On that day, Price blitzed many of his better-backed riders to finish seventh overall and clearly to top privateer in the Australasian SuperX Championship in Wollongong.

After that performance, Price has earned a factory ride with Kawasaki after 2008 Australian Motocross champion Luke George chipped a bone in his ankle in a crash in the penultimate round of the championship in Townsville. The excited 21-year-old jets off to Brisbane today, with the aim of again impressing officials in the hope of getting a full-time factory ride next season.

“It’s going to be a really big day and hopefully it’s going to be a good experience,” Price said.

With races only relatively short over the rough terrain, one slip could spell disaster for Price or any other rider who lines up this weekend.

Price, who began riding at the tender age of two-and-a-half, said he would be able to block out the negative thoughts and focus on the task at hand.

“Pressure is something that gets to some people when they’re out there and it gets to me as well sometimes. But I just have to go out there and get the kind of result that has got me the spot in the first place.

“It will be a pretty full-on day, with a 15-minute practice and then a 10-lap heat and if you don’t make it through (to the final) from the heat you have to be in the top two in the qualifying race.”

Kawasaki team manager Brett Whale said Price was the obvious choice for the call-up, adding the stunning result in Wollongong only reinforced the team’s already high opinion of his skills.

“Toby was a natural choice to ride the KX450F for KRT at Brisbane when the opportunity arose and Kawasaki is confident he will make the most of the opportunity to ride for the factory Kawasaki team and finish favourably at Brisbane,” Whale said. Price will have a full pit crew provided for him, along with a factory-bike fitted with the latest motor and suspension upgrades to deal with the Brisbane track that features 29 jumps over 771 metres.