Trio to tackle Manji 15,000

Team McDonalds Bunbury KTM will mount a three-pronged assault on the Manjimup 15,000.

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Professional riders Oliver Smith and Tim Bell will be joined by 15-year-old Tom West at one of Western Australia’s premier motocross events at the end of the month.

Smith and Bell will take on some of the world’s best in the blue riband All Stars class with the field headlined by former MX2 world champion Ben Townley who will come out of retirement for the race.

Americans Brett Cue and AJ Catanzaro will also travel to the South West for the event while the Australian charge will be led by the likes of Jay Marmont, Luke Arbon, Kirk Gibbs, Ford Dale, Kade Mosig and Jake Moss.

Smith, who rides a KTM 450 SX-F, is looking forward to returning to Manjimup after missing the 2013 event through injury while Bell will look to build on his success after tying for first in last year’s All Stars lites.

“I finished just outside the top ten in 2012 and then I broke my neck at the end of the season so I couldn’t race last year, ” Smith said.

“The Manjimup 15,000 is the best race of the year by far.

“We get to race not only the best riders in the country but some of the best riders in the world and the track is the best in Australia by far.”

West will race at Manjimup for a fourth consecutive year, competing in both the 125cc and 250cc classes.

“The track has a variation of dirt with both hard pack and sand sections and it’s pretty demanding but I’d say it’s definitely one of my favourites in Australia, ” he said.

West carries some form into the event after claiming two podium finishes at the junior WAMX State Round at Bunbury on the weekend.

“I’m hoping to get at least top three and if I can get a good start I can possibly win it, ” he said.

“If it rains the track becomes a bit slick and muddy which is a bit of a leveller and then anything can happen.”

The unique format of the Manjimup 15,000 is one of its biggest attractions.

Each class features four five-lap motos, plus an elimination shootout which consists of five single-lap dashes.