The KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship to be moved from Alice Springs due to ‘safety concerns’

Alice Springs has relinquished the chance of hosting a major junior motocross event for the first time in 36 years due to ongoing anti-social behaviour in the town.

Alice Springs will not host the KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship due to “safety concerns”.

the decision, which has disappointed organisers, has also cast doubt over whether other Alice Springs motorsport events will be impacted.

In a statement, Motorcycling Australia said the Territory’s peak body, Motorcycling Australia Northern Territory, and the Alice Springs Motorcycle Club had made the “difficult decision” to relinquish the event.

A showcase of the best in the sport across the country, many past competitors have gone on to compete on the national and world stage.

The town was due to host the event for the first time since 1987 in July.

Alice Springs Motorcycle Club president Zoran Elliot told this publication it was a disappointing outcome.

“(I’m) still very upset about the decision,” Mr Elliot said.

When asked how many people were likely to attend, an estimated financial injection into the local economy and if other local motorsport events could be impacted, MANT chief executive Cilla Thomas referred this publication to its initial online statement.

Ms Thomas had said it was a “disheartening announcement for the club and the community” of the Red Centre.

“The safety of all those scheduled to attend, the junior competitors, their families and our volunteers and officials, is of the upmost importance,” Ms Thomas said.

“Despite the setback, the process in finding a new venue for this iconic event is well underway, with details due to be announced in the coming days.”

In a statement, Motorcycling Australia said the Alice Springs club’s committee hoped the event would return in the future.

Junior motocross has been a very popular sport in Alice Springs. Picture: Supplied.

KTM group national sales manager Tam Paul said previously local conditions would be “perfect” for the event.

The sport has been very popular in the Red Centre with a new 10-episode children’s TV series, MaveriX, about junior motocross riders filmed in Alice Springs in 2021, to be broadcast on the ABC and Netflix.

The NT government also tipped $1.5m into the series.

Local resident Amber Driver said she was in shock.

“We can’t believe that this event has been cancelled, such a shame for the club, community and kids,” Driver said.

In an additional Facebook post, she said it appeared those who contributed to the town had been punished by the event’s relocation.

“Due to the issues in Alice Springs (yes they are very real) we are losing a national sporting event,” she said.

She said with the event pulling hundreds of junior riders from across the country, it was a huge economic driver for the Red Centre.

“Shutting down the last remaining events that bring our children and community together is not solving the problem.

“Punishing the people who contribute to this town is not the way forward.”