Enduro
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COMING EVENTS
September
6th Pony Express Rnd 3 TBA
12th Junior Event - Short course enduro at Kirup
13th Capel 200 at Capel
12-13th Australian Offroad Championships at Young NSW
19-20th Sept Southern Cross 2 Day Enduro
27-28th Des Nobles 2 Day Enduro at Mornington
Visit www.trailandenduro.com.au for WA enduro racing calender.
LATEST NEWS 2009
16 September
Successful season for AWED
At the concluding rounds of the 2009 Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships (AORC) held near Young, NSW on the weekend, AWED team members rode the wheels off their Yamaha WR250F machines with strong results.
Current Australian Women’s Enduro Champion and four time AORC Women’s Class winner, Alison Parker, kept her championship hopes alive by leading most of the two-hour cross country on Saturday.
“Coming into the weekend, I was trailing in points. I knew that I had to win on Saturday to have a chance at defending my title,” stated Parker. “I led the race until I had a small crash on the final lap which, unfortunately, spelt the end of my title hopes."
Sunday’s Round 10 was a no-result, with Parker completing the 2009 AORC in 2nd place.
“I then had only a mathematical chance of claiming the championship in the final round, where I would have needed my opponent, Jemma Wilson, to not finish the day. I’m glad that didn’t happen. I only want to beat others at their best, and I need my Australian team mate to be fighting fit for our assault on the ISDE next month."
The ever-consistent third member of the Wellard’s Australian Women’s Enduro Team heading to Portugal for the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) next month, AWED’s Jacqui Jones, finished both days in third place.
“I’m really pleased with my riding on the weekend, and I’m rapped to have finished my first AORC season on the podium,” reported Jones. “I want to thank Dirt Bike Promotions and AWED sponsors for their hard work and support."
AWED development rider, Dimity Duke, also proved consistent, achieving fourth on both days at Young, placing her 5th in the championship.
“The riding was rocky and dusty, and Saturday was only my second cross country event. I was really pleased with my results,” said Duke. “Thank you to Alison Parker and AWED sponsors for providing me with this opportunity to race a national series."
AWED Team Manager, Jacqui Beattie, was unable to attend the AORC due to an illness in her family. She finished the season in 8th place.
AWED would like to thank Yamaha, Yamalube, GYTR, Suspension Matters, Fox, Barkbusters, Scott, Unifilter, Pirelli, Whipp’s Alloy Products, Quick Access Computing, Nine Two Decals, Galvin Constructions, Jamie Mackay Photography and Camelbak for their fantastic support this year.
The next event for AWED will be Australia’s inaugural challenge of the Women’s World Trophy at the ISDE, where Alison Parker and Jacqui Jones will be riding for their country. AWED will also be coaching all-female riding schools throughout November and December. For coaching enquiries, please go to www.awed.com.au.
13 September
Toby Price wins ’09 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship
Twenty-two-year-old Toby Price, from Singleton (NSW), made history today when he claimed the 2009 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) Outright number one plate.
Four-time World Enduro Champion and Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha racer, Stefan Merriman, finished second in the championship, a mere 1.08-seconds behind, and won the Championship E2 class crown.
In Championship E1, it was Motorex KTM’s Ben Kearney (from Picton, NSW) who triumphed in a heated battle with Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha’s ‘King Kirk’ Hutton.
Up-and-coming KTM rider, Geoff Braico (from Hornsby, Sydney), claimed his first national title in Championship E3 after a strong ride at the final round of the championship held today near Young (NSW).
The cheer from MSC Kawasaki rider Price’s family, support crew and fans could probably have been heard several properties away this afternoon.
“Today went really good, up until about the fourth lap when I had a bit of a get off, Stefan caught back up a bit,” Price said.
“I just had to play it cool and calm down and just get through and I’m stoked [with the win].
“I can’t even describe what it feels like, it’s the most awesome feeling in the world.”
Price finished second in the Championship E2 class behind Merriman, due to a different point’s system being used in classes to the Championship Outright.
“I’m really happy to have won the E2 this year and to be back in Australia,” Merriman said.
“I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t win Outright because I was pushing, trying really hard, but I missed out by one-second for the Outright.
“Well done to Toby because he proved that he was faster and congratulations to Toby Price.”
Merriman said he would definitely be back to race the championship next year - “Australia’s a great country and I love living here and racing here,” he said.
A fierce battle in Championship E1 was won by Ben Kearney, after winning five of 10 rounds. Kirk Hutton won the class in three rounds and finished two-points behind (Husqvarna’s Chris Hollis claimed the top podium spot in the remaining rounds).
Championship E3 was taken out by Geoff Braico by 25-points over fellow KTM rider, Brad Williscroft.
In Expert E1, Lachlan Stanford was the fastest, winning by 14-points.
BMW rider Luke Tomlinson won Expert E2/3 by 17-points over Daniel Milner. Tomlinson also was victorious in Expert Outright by a slim one-point margin ahead of Milner.
In the remaining championship classes, Geoff Ballard took the Master’s title by 31-points.
In Championship Veteran’s, fellow Yamaha rider, Stuart Bennett, was the winner.
And in Championship Women’s, Jemma Wilson triumphed by 12-points.
Dyan Rose won Clubman E1. In Clubman E2/3, Thomas Clark took the win by 30-points.
Rose also won Clubman Outright by seven-points over Matthew Sprenger.
In Clubman Veteran’s, Wayne Winston was the winner by 28-points.
Talented youngster, Benjamin Burrell (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha Team), was the fastest in Junior Lites 15-years and Junior Outright, followed by Tom McCormack.
The remaining Junior class winners were: Junior Class 1 ( 9 to 11-years), Nic Tomlinson, Junior Class 2 (12 to 13-years), Mitch Kellner, Junior Class 3 ( 14 to 15 years), Liam Clover and Junior Lites 13 to 14-years, Travis Cooper.
To watch a video compilation including interviews with Price, Merriman, Kearney and Braico, as well as action footage from the weekend, visit www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au
AORC organisers, Dirt Bike Promotions, wanted to thank all competitors, support crew and fans who helped make the 2009 championship truly memorable.
They also wished to say a huge thank you to the series’ sponsors, without whom the championship would not have been possible.
