The BMX National Championships are underway in the South West with Australia’s top riders battling it out to be crowned Australian champion.
The event started on Monday and will finish on Sundary, March 25 at the Bunbury BMX Club.
For Queensland BMX crew DK Bikes, this week’s National Championship event provides a chance to spread the word about mental illness.
The group – made up of Cory Stafford (team manager), Jye Hombsch, Aaron Nottle and Kyle Hill – are wearing one-of-a-kind, special edition blue jersey’s during the event.
The crew will then auction off the jerseys on Saturday, March 24, with funds going to Beyond Blue.
Their kits will only be worn during the first Moto event, and will be on display throughout the week.
Stafford told the Mail the auction was designed to show support to the DK Factory Racing team and to raise awareness for charity’s anti-bullying campaign.
He said the team was inspired to help following the passing of rider Travis Kramer.
“He raced BMX as well so when things like that happen we’ve got to all stick together,” he said.
“We feel we can make difference by just being here in the outfits we have, and pushing the charity Beyond Blue’s message that it’s okay to talk.
“All of our sponsors have come on board and the gave us the blue kit, which works out perfectly with the Beyond Blue campaign.”
Stafford acknowledged the Western Australian and Australian BMX crowds for supporting the campaign.
“It has been fantastic, the BMX community is small and so everyone sticks together to help any fundraiser or charity,” he said.
The group has set a fundraising goal of $2000.
Those interested can visit the DK Bikes tent and add their name, phone number and bid amount to the form of the rider of their choice.
People can also email corey@advancetraders.com.au with their full name, details and bid amount. Bidding will remain open until the end of racing on Saturday.
The national championships, held at Bunbury BMX Club’s pavilion in Hay Park, will offer 63 classes of racing for juniors, masters and elite riders.
Organisers have expected around 2000 riders and spectators to attend over the five days of action.
Stafford thanked Bunbury and event organisers for helping to increase the sport’s popularity in WA.
“The national championship is the pinnacle of the sport in Australia, I think there’s about 1100 or 1200 riders that have come here for this week,” he said.
“The atmosphere is going is going to be huge, when the finals are on you can barely hear yourself think.”
Want to help out the DK Bikes Crew? Visit workplace-fundraiser.everydayhero.com/au/dk-bicycles-factory-team-raising-awareness-of-beyond-blue to make a donation.
