BCP Pro Circuit Honda press release:

The 2016 running of the Australian Junior National Motocross Championships will go down in history as one of the most testing and trying conditions both to the organisers and riders alike.

The Riverland Junior Motorcycle club in South Australia along with all of the attending riders had to deal with a ‘once in 50 years’ storm that lashed the state, causing flash flooding and power outages state wide.

With conditions varying from dust storms to deep mud it was the reigning National Junior 250cc Champion Taj Marshall who backed it up to again clinch the title for BCP Pro Circuit Honda, however this time in the older 15 years 250cc category.

Marshall on board his Eight11 built Honda CRF250R was both fast and consistent all week, winning three races and also securing two second places to dominate the class by 10 points when the final points were tallied.

“I’m so happy to be able to get back to back Aussie titles both for myself and the team,” said Taj Marshall. “We had a really solid lead up to the event and the whole week ran like clock work.

We had a system in place from last year at Bunbury and we basically just tried to replicate that. Tim Vare from Eight11 looks after the bike and my team manager/mentor Lee Hogan is basically with me the whole week. We walk the track together, go to the line together and do what needs to be done. I couldn’t have done it without my dad, all of our awesome team sponsors and my mum’s support at home.”

After struggling in final number 1 with a 10th place after coming together with another rider, New Zealander Trent Collins charged through the final two races to finish a credible fourth place in the 15 years 250cc championship.

“The result is not what I was hoping for but I gave it my best shot. The team have supported me 100% and my dad was always there to keep me pushing hard,” said Collins.

Tom Bell strung together three solid finals to finish in 8th place overall and just two points behind 6th place.

“Overall I’m happy with how everything went. A silly crash in the final moto cost me a chance at 6th place overall but I didn’t leave anything on the table. It’s been a solid finish to the year and I couldn’t have done it without my mum and dad’s support, and of course Lee, Timmy and the team’s backing,” said Bell.

“I’m really proud of all of our riders and their families for the effort put in both this week and during the lead up,” said team manager Lee Hogan. “I’m particularly proud of Taj’s ability to rise when the big event comes around. And to turn senior coming off the back of consecutive 250cc National titles is a big thing.”

“We are also fortunate to have Tim Vare from Eight11-Racing in our corner doing our bikes and being on hand at the races. All of our bikes ran superbly all year and it is a credit not only to Tim but to Honda and all of our assisting sponsors that make our bikes what they are.”

Next year’s Australian Junior Motocross Championships will be held in Horsham, Victoria.

15 years 250cc National Championship