Order’s Up For A Double Bacon Delight
You can never say no to a Bacon sandwich, can you? Mendooran put on an excellent show to close off the weekend for Round 6 of the 2022 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC), with Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) claiming a double E1 class win!
Following Bacon for the win was Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) in E2, Andy Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) in E3, Kodi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) in EJ, Taylor Thompson in EW, Kane Hall in 2T, Damian Smith in EM and Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) in EV.
Over in Juniors, the victors were Seth Burchell (Yamaha Junior Racing Team) in J4, Ollie Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Newcastle) in J3, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in JG, Marcus Nowland in J2, Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia) in J1 and Kye Kinsela (Kinsela Plant Repairs) in JJ.
E1
It may have gotten near the negatives in terms of degrees here in Mendooran but rest assured, it was blazing hot in terms of competition here in E1! Bacon won the day and yet, it was no walk in the park as he worked to keep the talent heavy competition at bay.
With a total time of 1:08:01.785, Bacon rode into first place ahead of Korey McMahon (GasGas Australia, Suttos Powersports). With nearly two seconds separating them, Round 6 became a battle of consistency and persistence as each vied for the top dog spot. Rounding out the podium was Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport, Gol Gol Hotel). With a total time of 1:08:19.355, Pretscherer clearly took their learnings from Round 5 and used it to their advantage, clocking up valuable leadership points.
2022 AORC Round 6 E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:08:01.785
- Korey McMahon (GasGas Australia, Suttos Powersports) 1:08:03.278
- Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport, Gol Gol Hotel) 1:08:19.355
- Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:08:27.695
- Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM Australia) 1:10:47.860
E2
It was another fantastic day for Waters but don’t let that win fool you into thinking it was easy. Shop Yamaha’s Josh Green well and truly put on the pressure for every single lap, breathing hot and heavy down Waters’ neck. After eight laps and about 128 kilometres though, Waters pushed ahead to win with a total time of 1:05:13.128.
Green conceded for second place, clocking in a total time of 1:06:14.410. The final podium spot sported extra drama as Jye Dickson (KTM Newcastle) and Sherco’s Callum Norton bobbed and weaved to clock up the best times. In the end though, Dickson came out on top to clinch third place, with a total time of 1:07:36.865.
2022 AORC Round 6 E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:05:13.128
- Josh Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:06:14.410
- Jye Dickson (KTM Newcastle) 1:07:36.865
- Travis Silk 1:11:31.781
- Fraser Higlett (Beta) 1:12:02.651
E3
There was no stopping Wilksch here in Mendooran, as he screamed across the Mudgee MX and WR450F tracks to claim another E3 win. With a total time of 1:08:15.871, Wilksch proved once again why he’s important to keep an eye on.
Sherco’s Jonte Reynders won a consecutive second place spot, thanks to his total time of 1:08:53.604. Luke Bunnik filled out the remaining podium spot today, with a total time of 1:13:24.309.
2022 AORC Round 6 E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Andy Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 1:08:15.871
- Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) 1:08:53.604
- Luke Bunnik 1:13:24.309
- Hayden Keeley (Hunter Valley Motorsports, Incite Graphics) 1:13:57.503
- Patrick McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, Tunetech Suspension) 1:17:18.414
EJ
Stephens has become one to set your sights on after this weekend! Claiming back-to-back EJ wins, the Gas Gas boarded rider was all business for each of their eight laps across the Mudgee MX and WR450F tracks. With a total time of 1:09:00.366, Stephens lead the charge by over one minute.
Behind Stephens in second place for Round 6 was Husqvarna’s Billy Hargy. After his third-place finish yesterday, Hargy came into Sunday’s racing with a point to prove – and he did just that. After eight laps, Hargy finished with a total time of 1:10:35.425.
The third and final podium spot was clinched by KTM’s Riley MCGillivray, who – like Hargy – used their learnings from Round 5 to push that extra bit today, and it paid off. McGillivray took home bronze with a total time of 1:11:04.717.
2022 AORC Round 6 EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Kodi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 1:09:00.366
- Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:10:35.425
- Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 1:11:04.717
- Luke Chellas (Northbound Driver Training) 1:11:07.032
- Campbell Hall (Halls Transport Repairs) 1:11:24.441
EW
Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) once again, had her work cut out for her. Round 6 quickly started showing red hot test times for non-other than yesterday’s fourth place holder, Taylor Thompson! After eight laps across the Mudgee MX and WR450F tracks, Thompson just couldn’t be beat, with a total time of 1:19:10.387.
Gardiner had a hard day ahead, falling into second place behind Thompson with a total of 1:22:09.403.
KTM’s Emelie Karlsson rode into third, with a total time of 1:24:01.148.
2022 AORC Round 6 EW Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Taylor Thompson 1:19:10.387
- Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:22:09.403
- Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:24:01.148
- Courtney Rubie 1:31:55.194
- Julie Denyer 1:46:50.154
2T
It was raining success for Hall here in Mendooran, as they took home another win in the 2 Stroke Cup! With a total time of 1:13:13.611, Hall finished ahead of Brad Hardaker (Banana Coast Pest Control) by over seven minutes. Yamaha’s Hardaker took home second place today after about 128 kilometres across the Mudgee MX and WR450F tracks, with a total time of 1:19:45.552.
2022 AORC Round 6 2T Top 2 Provisional Results:
- Kane Hall 1:13:13.611
- Brad Hardaker (Banana Coast Pest Control) 1:19:45.552
EM
It was Smith’s weekend, that’s for sure! Right from lap one, Smith absolutely dominated the EM field, creating a solid near nine-minute lead ahead of second place. With a total time of 1:05:48.244, Smith won first place for Round 6.
