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04
2022

Jonte ‘Reyns’ On Wilksch’s Parade 

By Motorcycling Australia 0

And that’s a wrap on Round 4 of the 2022 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC), here in Mackay, Queensland. Our riders were thrown every challenge today, from rainfall to greasy tracks. Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team)cooked the competition to take out his fourth E1 class win and the fastest time for the day. Jonte Reynders was hot on Bacon’s heels by just over a second, claiming the E3 win.

Our Seniors tackled two tests today, a familiar but super technical WR450F track, as well as the MXstore track where they averaged a high-speed five-minute turnaround. The Juniors took on the Offroad Advantage track for Round 4, where they were presented with five test laps that offered both tight, technical turns and high speeds.

E1
It’s safe to say that Bacon is comfortably at home as the E1 leader for 2022. With a total time of 51:13.540, the Yamaha boarded gun seemed totally at home on the slick and tricky test tracks. GasGas’s Korey McMahon jumped up the leader board today to claim second place, with a total time of 52:51.132.

Rounding out the E1 Round 4 podium was Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM Australia), with a total time of 53:50.825. Bacon’s teammate Blake Hollis dropped to fourth place, with a total time of 54:05.265. Even Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) struggled with today’s tough conditions, dropping down to 8th place.

2022 AORC Round 4 E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 51:13.540
  2. Korey McMahon (GasGas Australia, Suttos Powersports) 52:51.132
  3. Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM Australia) 53:50.825
  4. Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 54:05.265
  5. Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport, Gol Gol Hotel) 55:41.104

E2
Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team has had a very positive weekend here in Mackay, as Joshua Green and Michael Driscoll took out first and second place today in E2! Green took out the gold with a total time of 52:09.815, with Driscoll hot on his heels, taking out silver with a total time of 52:29.422.

Bronze was clinched by Husqvarna’s Todd Waters, who was mere seconds behind Driscoll with a total time of 52:35.233. Beta’s Higlett struggled today under the slippery conditions, settling for fourth place again.

2022 AORC Round 4 E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 52:09.815
  2. Michael Driscoll (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 52:29.422
  3. Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 52:35.233
  4. Fraser Higlett (Beta) 55:10.998
  5. Caleb Ward (Portas Bikes and Power) 56:00.543

E3
E3 was where a lot of the action could be found today, as Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna), Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) and Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) tangoed for top spot. After some bad luck yesterday, Reynders came out with a point to prove and boy did he! Reynders claimed a well-deserved first place today, with an impressive time of 51:14.829.

Wilksch started off with some challenges but fought tooth and nail to score second place, finishing four laps with a total time of 52:06.651. Granquist comfortably claimed the third and final podium spot in E3, ahead of the competition by nearly five minutes, with a total time of 53:20.528.

“My day went really well,” explained Reynders.

“I finally stopped making mistakes and rode like I know I should, so I came out with the win in E3! I’m absolutely stoked with the result.

“The conditions out there and last night’s rain made it quite tricky. My 300 was comfortable out there but I basically went into cruise control because it so easy to make a mistake. In the end, I just worked to keep focused and avoid mistakes.”

2022 AORC Round 4 E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) 51:14.829
  2. Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 52:06.651
  3. Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 53:20.528
  4. Ashley Norman 58:18.084
  5. Luke Bunnik (Sherco Australia, Limestone Coast Motorcycles) 58:28.520

EJ
Following in E3’s footsteps, the action continued in EJ throughout Round 4. After four laps across two tests though, it was William Dennett (Yamaha Australia) who scored first place! Marking Dennett’s first gold in EJ, his closed off Round 4 with a total time of 54:58.953.

True to form, Kobi Wolff was hot on Dennett’s heels all day, riding into second place with a total time of 55:21.854. The final spot in EJ today was won by Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team), with a total time of 55:23.749. With nearly two seconds separating him from second, it was clear as day that Hargy is back on track after an earlier injury.

Round 3 victor, Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) dropped down to fourth place today, demonstrating how challenging the conditions were for all riders BUT also how fierce the competition is in EJ!

“My day was good,” confirmed Dennett.

“I made up my time in the first three tests and keep consistent to get the result I wanted. The conditions were very slippery so you just had to take your time, stay centred. In the end we got through it!

