Image: Foremost Media.

Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

Yamaha Racing exceeded expectations at an enthralling opening weekend of the Australian Off Road Championships (AORC) with the bLU cRU supported riders finishing with class wins and podiums across the weekend.

With riders ranging from Vets to juniors, women to girls, Yamaha was well represented in the majority of classes in Toowoomba and conditions made for a successful weekend both on and off the course.

To view to the bLU cRU AORC Recall video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PrWmYCy9rg&feature=youtu.be

Michael Driscoll, the two time Under 19 champ, made the leap up to the premier E2 (450cc) class and hit the ground running. In a class full of established off-road stars, including names like Milner and Green as well as current MX champ, Todd Waters, Driscoll charged to a fourth place finish in both days and was right there in the Outright times.

His transition to the 450cc class has been smooth and the sky is the limit as he continues to gain more experience on the bigger machine.

Partnering Driscoll in the bLU cRU support truck is up and coming star, Blake Hollis. Racing in the Under 19 class for the first time, Hollis had a nervous start to his championship, but he settled as the weekend progressed and managed to finish second on both days. No doubt Hollis will be better for the hit-out and he learns the ropes of professional racing.

Yamaha was well represented in the E2 division with four of the top seven riders Yamaha mounted. Following Josh Green and Michael Driscoll home, was Stefan Granquist who sits in fifth place after two rounds after an impressive start to the championship in Toowoomba, while Jeremy Carpentier is in seventh and looking to improve as the series progresses.

Luke Styke headed the Yamaha charge in the E1 (250cc) but was ably backed up by Kyron Bacon who sits in third after round two. Bacon has instantly gelled with his new Yamaha and was right on the pace from the get-go. He is young, ambitious and ready to climb the AORC, and quickly.

Again, leading the way in the Women’s division was Jess Gardiner. The multi-time AORC champ started the year in good form and took the class win on both days to make the perfect start to her championship defence.

She is always ably supported by Emilie Karlsson. Karlsson claimed second on Saturday and third on Sunday to sit equal second in the points after the opening weekend.

Not to be outdone by her mentor, Jess Gardiner, Danielle Macdonald won the Junior Girls class on her YZ85. She took the round victory on both days and the maximum 50 points to go with it.

Masters hero, Kirk Hutton, also took a double victory on the weekend on his YZ450F. Hutton, who has re-found the passion for racing, also gets to share his weekend with his son, Harley and Drake who both landed on the podium over the weekend in a real family affair.

In the new formed Two Stroke Cup class it was YZ250X mounted Brad Hardacker on top of the leader board. Hardacker was second on Saturday but rebounded to take the win on Sunday to have a share of the points lead.

All riders and teams have a few weekends to review their weekend’s performance and prepare again for rounds three and four of the championship in Dungog, New South Wales.