Main Photo: The 2009 AORC Outright podium, from left Jarrod Bewley, Toby Price and Stefan Merriman
Credit: Shooting Star Media
Yamaha 2009 AORC Outright Top-10
1. Toby Price Kawasaki Points: 214 E2
2. Stefan Merriman Yamaha 211 E2
3. Jarrod Bewley Yamaha 200 E2
4. Chris Hollis Husqvarna 155 E1
5. Ben Kearney KTM 147 E1
6. Ben Grabham KTM 146 E2
7. Kirk Hutton Yamaha 136 E1
8. Peter Boyle Honda 128 E2
9. AJ Roberts Honda 117 E2
10. Geoff Braico KTM 106 E3
2 Septmeber
Sparks to fly at Historic AORC finale
Young (NSW) will host the most heated fight in Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) history next Saturday and Sunday week, Sep 12-13.
Never before has the championship been so close between so many dirt bike racers going into the final weekend of competition.
Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha’s Stefan Merriman (from Nelson’s Bay, NSW) looked a clear favourite to claim the crown going into the penultimate rounds of the series (rounds seven and eight held at Warwick, QLD) with a 21-point Outright lead over the field.
But an “off” weekend for Merriman and a strong performance from young gun Toby Price (from Singleton, NSW) took the four-time World Enduro Champion’s lead down to just five-points going into next weekend’s final showdown.
Merriman’s teammate, Jarrod Bewley, also put in a solid ride at the Warwick rounds moving him into third Outright and in Championship E2, just six-points behind Price (of the MSC Kawasaki Team).
Merriman said he had not had any problems at the Queensland rounds, just that he felt he had been “too slow”.
“Hopefully I can get on form for [next weekend],” Merriman said. “I’m never confident until it’s all over, it’s very close for this championship.”
Tussles for the Championship E1 and E3 titles are nearly as heated.
In E1, Motorex KTM’s Ben Kearney leads Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha rider, Kirk Hutton, by seven-points.
KTM rider Geoff Braico has a slightly more comfortable lead (19-points) over fellow KTM rider, Brad Williscroft, in E3.
AORC organiser Phil Sargent (of Dirt Bike Promotions) said they were looking forward to a fantastic weekend of racing and encouraged any interested riders to get an entry in for the event.
“The property at Young is really good and they’ve been getting some rain, so conditions should be ideal,” Sargent said.
“The property would lend itself well to a cross-country and they’ve had rain the last few weekends and they’re calling for more tomorrow and next Tuesday, so if the weather continues the way it is we’ll have a cross-country on Saturday.
“I’ll be getting to the property early next week and we’ll make a decision about the format as soon as we can.”
Property owner Bill Daly said he was “very excited” the race was being held on his land.
“It’s very good to see a championship round in our local district, it’ll be great for tourism in our town and I’m sure there will be some excellent, close racing,” Daly said.
“The course will be reasonably tight, natural terrain. There’s plenty of single trail sections, it will be challenging.
“Conditions are perfect for riding, we actually have some moisture at the moment, which is a nice thing.”
The final two rounds of the 2009 AORC will be held at Young (NSW) on September 12th and 13th.
Gates at Milgadara (on Moppity Road, 19km’s east of Young) next weekend will open at 8.30am Saturday and Sunday.
To enter or for more information please visit www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au, contact Dirt Bike Promotions on 02 63624437 or 0438721024 or email treena@dirtbikepromotions.com.au
Yamaha AORC Top-10 Outright (after round eight of 10)
1. Stefan Merriman Points: 169
2. Toby Price 164
3. Jarrod Bewley 158
4. Chris Hollis 127
5. Ben Kearney 119
6. AJ Roberts 117v 7. Ben Grabham 112
8. Kirk Hutton 105
9. Peter Boyle 101
10. Geoff Braico 84
3 August
Queenslanders: “don’t miss out on AORC action”
Time is running out for Queenslanders to take advantage of the opportunity to race in Australia’s premier off-road motorcycle series.
The 10-round 2009 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), ran by professional promotions company Dirt Bike Promotions, will make its Queensland stop next weekend at Cherrabah Resort (near Warwick).
AORC followers are excited about the venue for the penultimate round, which is a full-blown country resort boasting varying terrain, motel-style accommodation, meals, bar and all amenities.
Entries are coming in fast. To avoid missing out get your entry in now: supplementary regulations available from www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au
Dirt Bike Promotions’ Phil Sargent encouraged any rider from the Sunshine State and northern NSW to come partake in the event.
“Cherrabah has everything from great motel rooms to horse and quad bike riding and most importantly an awesome, grass pit area only minutes from the main buildings and lots of land for us to run the tracks on,” Sargent said.
“The resort’s hosted a few Queensland enduro events this year and I’ve heard they were really good... we’ve already been to the resort and sussed it all out and have plans for some great tracks.
“The land is sandy to loamy and has some rocks... it also includes a natural terrain motocross track, so there’s lots for us to work with to make sure the tracks are really good.”
Sargent said there was a strong off-road following in Queensland and the Warwick area - “so we’re looking forward to having local riders mixing it with the best in the country,” he said.
Queensland Enduro Champion, ‘King’ Kirk Hutton, won the two Yamaha SEQ Enduro events held at Cherrabah earlier this year.
Hutton said rain before the second race had made it the best enduro he had ever ridden in the state.
“I’m glad the QLD AORC is gonna be at Cherrabah. It’s awesome to stay in a nice motel and have a really good meal and then only have a two-minute drive to the pits the next morning,” Hutton said.
“Cherrabah is a great spot. It’s easy to get to, all bitumen and a short drive from Warwick... the riding is good, too, it’s got a bit of everything.”
To check out Cherrabah Resort go to http://www.cherrabah.com.au/
Motel-style accommodation and camping (with services including hot showers and toilets) is available. Meals are also available Friday and Saturday nights. Bookings for all three is essential, phone 07 4667 9177 or 1800 023 788.
1 July 2009
AWED riding high in championship after AORC rounds 5 and 6
The sand of Murray Bridge, SA, was the setting for Rounds 5 & 6 of the Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships (AORC) on the weekend, where Australian Women’s Enduro Development (AWED) riders celebrated consistent results aboard their Yamaha WR250F machines.
Current Australian Women’s Enduro Champion, Alison Parker, rode well however was unable to match the speed of QLD Yamaha’s Jemma Wilson, finishing second on both days and relinquishing valued championship points.
“Both tracks were amazing - the sand, layout and rain earlier in the week helped prepare two world-class loops," said Parker.
"Wilson set a fast pace that unfortunately I was not able to match. The series lead is now tied and I’m more excited than ever about the remaining rounds, as I have been waiting years for a challenge like this.
"The quality and depth of the Women’s field is continuing to improve, which is going to help Australia contest the Women’s World Trophy at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Portugal later this year."
Parker has won the Women's class of the AORC every year since the series began in 2005.
Super-consistent Jacqui Jones, also heading to Portugal for the ISDE, continued her podium streak with two third places, and remains third in the Women’s Championship.
“The track was sandy, rough and a lot of fun to ride. My speed is continually improving and I am pleased to have once again finished on the podium. There are 13 riders in this Women’s title hunt, which means I need to keep working hard at every event," said Jones.
One AWED rider more accustomed to the terrain was WA’s Dimity Duke, who used her sand-riding skills to place fourth each day, moving her into fourth in the Championship.
“The SA sand is definitely more like what I am used to on the West Coast than what we have ridden in other rounds. I had a ball out there. My bike performed brilliantly,” said Duke.
AWED Team Manager and competitor, Jacqui Beattie, was unable to attend the weekend’s racing due to an illness in her family.
AWED would like to thank Yamaha, Suspension Matters, Fox, Barkbusters, Scott, Unifilter, Pirelli, Whipp’s Alloy Products, Quick Access Computing, Nine Two Decals, Galvin Constructions and Jamie Mackay Photography for their fantastic support this year.
The next event for AWED will be an all-women’s riding school at Kenilworth, QLD on the 4th and 5th of July. For coaching enquiries, please email awed@live.com.au.
Ends.
28 June
Merriman takes AORC win tally to four rounds
Four-time World Enduro Champion Stefan Merriman was on fire in the loamy South Australian sand today, cruising away with the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship round six win.
Merriman, 35, of the Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha Off-Road Team, beat the 218-strong field today by more than a minute.
About 1000 spectators were on hand at the Callington property, near Murray Bridge, to witness Merriman’s victory.
“It went pretty good today, it was hard work though,” Merriman, from Nelson’s Bay (NSW) said. “I was a bit tired from yesterday and doing another eight laps of the eight-minute course today, it really took it out of ya, the whoops were pretty big.
“I managed to pull away slowly from Toby... it was hard work and the bike went really well.
“I’m really happy with how everything went, the team and everything - everything was great.”
Today’s final two Outright and Championship E2 Class podium positions were also the same as yesterday’s, with MSC Kawasaki’s Toby Price (from Singleton, NSW) and GHR Honda’s Peter Boyle (Gippsland, VIC) finishing second-third.
Boyle’s teammate, AJ Roberts (from Bribie Island, QLD), and AORC Championship E1 leader, Ben Kearney, rounded out the top-five Outright with Kearney winning the E1 class overall.
“These rounds were the toughest I have raced all year, because it was so sandy,” said Kearney. “Also riding a 250 in sand it so much harder, you have to hold it on all the time. As soon as you make a mistake you sink into the sand. The faster I rode, the better I went which is obviously what works in the sand.
Yamaha rider Jarrod Bewley finished sixth Outright, followed by Championship E3 leader, Geoff Braico, in seventh.
Ben Grabham, Chris Hollis and Blake Hore came eighth, ninth and 10th respectively.
Merriman’s win today took his championship lead to 21-points ahead of AJ Roberts, who moved one-point ahead of Bewley. Toby Price is two-points behind Bewley in fourth.
In Expert Outright it was Daniel Milner (Expert E2/3) who took the honours ahead of South Australian riders Ivan Long and Rhyce Ahola. BMW pilot Luke Tomlinson and Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha’s Liam Robertson came fouth-fifth.
Ivan Long won Expert E1, followed by Ahola in second.
In today’s remaining championship classes, Queenslander Jemma Wilson was again the fastest Championship Woman.
Wilson is now tied for the series’ lead with reigning Champion, Alison Parker.
Fellow Yamaha racer, Geoff Ballard again won Championship Masters, Orange (NSW) rider Stuart Bennett was the quickest Championship Veteran.
In the Clubman categories, Queenslander Matthew Sprenger took the Outright and Clubman E1 Class wins. Thomas Clark won Clubman E2/3 and Darren Averay won Clubman Veterans.
Young gun Tom McCormack claimed the highest podium spot for Juniors for the first time today ahead of Alex Stephenson and Jake Wright.
McCormack’s ride today moved him into the lead for Junior Outright, eight points ahead of former leader, Benjamin Burrell (who had bike problems in today’s round).
For full championship point’s standings, results from today’s round, pics and video interviews, go to www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au
Yamaha AORC Round Six Outright Top-10
1. Stefan Merriman
2. Toby Price
3. Peter Boyle
4. AJ Roberts
5. Ben Kearney
6. Jarrod Bewley
7. Geoff Braico
8. Ben Grabham
9. Chris Hollis
10. Blake Hore
Yamaha AORC Championship Top-10 (after round six)
1. Stefan Merriman 138 points
2. AJ Roberts 117
3. Jarrod Bewley 116
4. Toby Price 114
5. Ben Grabham 94
6. Chris Hollis 90
7. Ben Kearney 85
8. Peter Boyle 79
9. Kirk Hutton 67
10. Geoff Braico 60
27 May
AWED on fire at freezing Blayney
Rounds 3 and 4 of the Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships (AORC) held near Blayney, NSW last week proved to be a chilly setting for some sizzling results by AWED riders.
Current Australian Women’s Enduro Champion and AORC Women’s Class leader, Yamaha’s Alison Parker, rode well to maintain her 6 point lead in the championship.
“The riding was great this weekend. The venue was purely enduro, with hills, logs and some gnarly off-camber single trail,” recalled Parker. “I don’t remember the last time I was so cold!"
Australian Enduro Team rider, Jacqui Jones, showed she is well on her way to contesting an international race, taking her WR250F to 3rd place on both days.
“This was a challenging event. The cold drizzle on Saturday and dust on Sunday, along with the technical tracks really put riders to the test,” reflected Jones. “I’m happy that my consistency has landed me on the podium again."
Western Australian development rider, Dimity Duke, put her recent on-bike training regime to good use, bagging career best results of 5th and 4th in the strong women’s field, moving herself up to 5th in the championship.
