Juniors

The 2018 KTM Australia Junior Motocross Championship (AJMX) has got off to a riper start with over 350 riders taking to the Coastal Motocross Club in Penguin, Tasmania for Qualifying day. Two heats also took place at the end of the day, dishing out the first points of the event!

The country’s top junior athletes loved the world-class venue, and sunny skies greeted the competitors, serving up perfect conditions. Gate pick for the majority of classes was determined by today’s results.

125cc – 13-U15 – Qualifying 
Queensland’s Levi Rogers soared to the top spot in the 125cc – 13-U15 class, managing to lap a 1:59.511 to comfortably put himself ahead of the competition. Rick Chalmers (NSW) cleared the line with a time that would deliver him second, as the talented Blake Hollis (NSW) maintained third. Domonic Walker (VIC) wound up in fourth, followed by Dylan Vivian from Queensland in the top five.   

50cc Division 2 – 7-U9 – Qualifying
Ryder Creeke from NSW produced a commanding time of 2:35.089, earning himself the top gate choice with his searing performance. Queensland’s Cooper Downing was second, as Phoenix Blanchette (NSW) led Jobe Dunne (VIC) and local Tasmanian Jay Jennings on the timesheets, setting the positions from third to fifth.

Mini Lites BW – 14-U16 (85cc/150cc 4st) Qualifying
New South Welshman, Reid Taylor shot to the top of the timesheets with a sensational time of 1:59.236. It was enough to edge out Benny Novak (NSW) and Joe O’Donnell (NSW) who established themselves in the top three. Bayley Clancy from NSW held on for fourth as Max Barrass (QLD) closed out the top five for his class of the 85cc two-stroke and 150cc four-stroke riders.

Mini Lites BW – 12-U14 (85cc/150cc 4st) Qualifying
After two tense qualifying sessions it would be Rory Fairbrother (NSW) to emerge fastest with a time of 2:00.836 to go fastest. Hunter Collins (NSW) qualified second, with Ryan Alexanderson (QLD) establishing himself in the top three. 

65cc 7-U9 – Qualifying                    
Ryder Creeke from NSW stormed to the number one position on the timesheets with his notable time of 2:26.318. He also managed to top the 50cc Division 2 – 7-U9 division earlier in the day. Phoenix Blanchette NSW), who is also pulling double duty, managed second. Taking a top three position was Jobe Dunne (VIC) who will no doubt be elated with his performance. Jack Burton (NSW) and Cooper Downing (QLD) capped off their great days fourth and fifth respectively.   

13-U16 Girls (128-150cc 2st/250cc 4st) – Qualifying
Queensland’s Charli Cannon has aced the 13-U16 Girls division, lodging a 2:00.611 time to put herself atop of the leaderboard heading into tomorrow’s race day. Fellow rival, Taylah McCutcheon (QLD) was second, followed by Taylor Thompson (TAS), Madi Healey (VIC) and Tanesha Harnett (NSW). It will be quite a spectacle to see them battling it out tomorrow!

65cc – 11-U12 – Qualifying
Queensland’s Jake Cannon was the strongest of the 65cc riders with his time of 2:10.009, with Seth Burchell (NSW) not too far behind in second. Jet Alsop from Queensland placed a good enough time for third, as Angus Pearce (TAS) was fourth and Ty Sharp (VIC) fifth.
 
125cc – 15yo – Qualifying
The hotly contested 125cc 15 years class was the Regan Duffy (WA) show as he was 1.687 seconds quicker than his nearest rival with a great time of 1:53.016. Tye Jones from Queensland managed to stick his Husqvarna second fastest. Noah Ferguson (QLD) claimed third, with Liam Andrews (VIC) fourth and Lochie Smith (TAS) fifth.  

Junior Lites – 13-U15 (128-150cc 2st/250cc 4st) Qualifying
The times were exceptionally close in the Junior Lites with the top five being separated by only 0.751 of a second. The rider looking most impressive out there was Alex Larwood from South Australia with the fastest time. He will likely come under huge pressure from Levi Rogers tomorrow, as he was only 0.055 of a second slower than Larwood. Ricky Chalmers (NSW), Blake Hollis (NSW) and Kipp Adams completed the top five.  

65cc 9-U11 – Qualifying
Kayden Minear (WA) has stated his intentions during Monday qualifying for the 2018 AJMX. Lodging a fastest time of 2:12.867 to go quickest for his class, defeating Seth Shackleton (WA) and Jett Williams (QLD) in second and third. Ky Woods (NSW) and Koby Hantis (NSW) finished fourth and fifth.

Mini Lites BW 12-U16 Girls (85cc/150cc 4st) Qualifying
The top three in the female Mini Lites category was taken out by Taylah McCutcheon (QLD), lodging a time that was only 0.039s faster than Charli Cannon (QLD). Slotting herself into third was Tanesha Harnett (NSW) followed by Jessica Robertson (VIC) and Holli Geeves (TAS) in the top five.

Junior Lites 15yo (128-150cc 2st/250cc) Qualifying
Regan Duffy (WA) has his eyes on the prize here at Penguin Tasmania, earning the best gate position with his fastest time of 1:51.352. Noah Ferguson from Queensland wasn’t too far behind however in second, being only 0.391 of a second off the fastest time. Coming up in third was Liam Andrews (VIC) who can’t be counted out of contending for victories. Dante Hyam (NSW) and Tye Jones (QLD) finish fourth and fifth respectively.

