Gardiner Digs Deep
It wasn’t sunshine and rainbows here in Kingston SE, for Round 9 of the 2022 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC). Featuring Sprint racing across tight and technical tracks spanning 6-7 kilometres, today demonstrated exactly why our Enduro talent is internationally recognised.
Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) had a fantastic start to the weekend, notching in her 99th AORC podium with another EW first place podium finish! Andy Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) can also rest easy tonight, after earning the fastest overall time today of 1:01:33.620.
Our Seniors tackled the WR450F or MXstore test track today over seven laps, whilst our Juniors navigated the Offroad Advantage test for six laps. After a long, hard day on the bike, Kingston threw everything at the AORC paddock, with high winds and plenty of rainfall adding a tricky, greasy edge to every test.
E1
Streaky conditions but absolutely no streaky Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team), as the Yamaha boarded Tasmanian came out on top once again in E1. With a total time of 1:03:07.680, Bacon continues to protect his first place position in this class. Amongst the incredible spread of talent in E1, Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM Australia) and Korey McMahon (GasGas Australia, Suttos Powersports) fought fiercely all day to secure second and third place, respectively.
To make things more exciting, regardless of the relentless rain and strong winds, our E1 competition remained extremely tight all day. This just proves how just once slip up can ruin your chances of a podium spot and valuable points this close to the end of the season!
2022 AORC Round 9 E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:03:07.680
- Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM Australia) 1:04:11.698
- Korey McMahon (GasGas Australia, Suttos Powersports) 1:04:31.887
- Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:05:35.619
- Will Price 1:06:19.468
E2
Kingston SE has worked in Josh Green’s (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) favour this close to the end of the 2022 season, securing a strong lead ahead of Husqvarna’s Todd Waters. Waters is currently out of action due to injury, giving Green an extra lead whilst also opening up chances for the likes of Fraser Higlett (Beta) and Liam Mason.
Green finished Round 9 with the E2 class win, clocking in after seven tests with a total time of 1:02:57.730. Rounding out the podium today was Higlett and Riley Graham, with respective total times of 1:05:21.279 and 1:05:26.189.
2022 AORC Round 9 E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:02:57.730
- Fraser Higlett (Beta) 1:05:21.279
- Riley Graham 1:05:26.189
- Liam Mason 1:07:14.252
- Travis Silk 1:09:15.373
E3
Husqvarna’s Wilksch has continued his fantastic form into Kingston SE, finishing Round 9 with the E3 class win. Crossing the finish line with a total time of 1:01:33.620, Wilksch set a scorching pace early, earning him the fastest overall time for the day!
Behind Wilksch in second was Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) with a total time of 1:03:32.282. In third was Jye Dickson (KTM Offroad Racing Team), with a total time of 1:04:45.858. Dickson has hit the ground running in Enduro, after jumping the water from Motocross. Although well versed in high speed sprints, Dickson continues to demonstrate his flexibility across different disciplines.
2022 AORC Round 9 E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 1:01:33.620
- Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) 1:03:32.282
- Jye Dickson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:04:45.858
- Hayden Keeley 1:08:11.573
- Baylee Davies 1:08:28.480
EW
Gardiner couldn’t have celebrated her 99th AORC podium better than with a first place podium win for Round 9! Clocking in at 1:13:56.619, the Yamaha boarded rider seemed right at home in Kingston’s increasingly greasy test track.
Second place was won by KTM’s Emelie Karlsson, who has continued her success from the 2022 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) – where the Women’s Team won third place – here into Kingston SE. With a total time of 1:16:12.850, Karlsson comfortably secured the silver for Round 9.
After her underdog win back in Mendooran for Round 6, Taylor Thompson had a target on her back in EW for this weekend of racing. After seven laps and a tough, technical course though, Thompson finished a hard day of racing in third.
2022 AORC Round 9 EW Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:13:56.619
- Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:16:12.850
- Taylor Thompson 1:18:55.367
- Monique Simioni 1:25:04.240
- Emma Haylock 1:34:42.189
EJ
EJ was where the action was, with red hot times all day and a fierce battle for gold. Coming out victorious for Round 9 though was none other than the KTM boarded Riley McGillivray, with a total time of 1:06:00.819. Every Round of the 2022 season, McGillivray continues time and time again to prove his impressive skill set, marking the rider as one to watch closely.
Behind McGillivray in second, Will Dennett. The Yamaha boarded racer finished seven laps across the MXstore test with a total time of 1:06:06.081.
Rounding out the podium in EJ for Round 9 was Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team), with a total time of 1:06:52.634.
2022 AORC Round 9 EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 1:06:00.819
- William Dennett (Yamaha Australia) 1:06:06.081
- Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:06:52.634
- Kobi Wolff 1:08:06.348
- Lule Chellas 1:08:22.214
EM (Masters)
Over on the WR450F test track, Greene absolutely shook up the expected podium! Landing in first place and setting a strong lead by nearly three minutes, Greene well and truly earnt his gold.
Rounding out the EM Round 9 podium today was podium regular, Peter Rudd and Michael Widdison, with respective total times of 1:32:48.367 and 1:32:54.534.
2022 AORC Round 9 EM Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Anthony Greene 1:29:51.696
- Peter Rudd (Kessner Motorcycles, Husqvarna) 1:32:48.367
- Michael Widdison 1:32:54.534
- John Baker 1:34:34.417
- Peter Schaper 1:38:20.365
EV (Veterans)
Pumpa shook up the EV class rankings today, stealing away with the gold for Round 9. With a total time of 1:24:40.283, Pumpa showed no fear or apprehension as he pushed through the WR450F test track for seven laps.