“I’m really enjoying these off road events, and I’m pleased to see that my training is helping me improve my results each round,” said Duke.
AWED Team Manager, Jacqui Beattie, was unable to attend the AORC due to an illness in her family. She was, however, available to share the coaching duties with Alison Parker at an AWED all-female off road training camp on 24/5/09 near Kenilworth, QLD.
“We had a really great turn out on the weekend, especially given that it had rained all week,” said Beattie after the riding school.
“Females of all ages and abilities showed that tenacity and determination, along with plenty of practice, really pays off. Alison and I were very impressed with how much the students improved throughout the day."
AWED would like to thank Yamaha, Suspension Matters, Fox, Barkbusters, Scott, Unifilter, Pirelli, Whipp’s Alloy Products, Quick Access Computing, Nine Two Decals, Galvin Constructions and Jamie Mackay Photography for their fantastic support this year.
The next event for AWED will be rounds 5 and 6 of the Yamaha Australian Offroad Championships in Murray Bridge, SA, on 27-28/6/09. AWED will also be coaching all-female riding schools throughout June. For coaching enquiries, please email awed@live.com.au
18 May
Bewley bags AORC round four win
Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha rider, Jarrod Bewley, took his first 2009 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) win today at round four, held near Blayney (NSW).
Bewley’s victory made him the third rider to take a round win so far this season - teammate Stefan Merriman won rounds one and two and GHR Honda’s AJ Roberts took out round three.
Bewley, 21, from Richmond (Sydney), edged closer to the top spot in the championship point’s battle and is now only three points behind Merriman for the lead.
Robert’s performances this weekend saw him move up into third Outright in the championship and in the Championship E2 class, just seven points behind Merriman.
“I started off a bit slow again today, but I just kept pushing through in the rough and dusty conditions and it paid off,” Bewley said.
“AJ was riding extremely well today and yesterday... and Stefan coming back from injury - he’s still right there in the top three, top four... the point’s have added up and now we’re all within a couple points of each other.
“We are all on the top of our game and it’s kind of anyone’s championship.”
Roberts (from Bribie Island, Queensland) came very close to winning again today and lead until the final lap, where he had a crash and ended up about 1.5-seconds behind Bewley after the five heats.
“I got caught out in the bull dust [in the last lap], I think there might have been a bit of a rock hidden in amongst all the dust,” Roberts said.
“It just kicked me around and high-sided me, I hurt my shoulder, but the bike was still running, so I ran back and picked her up and tried to get on the gas as hard as I could.
“I knew it was close, so I just had to push... it’s been a good weekend for me, it’s been consistent. I won a lot of tests, I’m more than happy to walk away with my head high.”
Merriman was also on the charge today and finished third Outright and in Championship E2, 7.8-seconds off Bewley.
Motorex KTM’s Ben Kearney was on fire on his 250cc 4-Stroke machine, blazing into fourth Outright and winning Championship E1.
Teammate, Ben Grabham (from Bathurst) was about six-seconds behind Kearney, coming fifth Outright.
MSC Kawasaki’s young gun, Toby Price, finished sixth Outright today, followed by 250cc-rider, Kirk Hutton, in seventh.
Price’s teammate, Josh Green, came eighth Outright. Husaberg rider, Blake Hore, and Husqvarna’s Chris Hollis rounded out the top-10.
In Championship E3, Motorex KTM rider and Off-Road Team Manager, Brad Williscroft, repeated his round three win.
Top desert racers, Todd and Jacob Smith (from Condobolin), tried their hands at AORC racing this weekend and finished 28th and 29th Outright respectively today.
BMW’s Luke Tomlinson was again the fastest Expert today, winning Expert Outright and E2/3.
Lachlan Stanford finished second in Expert Outright and won Expert E1 ahead of Adam Giles (who came second in Expert E1 and third in Expert Outright).
In Championship Veteran’s, Stuart Bennett (from Orange) extended his championship lead, winning again today ahead of Garry Dukes.
Geoff Ballard came out on top in Championship Masters. Fellow Yamaha racer, Alison Parker, won Championship Women’s ahead of yesterday’s winner, Jemma Wilson.
Clubman Outright was won today by Dylan Rose. Troy Partridge beat Wayne Winston today in Clubman Veteran’s.
Yamaha riders Ben Burrell and Tom McCormack were again on top in Junior Outright, with Burrell posting a few times faster than most of the senior Pro riders and winning by 52-seconds.
The remaining Junior class winners were: Nic Tomlinson (Junior Class 1, Nine to 11-years), Mitch Kellner (Junior Class 2), Liam Clover (Junior 3) and Alex Stephenson (Junior Lites 13 to 14-years).
The 2009 AORC is a 10-round series held over five weekends.
Rounds five and six of the AORC will be held at Murray Bridge (SA) on June 27 and 28. Rounds seven and eight: QLD on August 15 and 16. Rounds nine and 10: Young (NSW) on September 12 and 13.
The championships boasts classes for every level of rider, from Juniors older than 9-years to Clubman, Women, Veterans, Masters, Experts and championship-level racers.
The AORC are fantastic for spectators, with nail-biting action and the chance to get up close and personal with the stars of Australian enduro racing.
To enter or for more information please visit www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au, contact Dirt Bike Promotions on 02 63624437 or 0438721024 or email treena@dirtbikepromotions.com.au
YAMAHA AORC Round Four Top-10 Outright
1. Jarrod Bewley
2. AJ Roberts
3. Stefan Merriman
4. Ben Kearney
5. Ben Grabham
6. Toby Price
7. Kirk Hutton
8. Josh Green
9. Blake Hore
10. Chris Hollis
1 May
2009 Wellard Australian ISDE Squad announced
Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced that the following riders have been selected as part of the 2009 Wellard Australian ISDE Squad to compete in Figueira da Foz Portugal from 12-17 October.
Chris Hollis, Port Macquarie, NSW
Andrew Lloyd, Barnsley NSW
Glen Kearney, Picton NSW
Geoff Braico, Wahroonga NSW
Kirk Hutton, Kobble Creek, QLD
Anthony Roberts, Ningi QLD
Stefan Merriman, Nelson’s Bay, NSW
Alison Parker, Glasshouse Mountains QLD
Shane Watts, Maffra VIC
Jemma Wilson, Neerdie QLD
Jarrod Bewley, Richmond NSW
Jacquie Jones, Wauchope NSW
Toby Price, Singleton NSW
Lana Stiller (non-travelling reserve), Mackay QLD
Josh Green, Soldiers Point NSW
These riders will make up the Senior, Junior and for the first time, the Women’s teams heading to the international event.
