Milner, Sanders & Styke kick off Dungog AORC in style

Dungog, New South Wales (NSW) put on the perfect show today for Round 3 of the 2019 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC). With a Dungog record breaking field and a world class line-up, today delivered nothing short of magic as our Seniors used the seemingly pristine conditions to their advantage.

Managing a full day of timecard Enduro, competitors were given the perfect canvas on which to produce their masterpiece, with recent rainfall helping tyres grip the soil as they blazed the trails.

Riders confronted two tests, the WR 450F Cross Test and the Off-Road Advantage Enduro Test, navigating each four times. The EJ class tackled the bLU cRU loop, completing 11 laps across the day.

Continuing their perfect streaks in Toowoomba, Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team) and Daniel “Chucky” Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) came out victorious in their respective E2 and E3 classes. Kyron Bacon (MX Store, KTM) in EJ and Luke Styke (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube) in E1, also finished today with the coveted top spot in their classes.

Junior riders navigated the bLU cRU loops tests a total of six times, with three efforts per test. Coming out on top for Round 3 was Billy Hargy, Riley McGillivray and Blake Hollis (Excite Motorsports, Yamaha) for their respective J2, J3 and J4 classes.

Tackling the WR 450F Cross Test and Off-Road Advantage Enduro Test, the AORC Masters, Veterans and Women’s blazed an impressive trail, accompanied by two supporting classes, the Vintage Cup and the 2 Stroke Cup. All tackled the two tests, undertaking four laps per test. Taking out first place in each respective class today was Kirk Hutton, Lee Stephens, Geoffrey Ballard, Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha MX Store Ballards Off-Road Team) and Geoff Braico.

E1 – AORC Round 3, Dungog

E1 was the class to watch today as riders bobbed and weaved with one another for prime podium real estate. After an exhibition of fantastic Enduro racing which once again proves why Australia remains dominant overseas in Off-Road racing, it was Styke who landed on top of E1 for Round 3 with a total time of 42:04.943.

Luke Styke – Image by John Pearson Media

Breathing hard down Styke’s neck though was fellow Active8 Yamaha Yamalube teammate Michael Driscoll, with a total time of 42:35.031. With such a small time separating first and second place, the support Driscoll received from the familiarity and comfort of his hometown evidently drove the message home as he careered around the tests like a demon behind the handlebars.

Rounding out the top three for Round 3 was Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Fraser Higlett with a total time of 42:39.572. After a quiet weekend back in Toowoomba, Higlett was clearly chomping at the bit to jump start his position on the leader board.

2019 AORC Round 3 E1 Top 10 Provisional Results

Luke STYKE 42:04.943
Michael DRISCOLL 42:35.031
Fraser HIGLETT 42:39.572
Lyndon SNODGRASS 42:52.364
Jonte REYNDERS 44:05.529
Lachlan ALLAN 46:22.486
Thomas JENNER 47:36.230
Alexander RUDLOFF 49:51.017
Jeremy FRANKLIN 52:33.421

E2 – AORC Round 3, Dungog

Maintaining his perfect 2018 season and winning streak up North in Toowoomba, Milner was nothing short of comfortable as he navigated the Off-Road Advantage Enduro Test and WR 450F Cross Test. With a total time of 40:57.420, Milner lead the charge ahead of Active8 Yamaha Yamalube’s Josh Green, by just over one minute.

Stealing away the remaining podium spot from his French counterpart was a familiar face returing Scott Keegan, with a total time of 43:20.579.

2019 AORC Round 3 E2 Top 10 Provisional Results

Daniel MILNER 40:57.420
Joshua GREEN 41:48.814
Scott KEEGAN 43:20.579
Jeremy CARPENTIER 43:30.164
Broc GRABHAM 43:32.914
Stefan GRANQUIST 43:59.160
Alexander BOLTON 44:16.325
Brad HARDAKER 44:47.648
Kaleb TREASURE 45:23.728
Harrison TEED 45:36.239

E3 – AORC Round 3, Dungog

Leaping into action from the opening minute, Sanders owned the E3 class today to produce a crystal clear lead by just under three minutes. A devil behind the smile, Sanders simply could not be beat as he launched himself onto another playing field to finish today with a total time of 41:09.640.

Daniel Sanders – Image by John Pearson Media

Coming in to take second place for Round 3 was Beau Ralston, who remained a steady force near the front of the pack throughout the course of the day. Finishing with a total time of 44:02.716, Ralston needs to sink his teeth into tomorrow’s timecard Enduro if he hopes of knocking Sanders off his perch.

Nabbing the final podium position for the day was Husqvarna mounted Jesse Lawton, who finished after Ralston by just over one minutes. With a total time today of 45:33.445, Lawton has proven that his a prime contender for the title this season.

