Dirt High Promotions has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Berry Sweet Manjimup 15000 brought to you by Penrite. The decision follows growing uncertainty around rider and team travel logistics amid fuel supply instability, leaving interstate competitors unable to commit to the event.
Since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Dirt High Promotions owner Willie Thomson has convened with ProMX team principals and interstate riders regarding the viability of them racing at this year’s event. Those discussions have now concluded, with the majority of major interstate teams and international riders unable to commit to transporting equipment and personnel to Manjimup as the prices and availability of fuel force teams to act conservatively.
“We have tried everything to make this event happen,” Dirt High Promotions owner Willie Thomson said.
“Riders and teams can’t commit to making it to Manji, which makes it impossible for us to organise this year’s race.
“Every rider and team I spoke to understands what this race means to the WA motocross community. Under the current circumstances, it’s just not possible.”
Fuel scarcity has added further pressure to what is already a challenging period for Western Australian motocross in 2026.
The opening round of the 2026 WA State Motocross Championship in Wanneroo was cancelled on Tuesday after not enough licensed riders entered the event.
A number of organising bodies and riders, including the Manjimup Motorcycle Club, have chosen not to renew their affiliation with licensing body Motorcycling Western Australia in 2026. Dirt High Promotions chose to independently apply for an MWA license for this year’s event, but still flagged this as a concern considering the lack of amateur licensed MWA riders.
Mr Thomson said these existing licensing challenges, now combined with uncertainty around fuel access and transport, created too many risks for the event to proceed.
“What makes Manjimup so special is not just the racing but it’s the fans,” Willie said.
“We owe it to the riders, the fans and our sponsors to make sure everyone can afford to race and come and see the best riders and teams go at it around the fastest track in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Dirt High Promotions remains committed to making the Manjimup 15000 happen in 2027.
Mr Thomson said this decision will not impact other Dirt High Promotions affiliated events. The three rounds of the Brookton Pony Express will go ahead as planned in July through to September in the Wheatbelt this year.
