Dirt High Promotions opened the gates to the Cosy Creek MX Circuit on Thursday to welcome riders from across the country to kick off the Berry Sweet 2025 Manjimup 15,000.
Honda Racing Australia’s Kyle Webster and Monster Energy CDR Yamaha’s Jed Beaton hit the track on Thursday, alongside an array of local and national talent, in front of the cameras for a media day to kick off the weekend.
“We’re here early, and when you see all the cars and caravans coming in, starting to fill up, there’s fires going already, it’s definitely a cool atmosphere and it looks like it’s going to be set for a good weekend,” Beaton said.
“It’s not too often you get to do this much before the race day so it’s definitely cool to get out here and shake it out,” Webster said after his track run.
Webster, currently 2nd in the Kawasaki Pro MX1 Championship, is looking to break his local hoodoo at the Manjimup 15,000 after falling agonisingly close in 2024.
Webster lost out in the final race of the 2024 Manjimup 15,000 after binning it in the first corner, handing the title to Beaton.
“I’ve had a few third places here, so ideally not that again,” he said on Thursday.
“We’ll be going for it as per usual, and hopefully don’t lay down the first turn again.
“I’ve raced this event many times and still haven’t won it. I told Yarrive if I don’t win this year, he can dock my pay, half-joking, of course.”
Event organiser Willie Thomson, who is in his 16th year of overseeing the event, said it is great to see a good turnout this early on into the weekend.
“This is the biggest event in the whole Shire,” he said.
“It is really good for the economy, the Shire is behind this 100%.
“We’ve got the top riders in Australia all racing here.”
Proceedings for the Manjimup 15,000 kicks off Friday with Practice, followed by the event debuting a new event, the Super Pole Shuffle, on Saturday, and finished off with the official Manjimup 15,000 on Sunday.