Marvel Stadium to host World Supercross Championship this month

More than 400 truckloads of dirt will be dumped inside Marvel Stadium as more than 50,000 fans watch the World Supercross Championship on November 24 and 25.

More than 400 truckloads of dirt will be dumped in Marvel Stadium this month as Melbourne prepares to host the World Supercross Championship for just the second time.

The dirt-bike bonanza has been described as Melbourne’s “sleeper” major event with more than 50,000 fans expected for two days of racing on November 24 and 25.

The supercross action is set to be Melbourne’s biggest sporting event of the weekend.

The global supercross series, run by Australian sports business group SX Global, was launched last year and is ratified by motorsport’s world governing body FIM.

The set-up of the track also requires extra scaffolding in the underground carpark at Marvel to hold the 7000 tonnes of soil.

SX Global chief executive Adam Bailey said the Melbourne round was already a major event on the city’s sports calendar.

The World Supercross Championship is coming to Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on November 24-25.

“It’s by far the biggest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere,’’ he said.

“It’s just so suited to the Melbourne audience, because of the dynamic entertainment nature of it. It’s literally non-stop action the whole time.

“So we really think that there’s a huge opportunity for the sport and the championship to grow in Melbourne as a core audience.’’

This year’s series has defending Ken Roczen from Germany, coming to Melbourne, the final round, just five points behind American Joey Savatgy.

The series has signed broadcast deals in more than 50 countries as it takes on the US-based AMA Supercross Championship.

Defending WSX champion Ken Roczen.

Mr Bailey believes the international audience had been denied supercross racing for too long.

While the audience was traditionally often male and young, Mr Bailey said the sport had broad appeal.

“It’s basically a motorsport event, combined with a stadium entertainment events, which is which is quite unique.

“So if you’re interested in Monster Jam, or Nitro Circus or Disney on Ice or those kinds of things, kids will enjoy this.

“Similarly if you’re an F1 fan or a MotoGP fan or a racing car fan, you’ll enjoy it also.’’

It was also an event to experience live, he said.

“I’ve never had anyone say they were bored the first time they experienced it.’’

The event was a series of races lasting up to 12 minutes, and packed with music and entertainment.

The world round will also include the Australian championship and some junior events.

The track construction takes place over four days and requires 16 forms of earthmoving machinery such as excavators, dozers, loaders and street sweepers.

The dirt will be sourced locally and needs to be clay-based so it can bind together to comply with safety regulations and provide the best riding conditions.