For over 20 years, Yamaha Australia has been a major player in the Australian Off Road Championship and that will continue for 2024 as again the bLU cRU have taken up the naming rights of the long standing championship. Another 12 rounds over six weekends are scheduled and taking in some of the best riding terrain in the country with the nations’ best off-road pilots.

ShopYamaha Off-Road
Spearing Yamaha’s presence at the AORC will be the ShopYamaha off Road Team of Kyron Bacon and Wil Dennett. The two young guns of Australian enduro racing will be out to make their presence felt with Bacon contesting the E1 division (250cc) while Dennett steps up to handle the E2 duties (450cc).

Tasmanian based sensation, Kyron Bacon is fit, fast and motivated to get his AORC number 1 plate back after an injury interrupted 2023 season. Bacon took the E1 and outright honours in 2022, but a broken leg mid-way through the 2023 season halted any chance of retaining the crown, but to his credit, he still managed to charge his way back to a podium position by seasons end and finish the year on a strong note. 

“Last year had some challenges but it also had a lot of positive things I can take from it and I’m fired up and ready to get racing in 2024,” Bacon begins. “I’m well and truly over my injury and riding well and have already spent a few days with the team testing and preparing for the new season.”

“I missed a couple of rounds last year and even though Josh Green has retired, the depth of this years’ championship looks even better. Having Daniel back will be great for the championship and his profile can only add to the AORC and I look forward to racing not just him, but all the other riders in this years’ championship and doing my best to keep the number one plate on Yamaha for another year,” Bacon said.     

Alongside Bacon will be Wil Dennett who steps into the E2 division after the retirement of long-time racer, Josh Green. But make no mistake, Dennett earned his way onto the premier team with some sensational performances in the Under 19 class in 2023, that included plenty of Outright podiums and top five results.   

Racing with bLU cRU support in 2023, Dennett was comfortably the most improved rider in last years’ championship and the steep learning curve looks set to stay with his progression to the ShopYamaha team and under the guidance of AJ Roberts.

“I have been a Yamaha rider for a long time and it’s awesome that I have been able to work my way up through the ranks with their support and make it to the premier team,” Dennett says with enthusiasm. “Last year was awesome for me, and it was topped off when AJ called at the end of the season and offered me a ride. I’m not sure who was more stoked, me or my dad.

“I have to keep working hard and I have big shoes to fill with Josh retiring but I’m looking forward to it. The extra support from the team gives me more time to ride and train, my bikes will be better prepared, and I have worked hard over the off season to improve my riding and fitness, so I will be ready for the opening rounds.”

Yamaha Ballard’s Off-Road Racing
Jess Gardiner and her team are back for another season and looking to keep the momentum going from a successful 2024 season that saw her and Danielle McDonald win their respective championships as well as finish on the podium in the worlds team championships (ISDE) in Argentina.

Continuing with a three-rider outfit that will now see McDonald join Gardiner in the senior women’s class after dominates the junior girls while Jeremy Carpentier will fly the flag in the E1 class on the WR450F.

Gardiner will be gunning for eighth AORC championship, but it is highly likely, her main opposition will be parked right beside her in the JGR tent. Gardiner has been a mentor for McDonald over the past few seasons, but this year, they go head-to-head over 12 rounds. Will it be the gritty determination of the veteran in Gardiner that climbs the mountain again, or the young, fast and stylish McDonald that brings the gardiner train to a halt?

For Carpentier, the all new WR450F has been like a breath of fresh air and he has gelled with the bike the moment he threw a leg over it. The light, agile and exciting new model that was built for Australian conditions has Carpentier charged up for the new season and ready to create some damage in the E2 class.

Yamaha bLU cRU Support
A new layer of support was introduced by Yamaha for the 2023 and the success was instant. The three-rider team of Cooper Sheidow, Wil Dennett and Jett Yarnold finished the year with two AORC championships and a third place in an outstanding debut. The support given to Wil Dennett enabled him to move up to the ShopYamaha team while Sheidow and Yarnold return for another season with Yamaha bLU cRU Support.

Sheidow is the current E1 champion after a consistent and impressive start to his time on Yamaha. He was in the heat of the battle right from the opening round, filled in for the inured Bacon with the ShopYamaha team and when the pressure was on at the final round, Sheidow kept his composure and secured the championship for himself and Yamaha.

The South Australian rider established himself on the national scene in 2023 and with a season under his belt on Yamaha as well as the continued support of the ShopYamaha team, expect Sheidow to continue his upward trend in the 2024 season.  

Yarnold stepped out of juniors and made in an immediate impact, taking third in the EJ (under 19 championship), and finishing on the podium at most rounds. Yarnold adapted well to the team surroundings and will enter this year’s championships as one of the favourites in the development category.

GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing
Yamaha Junior Racing made the move into off road racing in 2023 with the two-rider line up of Marcus Nowland and Harley Hutton. Both return for 2024 with YJR support and will continue to fly the flag at AORC events.

