Toby Price has been solid in his AORC title defence.Australia’s fastest off-road dirt bike racers will descend on the idyllic Green Park near Conondale in Queensland this weekend for rounds three and four of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC).

Australia’s fastest off-road dirt bike racers will descend on the idyllic Green Park near Conondale in Queensland this weekend for rounds three and four of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC).

Several racers from the Sunshine State are in contention for class national titles in the 12-round series and will be continuing their bid with a home state advantage next weekend. Queensland’s top two riders, Yamaha’s ‘King Kirk’ Hutton and Honda’s Anthony ‘AJ’ Roberts, will be vying for Outright honours as well as championship class titles.

Hutton, 36, from Kobble Creek, will be a hot favourite in the Pirelli Championship E3 Class aboard his big-bore WR450F.

“I can’t wait for Conondale. They’ve been getting a lot of rain up there and the property is awesome – it’ll be lush and they’re conditions we don’t get very often in Australia,” Hutton said. “Green Park has a lot of good grass track and some good bush stuff too.

“I’m really glad the championship is going back there this year, we had a round of the AORC there in 2008, but not last year. I’m riding a big bore WR450F which I’ve had more time to set up as I only got the bike a week before the first round. Hopefully I can get on the top of the podium in my class next weekend.”

Roberts, 27, from Bribie Island, will also compete in the championship ranks, in the Yamaha E2 Class on his 450cc machine.

Rounds three and four of the championship are shaping up to be some of the best in the series after plenty of rain has fallen at the well-known racing venue.

The race is being organised by Motorcycling Australia in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast Motorcycle Club.

Club spokesperson Rick Madden said a lot of effort was going into the tracks and the event would be one not to miss for keen racers and trail riders alike.

“We are using a fair bit of the mx track in one of the tracks, the other will be mostly in the bush,” he said. “We are really lucky with Green Park, it’s such a good venue, this will be a great event and really fun for the riders. We’re excited about having the opportunity to help run a round of the AORC, we’ve got plenty of workers… now we’re just looking forward to next Thursday when people start to arrive.”

Motorex KTM’s Toby Price leads the championship after taking the Outright and Yamaha E2 Class wins at rounds one and two, excited for what lies ahead this weekend.

“I’m on a great ride at the moment with KTM and for my racing I’m just sticking to my usual game plan of going out and having fun,” Price commented. ” When you enjoy what you’re doing it clears your mind of any pressures to get to the podium, and every time I go out and have fun I get great results.

“I had some good competition at the opening rounds from my KTM team mates Jarrod Bewley and Ben Grabham, so no doubt those boys will be keeping me honest at the next two rounds, but again that’s all part of the fun. Nobody wants it too easy, you always need to have some competition to make you push harder to succeed.”

The AORC are fantastic for spectators, with nail-biting action and the chance to get up close and personal with the stars of Australian enduro racing. Gates at Green Park, Conondale (on Maleny-Kenilworth Road, on the western side of Maleny) will open to the public at 9.00am on 1-2 May. Admission is just $5.00/adult, while children under 14 are free.

Pus, don’t miss the GP Industries Autograph Session on Sunday afternoon. A limited number of event t-shirts are also available for purchase, get your order in now by visiting www.aorcracing.com.au.

The Yamaha AORC includes the following Australian Championship classes: GP Industries E1, Yamaha E2, Pirelli E3, RK Chains Veteran’s, Master’s, Motul Women’s and Junior Class 1,2,3,4 & 5 (see supp reg’s for more info), as well as the following support classes: Polisport Expert E1, Endura Expert E2/E3, Clubman E1, Clubman E2/3 and Clubman Veteran’s.