Report: Rounds 7 & 8 of the 2024 Yamaha AORC

Published On: July 30th, 2024Categories: News

Queensland Moto Park (QMP) definitely turned it on for Round 8 of the 2024 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC)! The sky was blue, the sun was hot and just like yesterday, the tracks were dry, dusty and challenging. Words: AORC

Closing off the weekend with consecutive class wins was Daniel Milner (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) in E2, Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Motor Australia, Yamalube) in EJ and Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in EW. Climbing back up the ranks to clinch their first win of the weekend was Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team) in E1 and Billy Hargy (Simford Group Motorsport) in E3.

Fastest overall time was once again claimed by Milner, with a total time today of 42:34.511.

A race report on all remaining classes will follow shortly. To access provisional results for all classes, please click here.

E1
It was a hard fought E1 win for Yamaha’s Bacon. Round 8 was a battle that saw mere seconds separating Bacon and Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) in their quest for glory. Bacon though, managed to build up those valuable seconds, to ensure his return to the top step.

“Round 8 was quite difficult,” confirmed Bacon.

“The tracks were gnarly, especially after yesterday it was pretty much one rut and plenty of bulldust.

“It’s been a close battle between me and Korey this weekend. It all came down to the final test which was awesome. It’s good to see us battling it out, especially as we’ve grown up together through the Junior ranks.”

McMahon finished behind Bacon by around 26 seconds, with a total time of 44:13.554. With test times that came within 2-3 seconds of his Yamaha rival, McMahon’s efforts today were nothing short of spectacular!

Rounding out the podium once again was Tom Buxton (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team). Though not quite meeting the speeds of Bacon and McMahon, Buxton comfortably protected his bronze spot all day. Buxton clocked off Round 8 with a total time of 45:37.376.

2024 AORC Round 8 E1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team) 43:47.196
Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 44:13.554
Tom Buxton (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 45:37.376

E2
There was a moment earlier today where Milner looked like he was knocked off his perch by Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco). The test times clocked right from the word go, produced time differences that left everyone questioning who would win Round 8. As the day wore on though, QMP’s tough tracks seemed to suit Milner better, earning him another top step finish.

Reynders had to concede again for second, with a total time of 42:40.370. We’re sure you can agree that all eyes will be on E2 as we move into Rounds 9 & 10, to see how hard Reynders can push for that gold.

Last but certainly not least was Andy Wilksch (Beta Offroad Team) in third. Wilksch had his work cut out for him, tangoing with Will Dennett (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing) for the final podium spot. It all came down to the final tests to decide who would clinch the win. Wilksch finished Round 8 with a total time of 43:51.489.

2024 AORC Round 8 E2 Top 3 Provisional Results:

Daniel Milner (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 42:34.511
Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) 42:40.370
Andrew Wilksch (Beta Offroad Team) 43:51.489

E3
If you can believe it after reading about the action in E1 and E2, E3 had even more fire and competition! The game was set as Jye Dickson (Beta Racing Australia) set his sights on a consecutive class win but right behind him, was Hargy, Riley McGillivray (KTM Australia, Shepparton Motorcycles) and Fraser Higlett (Beta). After nine tests during today’s timecard Enduro, Hargy rode right past Dickson to claim the win, with a total time of 45:11.124.

Reflecting on his weekend, Hargy confirmed that“Round 8 was definitely one of the toughest days I’ve done on a motorbike in a long time, especially after doing six hours on the bike yesterday.

“I’m pumped to come away with the win today, after coming just four seconds behind for Round 7. It feels good to be back on the top step.”

Dickson clocked off with a total time of 45:25.723, nearly 15-seconds behind Hargy. Hot on Dickson’s heels but conceding for third place was McGillivray. Evidently, the KTM rider had a better day than yesterday but still couldn’t quite crack the top two. McGillivray finished Round 8 with a total time of 45:29.585.

2024 AORC Round 8 E3 Top 3 Provisional Results:

Billy Hargy (Simford Group Motorsport) 45:11.124
Jye Dickson (Beta Racing Australia) 45:25.723
Riley McGillivray (KTM Australia, Shepparton Motorcycles) 45:29.585

EW
It all came down to one of the final tests in EW, to decide whether McDonald or Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) would claim the gold. With nearly 30-seconds separating first and second, it was one mammoth day of racing, clinched by McDonald! Claiming her consecutive class win, the Yamaha racer continues to grow from strength to strength, as the season ticks on.

The reigning EW Champion unfortunately couldn’t make up the time difference before clocking off, resulting in a second-place finish. Round 8 marks Gardiner’s 120^th podium finish and while the silver may not be the result she had worked for, the fight for glory makes up for it. Gardiner clocked off today with a total time of 52:08.138.

Ebony Nielsen (Beta Off-Road Team) had a better day compared to yesterday, as she pushed past Emelie Karlsson (KTM) to claim the bronze! Nielsen finished Round 8 with a total time of 53:08.780.

2024 AORC Round 8 EW Top 3 Provisional Results:

Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 51:38.458
Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 52:08.138
Ebony Nielsen (Beta Off-Road Team) 53:08.780

EJ
Over in EJ, Yarnold comfortably led the charge and claimed a consecutive class win, thanks to a total time of 45:50.158. A New South Wales local, the Yamaha racer seemed very comfortable on the tricky QMP tracks. Filling out the remaining podium positions for Round 8, was a mirrored reflection of Round 7. Eli Tripcony (Motorex, Husqvarna) claimed second, followed by Jackson Versteegen (Peter Stevens, Fox), with respective total times of 46:38.705 and 49:03.267.

2024 AORC Round 8 EJ Top 3 Provisional Results: