn up to $5m in motocross, which combines elite racing, freestyle motocross stunts, live music and entertainment.
The sports’ top rider Ken Roczen walked away from a lucrative contract with Honda Racing in the US to race in the WSX. NASCAR and Indycar’s Rick Ware Racing meanwhile has emerged as one of the team owners.
Joining Cochrane as managing directors of SX Global, the organisers of WSX, are Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson, who have delivered the AUS-X Open, the largest action sports event in the Southern Hemisphere since its inception in 2015.
“Adam and Ryan had the original idea for WSX and I suppose my role is more mentoring and finding the right people,” says Cochrane.
While professional supercross has been a success in the United States for decades, there has yet to be a definite global series that can lay claim to be a true FIM-sanctioned world championship. While highly successful events are held throughout Europe and Australia every year, they are not currently linked to any official championship status.
Cochrane says he is on the lookout for suitable venues around the world for the championship. Large stadiums that can be closed off to the weather are required because more than 600 tonnes of clay is needed to form the various jumps and obstacles for the course.
“This is the only motor sport where the athlete is more important than the equipment,” he says. Nine different rounds in nine different countries are planned for the inaugural season building to 16 rounds in 16 countries next year.
Underscoring the danger of the sport, the inaugural Cardiff event saw Australian motorsport legend Chad Reed involved in a serious crash that left him with a broken hand, broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder
Cochrane says the target audience for WSX is the 15-40 age group, the Instagram generation that is lured by fast-paced action and danger. The average race only goes for 12 minutes augmented by fireworks and music.
“The sport is attracting more young people,” he says. “Dirt bike sales are going through the roof.” Cochrane already has a slew of media organisations lined up to broadcast the action including Fox Sports in the US, Seven in Australia and Eurosports.
Based on F1, there will be 10 teams of two riders in 450cc and 250cc classes. “It is going to take years to build it up,” he says. “It is not going to be an overnight thing. But I love people having a crack not just sitting in a corner and letting other people do all the hard work.”
Indigenous workwear
Brisbane Indigenous workwear company Bunji Workwear has teamed up with TRu Workwear to release its first Bunji Indigenous range.
As a teaser, Bunji last month unveiled a first look at the TRu Workwear Indigenous shirt and trousers displaying the artwork of award-winning artist Jyi Lawton, co-designer of the first Indigenous Queensland Maroons jersey. The Bunji Indigenous Range artwork elevates the symbol of helping hands and shares a message of family, connection and respect.
We hear the Bunji Indigenous Range already is flying off the shelves with large orders being placed by Indigenous- owned property services company Multhana Property Services to supply their entire workforce with the new uniform.
As a 100 per cent Indigenous- owned business, $5 from every Bunji Indigenous garment sold will be donated to Dreaming Futures, a national not-for-profit supporting Indigenous children and young people.
Grants up for grabs
Brisbane businesswomen can apply for a share of $250,000 to help grow their companies, with the return of the successful Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant.
Submissions are now open for the grant program, with eligible business owners able to apply for up to $5000 to invest in their company’s future growth and success.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinnersays the success of the inaugural program reflects the incredible opportunity to support and empower women to supercharge Brisbane’s economy.
“Women are smart, creative and innovative business leaders who are making a significant contribution to the economic growth of the city,” Schrinner says. “Last year we received over 466 applications from Brisbane businesswomen, with 54 receiving grants to invest in their company’s growth.” He says women are behind 35 per cent of the city’s small businesses, providing the resources and environment to help them expand.
Union turns developer
DESPITE state Labor’s aversion to developers making political donations, it would seem a bit ironic Queensland’s toughest union are branching out into the property development game. The Queensland branch of construction and mining union the CFMEU has launched a selection process for a joint-venture partner for one of Brisbane’s biggest build-to-rent developments as the sector continues to gain traction in Australia.
CBRE regional director Andrew Purdon has been appointed to lead the expressions of interest process. The CFMEU received development approval for the Bowen Hills project earlier this year, with development manager New Urban Villages leading the design and planning process alongside lead architect NettletonTribe. Sourcing a partner for the 19-25 Campbell Street project is the next step, paving the way for the 30-storey building, located about 250m from Bowen Hills railway station. Known as NumberOneBowen, the project will include 380 apartments.
Originally published as Racing supremo Tony Cochrane ramps up global rollout of the FIM World Supercross Championship
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