General News
31 March, 2026
Fuel costs stall motocross
For the first time in more than a decade, Horsham Motorcycle Club's drawcard amateur event has had to be rescheduled.
The competition, which survived COVID times back in 2020 and 2021, has been brought to its knees as fuel prices soar, with the event deemed by organisers not viable to run as scheduled on March 28 and 29.
Club secretary Kenny Watts said not only were people worried about the cost of travelling with fuel prices, but also about the availability of fuel supplies to be able to purchase it to get home.
Covering all classes from 50cc, through 450cc, the event is a calendar highlight for the club each year, and caters for the amateur level racer, instead of professionals.
This year, food, medics and trophies were all ordered, but at the last minute, the club was forced to make the agonising call.
"Even through COVID, we were lucky to be able to get the event run before that closed down the State," Mr Watts said.
"We haven't been impacted by anything else, and we have had fluctuating numbers due to other things, but there was nothing else scheduled this Saturday and Sunday except for the Victoria Off-Roads, which caters for a different calibre of rider."
On average, Mr Watts said, around 200 competitors for the event would make the trip, with many riders racing on or in different bikes and classes.
The club had concerns about event numbers when they noticed fuel prices increasing, and said entries were really slow coming in.
"They usually are a bit quicker, and we do entries online now, but we were waiting and waiting, and those entries just never rolled in to make it an opportunity that was viable," Mr Watts said.
"It was basically only going to cover the medics, because we pay good money to have paramedics at the event at the venue.
"But we'd booked the medics, we had booked the canteen food, but if we hadn't of made that decision on Tuesday, we could have been stuck with the bill for the medics, and food that wasn't able to be saved."
Having also already purchased trophies, the club will look at dates to reschedule the event, but Mr Watts said that will be even more difficult with not knowing when fuel prices will come down.
The club will also look to its remaining events of the season, which include Round Two of the Victorian Junior Motocross Titles in May.
Meanwhile, the club isn't the only people being impacted by soaring fuel prices, as local police have warned of an increase in fuel being syphoned from storage and vehicles across the division from businesses and farms/paddocks rurally.
Horsham police warn people to be mindful of fuel storage and consider locks on their fuel tanks where possible.
Following at least one report of a local farm fuel theft, and another possibly in the town, a Victoria Police media representative told Wimmera Mallee News they remain closely engaged with all relevant partners in the petrol industry.
"At this stage, there are no notable trends of escalating petrol theft following recent price increases; however, police will continue to monitor this situation," she said.
The representative assured locals the Victoria Police Farm Crime Unit and local police are closely engaged with the farming industry and continue to monitor any incidents of fuel theft at rural properties.
"There are several ways farmers can better protect themselves from fuel theft," she said.
"This includes locking gates, machinery, sheds and storage tanks when not in use or under observation and never storing keys in close proximity to the asset.
"Where possible, clearing trees and shrubs blocking the visual line of sight to sheds and fuel tanks on the property.
"Storage areas for machinery, tools and fuel should also remain lit well after dark."
The media representative said there is a possibility of an increase in fuel prices, leading to an increase in petrol drive-offs.
"However, the most common culprits are traditionally people committing other crimes such as driving stolen cars or displaying false plates," she said.
The representative encouraged retailers to immediately report instances of petrol theft so police can begin investigating.
or by calling 131 444 and all reports are investigated thoroughly by police.