The riders will now attend a training camp to be held on 18-20 May at Abernathy in New South Wales with photos from the camp posted on the MA website www.ma.org.au.
In 2008 Australia came an impressive second place in the Junior World Trophy Class with the Seniors coming in sixth place in the World Trophy Class.
28 April
Wellard supports Australia’s 2009 ISDE Teams
Western Australian company Wellard, will be the official naming rights sponsor of the 2009 Australian International Six Day Enduro Team Motorcycling Australia announced today (Apr-28).
Wellard, a Perth-based rural and resources company, has signed on as the naming rights partner for the Australian Senior, Junior and Women’s Trophy Teams at the 2009 event, to be held at Figueira da Foz Portugal from 12-17 October.
The announcement of the Australian Team squads will take place later this week, and Wellard Chairman, Mauro Balzarini expressed his delight with the sponsorship arrangement.
“I am extremely excited that Motorcycling Australia has awarded Wellard the naming rights of our Australian teams,” Mr Balzarini said.
“Wellard is a great Australian company which aims to be the best at everything it does. Supporting the national ISDE team is reflective of that aim.
“Passion, commitment and the courage to innovate encompasses Wellard’s company ethos. These attributes are inherent in the riders who will compete for Australia at the 2009 ISDE.”
CEO of MA, David White, said that he was rapt to have Wellard come on board to support the Australian ISDE Team.
“It really is a wonderful show of commitment and support from Wellard to jump on board and sponsor our Australian Senior, Junior and Women’s Trophy Teams,” Mr White said.
“It reflects a long-standing support that Wellard has thrown behind Enduro riding in this country, and will hopefully propel the Team to greater feats.
“We welcome Wellard, and hope that together we can forge a strong partnership in the future, as we battle it out with the best racing countries in the world!”
In addition to the National Team naming rights, Wellard will be supporting the first ever Australian Women’s Team to contest the event – providing funding, logistics and technical support.
“I have every confidence that the Wellard Australian Women’s Trophy Team could be on the podium at the ISDE, such is the quality of the riders who have applied for the team,” Mr Balzarini said.
Supporting the Australian National Trophy Teams is a natural progression of Wellard’s previous assistance of their own Club Teams in the last two ISDE’s.
Last year in Greece, the Wellard Yamaha Team, consisting of young Western Australian riders, finished in the event’s Top 10 Club Team division, despite needing to borrow all of its race gear, including motorcycles, when their Team container failed to arrive in Greece after a European shipping strike.
“The International Six Day Enduro is the Olympics of Off Road motorcycle racing,” Mr Balzarini said.
“It is fantastic that Wellard will support Australia’s best riders in the greatest Enduro event in the world.”
Background – Wellard
Wellard is a Perth-based company, which is largely involved in the rural and resources industries.
Its subsidiary, Wellard Rural Exports, is Australia’s largest livestock exporter. It has supplied quality Australian dairy and beef cattle, sheep and goats to the world for 30 years, using the largest and most modern fleet of vessels in the world.
Wellard Agri owns and operates seven large broadacre farming properties in Western Australia. Wellard Technologies provide technical solutions to some of the world’s largest mining companies.
The company has extensive involvement in Australian Enduro and Motocross racing, largely due to the passion for motorcycling, particularly Enduros, from Wellard Chairman Mauro Balzarini. Mr Balzarini is a former multi-Italian champion who has won international Enduro events and competed in five ISDE’s.
Wellard Yamaha Enduro Teams have successfully contested the last two ISDE’s in Chile and Greece at Club level, all the while supporting young Western Australian riders competing in the event.
While not limiting their support of the sport, Wellard Yamaha’s Junior Motocross team currently boasts a national champion as well as four State title holders. In 2008 and again in 2009 Wellard has also been the major sponsor of the powerful Ballard’s Yamaha Team as it competes in the Australian Off Road Championships.
For more information about the company visit: www.wellardgroup.com.au.
For more information about the Wellard Yamaha ISDE 2008 Team visit the team’s e-garage at www.wellardgroup.com.au/isde2008.
28 April
AWED achieves at A4DE
Australian Women's Enduro Development (AWED) riders produced strong performances at the 2009 Hog's Breath Café Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) in Orange, NSW last weekend.
Among the largest women’s field ever - and riding for a place on the first Australian Women’s Enduro Team to contest the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) later this year - AWED claimed two positions on the podium, and all four riders displayed excellent enduro skills during the event.
Australia's Queen of Off Road, Alison Parker, triumphantly defended her Australian Enduro Championships of the last two years, completing her 8th A4DE – all aboard Yamaha WR250Fs - by a convincing margin of nearly three minutes.
"This year's event was unique; the special tests became very rough, requiring physical endurance. I was certainly able to feel the benefits of months of training," stated Parker, who is favoured for a place on the Australian Team after her flawless record at the top of Women’s Enduro in Australia since 2002, and strong performances in two previous ISDEs.
AWED’s youngest rider, Jacqui Jones, rode exceptionally well to lead the final motocross test and eventually complete the A4DE in third place.
“My WR250F performed well all week. I’m really happy with my special test times, especially the way my Pirelli tyres gripped on the grass tracks,” recalled Jones.
Tyre changing guru and enduro stalwart, Jacqui Beattie, once again proved that no event is too tough, completing her third A4DE without losing trail time, despite the dry, rocky conditions.
“I’m so proud of all the female competitors, for getting through this race which, for many of them, was their first A4DE," she said at the conclusion of the event.
“We had young girls having their photos taken with us, which highlights the growing popularity of women in motorcycling.”
Western Australian motocross front-runner, Dimity Duke, found the experience very rewarding, despite the vastly different terrain to her home trails in southwest WA.
“The A4DE is such a huge event. I was relieved to be using Scott Desert Goggles for this race – it was very dusty out there," said Duke. “I’d like to thank Suspension Matters for the great handling of my bike over the rocky terrain."
AWED would like to thank Yamaha, Suspension Matters, Fox, Barkbusters, Scott, Unifilter, Pirelli, Whipp’s Alloy Products, Quick Access Computing, Nine Two Decals, Galvin Constructions and Jamie Mackay Photography for their fantastic support this year.
