Sanders strengthens Championship lead

It was a chilly start to the morning for the competitors of the 2016 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship as they left the start line for their sight lap before 8:00am this morning in Monkerai for Round 10 of the AORC.

After the first test it was KTM Enduro Racing Teams Daniel Sanders out in front by almost 10 seconds with a starting lap time of 8:32.343 on teammate KTM Enduro Racing Teams Tye Simmonds (8:42.560) and Broc Grabham (8:44.397) in third.

With seven classes taking to the track the dirt was turned up in every corner and with the moisture in the ground it was beginning to get muddy and tricky for the pro competitors.

By the fourth test all eyes were on Broc Grabham who was having a stand out morning still sitting third outright behind Sanders and Simmonds with CRD Yamaha’s Chris Hollis behind in fourth.

Fifth after the fourth test was Active8 Yamaha Yamalube’s Beau Ralston, sixth was Scott Keegan and Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Championship E1 competitor Glenn Kearney proved that his experience in the dirt was enough to up his speed sitting seventh outright.

Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Lachlan Stanford, Yamaha mounted Riley Graham and CDR Yamaha’s Tom McCormack were eight, ninth and tenth respectively with only three more tests to increase their speed and positions on the board.

Jemma Wilson led the Women’s class from test one strengthening her lead coming in to the fourth test, Wilson managing a time of 39:42.796. Derek Grundy once again putting on a fine performance to cement a 41:26.351 lap time by the fourth test and Damien Smith (47:10.707) led the Vet’s arounds the course.

At the conclusion of seven tests in total it was KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Daniel Sanders who couldn’t be beaten to take another clean sweep at Rounds 9 & 10 of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship with a 1:00:38.547 concluding time. Sanders has now put another 50 points on the board for the E3 Championship points standings as we head to the final Rounds 11 & 12 only weeks away.

Under the belting down sun it was KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Simmonds (1:01:40.454) who crossed the line second outright after maintaining his positions throughout the remainder of the tests, and Broc Grabham who finished third only seconds behind with a 1:01:55.907 time.

It was a fantastic day for Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Glenn Kearney (1:02:30.250) who’s speed saw him steal the win in the Championship E1 class in front of second placed Scott Keegan (1:02:35.957) and third placed Riley Graham (1:02:38.463).

In the E2 Championship class it was outright podium getters Simmonds and Grabham who were also 1,2 in their respective class with CDR Yamaha’s Chris Hollis putting his Dunlop tyres through the paces to finish with a 1:01:57.564 overall concluding time.

Outright winner Sanders was the victor once again in his class with Active8 Yamaha Yamalube rider Beau Ralston improving in leaps and bounds to second in his class with a fast time of 1:02:06.401. Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Stanford (1:02:43.615) was just a fraction off the pace from second place, however wrapped up the day in third.

Despite his unfortunate bike issues yesterday Motul Pirelli Sherco Factory Team rider Wil Ruprecht bounced back and showed why he is in the Championship chase finishing first for the Transmoto EJ class with a 1:03:45.973.

It was Tasmanian local Jonte Reynders who made his mark on the Championship this week finishing the seven Sprints with an overall time of 1:05:02.547 and putting himself in second, while Andrew Wilksch (1:05:10.541) finished third.

Jemma Wilson (1:09:57.965) proved why she and her fellow teammates are heading to the ISDE in Spain later this year with a 1,1 finish over both Saturday and Sunday strengthening her championship points lead. Emelie Karlsson 1:11:42.044 made another second place appearance over third placed Yamaha mounted Jessica Gardiner who finished with a 1:13:54.189 time.

Championship Veterans competitor Damien Smith (1:06:17.220) also made it a 1,1 weekend taking both the Cross Country race win yesterday and securing first place again today ahead of Anthony Greene (1:13:41.533). Bjorn Osbourne climbed his way back on to the podium today for a third place finish on a tricky track with a 1:14:41.571 finalised time.

Derek Grundy stole the Master’s glory after taking yet another win for the Sprints today. He finished with a final time 1:13:59.448 almost three minutes ahead of Robert Bailey (1:16:10.037) who finished the round in second. Peter Schaper was only just behind Bailey in third only seconds off with a 1:16:30.990 time.

After a successful weekend out on the dirt competitors will now be focusing their attention on the upcoming final Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2016 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship this September 10-11, with the Championship on the line as Penshurts in Victoria hosts what is set to be a battle.

For more information and to stay up with the latest news, results and information head to www.ma.org.au, like the AORC on Facebook and follow @aorc_ on Instagram.

For a full list of results and the progressive championship points head to www.mylaps.com.au.