“The competition is super fierce in EJ, we were all within roughly 10 seconds of each other at the end of the day.”

2022 AORC Round 4 EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. William Dennett (Yamaha Australia) 54:58.953
  2. Kobi Wolff 55:21.854
  3. Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 55:23.749
  4. Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 55:27.041
  5. Luke Chellas (Northbound Driver Training) 56:49.005

EW
Round 4 marked Jessica Gardiner’s (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 100th AORC race start and she definitely delivered a result to match it! Clocking in with a total time of 1:03:34.931, Gardiner maintained a solid lead ahead of the EW competition, claiming a well-earnt first place.

KTM’s Emelie Karlsson took about second place today with a total time of 1:05:55.090. With her strong results regardless of today’s tough conditions, it looks like her earlier troubles in Round 3 have been left in the mud.

Ebony Nielson claimed third place today with a total time of 1:17:47.272.

2022 AORC Round 4 EW Top 4 Provisional Results:

  1. Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:03:34.931
  2. Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:05:55.090
  3. Ebony Nielsen 1:17.47.272
  4. Charlotte Gamble 1:49:39.674

EM (Masters)
The tango in EM today was exciting to watch, as Peter Rudd (Kessner Motorcycles, Husqvarna) and John Baker battled it out for first place. After four laps across the WR450F and MXstore tracks though, Rudd came out victorious. With a difference of nearly three seconds, Rudd clinched the coveted top spot with a total time of 1:05:16.367.

Baker settled for second with a total time of 1:05:18.986 ahead of Ian Jenner, who took out the final podium spot with a total time of 1:07:14.653.

2022 AORC Round 4 EM Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Peter Rudd (Kessner Motorcycles, Husqvarna) 1:05:16.367
  2. John Baker 1:05:18.986
  3. Ian Jenner 1:07:14.653
  4. Craig Treasure 1:09:36.698
  5. Trent Brown 1:09:38.361

EV (Veterans)
Results were overall very consistent in EV today, with Christopher Thomas (Thomas Lee KTM) taking home another class win! Thomas finished today with a total time of 59:58.485. Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) jumped up to second place for Round 4, finishing four laps with a total time of 1:01:12.880.

Rounding out the EV Round 4 podium was Jason Dwyer (Northern Performance), with a total time of 1:02:40.067.

2022 AORC Round 4 EV Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Christopher Thomas (Thomas Lee KTM) 59:58.485
  2. Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 1:01:12.880
  3. Jason Dwyer (Northern Performance) 1:02:40.067
  4. Ian O’Brien (O’Brien Plumbing) 1:07:04.417
  5. Daniel Kent (Tyre Evolution, Futuresport Motorcycles) 1:08:38.542

2T (2 Stroke Cup)
Kane Hall has had a very lovely time up here in Mackay, as he goes home with two 2T class wins! With a total time of 54:40.171, Hall smashed the competition.

The 2T podium was completed today by Jaymie Warr and Daniel Kelly, who clocked in times of 1:03:22.577 and 1:05:43.196 respectively.

2022 AORC Round 4 2T Top 4 Provisional Results:

  1. Kane Hall 54:40.171
  2. Jaymie Warr 1:03:22.577
  3. Daniel Kelly 1:05:43.196
  4. Tom Poole 1:10:48.925

J4
Juniors had their work cut out for them today across the Offroad Advantage test track. In J4, Jett Yarnold rode like a demon behind the handlebars, transforming yesterday’s lacklustre result into a first place win today!

With a total time of 51:00:408, Yarnold was over one minute ahead of second place, which was won by Round 3 victor, Davey Gear with a total time of 52:29.730. Bronze was clinched by Tate Young, who finished today’s racing with a total time of 53:53.581.

2022 AORC Round 4 J4 Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Jett Yarnold (Supermoto New England, Yamaha Australia) 51:00:408
  2. Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte) 52:29.730
  3. Tate Young (Norwood Ag Solutions, Vie Financial) 53:53.581
  4. Joshua Coates (TDub Garage) 56:01.431
  5. Eli Tripcony 56:09.870

J3
The top five looked very familiar today, as they each made an appearance in Round 3. Charlie Connolly dominated today and after five laps boosted himself up from yesterday’s fifth place spot to first! With a total time of 54:00.776, Connolly finished ahead of Lachlan Metcalf (Simford Motorsports Group, SS Citrus) who accepted second with a total time of 54:11.184.