The next event for AWED will be rounds 3 and 4 of the Yamaha Australian Offroad Championships in Blayney, NSW on 16-17/5/09, which will be followed by an all-female coaching clinic in QLD in late May.
For coaching enquiries, please email awed@live.com.au
21 April
Jemma Wilson edges closer to Portugal with stellar A4DE finish
Leading female dirt bike racer, Jemma Wilson, has taken a huge step towards to realising her dream of racing for her country with a podium finish in the prestigious Hog’s Breath Cafe Australian 4-Day (A4DE) at Orange, NSW.
Wilson, from Darra (in Brisbane’s south) was the second fastest woman finisher in the grueling event, which wrapped up at the weekend.
The 19-year-old placed 2nd to highly decorated and reigning Women’s Champion, fellow Yamaha WR250F racer, Alison Parker.
Wilson said the A4DE was one of the main selection criterions for the new Women’s Team for the annual International Six Day’s Enduro (ISDE), this year to be held in Portugal in October.
“Alison and I both showed that we have what it takes to do a Six Day... finishing my fourth four-day with no major problems or anything gets me a bit closer to going to Portugal, which is really exciting,” Wilson said.
“Overall, the four-day went really well. I still had a few more crashes than I would have liked, I would have liked to be a little more consistent.
“I didn’t lose any trail time again, which was good. I think that as the tracks got rougher I fell further and further behind Alison because she’s stronger in that type of terrain.”
Wilson said she was “really happy” to have finished more than four-minutes ahead of the 3rd placed woman and only about 2.5-minutes behind Parker.
“It’s good to see that Alison and I are a bit more experienced and that that experience paid off,” Wilson said.
“I don’t think the event was very difficult. Day one was pretty cruisy, but then as they put more trail time in and as the dust got worse, it got harder, but overall it wasn’t too difficult.
“Now I’m going be putting in a lot of effort for my next race... I’m really hoping to win the next two Australian Off-Road Championship rounds next month.
“On the smoother tracks I think I have the speed to beat Alison, so I’m just going to put in a lot of effort between now and then and hopefully beat Alison.”
Jemma’s next competition will be the 3rd and 4th rounds of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) to be held at Blayney (NSW) on May 16th and 17th. To follow Jemma’s progress in the event go to www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au
Jemma Wilson is the number two female enduro racer in Australia and is current Queensland Women’s Enduro Champion.
Jemma aims to become the fastest female enduro racer in the country and compete for Australia at this year’s ISDE in Portugal.
Jemma also manages to fit study and work into her racing and training schedule, she is currently working as a law clerk and studying Law at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Jemma would like to thank her sponsors: QUEENSLAND YAMAHA OFF-ROAD TEAM, CABOOLTURE MOTORCYCLES, RAMPANT CLOTHING (http://www.rampantriders.com/), YAMALUBE, MPE SUSPENSION, FOX and McINNES WILSON LAWYERS.
2009 A4DE Women’s Championship Class Top-10
1. Alison Parker Yamaha
2. Jemma Wilson Yamaha
3. Jacqui Jones Yamaha
4. Kristi Gillespie KTM
5. Lana Stiller Yamaha
6. Jacqaline Beattie Yamaha
7. Tanya Hearn
8. Dimity-Lee Duke Yamaha
9. Christy Ferguson Yamaha
10. Kim Jones (DNF)
19 April
Jarrod Bewley wins 2009 Australian 4-Day Enduro
Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha racer Jarrod Bewley has taken the Outright win of this year’s Hog’s Breath Cafe Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) in what has been one of the closest battles in the 31-year history of the event.
Bewley, 22, from Sydney, went into today’s Jayco Final Motocross Event at Orange, NSW, 22-seconds ahead of MSC Kawasaki’s Toby Price.
Price, 21, from Singleton (NSW) got a good start in the day’s premier race - the main heat for Championship Class 4 - in which Bewley and all five of the top runners were in.
Price got a good start in the six-lap moto and charged up to 2nd, nearly hunting down the leader, Peter Boyle (Honda).
Bewley was further back off the start and managed to get up into 3rd - Price’s ride in the final motocross today closed the gap between him and Bewley, with Bewley winning Outright and Class 4 by 9-seconds.
“Words can’t explain how I feel. I’m all teary and it just shows that all the hard work pays off,” Bewley said.
“From here we’ve got the Australian Off-Road Championship and the [International Six Days Enduro] and I really want to make a stand in that and be overseas one day, this is only the start of it."
Price was “overjoyed” to finish a close 2nd Outright in his first ever A4DE.
Third Outright and in the premier Class 4 was up for grabs today between last year’s A4DE winner, Chris Hollis (Husqvarna) and top-contender Anthony ‘AJ’ Roberts, with Roberts finishing Day 3 a mere .146-seconds ahead of Hollis.
Despite a crash, Hollis managed to fend Roberts off to take the 3rd podium spot.
Fourth Outright went to Honda’s Peter Boyle, who’s solid final moto pulled him up two Outright spots, with Roberts 0.5 of a second behind (5th Outright).
Racing was just as close in most of the other classes.
Bewley’s teammate, ‘King’ Kirk Hutton wrapped up the win in Championship Class 3 (250cc 4-Stroke) by 7.7-seconds over Kawasaki young gun Josh Green after a nail biting final moto.
Hutton was the first non-450cc rider to finish in the top-10 Outright, claiming 6th, followed by Green (7th).
Queenslanders Grant Siebenhausen (Yamaha) and Nathan Castle (KTM) had the scorers scratching their heads today - the pair were neck and neck all event and finished one-two in the final motocross - Siebenhausen had a 2-second lead going into today and finished the moto 0.6 of a second behind Castle.
New Zealander Rory Mead looked as if he might have lost his Aussie Class 2 (220cc to 250cc 2-Stroke) title in the final moto today - fellow Kiwi Jason Davis had a blinder and Mead’s bike only just made it across the finish line due to engine trouble.
Mead had a 50-second lead going into today - he ended up limping past the checkered flag and winning by 20-seconds over Davis and another Kiwi, Karl Power.
In the big-bore (Championship Class 5) only 6.5-seconds separated Husqvarna’s Jehi Willis and KTM’s Brad ‘Wonka’ Williscroft going into their heat this afternoon.
Willis put in a strong ride and ended up winning the title by 5-seconds. Geoff Braico who finished 3rd in the class, won the moto.