Jason Pearce moved on up to second today ahead of Peter Rudd (Kessner Motorcycles, Husqvarna), finishing seven laps and more than 56 kilometres, with a total time of 1:14:39.972. Rudd settled for third, with a total time of 1:16:25.553.
2022 AORC Round 6 EM Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Damian Smith 1:05:48.244
- Jason Pearce 1:14:39.972
- Peter Rudd (Kessner Motorcycles, Husqvarna) 1:16:25.553
- John Baker 1:16:40.988
- Ian Jenner 1:22:18.924
EV
If you were to look at them on the field, you’d see someone utterly unfazed by the intense competition in EV. Stephens embodies the vision of cool, calm and collected, demonstrated further by claiming another EV class win thanks to a total time of 1:06:18.984.
Behind Stephens in second was Jason Hackett, who moved on up from third place yesterday in Round 5. With a total time of 1:08:24.189, Hackett finished ahead of third place holder, Christopher Thomas.
Thomas crossed the finish line after seven laps, with a total time of 1:08:54.340.
2022 AORC Round 6 EV Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 1:06:18.984
- Jason Hackett 1:08:24.189
- Christopher Thomas 1:08:54.340
- Darren Lloyd 1:10:31.310
- Paul Chadwick 1:16:16.435
J4
Let me tell you, if there’s anyone to be this weekend, it was Burchell. Mendooran clearly offered the J4 racer ideal conditions for success, as he claimed a consecutive class win, thanks to a total time of 38:55.304.
The final podium spots were once again clinched by Davey Gear and Max Locock, with respective times of 39:48.973 and 41:47.441.
2022 AORC Round 6 J4 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Seth Burchell (Yamaha Junior Racing Team) 38:55.304
- Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte) 39:48.973
- Max Locock 41:47.441
- Eli Tripcony 43:04.605
- Glenn Brotherton 43:18.852
J3
The J3 podium was almost a mirrored reflection of Round 5, with Gear, Levi Stephens and Lachlan Metcalf stealing away first, second and third respectively. It was an actioned packed day of racing with mere seconds separating each podium member in each test.
After six laps and more than 36 kilometres across the MXstore track, Gear won the day with a total time of 40:54.214. Stephens stole away second place with a time of 41:08.626.
The final spot was won by Metcalf, with a total time of 41:32.196.
2022 AORC Round 6 J3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Ollie Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Newcastle) 40:54.214
- Levi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 41:08.626
- Lachlan Metcalf (Simford Motorsports Group, SS Citrus) 41:32.196
- Dylan McDonald (Yamaha Frank Spice Parkes) 42:12.630
- Riley Crimmins 42:40.701
J2
Round 6 shook up the J2 podium, with Nowland claiming a hard-fought win with a total time of 43:59.984. Yesterday’s victor, Kai Austin, conceded for second place, with a total time of 44:29.371.
The final podium spot was awarded to Oscar Phillips, with a total time of 44:30.503. That’s just about a second’s difference separating this young rider from silver!
2022 AORC Round 6 J2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Marcus Nowland 43:59.984
- Kai Austin 44:29.371
- Mason Phillips 44:30.503
- Oscar Harris 45:00.107
- Jesse Ryan (Guts Racing Aus, Tunetech Suspension) 45:02.412
J1
There was an exciting switch up in J1 today, with yesterday’s victor, Chase Weston, falling to third. Hutton came out victorious after six laps across the MXstore track, finishing with a total time of 47:18.097. Second place was won by Riley Delany, who worked extremely hard all day to protect his silver position. Delany and Weston finished Round 6 with respective times of 48:06.137 and 48:36.856.
2022 AORC Round 6 J1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia) 47:18.097
- Riley Delany (Tdub, PowerPlus race fuels) 48:06.137
- Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) 48:36.856
- Malakai Middleton (Mallee Lubricants, Swanhill Offroad) 49:50.185
- Clancy O’Connor 51:19.640
JG
Winner, winner, chicken dinner for the leading JG contender, McDonald! With a total time of 41:50.769, the Yamaha boarded rider clocked exceptional test times all day, creating an impressive lead ahead of the pack.
Madi Simpson and Mia Tongue once again claimed second and third place, with respective total times of 44:40.323 and 48:10.154.
2022 AORC Round 6 JG Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 41:50.769
- Madi Simpson (Toowoomba MPE) 44:40.323
- Mia Tongue 48:10.154
- Audrey Moller (ALLTAC) 50:35.264
- Jade Chellas (Northbound Driver Training) 50:48.948
JJ
Kinsela demonstrated fantastic racing prowess on track today, covering roughly 36 kilometres. Claiming first place with a total time of 56:43.934, Kinsela kept Jamie Madafiglio (Maluna Joinery) and Riley Akers at bay by about 30 seconds.
Akers had to settle for second place for Round 6, crossing the finish line with a total time of 57:13.652. The final podium spot was won by Madafiglio, with a total time of 57:24.507.
2022 AORC Round 5 JJ Top 6 Provisional Results:
- Kye Kinsela (Kinsela Plant Repairs) 56:43.934
- Riley Akers 57:13.652
- Jamie Madafiglio (Maluna Joinery) 57:24.507
- Cooper Clarke 58:30.291
- Zaidyn Meszaros 58:34.752
That’s a wrap here in Mendooran! For updates on the next Rounds of the 2022 season, please keep an eye on aorc.org.au or follow us on socials.
Words by Caitlin Hynes. Image courtesy of Troy Pears.
