WOOD MOTORSPORT TO ENTER 2026 BOOST MOBILE AUSX SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Former Supercars driver Dale Wood launches new Supercross team with co-owner Eris Djemil, rising talent Tiger Wood and experienced campaigner Hayden Mellross, debuting at the Townsville season-opener on October 3.

A new team has entered the Australian Supercross paddock, with Wood Motorsport confirmed to contest the 2026 Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship, kicking off at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium on October 3.

The squad is co-owned by former Supercars driver and 2013 Super2 champion Dale Wood and Eris Djemil, who runs the motocross training facility that serves as the team’s test track. The pair connected through their son’s junior go-karting, before deciding to launch a supercross team together. Wood brings his experience on the commercial and sponsorship side of motorsport, while Djemil oversees track preparation and the team’s day-to-day facility.

Leading the rider line-up is 18-year-old Tiger Wood—no relation to Dale, despite sharing a surname. Originally from Townsville, he spent several years racing as a standout amateur in the United States, capturing wins including the 125cc Schoolboy 1 class at Loretta Lynn’s, and a trio of podiums the AMA Supercross Championship SMX Next class.

Wood is returning to competition after a torn ACL sustained ahead of last year’s AUS-X Open. The Townsville round will mark both his first race back and his home event. Wood trained at Djemil’s facility throughout the 2025 Supercross season and has spent the past fortnight back on-site preparing for the season opener.

Wood Motorsport will also field experienced campaigner, Hayden Mellross in the SX1 class. Mellross impressed throughout the 2025 AusX Championship, finishing 3rd overall aboard a privateer entry.

With the team assembled in a compressed timeframe, both Wood and Djemil are confident heading into round one, backed by great partners and a strong rider lineup.

Wood Motorsport will make its competitive debut at the Townsville season-opener on October 3, before the five-round 2026 Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship continues to Auckland (October 31), Geelong (November 7), Perth (November 14) and concludes in Newcastle (November 28).

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QUOTES

Dale Wood, co-owner:

“Dirt bikes have always been my biggest passion. I forged a lengthy career in four-wheel motorsport, through Formula Ford, Super2, Supercars and Carrera Cup, and I’m so lucky to have done what I’ve done. But through that whole time, my love has always still sat with dirt bikes, on two wheels.”

“I’d been doing some go-karting with my son Jacko and then met Eris. We’re a bit of a wacky partnership, but we’ve both got a real love for two-wheel sport, and headed down the path of starting a dirt bike team. I bring the commercial side, and Eris is stronger in the other areas of putting this team together, so between the two of us it’s been a really cool journey.”

“It’s a bit uncanny that he’s got the same last name as me, but no relation. Doing my homework on Tiger, we could see he’s a serious talent, so for us it was a no-brainer to give him the best opportunity to prove himself and win an Australian title.”

“To have somebody like Hayden Mellross join our team is huge. He’s such an established 450 rider, with the proof in the pudding through his podium last year. To have him alongside a young talent like Tiger, we’re really lucky and really fortunate.”

“Time has definitely been against us, we decided to put all this together very much at the eleventh hour. But we feel like we’ve got everything ticked, and we’ve got a race bike that Tiger is particularly happy on, so we’re not going there feeling underdone.”

“From the moment I announced this, I’ve been so lucky to have the people who’ve supported it, from Michael Patrizi and my mate Rick Kelly, to fantastic brands like Beta Tools and Frankston Ford, who’ve supported me for such a long time. I’m really grateful for those who’ve stuck by me in four-wheel motorsport and are now continuing the journey into two-wheel motorsport.”

Eris Djemil, co-owner:

“I’ve been around the sport for a few years now, with my training facility, just helping a couple of mates and giving them a place to ride. When the big American guys come out, having them around is really fun too. But I’ve never done anything like owning a team before. It’s a big step forward, and it’s been great working with Dale, he’s very good at the corporate and commercial side, and I just make sure the track is prepped and the facility is top-notch. I’m excited to get to Townsville, and bring this crazy dream to life.”

“I got to know Tiger last year when he lived with us while training for Supercross. Unfortunately, he got injured in the back half of last season, and that took a long time to sort out, but he’s back now, living with us and training again. He’s just an awesome kid. It’s kind of like having another kid, I’ve got four of my own, so he’s the fifth, looking after him and dealing with his attitude.”

Tiger Wood, SX2 rider:

“It’s a great opportunity that Dale and Eris have given me to come and race Australian Supercross this year. The bike is good, the team is good, and I’m super excited to get started.”

“I’m super excited to be heading to Townsville. It’s my home race, I grew up there, and all my family will be at the event. It’s actually where I did a lot of my knee rehab, in the performance centre right beside the stadium, so it’ll be a special one to come back for. This is my first race back, so it’ll be great to come back to where it all started for me.”

“The goal is to be the best Tiger Wood can be. I want to be up there competing for wins and podiums, but if I get a good start each round and ride the way I know I can, I’ll be happy.”

Hayden Mellross, SX1 rider:

“I’m really appreciative of Dale jumping on board and the support he’s provided me heading into this season. Wood Motorsport has given me exactly what I need, and it’s greatly strengthened my program.”

“I’m feeling really strong on the bike and quietly confident going into Townsville. Looking forward to a strong result, and to build from there.”