2019 AORC Round 3 E3 Top 10 Provisional Results

Daniel SANDERS 41:09.640
Beau RALSTON 44:02.716
Jesse LAWTON 45:33.445
Matt MURRY 46:02.060
Timothy LONSDALE 48:46.117
Daniel WELSH 49:12.267
Nathan DELAWARE 51:20.502
Lachlan SMITH 51:47.874
Chris DARK 52:18.983
Liam FULLFORD 53:04.943

EJ – AORC Round 3, Dungog

Continuing his winning streak from Toowoomba, Bacon has dominated the EJ leader board today to take out first place. Leading the charge by just over 15 seconds, Dungog’s sublime conditions proved Bacon’s sheer skill and tenacity for his first year in EJ.

Kyron Bacon – Image by John Pearson Media

Coming in hot on Bacon’s heels was Joshua Brierley, with a total time of 1:03:47.912. With roughly 15 seconds separating Brierley from first place, we’re no doubt in for a show tomorrow as fights to taste that gold. Sitting in third ahead of fourth place by just over a minute was Korey McMahon, with a total time of 1:07:10.894.

2019 AORC Round 3 EJ Top 10 Provisional Results

Kyron BACON 1:03:32.667
Joshua BRIERLEY 1:03:47.912
Korey MCMAHON 1:07:10.894
Riley NANCARROW 1:08:08.863
Nathan HOWE 1:08:18.808
Cooper SHEIDOW 1:08:20.184
Mathew PYE 1:09:16.819
Jackson PANETTA 1:11:59.376
Raife DOOLEY 1:12:21.505
Thomas TEED 1:12:29.422

J4 – AORC Round 3, Dungog

Continuing his fantastic streak from Toowoomba, Hollis came out victorious for Round 3 in the J4 class. As he navigated the bLU cRU loop for the Cross and Enduro tests, Hollis remained dominant throughout the day to take out first place, with a total time of 36:29.379.

Blake Hollis – Image by John Pearson Media

Mackenzie Johnson and Oscar Collins filled out the remaining podium positions today for J4, delivering a fantastic show as they tangoed with one another for the best time of the day. Johnson and Collins finished in second and third respectively, with total times of 38:12.209 and 39:27.318.

2019 AORC Round 3 J4 Provisional Results

Blake HOLLIS (Excite Motorsports, Yamaha) 36:29.379
Mackenzie JOHNSON 38:12.209
Oscar COLLINS 39:27.318
Cody CHITTICK 39:33.392
Kobe CONLEY 39:48.993
Charlie MILTON 39:53.483
Zac PERRY 40:03.818
Harrison FOSTER 40:28.334
Jack LYDFORD 40:44.430
Jay SIMISTER 40:56.931

J3 – AORC Round 3, Dungog

A positive persona both on and off the bike, McGillivray finished Round 3 ahead of the pack for first place. Although experiencing the Enduro format for the first time, McGillivray remained steadfast to take the lead by just under 40 seconds. Sitting in second today was Kodi Stephens with a total time of 38:52.922. Rounding out the podium today in third was Will Dennett, with a total time of 40:01.809.

Riley McGillivray – Image by John Pearson Media

Using his experience in Toowoomba and guidance from his father, Ian McGillivray, who competes in the AORC Masters class, McGillivray stated “It was a pretty good day. I have never done an Enduro before but I got some tip from dad and I think overall it went pretty well.

“I really enjoyed the trail riding! It was a lot of fun mucking around with your mates. Obviously when you landed at the special tests you needed to go a bit harder and the tracks chopped up pretty well. Today was basically drama free. I had a little trouble with the throttle but I had that fixed pretty quickly so the remaining day went by smoothly. Overall, the conditions were great. It started off slippery in the morning but after the sun hit it started to dry up and it’s pretty perfect now,” highlighted McGillivray.

2019 AORC Round 3 J3 Provisional Results

Riley MCGILLIVRAY 38:14.406
Kodi STEPHENS 38:52.922
Will DENNETT 40:01.809
Jethro CARRIAGE 42:01.306
Maxwell LIEBEKNECHT 42:20.174
Thomas FOSTER 42:32.218
Jack BITHELL 43:05.339
William COOPER 44:28.578
Charlie MOLLER 45:27.382
Ariana COLLINS 46:07.648

J2 – AORC Round 3, Dungog

Taking out top spot today in the J2 class was Hargy, who remained dominant on the leader board throughout the day. Riding across pristine conditions to exemplify his emerging prowess, Hargy finished today with a total time of 39:33.675.

Sitting behind Hargy in second place today was Max Phillips with a total time of 39:51.370. Coming in hot after Phillips to take out the final podium position was Jett Arnold, with a total time of 40:03.587.

“Today was pretty tough. I had a few crashes in the first test and had to work hard on making up my time in the remaining tests. Overall though today ended on a really positive note,” explained Hargy. “I found I wasn’t strong on the rocks so I tried to make up as much time as I could on the grassy sections. The track was really good! It was a little slippery in the morning but dried up as the day went on.”