Mini Lites SW – 9 – U12 (85cc/150cc 4st) Heats 1 & 2
Racing got underway today with two exciting heats for the Mini Lites SW – 9 to Under 12’s. Queensland’s Jett Alsop pieced together a great performance to take a four second win at the completion of the six-lap period. Jake Connon (QLD) maintained second, as Kayden Minear (WA) charged to third to conclude the top three.

New South Welshman Seth Burchell displayed dominant form in heat two, charging to victory with an impressive 4.531 second advantage. WA’s Seth Shackleton defeated Ty Sharp (VIC) for second, as it was Kayd Kingsford of NSW and New South Welshman Koby Hantis (NSW) in  fourth and fifth positions to round out the top five. 

For a full list of results click here.
 
To keep up to date with all the information in the lead up to the event head to www.ma.org.au, like Motorcycling Australia on Facebook or follow @motorcyclingaustralia on Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Sharon Wellard Photography

This year’s 2018 KTM AJMX will take place at the Coastal Motocross Club in Penguin, Tasmania during September 29th – October 6th. The KTM AJMX is the pinnacle of junior motocross racing in Australia and during the thrilling action packed week of racing the riders and their support crews will be tested beyond their limits to regain, gain or keep hold of the coveted title of “Australian Champion”.

Coastal Motocross Club President Stuart Weller said the club is looking forward to hosting the AJMX after successfully contributing to past events in Tasmania such as the 2015 Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE).

Weller is excited to host the event; “The KTM AJMX will provide an excellent opportunity for juniors to compete against the best talent within Australia and visiting international riders, at our venue.

“It’s a huge honour for our club; it’s the first time since 2004 we last had a Junior National Championship. We had applied to host the AJMX championship for the last two years and we were successful on our second attempt, which is a great get for our club and the state of Tasmania.

“We have a great committee formed and we are tracking really well leading up to September 29, and with the weather we have our fingers and toes crossed we get six days of great Tasmanian spring weather,” finished Weller.

Motorcycling WA have selected a very strong team, backed by some great results from our riders at the WJMX in Horsham. With the best junior MotoX riders from around the country vying for the coveted Australian Championship, Motorcycling WA would like to congratulate all riders selected to represent WA at the AJMX. We would like to wish the team all the best and good luck in all of their races and the Challenge Cup.

WA Team

Seth Shackleton 65cc

Jake Rumens        65cc

Brock Flynn          85cc (Injured)

Kayden Minear   85cc

Corben Weinert 125cc

Rhys Burnett        250cc

This is what our WA Team of Sandgropers and proud parents had to say leading up to the KTM AJMX:

Team Manager Luke Davis-“It’s pretty cool to be named team manager again and have a good rep with the kids that have all been selected! Feeling really good about the selections and moving forward the forecast looks like it’s going to be nice so far to us but it is Tassie and anything can happen here!”

“Unfortunate we had young Brock Flynn go down and out through the week training for supercross but we have some other strong contenders we can fill his spot with to remain a strong team to take the cup!”

“Thanks to Motorcycling WA have got all our hoodies organised so the kids will be looking sharp and keeping warm. “ #14

Rhys Burnett-125cc-250cc 15 yrs

I am so happy to be a part of the WA state team coming into the Aussie titles. The track is looking good and I can’t wait to see when I can bring to the table for WA.

Sponsors: 14MxD, The Local Tattoo studio, Sixty7 , Forma Boots, Maxima Oils, Willmax Graphics, Pro pleat, 6D, Michelin, Spy, Mandurah City Yamaha, LKI, Pipe King Pipe Repairs, PPM Global, FTs moto, Neken, Eight11 performance.

Seth Shackleton:

It’s great to be selected for the State team again this year for the AJMX. I’m looking forward to racing Australia’s best again, not sure what the Tassie tracks like yet but I will have plenty of time to get used to it in practice.

Huge thanks to Mandurah City KTM, Troy Lee Designs Aus, Choice Suspension, BO motor oil, MX Ink

 Jake Rumens:

When Troy Rumen’s asked Jake how he felt about being in the WA team;  Jake first up he felt a bit shocked as there is some very good riders going over from WA and he was pretty stoked to be going over with all his MX mates. Jake is super excited to get over there, try a new track and ride against all the fast riders from Australia, with Australia having a lot of fast kids finishing inside top ten in the world he wants to see how he goes against them. Massive thanks to Bunbury KTM, FOX, Motorex, Pete Van Leeuwin from VLP and Rumens & Co Auctioneers.

 Kayden Minear:

Kayden’s feeling good & looking to finish the season off on a high note. It’s been a great season he’s achieved some outstanding goals winning the 2 WA state championships & coming 7th at the FIM World Titles. The AJMX is the last box to tick on the 2018 list. Thank you to all of Kayden’s sponsors who have stuck by him & made this all possible. AussieMotoEngineering, ETS Race Fuel, Motorex, FlyRacing, Shoei,Willmax Graphics, MandurahCityKTM, KTMAustralia, Jay from All technique coaching & All the Minear Family.

Corben Weinert:

We are feeling excited and proud for Corben, seeing it’s his last year in the AJMX. We have been to every AJMX event since he was 6 years old, many years of fun and meeting some lovely people involved.

Corben: I am very excited to be riding for my state at my last ever junior national title a specially coming from the southern tip of WA where there has been a lot of issues with organising our own club and track. I’m hoping to come away with a top 3 in both classes, can’t wait to see how I end up!