Supercross will transform the o2 arena to a dirt track

By Simon Hayes on December 31, 2007 12:00 AM

THE O2 is will be getting down and dirty next month when the latest high-octane sports event rolls into the Arena.
Supercross racing - basically indoor motocross - is bringing the final round of its 2007-08 championship to North Greenwich on Saturday, February 23, and it promises to provide plenty of spills and thrills.
The Arena, more used to housing the likes of Take That and the Spice Girls in recent weeks, will be transformed into a motorbike dirt track, complete with chicanes and jumps to test the skills of Britain's top riders.

The races were originally scheduled for Wembley Arena but were switched to The O2 when a change of dates meant it clashed with a rival event. The promoter, Future West, is delighted with the new venue.
John Hellam, of Future West, said: "It has been a lot of work to move the date and venue but The O2 facility is second to none. I was amazed when I visited The O2 for the first time; the Arena is first class with features we have never seen in an arena.
"The O2 Arena has more seats, which is a good thing as the last event we held in London back in 1999 at Earls Court was packed to the rafters with 10,000 plus spectators."
Supercross was derived from the sport of Motocross in the early 1970s. It involves high performance off-road motorcycles racing on artificially made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional Supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums and it is the second most popular motorsport in the United States after NASCAR racing.
The O2 Arena floor will become a dirt obstacle course designed to challenge all riders. It includes more than 40 jumps, including whoop-de-doos, triples, table tops, rhythm sections and high-banked berms.
Not only will the best available professional racers be on the track but also the future generation of international stars will gear up and get ready to tear up the dirt in the youth classes.
For more information on Supercross log onto www.fsx.com. For ticket details log onto www.theo2.co.uk or phone 0844 856 0202. simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk
--------