2019 AORC Round 3 J2 Provisional Results

Billy HARGY 39:33.675
Max PHILLIPS 39:51.370
Jett YARNOLD 40:03.587
Cody KILPATRICK 41:15.609
Campbell HALL 41:26.716
Corbin RIDDLE 43:54.308
Luke CHELLAS 44:25.672
Kyle SANDSTROM 44:29.089
Thomas VANCE 45:13.761
Harry PARISH 45:31.831

Women’s – AORC Round 3, Dungog

In the Women’s class today, results were quickly shaken up by a mechanical issue on Gardiner’s Yamaha during test one. Taking advantage of the situation, Emelie Karlsson lead the charge early, however Gardiner simply couldn’t be beat and finished the day on top with a total time of 49:08.717. Karlsson finished in second behind Gardiner by just over a minute and ten seconds, with a total time of 50:23.125.

Jessica Gardiner – Image by John Pearson Media

Rounding out the podium in third is newcomer to the AORC ranks and a familiar face from Toowoomba, Emma Milesevic. Milesevic clearly used her Motocross skills and thirst for success to her advantage to clinch the final podium position away from her rivals. Milesevic finished today with a total time of 53:09.863.

Reflecting on today’s success, Gardiner stated “it was a really good day conditions wise, especially considering the landscape back in Toowoomba. We were very spoilt in that department!

“The trail is really good with some slippery sections that definitely keep us on our toes. The Dungog Motorcycle Club have outdone themselves this weekend in making this event tough from start to finish! Otherwise, I had a few dramas early in the day by hitting a rock which bent my chainguard. I had to deal with that after test one which affected my first time, but I got everything sorted and ended up winning every test afterward,” explained Gardiner.

2019 AORC Round 3 Women’s Top 10 Provisional Results

Jessica GARDINER 49:08.717
Emelie KARLSSON 50:23.125
Emma MILESEVIC 53:09.863
Ebony NIELSEN 54:23.041
Danielle FOOT 54:45.531
Courtney RUBIE 56:16.376
Emi RUPRECHT 56:42.840
Charlotte GAMBLE 2:41:57.552
Zoe BOCCARI 2:22:07.827

Masters – AORC Round 3, Dungog

The AORC Masters brought some fire to the cooking put today, with the top three podium holders battling it out for the gold. Coming out on top though was Hutton with a total time of 46:38.371. Just a mere two seconds behind Hutton on second place was Brad Williscroft, with a total time of 46:40.374.

Kirk Hutton – Image by John Pearson Media

Rounding out the final podium position today was Timothy Martin, who secured his position ahead of the remaining pack by just over two minutes! Martin’s total time for Round 3 was 47:55.218.

2019 AORC Round 3 Masters Top 10 Provisional Results

Kirk HUTTON 46:38.371
Brad WILLISCROFT 46:40.374
Timothy MARTIN 47:55.218
Peter RUDD 50:16.811
Michael WIDDISON 51:46.765
John BAKER 51:50.402
Anthony GREENE 52:01.202
Ian JENNER 52:22.970
Craig TREASURE 52:50.151
Andrew DENNETT 53:19.359

Veterans – AORC Round 3, Dungog

Following on from an undeniably success reign in Toowoomba for Rounds 1 & 2, Stephens continued his lucky strike here in Dungog to take out first place in the Veterans class. With a total time of 47:46.798, Stephens lead the Veterans pack by just over 30 seconds!

Scott Dunn took out silver today with a total time of 48:17.805. Dunn was a force to be reckoned with in Round 3 as he battled it out with Stephens, taking out the fastest time for his class for one test.

Nabbing the final podium position today for Veterans was Chris Thomas, who flew into Control one minute after Dunn, with a total time for Round 3 of 49:19.009.

2019 AORC Round 3 Veterans Top 10 Provisional Results

Lee STEPHENS 47:46.798
Scott DUNN 48:17.805
Chris THOMAS 49:19.009
Ben LINDSAY 50:31.995
Paul CHADWICK 51:01.346
Luke ABLITT 51:24.117
David GILMORE 52:09.083
Sean SMITH 53:41.402
Guy WADE 54:05.844
Hugh HOWARTH 54:34.085

Vintage Cup – AORC Round 3, Dungog

One of two supporting classes this weekend, the Vintage Cup featured two impressive competitors, Geoffrey Ballard and Hadyn Fisher.

Geoffrey Ballard – Image by John Pearson Media

With the class catering to Evo Pre 86 bikes, Round 3 saw Ballard take out the fastest total time of 32:03.860. Fisher experienced some difficulty during his second and fourth tests, which heavily impacted his overall time. Fisher finished today with a total time of 2:35:45.633.

2019 AORC Round 3 Vintage Cup Provisional Results

Geoffrey BALLARD 32:03.860
Hadyn FISHER 2:35:45.633

2 Stroke Cup – AORC Round 3, Dungog

After back-to-back wins back in Toowoomba for the two opening rounds of the season, Adam Giles was knocked off the winning perch by Braico! With a total time of 45:15.593, Braico sits comfortably in first place ahead of Giles, with just over a two-minute lead! Giles finished Round 3 with a total time of 47:33.216.

Adam Giles – Image by John Pearson Media

Landing in third place behind Giles with a total time of 48:33.347, was Bradley Redman. Redman holds onto third place comfortably ahead of his rivals, with a solid four-minute lead!