Yamaha racers easily wrapped up the Championship Veteran’s, Master’s and Women’s today, with Alison Parker taking the Women’s crown, Orange’s own Stuart Bennett the fastest Veteran and Geoff Ballard smoking the Masters by more than 10-minutes.
In the Junior Trophy Team stakes, Queensland were the winners.
And the fastest of the Senior Trophy Team’s was Victoria.
The fastest Club Team was the Southside Time Bandits (Alison Parker, Jemma Wilson and Nathan Castle).
And the KTM Motorex Off-Road Team won the Trade Team division.
For full A4DE results, pics and video go to: www.a4de.com
The next event on the off-road racing calendar is the third and 4th rounds of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) down the road from Orange at Blayney, NSW, on May 16 and 17. For info or to enter go to www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au
2009 Hog’s Breath Cafe A4DE Outright Top-10
1. Jarrod Bewley
2. Toby Price
3. Chris Hollis
4. Peter Boyle
5. AJ Roberts
6. Kirk Hutton
7. Josh Green
8. Ben Grabham
9. Blake Hore
10. Jehi Willis
26 March
AWED successful in separate state Enduro eventsAustralian Women's Enduro Development (AWED) riders displayed exceptional stamina and perseverance on board their Yamaha WR250Fs in both the QLD and NSW Enduro Championships on the weekend.
AWED young gun Jacqui Jones, competing in her first state enduro events, performed strongly to win Rounds One and Two of the NSW Enduro Championships at the Watagans trails north of Sydney; in a race where she was the only female finisher in Round One.
"The course entailed two unrelenting loops littered with bulldust, rocks and ruts,” said Jones.
“There was no break from it and the conditions really wore me down; but I felt determined and motivated to finish because it was great training for next month’s Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE), and the International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) later in the year".
Meanwhile, north of the border, another Jacqui was battling the largest women’s class ever to compete in a QLD Enduro, finishing second in the rocky and gruelling QLD Enduro Championship in Goomburra.
2008 QLD Women’s Enduro Champion, Jacqui Beattie, showed her strength and endurance, recalling afterwards that she “felt the motivation to push on in spite of the harsh terrain, as it was a great training opportunity for the A4DE".
AWED’s remaining riders, Alison Parker and Dimity Duke, spent the weekend training for next month’s A4DE, to be held in Orange, NSW on 16-19th April.
AWED thanks Yamaha, Suspension Matters, Fox, Barkbusters, Scott, Unifilter and Nine Two Decals for their ongoing support.
Photos: Jacqui Jones log jump by Jamie McKay; Jacqui Beattie rocks by Jamie McKay.
Ends.
Record number of locals to gun for A4DE victory
More riders than ever from the host town and those surrounding will line three weeks from today to contest the annual Hog’s Breath Cafe Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE).
A4DE Organisers, Phil Sargent (of Dirt Bike Promotions) and Lyndon Heffernan (of Detour Events) said, since they started running the event in 2005, they had never seen so many local riders entered to compete.
“It’s fantastic to see so many dirt bike riders from the Central West get behind the A4DE, I guess it goes to show how popular the sport is in this area,” Sargent said.
“I grew up here [in Orange], my family has been based here for over 30 years.
“We’re really happy we could bring an event of this magnitude home to Orange and we’re working hard to make sure it’s a hit for local riders and spectators and those visiting from across Australasia.
“It will be great for spectators and I encourage everyone to come out, meet the riders and witness all the action - spectator info is available from the official event website: www.a4de.com.”
Sargent said the A4DE was one of the most prestigious and biggest races of its kind on the planet.
“The A4DE attracts some of the world’s fastest riders and contributes more than $1.5 million to the Australian economy,” Sargent said.
“That’s why we were so happy we could bring it home, to let everyone from the Central West experience such a big event.”
Sargent said spectators would be in for a real treat this year, with four-time World Enduro Champion Stefan Merriman set to go head-to-head with reigning A4DE Outright champion, Chris Hollis (from Port Macquarie).
Sargent said Orange would also have riders aiming for Australian titles with several Orange competitors entered so far to race (entries close April 1, to enter go to www.a4de.com).
Staurt Bennett (Orange) will be looking to defend his Australian Veteran’s title and said he was looking forward to “what should be a good event”.
“It will be a good thing for me being in the local area,” Bennett said. “The main fuel control is about five-minutes down the road from my house, I could walk there.
“I ride all the time right near where the course will go, so it should be good.
“I want to win the Championship again this year, the competition will be tough - when you expect there’s no one there’s always someone.”
Bathurst could be set for Class, even Outright glory with the Grabham brothers, Ben and Damien, ready to compete.
Ben Grabham is one of Australia’s top racers and is tipped as one to watch for this year’s Outright crown.
Dubbo and Young also have several riders eagerly awaiting the drop of the A4DE flag on April 16th.
The A4DE consists of four days of grueling trail and six special test phases a day, equaling a total of about 30 hours and more than 1000kms on the machine. Riders must also complete a final motocross on day four.
The event boasts classes for any senior rider male or female from clubman to pro.
‘Parc Ferme’ (the staging area for riders and crews) will be located at Orange’s Warratah Sport’s Oval.
The Jayco Final Motocross for the event will be held on Sunday, April 19th, at the Australian National Field Day Site - Borenore.
For more information visit the official A4DE website: www.a4de.com
9 March
AWED’s perfect start to Australian championship
Yamaha-backed Australian Women’s Enduro Development (AWED) riders kicked off the year with strong performances in the opening two rounds of the 2009 Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships (AORC) in the NSW coastal town of Port Macquarie on the weekend.
Alison Parker Defending champion, Alison Parker, made the perfect start to the year by winning the Championship Women’s class on both days.
Round One, a two hour cross country, was a tough race where the women competed amongst a field of 83 Clubman and Championship Masters riders.
“The cross country was amazing, there were riders everywhere. Dirt Bike Promotions made a great track which provided many passing opportunities, enabling all riders the chance to ride their own race,” Parker said, after her two minute win to Yamaha QLD rider, Jemma Wilson.
Round Two proved to be a close battle in the sprint format, where Parker completed six heats just 1.3 seconds ahead of Wilson.
“Today was closer than I am used to. Jemma really kept me on my toes. I am glad I was able to hold onto the win, and I look forward to some great racing this year,” confessed Parker.