Coming in second was the current Championship leader, Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) with a total time of 1:25:29.021. Behind Stephens in third today was Christopher Thomas (Thomas Lee KTM), with a total time of 1:27:13.224.
2022 AORC Round 9 EV Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Rowan Pumpa 1:24:40.283
- Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 1:25:29.021
- Christopher Thomas (Thomas Lee KTM) 1:27:13.224
- Leigh Bentley 1:29:36.782
- Alan Graham 1:33:17.003
J4
Kingston SE treated the pocket-rocket that is Jett Yarnold (Supermoto New England, Yamaha Australia), very nicely as he took out the J4 Round 9 class win. With a total time of 54:46.464 after six laps across the Offroad Advantage test, Yarnold built a formidable lead of just over one minute.
Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte) stole away second place from Eli Tripcony, with a total time of 56:00.232. Young conceded for third, clocking in a total time of 59:39.009.
2022 AORC Round 9 J4 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Jett Yarnold (Supermoto New England, Yamaha Australia) 54:46.464
- Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte) 56:00.232
- Eli Tripcony 59:39.009
- Tate Young (Norwood Ag Solutions, Vie Financial) 59:54.079
- Joshua Coates (TDub Garage) 1:02:42.958
JG
It’s Danielle McDonald’s (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) world, we’re just living in it! She has once again claimed an undisputed victory in JG, with a total time of 1:01:02.557. After six laps across the Offroad Advantage test, McDonald is inching very close to the 2022 Championship title!
Behind McDonald and rounding out the JG Round 9 podium was Madi Simpson and Jade Chellas, with respective total times of 1:08:01.977 and 1:14:30.183.
2022 AORC Round 9 JG Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:01:02.557
- Madi Simpson 1:08:01.977
- Jade Chellas (Northbound Driver Training) 1:14:30.183
- Audrey Moller 1:16:54.005
- Fynleh Duncombe (Team Moto Yamaha Sunshine Coast) 1:19:42.093
J3
In spite of the tough tracks and tricky weather, Ollie Gear had a very successful day of racing here in Kingston. Claiming the first place spot in J3 for Round 9, Gear clocked in an impressive total time of 57:16.604.
Behind Gear in second place today, was Levi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) who now has his work cut out for him in protecting his Championship lead sat at seven points before this weekend. Stephens finished today with a total time of 59:05.609.
The final podium spot was won by Will McInnes in J3, with a total time of 59:09.962.
2022 AORC Round 9 J3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Ollie Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Newcastle) 57:16.604
- Levi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 59:05.609
- Will McInnes 59:09.962
- Lachlan Metcalf (Simford Motorsports Group, SS Citrus) 59:11.505
- Jackson Versteegen 1:00:10.267
J2
Regardless of the rain, wind and highly technical Offroad Advantage test track, Mason Phillips had a fantastic day of racing! Claiming the Round 9 J2 class win, Phillips finished six laps with a total time of 1:02:45.845.
Stealing silver today was Jesse Ryan (Guts Racing Aus, Tunetech Suspension), with a total time of 1:03:15.477. Just behind Ryan in third place was Oscar Harris, with a total time of 1:03:32.045.
Current J2 Championship leader, Marcus Nowland didn’t have the day they hoped for, finishing in fourth place. All eyes will be on the J2 leader board to see how this weekend’s results impact it.
2022 AORC Round 9 J2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Mason Phillips 1:02:45.845
- Jesse Ryan (Guts Racing Aus, Tunetech Suspension) 1:03:15.477
- Oscar Harris 1:03:32.045
- Marcus Nowland 1:04:20.705
- Harry Gilbertson 1:05:36.098
J1
Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia) continues to smash the competition in J1, claiming another fantastic win here in Kingston for Round 9! The Offroad Advantage test track suited his skills nicely, finishing six laps with a total time of 39:41.896.
Rounding out the J1 podium for Round 9 was Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) and Nate Munro, with respective total times of 42:05.392 and 42:41.484.
2022 AORC Round 9 J1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia) 39:41.896
- Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) 42:05.392
- Nate Munro 42:41.484
- Phoenix O’Brien (Inix Group, Montdami Construction) 44:26.617
- Levi Rossi 45:13.473
JJ
Today was Hudson Wilson’s day, as they stole away first place in JJ with a total time of 55:53.458.
This class continues to prove how exciting the future of the sport looks, with talent that remains unfazed and contrastingly excited to tackle tough, technical tracks whilst being battered by rain and wind.
Behind Wilson in second place today was Austin Schulz with a total time of 55:55.858. Rounding out the podium in third was Tao Letton, with a total time of 56:15.318.
2022 AORC Round 9 JJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Hudson Wilson 55:53.458
- Austin Schulz 55:55.858
- Tao Letton 56:15.318
- Reid Haydon 1:03:22.804
- Frank Fatchen 1:05:46.620
We return tomorrow here in Kingston SE, bright and early, for Round 10 and a second day of Sprints. For further details on Round 10, please click here. Stay tuned to see how our world-class competitors tackle the final day of the penultimate weekend in the 2022 season!
Words by Caitlin Hynes. Image courtesy of Troy Pears.