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October
Enduro
enthusiasts
have their say...
September
Enduro
Forum -
who's registered?
August
Queensland Enduro Forum announced
Roberts
wraps up Australian Off
Road Championship
July
Far North Queensland
Pony Xpress Series Round 2 postponed
Roberts & Hutton
named in Australia's ISDE squad
Queensland
Teams dominate A4DE
Queensland
A4DE Team set to take
on other states
June
Enduro
event calendar dates
May
North Queensland Pony
Xpress Round 2 - cancelled
Hutton
eyes number one prize
AJ's perfect
run broken
Enduro
enthusiasts have their say...
More than 100 Enduro enthusiasts turned up at the Conondale
State School on Saturday night (13th October) to participate
in the Motorcycling Queensland Enduro Forum.
The Forum was organised by Motorcycling Queensland in an
attempt to address a number of issues currently impacting
on the continued growth and development of the sport.
High on the agenda were issues such as timing systems, scoring,
event formats and schedules, strategies for attracting more
juniors to the sport, and the promotion of Enduro riding
to name just a few.
It was pleasing to see such
a mixed group of attendees at the Forum, from Pro riders
through to female and junior competitors, officials, club
management personal, event promoters, concerned parents,
as well as every current member of the Enduro Subcommittee.
The large group of 100 was split into 7 smaller working
groups of about 15 people, with each smaller group then charged
with the responsibility of brainstorming their particular
topic, and more importantly looking for solutions to address
these problems.
Each working group then presented their findings to the
total group with even more suggestions being put forward.
For such a large group, the Forum
ran very smoothly thanks in no small part to the services
of professional facilitator – Mr.
Peter Phair. Everyone in attendance had and opportunity to
have their say, and after 2 and a half hours everyone was
on their way.
So what now? Was the question being asked at the end of
the meeting.
An official report will be prepared by Peter Phair for presentation
to the Motorcycling Queensland Executive. The report will
no doubt contain a number of recommendations for consideration.
Motorcycling Queensland will prioritise these recommendations
with a view to resourcing and implementing them.
What we can say is that having gotten involved with the
organisation and running of the Enduro Forum, Motorcycling
Queensland is keen to see the necessary changes and updates
implemented.
A huge thank-you to everyone who attended and made the Enduro
Forum such a success.
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Enduro
Forum - who's registered?
Want to know who has registered
to attend the Motorcycling Queensland Enduro?
Click here to view an up-to-date
Attendee
List of who has already registered to attend.
Motorcycling Queensland
will continue to update the Attendee
List between now and
the day of the Forum. If you know of people who should
be attending the Forum and there name/s dont appear on the
list - chase them up today.
Its' important that people
know that this is their opportunity to have a say about their
sport.
We are now less that 3 weeks
away from the date of the Forum, so if you haven't already
done so, fill out the Expression
of Interest Form and register
your interest in attending.
For catering purposes, registrations
to atted the Forum are essential. It would be embarrasing
to have to say to people that we can't feed them because
they didnt fill out a simple form and return it to Motorcycling
Queensland.
Full details of the Forum
here.
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Queensland
Enduro Forum announced
Motorcycling Queensland
today announced that an Enduro
Forum will be held at Conondale State School on
Saturday 13th October 2007.
This is the Saturday evening
before the scheduled third and final round of the Suzuki
EnduroX to be held at Green Park, Conondale on Sunday 14th
October.
It is anticipated that this Forum will provide competitors,
parents, officials, promoters, Clubs, Subcommittee members
and any other individual interested in the sport of Enduro
in Queensland, with the opportunity to contribute to the
ongoing development of Enduro riding and events in this state.
Motorcycling Queensland is encouraging
any person who has ideas and suggestions on how to improve
the sport to attend the Forum and contribute. It’s
an opportunity to have your
say about your sport.
The Sunshine Coast Motorcycle
Club has confirmed that there will be plenty of room for
riders competing the next day to set up camp at Green
Park on the Saturday night. So get to Green Park early and
set up your camp, then come on down to Conondale State School
and enjoy a BBQ dinner to be put
on by Motorcycling Queensland prior to the Forum.
