The Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship will resume this weekend under very different circumstances compared to the most recent round back in early April.

After Chris Hollis won the season-opener, Motorex KTM Off Road Racing teammate Toby Price took charge as suspected with a three-race win streak through rounds two to four.

Unfortunately, as we’re all well aware, Price’s season is over due to his neck injuries sustained in the US recently, meaning a new champion will be crowned in 2013.

This weekend will see the series head south to Corner Inlet in Victoria, where Hollis is likely to take over the lead at the front of the field Outright on his 450 EXC.

Can Chris Hollis claim a third AORC crown in 2013? Image: Greg Smith/iKapture.

The extreme tracks will serve as the theatre of battles for rounds five and six of the AORC series. On Saturday the riders will be tested to the limit on the Cross Country and on Sunday there will be a Sprint on two tracks shaped from natural terrain and produces fast, close and exciting racing.

“First of all, I would like to thank the local council. We really appreciate their support,” said MA steward, Chris Gray, who cannot wait for the AORC weekend to start.

“The Corner Inlet Motorcycle Club have put in three kilometres of new track and it is in perfect conditions. Conditions couldn’t be much better with 25mm rain in the past week. The conditions for this weekend are looking promising too.”

For Price, he’s disappointed to be missing the weekend’s action aboard his trusty 500, but wished his usual competitors well in the lead-up to race day on Saturday.

“It’s not what I wanted missing out on races, but all is well,” he commented. “I would like to wish the KTM team and all the other competitors the best of luck this weekend.

Josh Green will be one to watch when the AORC resumes this weekend.

“At this moment I am still sore and it is too early, but hopefully I will be at some rounds soon to watch and hang out.”

As we often see in racing, with the favourite ruled out, many step up as they see some light at the end of the tunnel in regards to chasing that elusive victory and number one plate at the end of the season.

Everybody will wish Price was on track, but for this year at least, expect a huge on-track battle between the likes of Hollis, Daniel Milner, Josh Green, Glenn Kearney, Lachlan Stanford, Tom McCormack, Stefan Merriman and more.

Should be awesome to see!