Hutton won multiple rounds in 2023 and showed he is the real deal when it comes to off road despite his young age. He will again contest the J2 (85cc) class for 2024 and will be out to get the number one plate on his YZ85.

For Nowland, he had an up and down year but gained valuable experience in his first year on the bigger capacity bikes. Now settled and comfortable on the 250cc machine, Nowland will be aiming for the top as he embarks on the new season.

The 2024 AORC gets under way in March and will run 12 rounds ending in September. 

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Conditions were dry and dusty all weekend as the AORC competitors faced the Cross-Country format on Saturday with three hours of continuous racing and then backed up on Sunday with the Sprint format on already dry and rough ground.

Jess Gardiner continued her sensational 2023 form with another double class win over the weekend that sees her extend her lead in the Women’s AORC Championship. Despite a couple of falls throughout the weekend, Gardiner was able to regain her composure and continue to dominate the Women’s division.

“The weekend went well, and the team were able to achieve some great results in some challenging conditions,”Gardiner explains. “I’m not sure how much skin I have left on my elbows after racing each day, I don’t think it’s a lot, but I was able to put each crash behind me and keep going at a good pace to take the win on both rounds.”

“The dry conditions made it tough, especially if you started towards the back as vision be come an issue when the field was all together. But once I was able to get some clear track and see what was happening, I felt much more comfortable and didn’t make as many mistakes. Thank you to everyone at the club for putting on the event, and everyone that supports the JGR Yamaha team. We are all in a good place in the championship and will continue to work hard at the remaining rounds,” Gardiner ends.

Matching the results of her team boss, was junior sensation, Danielle McDonald. McDonald also finished with 1-1 results over the weekend but also took it to the boys in the junior divisions finishing third outright on both days. McDonald is a step above her rivals and continues to improve at each round.

“I’m pretty happy with how I went on the weekend, and it was good to get up near the front against the boys. I try to use them as a guide to how I’m riding and want to be closer to the front at every round we do. My bike was perfect all weekend and its good to have Jess and Jeremy on hand to guide me through any issues I face.”

After an injury interrupted start to the 2023 season, Jeremy Carpentier is finally back to full fitness and again contesting for top 10 out right results. On board the team WR450F, Carpentier finished the Cross Country fifth in class and just outside the top 10 Outright and was sixth in class on Sunday, again just missing the top 10 Outright.

“It was the first time in a while I have been able to race pain free at a national event,” Carpentier begins. “I have had wrist and hand injuries mar the start of my season but hopefully, I’m over them now and can get some continuity in my training and racing with an aim to get some good results before the season is over,” he ends.

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Set for high speeds and even higher heart rates, AORC will feature more than 250 riders set to tear up picturesque green fields. Featuring dusty tracks, we’re expecting low visibility and hot competition all weekend long. Before go-time this morning, here’s everything you need to know about Keyneton.

Check Out The Full Entry List Here…

This weekend AORC are welcoming more than 250 riders into Keyneton for Cross Country and Sprints. Your favourites are ready to go, including the return of Yamaha’s Kyron Bacon, GASGAS’s Korey McMahon, Beta’s Fraser Higlett and Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team’s Jess Gardiner.

The Women’s Development Program session was hosted by Jess Gardiner and Emelie Karlsson. Female competitors received an insight into different aspects of Cross County and Sprints, from nutrition, mindset, as well as track conditions and racing styles. Juniors joined Josh Green at the Yamaha truck for another YORTT session. This is a hassle-free opportunity available at every weekend of the 2023 season where you can learn from a world-class athlete, on all Off-Road tech and tips.

Keyneton is famously home to Henschke Wines and the gateway to the Barossa Valley. A beautiful township with massive gum trees and sweeping landscapes, this stunning location is 82 kilometres from Adelaide. Founded in 1842, Keyneton is part of the Mid Murray region. To found out more about this area.

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ShopYamaha Off Road
The ShopYamaha Off Road Racing team are back and headlined with two of the best off road riders in the business with Kyron Bacon and Josh Green at the controls. Bacon stunned the off-road world in 2022 has he went from possible round contender to outright championship dominator. The 20-year-old Tasmanian took all before him in 2022 as he won the AORC and the A4DE in both class and Outright in a record-breaking year. Bacon is back for 2023 and on board his trusty 250F and raring to go.

Alongside Bacon is the old man of Australian off Road, Josh Green. Green, now in his 12th year with Yamaha continues to shine with 2022 one of his most successful seasons despite being on the shady side of 30. Green loves racing and continues to work hard at his craft to stay ahead of the pack. Mounted on the all-new YZ450F, Green is excited with the new bike and cant wait to put it to the test at Mendooran. 

“The off season has gone really smoothly for us and we are ready to go for the opening weekend of racing,” states team manager, AJ Roberts. “We have made a few tweaks to Kyron’s bike to cater for his development as a rider while Josh is loving the YZ450F and it’s proving to be as good in the bush as it is on the motocross and supercross tracks.”

