Kawasaki has announced a new partnership with AX Fest, a one-event off-shoot of the Arenacross UK series.
For those unfamiliar, arenacross is just about exactly what you might expect it to be: dirt bike racing in an arena.
In the absence of a national supercross (dirt bike racing in stadiums) series, Arenacross UK is the UK’s premier indoor dirt bike racing series, and takes place in arenas across the country during the winter before the outdoor series’ - MXGB (British Motocross Championship) and UK MX Nationals - begin in the spring.
Arenacross is beneficial to dirt bike racing in a similar way to supercross, in that both disciplines bring the excitement of dirt bikes to easily accessible venues - city-based arenas - which offer a viewing experience that an outdoor venue will always struggle to match.
In an arena, the entire circuit is available to watch, meaning the action is constant. Adding to this is the format of the event, which is aimed primarily at entertainment.
The Arenacross UK series is looking to expand somewhat in 2023, and its vehicle for that expansion is AX Fest, which is essentially aimed at taking arenacross outdoors.
AX Fest will combine dirt bike racing with live music, freestyle shows, motocross riding experiences, and a multi-day format to create a kind of UK dirt bike racing festival at Bolesworth Castle’s arena which is more accustomed to equestrian events.
The 2023 Arenacross UK series was supported by Kawasaki, whose rider, Tommy Searle, won the AX Pro Championship, and who sent Jonathan Rea to one of the Belfast rounds to ride some demo laps.
Kawasaki UK will also be heading to AX Fest this September, and showcasing its 2023 street bike range, as well as its current dirt bike and ATV roster.
Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK, said: “We are really excited to be heading to the inaugural AX Fest. The Arenacross series was a fantastic spectacle earlier this year, and we can’t wait to see what the team have created for the festival.
“Naturally, we are hoping that Tommy can repeat his success, but we are also looking forward to meeting the many fans attending and showing them our 2023 Kawasaki range, including the utility vehicles such as the MULE Pro MX and Bruteforce 750 ATV.”
Matt Bates, Event Promoter and Bolesworth Events Managing Director, added: “We’re extremely proud and excited to be announcing this partnership extension with Kawasaki UK; to see them extend their agreement for our 2024 indoor series, as well expanding their involvement into AX Fest is genuinely amazing to see.
“Similar to the indoor series, AX Fest will attract a wide variety of fans from action sports, adventure and of course motocross, so with Kawasaki showcasing motocross, UTV’s and road bikes, as well as offering a first-time riding experience on their KLX models, their presence will spread far wider than the race track.”
AX Fest will take place on 15-17 September 2023, one week after the conclusion of the British Motocross Championship in Oxford on 10 September.
