Wilson, Grabham and Baker Start AORC 2018 in Winning Form

As the Women’s, Vets and Masters competed from the WR450F test gate, it would be Jemma Wilson, Ben Grabham and John Baker to come out on top for their respective classes in the season opener for the 2018 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC). The sprint format consisted of eight laps to determine the winners at Gympie, QLD.

Womens
Taking a phenomenal win for the Women’s Class was Jemma Wilson on her Yamaha. Wilson recorded a time of 1:02:57.912 and will be gunning for three Women’s titles in a row. The returning Jessica Gardiner of the Yamaha MX Store Ballard’s Off-Road Team rose to the occasion today. Gardiner posted an accumulated time of 1:04:36.432, a positive return after competing in France in 2017. Emelie Karlsson rode very well on her Yamaha to finish in third with a time of 1:04:47.957. The battle will likely go down to the wire between these three women at the end of the year.

Vets
The Veterans class is designed for over 35’s competitors and showcases several Enduro legends and champions. Ben Grabham on his Beta took a sensational win on Saturday. Grabham can be extremely proud of his time of 58:59.098. Richard Chibnall on the KTM finished in second with a time of 1:01:46.687. Jade Gartlan on his Gas Gas solidified his solid weekend with a third-place finish. Gartlan’s total time was a 1:01:49.012 after braving the WR450F track.

Masters
John Baker took the win for the Masters class. Baker took 1:03:33.811 to complete the sprint. In second was Geoff Ballard. Ballard’s time was a 1:03:43.808. Ian Jenner was the final podium placer with a time of 1:04:19.005. The win will be all up for grabs between these highly competitive Masters class competitors.

These riders will switch to the YZ 450 FX track that the Seniors rode in today’s races. It’s all setup for another fantastic battle tomorrow.

Provisional Results Womens
1. Jemma Wilson – 1:02:57.912
2. Jessica Gardiner – 1:04:36.432
3. Emelie Karlsson – 1:04:47.957
4. Sophie Coldicutt – 1:05:46.968
5. Tegan Hall – 1:07:03.179
6. Tamara Gray – 1:07:05.399
7. Ebony Nielsen – 1:08:21.123
8. Danielle Foot – 1:09:43.875
9. Emi Ruprecht – 1:01:53.035
10. Julie Denyer – 1:06:00.930

Provisional Results Vets
1. Ben Grabham – 58:59.098
2. Richard Chibnall – 1:01:46.687
3. Jade Gartlan – 1:01:49.012
4. Craig Wease – 1:03:45.402
5. Peter Rudd – 1:04:03.484
6. Steven Newman – 1:04:34.407
7. Michael Burgess – 1:05:22.677
8. Ryan Teggart – 1:05:26.153
9. Hugh Howarth – 1:05:55.857
10. Daniel Sawtell – 1:05:57.045

Provisional Results Masters
1. John Baker – 1:03:33.811
2. Geoff Ballard – 1:03:43.808
3. Ian Jenner – 1:04:19.005
4. Hamish Guy – 1:04:35.967
5. Michael Widdison – 1:05:17.117
6. Craig Treasure – 1:05:50.950
7. Gordon McQueen – 1:06:33.780
8. Rob Mystek – 1:06:45.357
9. Robert Day – 1:06:46.959
10. David Salt – 1:07:32.972