“The guys and fit, the team is organised and Yamaha continue to support off road in Australia so an exciting year lays ahead for us,” Roberts ends.

Yamaha JGR Ballards Off Road
Multi-time world off road champion, Jess Gardiner will again lead her team into battle in the 2023 Australian Off Road Championship. Gardiner remains the Queen of off-road racing in Australia with a list of national championships longer than your arm and has assembled her riders and sponsors again for 2023.

Gardiner will contest the Women’s division and aim for her seventh national crown, while Jeremy Carpentier will move to the E2 class on the WR450F. Danielle Macdonald will fly the flag in the junior girls division as well as contest selected motocross events during the year.

“Last year we came into line with Yamaha and that has been rewarding for both of us as the team is now involved in many coaching and riding activities with Yamaha Motor Australia. It’s a great partnership to have and one that we cherish.

“Our season has already been busy not just building and preparing the new bikes for the team but also our coaching and camping events have been successful and we have already had several so far in 2023. We have more planned for the year and hope to continue promote what a great sport we have and encourage plenty of new riders to give it a try,” Gardiner explains.

Yamaha bLU cRU Support
New for 2023 with Yamaha is the addition of the bLU cRU support program. The team has been established to assist off road riders in making the transition from junior riders to the pro level and now Yamaha has something in place to continue to elevate riders.

The riders for 2023 are Jett Yarnold (Super Moto New England) and Wil Dennett (Lismore Motorcycles) in the EJ (Under 19) class as well as Cooper Sheidow (WSB Distributors) in the E1 division. The new arrangement offers additional support for up-and-coming riders and allows them to take the next step in their careers.

GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing
2023 will mark the introduction of Yamaha Junior Racing into off road. YJR started nationally in 2005 but in motocross but will now branch out to include off road and provide development roll with riders. Queenslander Harley Hutton will fly the flag in the J2 class on his YZ85 while Marcus Nowland will do like wise in the J3 category on his YZ125. 

Both the bLU cRU Support and the Yamaha Junior Racing teams will work closely with AJ Roberts and his ShopYamaha team for advice and technical support at national events and believe this will fast track rider development.

The opening round will be a fast, furious and somewhat sandy affair as over 200 riders converge on Mendooran, near Dubbo for the season starter.  

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The Pony Express class is all about teaming up with your friends and combining your times to compete against other teams. The winners will be the team with the most laps and the shortest time. This class is sure to bring a new level of excitement and camaraderie to the AORC and will feature at all rounds of the championship.

The Legends class is for older masters of the sport who still want to race and show what they are capable of. This class is open to riders 50 years and older and will provide a platform for these experienced riders to showcase their skills, compete against their peers and also providing the opportunity for untold lies post-event…

Motorcycling Australia CEO, Peter Doyle, said “We are excited to launch the 2023 AORC and the addition of the Pony Express and Legends classes to the line-up. These new classes will bring a fresh dynamic to the championship and we can’t wait to see how they will play out on the track. We look forward to a great season of off-road racing and wish all the riders the best of luck.”

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES 

• E1:  100cc to 200cc 2-Stroke & 150cc to 250cc 4-Stroke 
• E2:  220cc to 250cc 2-Stroke & 275cc to 450cc 4-Stroke 
• E3:  290cc to 500cc 2-Stroke & 475cc to 650cc 4-Stroke 
• EJ:  Under 18 All powers (*Age as at 1 January 2021) 
• Veterans:  35+ Years All powers (*Age as at 1 January 2023)  
• Masters: 45+ Years All powers (*Age as at 1 January 2023) 
• Women:   All Powers 

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES 

• J2:  12 – Under 15  85cc 2-Stroke & up to 150cc 4-Stroke 
• J3:  13- Under 15 years  125cc to 200cc 2-Stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-Stroke 
• J4:  15 years  125cc to 200cc 2-Stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-Stroke 
• JG:  12 to Under 16 years 85cc 2-Stroke & 150cc to 250cc 4-Stroke 

CUP CLASSES 

• Enduro Legends: 50+ Years All Powers (*Age as at 1 January 2023) - NEW
• Pony Express: Senior All Powers – (Teams of 2 Riders) – NEW
• 2T:  125cc up to 250cc 2-Stroke
• J1:  9 to Under 12 years  85cc 2-st &150cc 4-st (sw)
• JJ: 9 to Under 12 years 65cc

The 2023 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship Calendar 

• Rounds 1 & 2: Mendooran (NSW) – March 25-26, 2023
• Rounds 3 & 4: Queensland Moto Park (QLD) – April 22-23, 2023
• Rounds 5 & 6: Edenhope (VIC) – July 22-23, 2023
• Rounds 7 & 8: TBC (SA) – August 26-27, 2023
• Rounds 9 & 10: Kyogle (NSW) – September 16-17, 2023
• Rounds 11 & 12: Dungog (NSW) – October 14-15, 2023

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