AWED young gun and Port Macquarie local, Jacqui Jones, asserted herself as a title contender by finishing third on both days.
“The racing this weekend was brilliant. We had a lot of rain in recent weeks, making conditions perfect. This is the first year that I will be competing in the entire series, and I am very pleased with riding my WR250F to two podium finishes,” stated Jones.
Enduro specialist and AWED team manager, Jacqui Beattie, showed her stamina and consistency by finishing fourth in Saturday’s cross country, and rounding out the top five on Sunday.
“It was fantastic to see so many female riders this weekend. We were one of the largest classes here. I hope we see similar numbers at each of the AORC rounds, as well as the Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) next month,” Beattie said.
AORC first-timer, Western Australian Dimity Duke, achieved her goals by finishing the weekend with 6th and 7th places.
AWED would like to thank Yamaha, Suspension Matters, Fox, Barkbusters, Scott, Unifilter and Nine Two Decals for their support.
AWED coaches are holding a women-only riding school on Saturday 14th March at Motocross Mountain in QLD. Please direct enquiries to awed@live.com.au.
The next race for AWED will be the A4DE in Orange, NSW, on 16-19th April 2009.
8 march
Merriman makes it a double with second AORC win
Stefan Merriman Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha racer Stefan Merriman won a heated battle today with defending Yamaha Australian Off-Road (AORC) Champion, Chris Hollis, to take the Outright victory of the championship’s second round at Wauchope (near Port Macquarie, NSW).
Merriman, who also won round one yesterday, finished the day 7-seconds ahead of Husqvarna-pilot Hollis after the eight ‘sprint’ laps.
“I’m really happy. It was a great result for my first race back here in Australia,” Merriman said.
“The guys are really fast, I expected that Chris would be really fast on his home track and he really had me right to the last test.”
Merriman now leads the point’s race for Championship Outright and the Championship E2 class.
Third Outright today went to young-gun Toby Price (MSC Kawasaki) who has a motocross and Supercross background and only joined the AORC regular rider line-up this season.
Merriman’s teammate and number three AORC plate holder, Jarrod Bewley, finished the day 4th Outright.
Defending number two plate holder, AJ Roberts (GHR Honda), crossed the finish line 5th Outright today.
KTM’s Ben Grabham (who was 2nd Outright in round one), Grabham’s teammate Ben Kearney, fellow KTM racer Geoff Braico, Yamaha E1 contender Kirk Hutton and Kawasaki E1 racer Josh Green rounded out today;s top-10 Outright.
Kearney wrapped up the Yamaha Championship E1 Class today by about two-seconds over Hutton. Hutton and Kearney are now tied for championship point’s in the class with a win and a 2nd each.
Geoff Braico extended his lead in Yamaha Championship E3, repeating his class win from yesterday.
Chris Hollis In the remaining Championship divisions, reigning Women’s Champion Alison Parker won today by 1.4-seconds over fellow Yamaha racer, Jemma Wilson.
Geoff Ballard again won the Championship Masters and Stuart Bennett was the fastest rider in Championship Veterans.
In Experts, Jesse Jenkins won Expert E1 and Daniel Milner won Expert E2/E3 (Milner also wrapped up Expert Outright).
Clubman Outright was taken out by Dylan Rose, while Clubman Veterans was won by Queensland’s Wayne Winston.
And Ben Burrell (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha Team) was again the fastest Junior, winning Junior Lites and Junior Outright ahead of fellow Yamaha racer Tom McCormack despite suffering a flat tyre in the final lap of the day.
Full AORC results, pics and video can be found at www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au (championship point’s standings to be loaded Monday, March 9th).
The 2009 AORC is a 10-round series held over five weekends, with one round on Saturday in a cross-country format (class mass start, championship classes race for two hours flat out) and one round on Sunday in sprint format (several laps of the bush/motocross track racing against the clock).
Rounds three and four of the AORC will be held at Hobby’s Yards (near Blayney, NSW) on May 16 and 17. Rounds five and six: Murray Bridge (SA) on June 27 and 28. Rounds seven and eight: QLD on August 15 and 16. Rounds nine and 10: Young (NSW) on September 12 and 13.
Yamaha AORC Rnd 2, Outright Top-10
1. Stefan Merriman E2 YAMAHA
2. Chris Hollis E2 HUSQVARNA
3. Toby Price E2 KAWASAKI
4. Jarrod Bewley E2 YAMAHA
5. AJ Roberts E2 HONDA
6. Ben Grabham E2 KTM
7. Ben Kearney E1 KTM
8. Geoff Braico E3 KTM
9. Kirk Hutton E1 YAMAHA
10. Josh Green E1 KAWASAKI
5 march
Orange A4DE takes shape
Organisers of this year’s Hog’s Breath Cafe Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE), to be held at Orange (NSW) from April 16th to 19th, have said the event is “right on track” and shaping up to be an “interesting one”.
The A4DE is a national championship race and one of the biggest and most prestigious enduro motorcycle events in the world.
It attracts Australasia’s fastest riders as well as some of the best from around the globe, and contributes millions of dollars to the Australian economy.
Spectators will be in for a real treat this year, with four-time World Enduro Champion, Stefan Merriman, set to go up against last year’s A4DE Outright winner, Chris Hollis.
Spots in the event are filling up fast. Early bird entries close March 10th, with final entries closing April 1st. Entries will be capped at 350 riders. To enter visit www.a4de.com
Organisers, Phil Sargent (Dirt Bike Promotions) and Lyndon Heffernan (Detour Events) said plans for the A4DE were “coming along really well”.
“It’s going to be interesting four-day... we looked at bringing some of the old school back into it and also keep it rider friendly and ride-able for the majority of the field,” Sargent said.
“We’ve made some changes this year, including ‘seating’ the riders, which means the top riders will start in order of finish from last year’s A4DE.
“This means the fastest riders will all be together at the front of the pack, making it easier for spectators and fairer for riders as they are also vying for Outright, as well as Class honours.
“The course will head north of Orange and will run on a mixture of private property and forestry land.
“Orange the area is known to be a bit rocky, a challenging ride... we will be using some forestry roads, but they won’t be boring as most of them are too tight to even drive a four-wheel-drive down.
“We’ll have some virgin single track and a lot of slow, second and third gear riding in pretty rocky conditions... these virgin tracks will be a challenge for the front-runners on Day 1 as they’ll have to loo