The 2018 KTM Australia Junior Motocross Championship (AJMX) has got off to a riper start with over 350 riders taking to the Coastal Motocross Club in Penguin, Tasmania for Qualifying day. Two heats also took place at the end of the day, dishing out the first points of the event!
The country’s top junior athletes loved the world-class venue, and sunny skies greeted the competitors, serving up perfect conditions. Gate pick for the majority of classes was determined by today’s results.
125cc – 13-U15 – Qualifying
Queensland’s Levi Rogers soared to the top spot in the 125cc – 13-U15 class, managing to lap a 1:59.511 to comfortably put himself ahead of the competition. Rick Chalmers (NSW) cleared the line with a time that would deliver him second, as the talented Blake Hollis (NSW) maintained third. Domonic Walker (VIC) wound up in fourth, followed by Dylan Vivian from Queensland in the top five.
50cc Division 2 – 7-U9 – Qualifying
Ryder Creeke from NSW produced a commanding time of 2:35.089, earning himself the top gate choice with his searing performance. Queensland’s Cooper Downing was second, as Phoenix Blanchette (NSW) led Jobe Dunne (VIC) and local Tasmanian Jay Jennings on the timesheets, setting the positions from third to fifth.
Mini Lites BW – 14-U16 (85cc/150cc 4st) Qualifying
New South Welshman, Reid Taylor shot to the top of the timesheets with a sensational time of 1:59.236. It was enough to edge out Benny Novak (NSW) and Joe O’Donnell (NSW) who established themselves in the top three. Bayley Clancy from NSW held on for fourth as Max Barrass (QLD) closed out the top five for his class of the 85cc two-stroke and 150cc four-stroke riders.
Mini Lites BW – 12-U14 (85cc/150cc 4st) Qualifying
After two tense qualifying sessions it would be Rory Fairbrother (NSW) to emerge fastest with a time of 2:00.836 to go fastest. Hunter Collins (NSW) qualified second, with Ryan Alexanderson (QLD) establishing himself in the top three.
65cc 7-U9 – Qualifying
Ryder Creeke from NSW stormed to the number one position on the timesheets with his notable time of 2:26.318. He also managed to top the 50cc Division 2 – 7-U9 division earlier in the day. Phoenix Blanchette NSW), who is also pulling double duty, managed second. Taking a top three position was Jobe Dunne (VIC) who will no doubt be elated with his performance. Jack Burton (NSW) and Cooper Downing (QLD) capped off their great days fourth and fifth respectively.
13-U16 Girls (128-150cc 2st/250cc 4st) – Qualifying
Queensland’s Charli Cannon has aced the 13-U16 Girls division, lodging a 2:00.611 time to put herself atop of the leaderboard heading into tomorrow’s race day. Fellow rival, Taylah McCutcheon (QLD) was second, followed by Taylor Thompson (TAS), Madi Healey (VIC) and Tanesha Harnett (NSW). It will be quite a spectacle to see them battling it out tomorrow!
65cc – 11-U12 – Qualifying
Queensland’s Jake Cannon was the strongest of the 65cc riders with his time of 2:10.009, with Seth Burchell (NSW) not too far behind in second. Jet Alsop from Queensland placed a good enough time for third, as Angus Pearce (TAS) was fourth and Ty Sharp (VIC) fifth.
125cc – 15yo – Qualifying
The hotly contested 125cc 15 years class was the Regan Duffy (WA) show as he was 1.687 seconds quicker than his nearest rival with a great time of 1:53.016. Tye Jones from Queensland managed to stick his Husqvarna second fastest. Noah Ferguson (QLD) claimed third, with Liam Andrews (VIC) fourth and Lochie Smith (TAS) fifth.
Junior Lites – 13-U15 (128-150cc 2st/250cc 4st) Qualifying
The times were exceptionally close in the Junior Lites with the top five being separated by only 0.751 of a second. The rider looking most impressive out there was Alex Larwood from South Australia with the fastest time. He will likely come under huge pressure from Levi Rogers tomorrow, as he was only 0.055 of a second slower than Larwood. Ricky Chalmers (NSW), Blake Hollis (NSW) and Kipp Adams completed the top five.
65cc 9-U11 – Qualifying
Kayden Minear (WA) has stated his intentions during Monday qualifying for the 2018 AJMX. Lodging a fastest time of 2:12.867 to go quickest for his class, defeating Seth Shackleton (WA) and Jett Williams (QLD) in second and third. Ky Woods (NSW) and Koby Hantis (NSW) finished fourth and fifth.
Mini Lites BW 12-U16 Girls (85cc/150cc 4st) Qualifying
The top three in the female Mini Lites category was taken out by Taylah McCutcheon (QLD), lodging a time that was only 0.039s faster than Charli Cannon (QLD). Slotting herself into third was Tanesha Harnett (NSW) followed by Jessica Robertson (VIC) and Holli Geeves (TAS) in the top five.
Junior Lites 15yo (128-150cc 2st/250cc) Qualifying
Regan Duffy (WA) has his eyes on the prize here at Penguin Tasmania, earning the best gate position with his fastest time of 1:51.352. Noah Ferguson from Queensland wasn’t too far behind however in second, being only 0.391 of a second off the fastest time. Coming up in third was Liam Andrews (VIC) who can’t be counted out of contending for victories. Dante Hyam (NSW) and Tye Jones (QLD) finish fourth and fifth respectively.
Mini Lites SW – 9 – U12 (85cc/150cc 4st) Heats 1 & 2
Racing got underway today with two exciting heats for the Mini Lites SW – 9 to Under 12’s. Queensland’s Jett Alsop pieced together a great performance to take a four second win at the completion of the six-lap period. Jake Connon (QLD) maintained second, as Kayden Minear (WA) charged to third to conclude the top three.
New South Welshman Seth Burchell displayed dominant form in heat two, charging to victory with an impressive 4.531 second advantage. WA’s Seth Shackleton defeated Ty Sharp (VIC) for second, as it was Kayd Kingsford of NSW and New South Welshman Koby Hantis (NSW) in fourth and fifth positions to round out the top five.
For a full list of results click here.
To keep up to date with all the information in the lead up to the event head to www.ma.org.au, like Motorcycling Australia on Facebook or follow @motorcyclingaustralia on Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Sharon Wellard Photography
