EMX300 is back for 2017
By Sean Lawless on 3rd Aug 16
After being omitted from next years provisional calendar the fan-favourite EMX300 two-stroke series has been reinstated and will be part of the MXGP support programme again in 2017.
A press release from series promoter Youthstream stated...
‘It was bought to Youthstream's attention that a large number of manufacturers, teams, riders, partners and fans would like to see the EMX300 championship continue.
‘Due to its increase in popularity over the last few years, Youthstream has agreed to add the EMX300 class to the 2017 MXGP calendar.'
Bob Buchanan, owner of the GL12 team and a self-confessed two-stroke fanatic, was the driving force behind Youthstream's about-turn.
"It angers me that people are too quick to roll over,” he said. "I'm passionate about two-strokes and believe they have a viable future on the world stage but we need to work together, be positive and actually fight for what we believe in.”
Buchanan, who fielded Brad Anderson and Lewis Gregory in this year's series, feels the EMX300 championship has given MXGPs more spectator appeal.
"The sport is diminishing and when something comes along that invigorates it like the EMX300 class then I would have thought that there would have been an outcry – not just a whispering moan.
"People are quick to criticise Giuseppe Luongo but they must remember he is a businessman and he's running his business with his money his way.
"If you don't like how he does it either work with him to change it or start your own series with your own money. I simply showed him a structured plan to keep the EMX300 class and he agreed.”