Ollie Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Newcastle) took out third place today with a total time of 54:13.888. Levi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) dropped down to fourth place, with a total time of 54:16.599.

2022 AORC Round 4 J3 Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Charlie Connolly 54:00.776
  2. Lachlan Metcalf (Simford Motorsports Group, SS Citrus) 54:11.184
  3. Ollie Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Newcastle) 54:13.888
  4. Levi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 54:16.599
  5. Dylan McDonald (Yamaha Frank Spice Parkes) 56:13.537

J2
Once again, Marcus Nowland took the Mackay weather in his stride to claim another J2 class win. With a total time of 56:46.522, Nowland finished well ahead of the pack to accept gold.

Rounding out the J2 podium for Round 4 was Mason Phillips and Jesse Ryan (Guts Racing Aus, Tunetech Suspension), who clocked in times of 57:51.604 and 58:01.852 respectively.

2022 AORC Round 4 J2 Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Marcus Nowland 56:46.522
  2. Mason Phillips 57:51.604
  3. Jesse Ryan (Guts Racing Aus, Tunetech Suspension) 58:01.852
  4. Lachlan Roche (Simford Groups Motorsport) 59:50.077
  5. Oscar Harris 1:00:24.488

J1
The little pocket rocket that is Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia) won himself another consecutive class win today in J1, finishing five laps with a total time of 59:46.167.

Falling into second and third behind Hutton was Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) and Drake Hutton (Belle Property Samford Racing), who crossed the finish line this afternoon with total times of 1:03:23.424 and 1:04:22.493 respectively.

2022 AORC Round 4 J1 Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia) 59:46.167
  2. Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) 1:03:23.424
  3. Drake Hutton (Belle Property Samford Racing) 1:04:22.493
  4. Phoenix O’Brien (Inix Group, Montdami Construction) 1:06:35.192
  5. Noah Mickelborough 1:11:17.907

JG
You just can’t seem to beat Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in JG this season! She’s kicking off 2022 in style, raking in another class win today with a total time of 54:10.293.

After five tough laps out on the Offroad Advantage track, Madi Simpson claimed a consecutive second place spot with a total time of 59:06.747. Last but certainly not least was Fynleh Duncombe (Team Moto Yamaha Sunshine Coast), who finished Round 4 with a total time of 1:07:04.695.

2022 AORC Round 4 JG Top 5 Provisional Results:

  1. Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 54:10.293
  2. Madi Simpson 59:06.747
  3. Fynleh Duncombe (Team Moto Yamaha Sunshine Coast) 1:07:04.695
  4. Bella Burke (Future Sport Motorcycles, Keymasters Locksmiths) 1:07:13.399
  5. Jade Chellas (Northbound Driver Training) 1:07:14.577

JJ
Over in JJ, Cooper Clarke jumped up from second to first with a total time of 1:29:48.363! Hot on Clarke’s heels but conceding for second place, was Round 3 winner Clayton Walsh (Futuresport Motorcycles), who finished today with a total time of 1:30:22.066.

Rounding out the JJ podium was Alex Burow, who finished five laps with a total time of 1:47:44.267.

2022 AORC Round 4 JJ Top 4 Provisional Results:

  1. Cooper Clarke 1:29:48.363
  2. Clayton Walsh (Futuresport Motorcycles) 1:30:22.066
  3. Alex Burow (Airconditioning Queensland) 1:47:44.267
  4. Leo Tripcony 1:21:34.488 (+1 lap)

That’s it here in Mackay, Queensland! Next, the AORC field will head south to Kyogle, New South Wales for Rounds 5 & 6 from 16-17 July.

In the meantime, keep the party going by tuning in to SBS next Sunday 17 April at 1pm, to watch all the action from our opening weekend in Cherrabah, for Rounds 1 & 2!

Words by Caitlin Hynes. Images by Troy Pears.

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