Those within the Dubbo Dirt Bike are well aware of how much talent is in this region.
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And thanks to Wednesday's funding announcement soon people from all over country could realise it as well.
Dubbo Dirt Bike Club will be in the running to host state and national championships and bring thousands of visitors to the city in the coming years and after Federal MP Mark Coulton announced a $242,385 grant had been awarded.
The funding will go to various upgrades, but the most important will be the construction of an improved amenities block, a revamped track surface and an increase in the number of starting gates.
There is currently 30 starting gates but it will be upgrade to 40, as that is the number required for elite events.
There will also be more grandstands installed to ensure crowds of thousands can be trackside.
"To be able to be eligible to go for state and national events definitely puts Dubbo on the motocross map," club president Bec Eade said.
"It gives the regional riders somewhere to ride and a lot are unable to travel to the city where most major events are held.
"We have some extremely talented riders out here and it will give them the opportunity to race against the more elite riders and show what the Dubbo riders can do."
The Dubbo club has been punching above its weight for years with numerous riders achieving state and national titles and the push to improve the facility at the Morris Park Motorsports Complex had increased in recent times.
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Justin Harrow is one of these and the teenager said he was speechless when he found out what would be happening at his home club.
"It's going to be awesome. I've ridden this for many years and I can't wait to get a great, brand new track," Harrow, who won a state 15-17 years title last year, said.
"Dubbo deserves way more. Our competition is strong as and we deserve better tracks."
Eade wants work to begin early next year after the current season of racing is completed and hopes it can be completed by the end of 2021.
The funding for the work comes through the government's Building Better Regions Fund and Coulton was delighted to be trackside on Wednesday.
"The Dubbo region has outstanding economic potential and the Dubbo Dirt Bike Club's upgrades will stand the city in good stead to host major motocross events, delivering a huge economic boost for our region," the member for Parkes said.
"I understand these upgrades have been strongly supported in the dirt bike community, with over 770 riders, spectators, sponsors and officials from across New South Wales signing a survey in 2019 supporting the club's upgrades."
The club currently has more than 200 members and that number was boosted at a recent come-and-try day.
The members come from regional areas all over the state, with 150 riders and 500 spectators regularly turning out for competitions.
Those numbers could be greatly multiplied if the track was to host elite events.
"It's huge," Eade said of the state championships.
"Thousands of spectators, hundreds or riders. Thousands attend nationals as well."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