Motorcycling Queensland
will for an extra security presence to be on hand
at Green Park, Conondale on the Saturday night whilst the
Forum is on, to ensure the safety of any gear / equipment
left at Green Park.
Any person planning on attending
is asked to complete and return the Expression
of Interest Form to Motorcycling Queensland by Monday 8 October 2007,
so as to assit with catering requirements, etc.
The details of the Forum
are as follows:
Where:
Conondale State School, 1700 Maleny-Kenilworth Rd, Conondale
(map located on Expression
of Interest Form)
When:
Saturday 13th October 2007
Time:
BBQ dinner from 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Forum from 6:30pm – 8:30pm approx.
More information on the
planned Enduro Forum is available from the attached Expression
of Interest Form, or by contacting the Motorcycling Queensland
office on (07) 3281-2255.
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Roberts
wraps up Australian Off Road Championship
The Off Road fraternity
descended on Wonthaggi, Victoria, for rounds nine and 10
of the Australian Off Road Championship last weekend, with
Queenslander rider AJ Roberts (Honda) claiming a first and
second in each round to close out the 2007 title.
Recent rains almost caused the cancellation
of the event, but the skies cleared up long enough for
the event to be conducted in cool but moist conditions.
Roberts started round nine a bit shakily
with Honda mounted Peter Boyle leading for the majority
of the day. AJ found his rhythm as the day wore on and
eventually worked his way to the front again by the end
of the day.
Sunday dawned cool and overcast after
a light rain fell during the night, AJ started the day
knowing a good result could see him wrap up the Australian
Championship.
With Boyle once again proving to be the
main opposition on the day, AJ settled down and rode smooth
and fast to finish second by 1.9 seconds and wrap up the
Australian Offroad Championship Title.
AJ commented; “Its great to wrap
up the championship with two rounds still remaining, the
bikes been awesome all year and its good to reward all
the team and our sponsors with the number one plate again.
“It will be really good to go to
the next round of the championship, which is a GNCC (a
new format for us this year), and not have the championship
result hanging over our heads.”
GHR’s team manager commented; “Both
riders over the weekend were so professional in achieving
their results. AJ had the championship victory within
his grasp, he rode sensibly and smoothly to wrap up that
title.”
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Far
North Queensland Pony Xpress Series Round
2 postponed
Round 2 of the Far
North Queensland Pony Xpress Series scheduled to be held at
Wallace Road, Malanda this Sunday 29th July has been postponed
due to wet weather.
Round 2 will now be held
next Sunday 5th August at the same venue. For further information,
please contact the Race Secretary - Peter Hawes on 0408 770
276.
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Roberts
& Hutton named in Australia's ISDE squad
Queenslanders
Anthony 'AJ' Roberts (Honda) - pictured, and Kirk Hutton
(Yamaha) have been named in Australia's International
Six Day Enduro (ISDE) squad to compete at the 2007
International Six Day Enduro in Chile in November.
The selections come
on the back of outstanding performaces from both riders
at this year's Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) held in
Coffs Harbour last week, where Team Moto Yamaha’s ‘King’ Hutton
blitzed his class by
more than three and a half minutes and claimed sixth outright.
The freshly crowned Australian
champion, who won the Under 200cc title for the first time
in 2005, finished this year’s event on his YZ125 ahead
of several big-name riders.
“I am excited about my selection and I am looking
forward to ripping it up and hopefully putting in some fast
test times for Team Australia.” said Hutton.
“It is a great honour and I
have been part of the team three times, this will be the
fourth."
“I have won five ISDE gold medals
and hopefully, if all goes well, I can make it six this
year. And we have a strong team, so hopefully we can place
well against the other countries.”
Meanwhile Roberts's selection
comes on the back of what GHR Honda's Glenn Hoffmann described
as one of his career best rides at this year's A4DE.
"AJ started the final motocross
special test (at the A4DE) on the last day about 35 seconds
behind (Stefan) Merriman, and just on 60 seconds from David
Knight," Hoffmann
explained.
"You could see how determined he was to win that last moto,
but unfortunately the conditions were such that he lost the
front end with only one lap to go."
Although Roberts was clearly thriving in the wet conditions,
reigning World Enduro Champion Knight was able to get past
the local Aussie hero to win the race and take overall honors.
Roberts was still able to remount and cross the line in second.
Roberts returns to the World
Enduro Championships this weekend for the fifth round to
be held in Hancock, New York this weekend, then onto Perry
Sound, Canada next weekend for Round 6.
The
full Australian squad to compete at the 2007 ISDE is:
Jarrod Bewley
Christopher Hollis
Blake Hore
Kirk Hutton
Ben Kearney
Andrew Lloyd
Darren Lloyd
Anthony Roberts
Damian Smith
Joshua Strang
Jehi Willis
The break-up of Senior and Junior Trophy
Team riders will be made closer to the event, as will the
selection of the reserve riders.
Due to injury
concerns as well as other commitments, the likes of Stefan
Merriman, Bradley Williscroft and Jacob Stapleton were made
unavailable for selection.
The Management Team for the Australian
squad was selected in May this year and consists of Tim
Shearer (Team Manager), Brad Hillman (Assistant Team Manager),
Collin Jennings (Assistant Team Manager / Jury Delegate)
and Sian Smith (Admin Officer).
Australia had
a successful 2006 event in New Zealand where the Junior
Trophy Team claimed third outright, and the Senior Trophy
Team managed sixth overall.
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Queensland
Teams dominate A4DE
Motorcycling Queensland's
A4DE Senior Team has taken first place at the Australian
Four Day Enduro and our Junior Team hit the podium with a
third placing.
The win by our Senior team of AJ Roberts, Kirk Hutton, Matthew
Dumigan, Ryan Smart, Michael Oliver and Nick Beattie reflects
the outstanding strength of Queensland's Enduro competition.
The event finished yesterday in Coffs Harbour and the Queensland
riders figured highly in the results of nearly every class.
A clearly
excited Queensland Team Manager, Rick Madden contacted
the Motorcycling Queensland office this morning with the
great news, highlighting Class winners Kirk Hutton
(<200cc 2/-), Grant
Siebenhausen (Vets>35), and AJ Roberts (<450cc), and
other exceptional performances from
Michael Oliver (3rd >450cc), Ryan Smart (6th >450),
Nick Beattie and Chris Reading (5th and 6th <250cc 2/-)
with Jemma Wilson and Jacqui Beattie scoring second and fourth
in the Women's competition.
The full results from the
4 day competition are available from the Motorcycling Australia
website.
Motorcycling Queensland and the Queensland Enduro Subcommittee
had provided assistance to all our A4DE riders with a two
day coaching camp at Conondale earlier this year as well
as supplying the most professional team support at the event,
including storage containers, a first aid support van, team
management and rider assistance.
Well done to all of our
Queensland competitors.
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Queensland
A4DE Team set to take on other states
More than 100 enduro-mad Queenslanders
have descended on the coastal New South Wales town of Coffs
Harbour to take on the best in the nation at this year’s
Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE).
The event, which starts
on Thursday (5th July), has attracted international stars
KTM’s
David Knight and Aprilia’s Stefan
Merriman, along with Aussie-turned American racing guns Suzuki’s
Glenn Kearney and Josh Strang.
If all goes to plan, however, plenty of maroon will be seen
at the front of the pack.
Bribie Island rider, Honda’s
Anthony ‘AJ’ Roberts
and seven-time Queensland Enduro champion Team Moto Yamaha’s
Kirk Hutton have both had impressive finishes at A4DE's and
will be hunting national titles during this year’s
four days of competition.
The A4DE format is similar to a car rally, with marked loops
for each day and special test sections where the riders are
timed.
Roberts, aboard a CRF450, and Hutton, on a YZ125, are also
among the leaders of the Queensland team effort.
Queensland will be going up against the other states in
both the junior and senior trophy team categories.
Queensland Senior Trophy Team
- Anthony Roberts
- Kirk Hutton
- Michael Oliver
- Ryan Smart
- Matt Dumigan
- Nick Beattie
Queensland Junior Trophy Team
- Kristian Sprenger
- Chris Reading
- Brent Carlson
- Casey Treasure
The 44 Queensland riders
are ready to race after the majority benefited from a two-day
training camp held at Green Park, Conondale at the start
of June, which was sponsored by Motorcycling Queensland.
National motocross champion and training guru Glenn Bell
took the riders through the paces to help prepare them for
the gruelling A4DE and focussed on topics including mental
and physical preparation, nutrition and riding techniques.
Queensland A4DE Team Manager Rick Madden said the camp was
a great opportunity for riders and their support crew to
see what the event is all about.
“We are the only state that does a camp like this
and it really has proven advantageous over the years to making
sure the riders are prepared,” Madden said.
“On Saturday, Glenn did a full
coaching clinic and we had a mock enduro to give new riders
an introduction and seasoned riders a refresh on the enduro
format.
“Then, on Sunday, we covered
tyre changes and some more technical aspects.
“The camps aren’t only great for the riders,
it is good for us to see who is at what level and to get
a feeling for everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Roberts also came to lend a hand at the camp and impressed
the group with big air and lightening fast corner speeds
during demonstrations on the motocross track.
The A4DE runs from Thursday
5th - Sunday 8th July.
Motorcycling Australia have
created an Enduro
Microsite for the duration of the event,
where you can keep up-to-date with all of the latest on this
year's A4DE.
See some of our Queensland
competitors profiled below:
Name: Kristian
Sprenger - Junior Team
D.O.B: 2/09/89, 17 years
Lives: Haigslea, Queensland
Club: Southside Motorcycle Club
Number of years competing in Enduro: 7 years
Number of times selected for A4DE: First time
Best Result at A4DE: N/A - 2007 first time selected
Thoughts on being selected: "I was honored to be selected
for the Junior Team for the first time and plan to ride for
Queensland to the best of my ability. The day the news came
through was mixed emotions because my Dad, my brother and I
all had out bikes stolen that same day..."
Sponsors: Yamaha, Geoff Udy Yamaha, Motul, RK, Michelin,
Akrapovic Exhaust, Fox.
Major Achievements: 2005 Junior 125cc Queensland Enduro
champion, 2006 Otright Clubman E1 - Australian Off Road Series,
Gold Medal 2006 A4DE, Silver Medal 2006 ISDE New Zealand.
Goals / Ambitions: To ride for Australia, and achieve
as much as I can in the sport.
Name: Casey
Treasure - Junior Team
D.O.B: 12/10/86, 20 years
Lives: Sunshine Coast
Club: Dalby Motorcycle Club
Number of years competing in Enduro: 4 years.
Number of times selected for A4DE: 3 years (2005, 06,07)
Best Result at A4DE: 6th in the 125cc class 2006 A4DE.
Thoughts on being selected: "I am looking forward to riding at the Coffs
harbour venue, I wasn't expectign to be selected for the Team this year due to
the limited number of events that I have particpated in".
"I'd like to make mention of Kirk Hutton as a great role model and huge
influence on not only my riding, but also his influence on up and coming Enduro
riders in Queenslnad generally".
Sponsors: Advanced Motors Dalby, Michelin, Silkolene, No Fear, MSC Steering
Dampeners, Forma Boots, Pat Walsh.
Major Achievements: With my partner Kristian Sprenger I have won all
3 rounds of the Honda Pony Xpress Series in the 'Expert All Powers' class.
Goals / Ambitions: continue to compete at a competitive level, so hopefully
one day I can accumulate enough sponsros and support to compete at the National
Off Road Series ona regular basis.
Name: Michael Hand - Junior
Team
D.O.B: 12/02/90, 17 years
Lives: Koumala, Central Queensland
Club: Gum Valley Motorcycle Club
Number of years competing in Enduro: 2 years
Number of times selected for A4DE: First time
Best Result at A4DE: N/A - 2007 first time selected
Thoughts on being selected: "I'm really excited on being selected to
represent Queensland at this year's A4DE, I'm looking forward to rubbing shoulders
with some of Queensland's best Enduro riders".
