2024

AORC round seven: tough and technical

If you were hoping for an easy weekend in Queensland, you came to the wrong place. Round seven of the 2024 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC) was, to put it simply, hard work as Queensland Moto Park (QMP) presented riders with a challenging mix of dusty conditions and technical tracks.

The victories were taken by Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) in E1, Daniel Milner (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) in E2, Jye Dickson (Beta Racing Australia) in E3, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in EW and Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Motor Australia, Yamalube) in EJ.

Fastest overall time was claimed by Milner with a 48:40.536.

To access provisional results for all classes, please click here.

He’s definitely found his feet! McMahon finished on the top step in E1 ahead of Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team) and Tom Buxton (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team).

“Today was awesome! I stayed on track and did what I needed to do! I’ve finally found my feet again,” McMahon said.

“I loved the conditions out there. We had a great mix, with an Enduro Cross test, Enduro test and a Cross test. It’s cool to see this in Australia.”

Holding the lead before QMP in E1, Bacon has had a less than ideal start to the weekend with early bike troubles before clawing his way back to second after 11 tests.

Buxton got the better of Will Price (Empire Motorsports Kawasaki Off Road Team) and Brock Nichols (Husqvarna) for the final podium spot.

2024 AORC Round 7 E1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 49:40.531
Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team) 50:03.163
Tom Buxton (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 51:08.643

True to form, Milner was untouchable in E2, winning by nearly 30 seconds.

“Round 7 has been brutal,” said Milner.

“The tracks were very dusty, rocky and a lot of jolty bumps. It was hard on the body. I will say though that the tests were cool! We had a bit of an extreme one that we’re not maybe used to in Australia. We also had a bit of a Motocross test and then an Enduro test out the back that was challenging.

“We did the best we could. I felt strong on the bike and managed to reduce my mistakes, which meant we came away with a strong win.”

Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) was second after a fantastic day, claiming a well-earned silver place thanks to a total time of 49:09.775.

Rounding out the E2 podium was Andy Wilksch (Beta Offroad Team).

2024 AORC Round 7 E2 Top 3 Provisional Results:

Daniel Milner (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 48:40.536
Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) 49:09.775
Andrew Wilksch (Beta Offroad Team) 50:05.316

All the action was in E3, as Beta’s Dickson tangoed with Billy Hargy (Simford Group Motorsport), Fraser Higlett (Beta) and Riley McGillivray (KTM Australia, Shepparton Motorcycles) for the top step. With a total time of 51:02.063, Dickson just managed to clinch the gold.

“Round seven was pretty good,” explained Dickson.

“The trails were brutal and the tests were challenging. It was all about staying consistent but I can definitely say that today kept me on my toes.”

Breathing hard down Dickson’s neck was Hargy, who clocked off just over four seconds behind Dickson.

Higlett was third, successfully managing to protect his spot on the podium from McGillivray by nearly 30 seconds.

2024 AORC Round 7 E3 Top 3 Provisional Results:

Jye Dickson (Beta Racing Australia) 51:02.063
Billy Hargy (Simford Group Motorsport) 51:06.756
Fraser Higlett (Beta) 51:30.091

McDonald continues to grow from strength to strength this season, claiming another first-place finish. With a total time of 56:05.153, the Yamaha racer managed to remain consistent and comfortable across the challenging conditions.

“My day went really well,” said McDonald.

“I struggled in the dust and the rocks. It was pretty tough out there but obviously I am really happy with my result. I had a great start to the day and didn’t make many mistakes, which helped!

“It was great to battle it out with Jess, we definitely kept each other on our toes. Tomorrow, I plan to just keep the bike upright, minimise mistakes and basically, just have fun!”

McDonald’s teammate Jess Gardiner was second, while bronze was taken by Emelie Karlsson (KTM) — the latter edging out Beta’s Ebony Nielsen by just one second!

2024 AORC Round 7 EW Top 3 Provisional Results:

Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 56:05.153
Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 57:29.372
Emelie Karlsson (KTM) 59:37.115

After a tough weekend back in Edenhope, Yarnold returned to the top step in round seven. With a total time of 51:41.227, the Yamaha racer undeniably blitzed his competition, clocking off with over a one-minute triumph.

“Round seven was good, with good test times all day,” explained Yarnold.

“The track was rough with heaps of bulldust and rocks. Add that to the great competition between me and the EJ boys, and it made for a good day.”

Riding into second place was Eli Tripcony (Motorex, Husqvarna), who jumps up the podium after his third-place finish back in Edenhope. Tripcony finished today with a total time of 53:10.988. Behind Tripcony in third place was Jackson Versteegen (Peter Stevens, Fox).

2024 AORC Round 7 EJ Top 3 Provisional Results: