Motocross

108+ South Australians Take On The Hattah Journey For 2024

July 4, 2024 Filed Under: Motocross, News

This weekend back for another year, over 108 South Aussie talents are making the annual journey up to Victoria’s North West for the landmark Hattah Desert Race, with competition numbers of over 860 seniors and Juniors taking to the course over the weekend, the pressure is set to go through the roof. With a proven track history of success under these conditions, we can’t wait to see what our South Aussies will pull out of the bag for 2024.

Competing in the stacked 251-450 4-Stroke class for 2024, AORC talents Max Price and Chad Sparrow are aiming to make this their standout year, joining the dominant senior class of talents. Adding to the excitement and ready to mix it with the best, Jacob Craig and Jayden Pilgrim will bring their solid interstate enduro experience to the competition.

*Chad Sparrow set to make Hattah his year for 2024. Image by Aaryn Minerds.*

Back to tackle the Ladies Tenacious Women of Hattah 4 Laps after securing the 2023 third-place Emma Haylock will be looking for a chance to take over the top spot for 2024. She will be joined by the returning force of Aimee Butler, Chloe Barton, Meg Pitchford and taking on Hattah for the first time in 2024, Leticia Foster.

Proving that age is just a number, Leigh Bentley is among the impressive South Australian talents ready to make a mark in the 2024 senior Masters 45 years and over Hattah outing.

As a nod to the exceptional talent emerging from South Australia, the dominant class of South Australian entries is the Junior 200CC – 250CC 4 STK – 13 to under 16 years class for 2024. A total of 26 South Aussies are set to take on this challenge.

The competition is certainly going to heat up with talents in the class, including young Ollie Gear, who narrowly missed the class win in 2023 with a tight second place and the rising talent of Harry Gilbertson, who is moving into the class for 2024 after a 2023 win in the 85CC 2 STK and 150CC 4 STK 12-U16 years class.

*Ollie Gear #521A – Image by Fullnoise.com.au*

Will we see a repeat of dominance in the 85CC 2STK and 150CC 4 STK – 9-U12 class after both Levi Rossi and Declan Smart took the top steps in 2023 for the 85CC 2STK and 150CC 4 STK 9 to under 12 contingent? Joining the lads with podium expertise is a hard-charging Riley Mullen stepping into the 85cc 9 to under 12 after taking last year’s 65CC – 9 – U13 class win.

With fierce competition in the 65cc 9 – U13 class, South Australia’s Bodhi Austin and Ollie Bromball are just two of our bright young motocross talents heading to Hattah this year. Also making the trip are Charlize Waldhuter, Matilda Ryan, Airlie Colwill, and Asha Wilson, all ready to showcase their developing skills in a standout lineup of Australian Junior Girls motocross competitors.

*Bodhi Austin – Image by Eric McConnochie.*

*Charlize Waldhuter – Image by Eric McConnochie.*

For those tracking the Hattah adventure from home, Saturday will feature the junior classes (small and big wheel) vying for Hattah glory, before the senior prologue wraps up at the end of the day. On Sunday, the seniors pick up right where they left off for a full day of racing.

To keep up with all the Hattah action make sure you follow the journey through –

Results: 2024 SAMX Championships Round 3 – Sand Battle and Points Dashes At Robe

July 3, 2024 Filed Under: Motocross, News, SAMX Championship

Round 3 of the 2024 SA Motocross Championship, presented by Three 3s Apparel and Merchandise & Great Southern Security, marked an exciting new chapter as Robe Motorsports Club hosted riders from across South Australia and beyond. With the Championship entering its final stage and points battle intensifying, the sand track at Robe provided the perfect backdrop for high-stakes racing.

Full Results of the Weekend:

Saturday’s Juniors – HERE
Sunday’s Seniors – HERE

Capturing the premium racing action over the weekend were Josh Reynolds and Eric McConnochie. As always, they have all the SAMX Round 3 action shot memories available for purchase.

Article photos thanks to Eric McConnochie.

Sunday 30 June

Pro MX1

The premier classes MX1 & MX 2 were combined, creating fresh rivalry battles as Championship points remained at the forefront of competitor’s minds. In the end, it was Siegah Ward’s weekend that strengthened his grip on the 2024 Championship with a clean sweep of wins across all heats. Despite some promising challenges, his streak proved too strong for his closest rival, Mitch Norris, to overcome. Norris’s consistency secured him second place in MX1, ahead of Matt Clark, who put up a fantastic fight but ultimately finished third in the round.

Pro MX2

Adding to the Mx 2 field intrigue, Mitch Norris emerged as the MX2 winner after narrowly edged out the current MX2 Championship second-place rider, Wil Carpenter, with Caleb Walker rounding out the podium in third.

Women All-Powers

Reigning Women All-Powers Champion Amy Bartsch entered the round with just a 1-point lead over Emma Haylock. Despite facing intense pressure, Bartsch secured the round win, while Haylock consistently finished in second place. Jessica Bennett started strong with a third-place finish in Heat 1. Although she faced a setback in Heat 2, she locked in her focus to take third in the final heat, ultimately finishing third in class for the Robe outing.

Expert All-Powers

Returning from an absence in Round 2, Denzel Woulfe delivered an exceptional performance at Robe. From the opening laps, Woulfe asserted his dominance, completing a clean sweep of wins and securing first place overall for the weekend. Aaron Van Zetten battled through a tough field, earning second place overall with consistent performances across the heats. Lucas Brereton looked poised for a round silver with strong finishes in the initial heats but a mistake in Heat 3 relegated him to 14th, settling for the round third place overall.

150/250cc 13-U16Yrs

Noah Rochow continued his Round 2 clean sweep with dominant wins across the weekend heats, finishing each race with over a 15-second gap to the field. The battle for second and third was much tighter, with Cambell Cadd and Kye Little exchanging positions in Heats 2 and 3. Both riders ended up tied with 62 points, but Cadd claimed second place for the round due to his higher finish in the final heat, leaving Little in third.

Clubman

Harry Lashford looked like a man on a mission from the opening heat, grabbing early points and aiming to cause an upset in the Championship standings. Heat 2 threw a spanner in his clean sweep plans with a 6th-place finish, allowing the consistency of Ian Ellis to take control at the front. Despite a second-place comeback in Heat 3, Lashford could not close the gap on a flying Ellis. He settled for second in the round, with Ellis taking the overall win and Harry Guy coming away with a 3-4-3 scorecard across his heats. Ellis was all smiles as he took over the Championship hot seat with the round victory.

Vets 35-44Yrs & Vets 45+

In the Vets 35-44 years class, Warren Carroll entered with a strong Championship lead ahead of Bradleigh Thompson. After a heat 1 down-to-the-line charge, Thompson claimed the early edge with Carroll just 0.574 seconds back. Thompson’s Heat 2 win put him in contention for a clean sweep until Carroll gained the upper hand in the final race. Carroll took the round win, with Thompson continuing to close the gap on Carroll’s 2023 reign, and Craig Hepburn securing third for the round.

In the Vets 45+ class, Charlie Hollis continued his 2024 Gold standard run with a clean sweep of wins across the three heats. Championship second overall rider Darren Averay finished with a 2-2-3 scorecard, while Anthony Slade and Heath Boundy fought for the final podium step. Boundy took the Heat 1 edge, but Slade’s Heat 2 win allowed him to take third overall for the round.

Saturday 29 June

100-125cc 13-U16Yrs

With top Championship contenders Jayke Hansen and Noah James missing the Robe SAMX trip, Joshua Whitehorn seized the opportunity to make his move. Despite stiff competition, Whitehorn held off Dylan Gromball and Cambell Cadd to claim the round win, with Cadd taking the round silver and Gromball rounding out the top three.

Great Southern Security

150/250cc 12-U16Yrs Girls

Emily Lambert extended her Championship lead with a fantastic weekend outing at Robe, securing wins across all heats. Charlize Waldhuter’s clean run of second-place finishes elevated her to second in the Championships, while Danielle Churchett finished third for both the round and overall standings.

85/150cc S/W 12-U16Yrs

Dylan Gromball and Declan Smart delivered a closely matched showdown, with Dylan taking the first two wins and Declan winning the final heat. Dylan continues to lead the Championship, with Declan closing in. Caleb Churchett’s consistent third-place finishes earned him third for the round, while Xavier Freeborn had a mixed weekend, finishing ninth overall for the round.

Great Southern Security

85cc 11-U16Yrs Girls

With a history of matched competition between Lacey Thompson, Matilda Ryan, and Maddi Bahnisch, Robe did not disappoint. Lacey Thompson secured the overall round victory with a 1st and two 2nd-place finishes, just 2 points ahead of Matilda Ryan and 4 points ahead of Maddi Bahnisch.

85/150cc S/W 9-U12Yrs

With Championship points leader Mason Ezergailis missing the Robe round, Riley Mullen took advantage and claimed the Championship lead with a 1st, 3rd, and 1st-place finish. Ollie Paech secured second place for the round with a 3-1-2 scorecard, ahead of Bodhi Austin, who had a strong weekend amidst the on-track rivalries.

65cc 10-12Yrs

From the first gate drop, Riley Mullen, Lachlan Murdoch, and Bodhi Austin put on a thrilling show, with just 2.883 seconds separating the top three. Riley’s early wins in Heats 1 and 2 gave him the overall win by the narrowest of margins, with Lachlan Murdoch and Bodhi Austin rounding out the podium.

65cc 7-9Yrs

Championship leader Kobe Smart held off challenges throughout the weekend, including a dramatic Heat 2 sprint where he edged out Bailey Thompson by just 0.347 seconds. With two first-place finishes and a third, Smart maintained his Championship lead, with Bailey Thompson and David Bamford finishing second and third, respectively.

50cc 7-U9Yrs

Oliver Thredgold continued to improve, taking the round win ahead of Championship leader Carter Williamson. Despite the close competition, Carter retained the Championship lead. Nash Lamb narrowly held off Hudson Hitch for third place in the class.

With bags and gear already packed, the 2024 SA Motocross Championship is set to heat up for Round 4 action as riders, teams, family, and friends prepare for a trip to West Coast Motorcycle Club in Ceduna on July 27th & 28th. Get a jump start on planning your visit and witness all the action in the final stretch of the Championship for 2024!

Preview – Robe Comes Alive For 2024 SAMX Championship Round 3 Action This Weekend

June 27, 2024 Filed Under: Motocross, News, SAMX Championship

Making its grand entrance to the SAMX Championship for 2024, Robe Motorsports Club is all set to come alive as SA’s top MX talents, along with their friends and families, load up the trailers for the trip to the Limestone Coast for the upcoming Round 3 instalment of the 2024 Championship.

Making its first appearance in the Championship and adding its unique sandy flair of challenges, the Robe Motorsports Club track will bring nothing short of an onslaught of bar-to-bar battles as the competition heats up across the two packed days.

As always, continuing their support in the 2024 Championship journey are our fantastic sponsors, Three 3s Apparel and Merch, and Great Southern Security. Their support has been instrumental in the success of the 2024 SA Motocross Championship, and we are incredibly thankful to them.

*Taste of This weekend’s bar-to-bar action from round 2 – Image by Eric McConnochie.*

Entry List:

Current ProMX 1 Championship second-place holder, Mitch Norris, will be pushing hard to challenge the grip that current championship leader, Siegah Ward, has on the class standings for 2024.

Emma ‘Holeshot’ Haylock will be joining the strong field of MX Women All Powers coming to Robe. With a proven track record of success on the sand from a recent Finke podium, she will put it all on the line to take control of the Championship as she trails by just 1 point behind the current Women’s All Powers leader, Amy Bartsch.

*Emma Haylock – Image by Eric McConnochie.*

Additionally, the 2024 Clubman Championship is heating up, with only 8 points separating the top four contenders: Cody Harrison, Jayden Hank, Harry Guy, and Ian Ellis. We can’t wait to see a new chapter unfold at Robe this weekend.

With 67 Junior racers taking to the track, including fresh demo non-comp riders, the weekend is set to shine with the sports stars of tomorrow.

*SA’s motocross stars of tomorrow will be in full force at Robe. Image by Eric McConnochie.*

Right in the think of the mix features the Great Southern Security 150/250cc 12-U16Yrs Girls lining back up for another great weekend. Can the current Championship leader Emily Lambert continue her dominant streak of wins at Robe or will runner-ups Danielle Churchett or Charlize Waldhuter stop her hot streak in its tracks??

*Emily Lambert – Image by Eric McConnochie.*

Joining our South Aussie 85cc-150cc S/W 9-U12Yrs hard chargers again, Victoria’s Mason Ezergailis will make the trip over to continue his championship run. SA’s Riley Mullen, currently just 10 points behind, will be looking for that golden chance to take over the championship lead. Additionally, third-place Championship holder, Ollie Paech, will also be ringing his challenges to the weekend battles.

*Riley Mullen – Image by Eric McConnochie.*

Additionally, SAMX fans can look forward to a stacked field of talents in MX2, 150/250cc for ages 13 to under 16, Vets 35-44 and 45+, the flying 100-125cc 13 to under 16, 85 to 150cc 12 to under 16, Great Southern Security 85cc girls 11 to under 16, 65cc 7 to under 9 and 10 to 12, plus 50cc 7 to under 9.

Where:

Robe is set to provide the perfect backdrop for the third round of the 2024 SA Motocross Championship. Located just over three and a half hours down the coast, this vibrant town will come alive with the thrilling sounds and smells of 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. The track, conveniently situated just a 7-minute drive from the town centre, is easily accessible. Nearby, attendees will find a variety of accommodation and camping options, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all.

Start planning your trip down to the Limestone Coast – Here.

Spectator Information:

In addition to the local food options within Robe, the Robe Motorsports Club canteen will be selling food and drinks to riders and SAMX fans all weekend.

Adding to the perfect weekend getaway for the whole family, entry is completely free across both days. With fantastic trackside viewing spots to take in all the weekend’s action, Robe is the place to be next weekend.

Time Schedule:

Saturday Practice and Race Order:

Sunday Practice and Race Order:

Live Timing:

Fans and riders can keep up to date with all the live timing updates via the Mylaps Speedhive Page, or you can download the MYLAPS app via the App Store or Google Play.*

Socials*

Stay in the loop with everything happening in the 2024 SAMX Championship by following SA Motocross on Facebook, Motorcycling SA on Facebook and Instagram, and the Robe Motorsports Club on Facebook and Instagram.

Official Calendar for the 2024 SA Motocross Championship –

SA Lead The 2024 Round 5 ProMX Charge At South Coast MX

June 24, 2024 Filed Under: Motocross, News

Returning to South Australia for its second stop of the 2024 ProMX Championship, Round 5 took place last weekend at South Coast Motocross Club, where our SA team aimed to shine in front of a hometown crowd. Let’s take a quick look at how our SA riders went against Australia’s finest.

Thor MX1

Taking on his last national round here in SA before retirement at the end of the year, Brett Metcalfe certainly kicked off his weekend on the right foot and put on a show. Qualifying and securing 5th in the AMX Superstores MX1 Superpole set the stage for an anticipated showdown. He narrowly missed the podium in Race 1, finishing 4th behind expat Kirk Gibbs by just 2.520 seconds. Despite fierce competition in Race 2, Metcalfe fought valiantly to maintain a top 5 finish for the round, ultimately concluding his weekend at South Coast with a 7th place in Race 2.

Siegah Ward held off mid-pack battles to take 13th in Race 1 but faced issues on lap 12 of Race 2, forcing an early retirement.

Elijah Wiese showed resilience despite starting 22nd, navigating challenges to finish Race 1 in 26th place behind Queensland’s Zhane Dunlop. He improved his Race 2 push with a 24th place.

Jordan Simpson began his weekend with a 29th-place finish in the chaotic Race 1 action. He kept his round 5 consistency with another 29th-place finish in Race 2.

*Brett Metcalfe Catching Up With ProMX Commentator & MX Identity, Danny Ham.*

Pirelli MX2

Alex Larwood impressed with a strong qualifying performance, taking 2nd place just 0.637 seconds behind Victoria’s Bordia Connolly. He followed up with a commanding 2nd place podium finish in Race 1 and then secured his first ProMX overall round win with a perfect Race 2 first-place finish, with a lead of 8.438 seconds ahead of Connolly.

Mitch Norris finished 16th in Race 1, narrowly holding off Mackenzie O’Bree. Unfortunately, his ProMX Round 5 journey came to an early end with a DNF taking him out of the race on lap 5.

*Alex Larwood All Smiles With The Big MX2 Podium First Place – Image by Foremost Media.*

Maxxis MX3

Wil Carpenter narrowly missed the race 1 top ten with an 11th-place finish in the stacked Maxxis MX 3 field. Moving on to race 2 despite pushing hard and putting up a fight, he would not be able to find that flow & crack that elusive top 10, taking a 19th place finish.

Kye Little faced a tough start in his Race 1 contention after an early DNF. He would put his head down to fight back to finish 33rd in Race 2 behind fellow local Noah Rochow.

Noah Rochow battled through mid-pack challenges to finish 25th in Race 1 and 32nd in Race 2.

Despite a hard charge, Harry Lashford unfortunantly could not crack into the top 40 qualifiers list, finishing his South Coast campaign early.

*Wil Carpenter Facing Off The Start Gate Pressures*

Ezilift MX Women

Emily Lambert started strong with 10th in qualifying and 6th in Race 1. However, an early retirement in Race 2 due to a crash ended her weekend. She currently ranks 11th in the 2024 Ezilfit MXW Championship.

Despite a promising start off the line, Amy Bartsch’s weekend at South Coast quickly turned into one she’d rather forget, as an early crash in race 1 forced her to retire shortly after, bringing her weekend to an abrupt end.

Tarja Morris, returning from a fractured spine earlier this year, secured her first Championship points with 20th in Race 1 and maintained consistency with 19th in Race 2, ending her first weekend back on a good note. On top of putting on a show on the track, Tarja shared her knowledge as one of the Ezilfit MX Women Track talk hosts.

*Tarja Morris Finally Back Behind The Bars*

Catch up on all the weekend’s results through Computime as our SA riders look forward to Round 6 of the ProMX Championship in Toowoomba, Queensland, on July 21st.

2024 SAMX Championship Round 2 Results – Points Battle Rivalries Heat Up At Riverland

May 22, 2024 Filed Under: Motocross, News, SAMX Championship

Riders and motocross fans returned to the Riverland Junior Motorcycle Club last weekend for Round 2 of the SA Motocross Championships. Anticipation was high as early points leads started to form, with ever-changing front runners emerging. The Riverland stage was set for a huge throwdown. The hard work of the Riverland Junior Motorcycle Club’s volunteers was evident throughout the weekend, providing a great stage for all the championship battles to continue. We must extend our gratitude to Three 3s Apparel and Merch and Great Southern Security for their invaluable support in the 2024 SAMX Championships. Now, before diving into the weekend heat results, let’s take a quick look at the class podiums.

Full results of the weekend:

Saturday’s Juniors – HERE
Sunday’s Seniors – HERE

Both Eric McConnochie & KJM Media were trackside over the weekend, so make sure you reach out to either if you want to purchase those action shots.

Sunday 19 May

MX 1

With Round 1’s top three overall racers absent, 2024’s King of the Gulf winner and ProMX star Siegah Ward took control, winning the first two heats. Mitch Norris challenged early in the final heat, putting Siegah in second, but Siegah clinched the overall victory and took the championship lead. As Matt Clark and Seth Carpenter jousted back and forth across all three heats, they both ended up with 50 points, with Matt being awarded 3rd for the round after his 3rd place finish ahead of Seth in the final heat.

MX 2

Mitch Norris faced challenges in MX 2, with a heat 1 DNF. He made a strong comeback with a second place in heat 2 but dropped to 7th in heat 3. Noah Fergusson dominated with a clean sweep, maintaining his Championship lead from a flawless Round 1. Will Carpenter secured second place, followed by Wade Thompson in third.

Women All-Powers

Charli Cannon, the Round 1 overall winner, did not compete, leaving 2023 Champion Amy Bartsch to fend off Emma “Holeshot” Haylock. Bartsch won heat 1, but Haylock took heat 2. Bartsch reclaimed control with a heat 3 win, securing the overall victory. Jessica Bennett, aiming to improve her standings, finished third in heat 1 but a DNF in heat 2 ended her weekend, with Lexy Hayes taking over third place in heats 2 and 3.

Expert All Powers

Aaron Van Zetten, Round 1 winner, started strong with a third and first place finish in the first two heats. A chaotic heat 3 saw him drop to ninth, but he still secured third overall. Cody Loffler’s consistent performance earned him the top podium spot, with Travis Wells closely trailing by just one point.

150/250cc 13-U16Yrs

Noah Rochow moved to the Championship lead with a clean sweep of wins. Cambell Cadd and Kyle Little had a fierce battle, with Cambell taking second place for the weekend after winning the final heat.

Clubman

Ian Ellis displayed exceptional skill, with finishes of 2nd, 1st, and 2nd, securing first place for the round. Jayden Hank, despite winning the first heat, had to settle for the round second after finishing 4th and 5th in the remaining heats. Jordan Gabbitas rounded out the podium, edging out Cody Harrison by just one point.

Vets 35-44Yrs & Vets 45+

In the Vets 35-44 Years class, Warren Carroll achieved a clean sweep of wins, followed by Bradleigh Thompson in second and Craig Hepburn in third. In the Vets 45+ class, Charlie Hollis consistently won all heats, with Darren Avaeray in second and Anthony Slade rounding out the podium.

Saturday 18 May

100-125cc 13-U16Yrs

Jayke Hansen maintained his Championship lead with first place in two races and second in another. Joshua Whitehorn finished second overall, with Noah James taking third place after consistent finishes.

GREAT SOUTHERN SECURITY

150/250cc 12-U16Yrs GIRLS

Emily Lambert maintained her Championship lead with a complete clean sweep, ahead of Teagan Wilkin-Thom in second. Charlize Waldhuter secured third place in the final moto.

85/150cc Std&B/W 12-U16Yrs

Dylan Gromball and Declan Smart continued their Round 1 rivalry, each winning a heat. Dylan took the final race win by just 0.993 seconds, maintaining his Championship lead. Xavier Freeborn finished third after Mason White’s heat 2 crash.

GREAT SOUTHERN SECURITY

85cc 11-U16Yrs GIRLS

Lacey Thompson continued her Championship reign with a round win, followed by Maddi Bahnisch, who won the final heat. Matilda Ryan remains in the Championship chase with consistent second-place finishes.

85/150cc S/W 9-U12Yrs

Mason Ezergailia took the round win and overall Championship lead, finishing ahead of Riley Mullen. Bodhi Austin came in third after Brax Chittleborough couldn’t secure points in the final heat.

65cc 10-12Yrs

Mason Ezergailis held onto the overall Championship lead with a Round 2 win, despite finishing 4th in the final heat. Riley Mullen took second place overall, narrowly ahead of Bodhi Austin.

65cc 7-9Yrs

Rory Walter secured the Round 2 victory with two second-place finishes and a final heat win, ahead of David Bamford. Bailey Thompson’s consistent performance earned him third place overall.

50cc 7-U9Yrs

The juniors showcased their growing skill set, with Carter Williamson taking a clean sweep of firsts across the heats. Oliver Thredgold narrowly took second place overall with his 2,11,2 scorecard, ahead of Hudson Hitch in third for the round.

The 2024 SA Motocross Championship show is packing up for its next stop at the Limestone Coast in Robe over June 29-30, 2024. Stay updated on the SA Motocross socials for all updates and news.

Preview – 2024 SAMX Championship Round 2 – Rivalries Set To Light Up At Riverland Junior Motorcycle Club

May 16, 2024 Filed Under: Motocross, News, SAMX Championship, State Championship

After an edge-of-the-seat Championship opener, this weekend sees the SA Motocross Championship heat up with on-track rivalries at Riverland Junior Motorcycle Club for round 2.

As the late entries deadline has just closed and the final countdown for gate drop is well underway, Round 2 promises to be an absolute treat for SA motocross fans. With 215 riders and a huge 260 bikes across the classes at Renmark, we are sure to see some new Championship front-runners.

Shoutout and thanks to our series sponsors, Three 3s Apparel and Merch, and Great Southern Security, as they continue their support of the South Australian Motocross Championship journey.