KTM AUSTRALIA:

EVENT INFORMATION

–       Rounds nine and ten
–    Australian Off-Road Championship
–    Young, NSW
–     Event dates 12 & 13 September
–     Format:  sprint racing

TEAM ROUND RESULTS

Rider     Class    Bike    Home Town    Rnd 9    Outright    Rnd 10    Outright
Ben Kearney    E1    KTM 250 EXC-F    Picton, NSW    3rd    8th     2nd      6th
Ben Grabham    E2    KTM 250 two stroke    Bathurst, NSW    4th     5th     4th     4th
Brad Williscroft    E3    KTM 530 EXC    Helensburgh, NSW    1st     9th     5th     16th

ROUND WINNERS

Round 9     Class    Round 10    Class
Chris Hollis    E1    Kirk Hutton    E1
Toby Price    E2    Toby Price    E2
Brad Williscroft    E3    Geoff Braico    E3

2009 OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

Racer     Class
Ben Kearney    E1
Stefan Merriman    E2
Geoff Braico    E3
Toby Price    Outright

MOTOREX KTM RIDER’S DESCRIPTION OF CONDITIONS

–       Rocky and fast
–       Very dusty

RIDER QUOTES

Ben Kearney – Pro E1 class

“Combining both rounds I rode competitively, and consistent to take out my first ever E1 Class Championship,” said Kearney.   “It’s been a long time coming because for the past few years I’ve finished second, so I’m stoked to finally take the win for Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing.

“Things didn’t start as planned, round nine was supposed to be a 2.5 hour cross country race,  but after we did a parade lap to check the track it was too dusty and dangerous,  so the promoters decided to change it to a sprint format.

“This caught me off guard, because I had been training for cross country, so it was pretty tough going, and I wasn’t comfortable on the rocky surface, I actually found it quite challenging.

“My consistency paid off at round nine, so for the final round (rnd 10) I knew all I had to do was finish second to Kirk Hutton to beat him.

“On the final day of racing, I beat Kirk by around ten seconds in my first sprint, and he slowly took a few seconds out of me on each lap as the sprints continued, but I didn’t want to risk anything, so he ended up winning the final round, but I won the overall E1 Class Championship by around two points showing consistency was the key.”

Ben Grabham – Pro E2 class

“The change in format for round nine really threw me, since I had been training for cross country,” said Grabham.   “Promoters made the right decision though because it was really dusty, rocky and too dangerous for a cross country format.

“I hadn’t done a lot of sprint testing leading up to the round, but I gave it my all bringing home the best results I have all season with a fourth place position in class.

“Things continued to improve for me at the final round, where I again finished fourth in class, and also moved up a position in outright ranking, riding home in fourth outright.

“I’m really stoked that the best results I produced were at the final two rounds, it gives me confidence that I will be able to step it up again for the 2010 Australian Off-Road Championship.”

Brad Williscroft – Pro E3 class

“It’s a great feeling to wrap up the year finishing second in the E3 Championship,” said Williscroft .   “When promoters decided not to go with the cross country format for round nine, they instead combined two tracks together for a 15 minute long sprint test, which I found really suited my riding.  There was a lot of technical terrain with rocks, and dust which was demanding, but I enjoyed it, and came home with the class win.

“At the final round promoters cut the track in half, and had some detours on circuit which didn’t help me find a good flow.   I found myself riding cautiously because the track was rough and dangerous, and I didn’t want to inflict any injury on myself.

“Overall I’m really happy to finished second in the E3 Class Championship for the year, and look forward to my next challenge which will be the 2009 Baja 1000 with Ben Grabham.”

Race Team Manager  – Brad Williscroft.

“Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing is really happy for Ben Kearney to finally take the E1 Class Championship after finishing second in the past few years,” said Williscroft.  “He had some pressure from Kirk Hutton, but he rode smart and consistent, deserving the win.

“Ben Grabham also saved his best results of the year for the final two rounds, giving him great confidence preparing for the 2010 season, he really showed great improvement in the tight terrain.

“It’s been a rewarding year for the team in the Australian Off-Road Championship, and our podium results couldn’t have been achieved without team assistance from Jason Azzopardi, Luke De Graaf, and Garry Blizzard, and our sponsors who have supported us throughout the year, so a big thanks also goes out to them on behalf of everyone at Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing.”

FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS  STANDING

Visit  www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au

KTM NEWS

www.ktm.com.au

TEAM SPONSORS

Motorex KTM Racing, Alpinestars, Shift, Globe Shoes, Dunlop, Roc Stompa Steering Dampeners, Braking, Renthal, FWF Filters, Kite Wheels, Kustom MX, SP Tools, DID Chains, Motion Pro, Tee N Cee, Power Flow Heads.

Personal rider sponsors
Fox Helmets, Spy Goggles, Scott Goggles, Leatt Neck Brace, CTI2 Knee Braces