Sponsors: Redline Honda, Fox clothing, Kenda Tyres, Rocket Exhausts,
Shell Oils.
Major Achievements: Finishing the 2006 ISDE in New Zealand in 2006 as
a 16 year old (the youngest competitor at the event).
Goals / Ambitions: to go as far as I can in the sport.
Name: Nicholas Beattie
- Senior Team
D.O.B: 26/10/86, 20 years
Lives: Noosa Heads
Club: Gympie Motorcycle Club
Number of years competing in Enduro: 7 years
Number of times selected for A4DE: 3 times
Best Result at A4DE: 7th at 2005 A4DE in 250cc class
Thoughts on being selected: "I'm excited about being
slected for the senior team for the first time (having previously
been selected twice for the junior team), with top class
riders".
Sponsors: Yamaha, Motorcycle Country, Motul, RK
Chains,O'Neal Racewaer, DRM Construction, Mongrel Motos,
Mum & Dad...
Major Achievements: Gold Medal - 2006 Queensland
Enduro Championships, numerous top 3 finishes at Queensland
Pony Xpress and Suzuki Enduro Cross Series's.
Goals / Ambitions: To represent Australia, and
go as far as I possible can in the sport.
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Enduro
event calendar changes
Wet weather across the
Gold Coast hinterland area has resulted in the cancellation
of round 2 of the Yamaha Queensland 1 and 2 Day Enduro Championships
which was scheduled to take place in Goomburra last weekend
(9/10 June).
This event has been rescheduled
to now take place, at the same venue (Goomburra), on the
weekend of 4 & 5 August.
Round 3 of the Honda Pony
Xpress which was scheduled to take place on Sunday 5 August,
will now take place on Saturday 23 June, with round 2 still
taking place on Sunday 24 June. Rounds 2 and 3 of the Honda
Pony Xpress are also scheduled to take place at Goomburra.
Updated Entry Forms and
Supplementary Regulations will be available from the Queensland
Enduro website shortly.
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North
Queensland Pony Xpress Round 2 - cancelled
Please note round 2 of
the North Queensland Pony Xpress scheduled to take place
at Wallace Road, Malanda this Sunday 27th May, has been cancelled
due to the extremely wet weather conditions.
Further informaiton
is available by contacting the Race Secretary
Peter Hawes on 0408 770 276.
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Hutton
eyes number one prize
IT HAS rolled around for another year and the best of Queensland
Enduro, and no doubt New South Wales, are poised to fight
again for the number one plate.
Team Moto Moorooka Yamaha’s ‘King’ Kirk
Hutton has taken the outright honours for the Yamaha Queensland
Two-Day Enduro Championships for the last seven years.
Teammate and KTM pilot Michael Oliver and Honda’s Anthony ‘AJ’ Roberts
have given Hutton strong competition throughout his reign,
however never been able to obtain the crown.
Some of the best from New South Wales including Damian Smith,
Ben Grabham and Darren and Andrew Lloyd have also made the
long trek in previous years to contest Queensland’s
top series. However, have never been able to topple Hutton.
According to riders, the championships come at a perfect
time; the Australian Four-Day Enduro Championships are fast
approaching and Queensland is one of the only states which
has Enduro format races for riders to practice.
The first weekend of action will take place on May 5th and
6th at a property near Mackay, and is being promoted by the
Gum Valley Motorcycle Club.
.
Hutton said he is ready to add an eighth number one plate
to his collection.
“I feel like I am riding the best I ever have,” Hutton said. “I
am the fittest I have ever been and I have been training the most I ever have.
My YZ250 has been performing perfectly, and this has shown in my results so
far this year.
“I have won the majority of
the Queensland races there have been so far and plan to
win the enduro championships as well.
“They are really good training
for the Four-Day and the Six-Day. I am hoping to make the
Senior Trophy Team for the Six-Day, but to do this, I need
a good result at the Four-Day and the Two-Day championships
are perfect training for these. So, it all kind of fits
together.”
The championship offers classes for riders from Pro level
to Junior level and clubman and veteran divisions as well.
For more information click on the Queensland Enduro icon
on the www.eatmydirt.com.au site.
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AJ's
perfect streak broken
HONDA’S Anthony ‘AJ’ Roberts
has seen a glitch in his so far perfect national scene
season.
The CRF450R pilot
was defeated for the outright crown by long-time KTM rider
Brad ‘Wonka’ Williscroft
at the sixth round of the Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships,
held at Ballarat, Victoria, on April 22.
Roberts had so far won five of five rounds, including both
days of the enduro-format event, held at Mogo, in New South
Wales, on March 31 and April 1.
The track at Ballarat was dry and dusty for the parade laps.
However, the heavens opened directly following the first
race lap and rain kicked in, providing perfect-to-slippery
conditions for the remainder of the weekend.
Roberts continued his winning ways in the 450cc class on
Saturday by beating team mate Ben Grabham _ who was competing
in the 250cc class _ by seven seconds, giving the team a
first and second outright for the round. Brad Williscroft
finished third.
Round six on Sunday
threw up a few more challenges for the Honda crew, with ‘Grabbo’ coming
off and losing a radiator. Grabham was still able to finish
in third place, retaining his second position on the overall
ladder for the day.
“Benny and I were swapping spots all day on Saturday,” Roberts
said. “I think we had four special tests and we were
within one second of each other, and some of those tests
were almost 10 minutes long.
“It was great
for the team to have both riders win their class and push
each other for the outright win. I had one drop early on,
but so did Benny.”
Team manager Glenn
Hoffman said the team are now aiming for a one-two outright
finish to the season. “I don’t
think it’s been done before, but I believe AJ and Ben
can take their Honda’s to the top two positions overall,” he
said.
The only enduro format
race of the series proved a success with a large turn out
to the Mogo property. Even the fastest riders reported
challenging trail sections, with several “big” logs
and “sweet, loamy” conditions.
There were two tests,
one a bush test and the other incorporating some bush and
a moto cross track. One rider who particularly enjoyed
Mogo was reining Queensland champion, Yamaha’s ‘King’ Kirk
Hutton.
“I love enduros and I went really well at Mogo,” Hutton
said. “I like riding, so the enduro format works well
for me.” Hutton is currently the second placed Queenslander,
behind Roberts, in the Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships.
Hutton was also happy with his finish at the Victorian rounds,
placing second and third in the E3 class and seventh and
12th outright.
“If it hadn’t been for a massive crash on Sunday,
I would have been right up there again,” Hutton said.
“I missed a shift jumping off a little crest and went over the bars,
hard. I seriously injured my back. When I went to the doctor’s [after
the race] they did X-Rays and told me I had compressed a vertebrae and was
very lucky to not have extremely serious injuries.
“But I still had a good weekend. Coming even in the
top 10 against a lot of guys who don’t have to work
and can ride during the week is very satisfying for me.
“I still have to be able to make it to work on Monday… I
was really happy with my finish Saturday, I know that’s
where I can consistently be. And with the exception of Sunday,
in sixth and seventh outright is where I have been all season
so far, which betters my number 10 plate from last year,
so I am very happy.
“I think all
the training I have been doing has paid off.”
Hutton “can’t wait” for
the next rounds of the series. Rounds seven and eight will
be held at Conondale on the Sunshine Coast on May 19 and
20.
“In a way, I hope they hold it as a cross-country
[three hours continuous racing with a mass start],” Hutton
said.
“It is meant to be held that way, but if we don’t
get rain, they will change it into timed laps.
“I really like the cross-country or GNCC format. After racing in America
I have good experience at these and it gives you a lot more time on the bike.”
It will be the only chance for Queenslanders to come and
check out the action, as these are the only two days of racing
for the championships to be held in the Sunshine State.
For all of the latest information
on the 2007 Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships check
out www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au
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