MOTOCROSS club Way South Militants Freestyle Entertainment has been able to honour its commitment to the Royal Launceston Show this year, thanks to the support of the Tasmanian public.
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The club was by hit by an arsonist in April, in a targeted attack.
WSM’s transport truck and trailer – critical to the club’s success – was torched during the crime, which put all of the group’s 2016 appearance commitments in jeopardy.
But generosity from Tasmanian businesses and residents has seen the club gain a black new truck and trailer – just in time for Thursday’s big event.
“Literally the paint’s drying now, so we’re good to go,” WSM president Jay Woolley said.
“We’ve come across the line, luckily – it honestly took about $50,000, plus the truck. We’re not quite where we were, but thanks to the show bookings and other events in the next six months, it’ll put us back up to speed.”
Mr Woolley hailed the support of Launceston businesses, including Scott Devereaux Excavations, which donated a the club’s new truck and trailer.
Overall the club managed to gain more than $20,000 in donations, mostly through a crowdfunding campaign.
He said the task of having to find, pay for and restore a new truck and trailer was almost too much, but the club persevered.
“We’ve spent weekend after weekend and night after night working on it,” he said.
“Finally… We’re going really good, after a large amount of public support through crowdfunding – that was the biggest kick-starter.
“For the few s--- people who went and did what they done to the truck, we’ve met hundreds of great people because of it. So in the end, it spun into a good thing for us, and we got to build it how we wanted to this time.”
Mr Woolley said the new truck had the ability to carry a greater load and could fit more gear inside.
He said the final touches were put on the vehicle about 1pm on Wednesday.
“We’ve had all of the mechanical checks done and everything and we’re straight down (to the show),” Mr Woolley said.
WSM is a freestyle motocross group that performs high-risk stunts, including the backflip.
They have been performing since 2006.
The group will perform shows at the show at 10am, 12pm and 2pm.
WSM Freestyle has 30 members – the youngest is eight years old.
Police are yet to charge anyone over the arson of the group’s previous truck and trailer.
The crime took place in Mr Woolley’s backyard on April 27.
Anyone with information should contact Tasmania Police 131 444, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
