GMR Motorex KTM racers finished their 2011 Australian Junior Motocross Championships campaign on a high claiming seven podium results in six of the seven classes contested, with Callum Norton and Egan Mastin each claiming a championship win.
Despite the threat of injury clouds in the lead up to the event, the GMR Motorex KTM Racing Team fielded their full six rider junior line-up at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships held at Murray Bridge in South Australia on 1-8 October. The team had 11 race bikes entered across seven championships classes with Callum Norton claiming the title in the 9-u12 years 65cc class and Egan Mastin claiming the 12-u14 years 85cc national title.
Callum Norton and Reece Rayner kicked off proceedings on the final day of racing in the 9-u12 years 85cc class with both boys on the move early, Callum holding second and within reach of the lead and team mate Rayner hot on his tail in third. Unfortunately Rayner suffered from mechanical issues which relegated him down the field. Norton rode impressively to finish in third with Rayner recovering well to score seventh. The third place for Norton was enough to secure second overall in the Championship.
Later in the race program, both riders took to the track in their respective 65cc classes. Norton was keen to make it a clean sweep of the 9-u11 years 65cc class and after a great jump from the gate, quickly took to the lead by turn two and led to the finish to claim his first national championship.
“The results sort of don’t feel real!’ said Norton who was still reeling “I was stoked to get three wins on the 65 for the title. The 85 class was a bit tougher, but I was really happy to get a couple of seconds and a third for second overall. I have another year in the 85cc class so I am really looking forward to Coolum for the 2012 nationals.”
Rayner was a little disappointed with his results but proud of his ongoing determination despite the hurdles he faced throughout the week-long event “I had a rough week at the nationals and it wasn’t what I had hoped for. I moved up into the older age group now and I really wanted two podiums to finish off the year. I had a big crash in the first final on the 85cc, it was on the start straight when another rider crashed into me. I knocked my head pretty hard and just did my best to keep going. After that it was just bad luck in the next two as well as a mechanical issue and I got 19th overall. In the 65 class, I got third overall. I got 3-2-4 race results. I wanted the win of course but I am happy to be on the podium.”
In the 12-u14 years 85cc all three GMR Motorex KTM racers Egan Mastin, Mitch Evans and Andy Dinicol lined up for the final. Mastin went into the final race holding the points lead, with Evans in second. Dinicol, who had unfortunately suffered mechanical issues in the first two motos was determined to give it his all in the last race.
In a display of smart racing beyond their years, Mastin and Evans scored second and third respectively in the final race of the championship which was enough to secure their overall positions. Mastin ultimately claimed his first national championship, while Evans in his first season in the 85cc big-wheel class saw himself on the podium in a well deserved runner-up. Dinicol meanwhile was having a great race, sitting in around 5th position until a small crash set him back.
An elated Mastin said after the race “I am just so happy right now! This is my first Australian Title and it is the best feeling.”
On reflection after the event Evans said “After the first final, I couldn’t believe that I got a third. It wasn’t until then I realized I was a real shot for a podium. Then in the next one I finished second behind Egan (Mastin). I got a third in the final race which was enough to secure second overall so I am just really pumped with the outcome.”
It was a big effort to get here this week after my shoulder injury’ said Dinicol, “unfortunately we had mechanical issues in the first two motos and I just couldn’t catch a break. In the third race I had a good start and was running around the top five for most of the race until I crashed. I think I just didn’t have the bike time on the track I needed.”
Mastin then went on to contest the final race of the 13-u15 years 100-150cc class a little later in the day with yet another impressive performance from the 13 year old. Mastin had a blistering start and was in great form throughout the race to score a third place. The result catapulted Mastin from sixth to a fourth overall in the championship. “On the 150 I was hoping for a top five’, said Mastin. “I finished fifth in race one but then a ninth in race two wasn’t the best. I pulled a third in the final race which pushed me up to a fourth overall. It was a great week and can’t thank everyone enough.”
Scott Mann was keen to add to his dual 2010 Championships “Basically, my goal was to win both the 15 years 100-150cc and 250F classes” said Mann “I picked up a second in race one on the 150 so things were looking good, but I crashed in the second moto and placed fifth. I was in second overall heading into the final moto and after a bad start finished fourth to get second for the title.”
Mann added “In the 250F, again I was in a good position after a win in race one, but a takeout move in race two left me down the order in ninth. I did all I could in the final moto to take third overall. I am disappointed I didn’t win, but to be on the podium for two classes at the nationals is still a great feeling as the competition was tough this year.”
GMR Motorex KTM Team Manager Glenn Macdonald was extremely pleased with the results “The final day of the Junior Nationals was incredible. I am really proud of the whole GMR Motorex KTM team. We have had some great results in the past, but this year at the nationals was by far the most prolific in terms of podium results. GMR Motorex KTM racers collected seven podium results, two of those were championship wins for Norton and Mastin, three runner-ups for Evans, Norton and Mann and two third place results for Rayner and Mann. A special mention also goes to Mastin who after a blistering final moto in the 13-u15 years 100-150cc class where he placed third moved up the championship tally to a commendable fourth place in his first season on the larger bike.”
Macdonald added “Callum Norton was outstanding in the 9-u12 years 65cc class taking a clean sweep, and showed real tenacity in the 85cc class, picking up 2-2-3 results for second overall. Callum has another year in this age group and we are looking forward to another strong season in 2012.”
“Reece Rayner simply had a bad run of luck and he certainly didn’t collect the result in the 9-u12 years 85cc class that he is capable of. A third place overall in the 11-u13 years 65cc was a good result considering the strain he faced.”
“Egan Mastin was super-impressive this week, posting some excellent lap times and scoring two race wins on his way to locking in his first Australian Championship in the 12-u14 years 85cc class. Mitch Evans was also exceptional in his first national in this age group, placing second behind his teammate. It was an extremely proud moment to have the 1-2 result confirmed for the GMR Motorex KTM boys.”
“Andy Dinicol just couldn’t catch a break in the 85cc class and despite all his hard work and recovery program to get him to the nationals it was disappointing to see him struck with mechanical gremlins that caused his two DNF results. Despite this and the lack of track time, Andy showed great form in the third moto until a crash relegated him down the order.”
“Scott Mann was on a mission this week aiming for two national titles in the premier 15 years 100-150cc and 250F classes, but it just simply didn’t fall our way. The competition was tough this year and to score two podium results with a second and third respectively was an amazing achievement.”
Macdonald concluded “All in all, the team did an outstanding job and I can’t thank the riders, their families and support crews and our valuable sponsors enough for making the results possible.”
Team updates and race results for GMR Motorex KTM Racing Team can be found at www.gmr-motorexktm.com.au and www.ktm.com.au as well as on FACEBOOK at www.facebook.com/gmrmotorexktm
GMR Motorex KTM would like to thank their sponsors: KTM Australia, Motorex, Michelin, Fox, Ringmaster Images,Alpinestars, Easton, Oakley Motocross Advanced Coaching Academy, Hammerhead Designs, Uni Filter & NGK
2011 AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS – OVERALL STANDINGS
9-u11 years 65cc
1. Callum Norton 75pts
2. Caleb Grothues 58pts
3. Riley Dukes 55pts
11-u13 years 65cc
1. Hunter Lawrence 125pts
2. Wade Kirkland 106pts
3. Reece Rayner 102pts
9-u12 years 85cc
1. Hunter Lawrence 75pts
2. Callum Norton 64pts
3. Wade Kirkland 51pts
12-u14 years 85cc
1. Egan Mastin 72pts
2. Mitchell Evans 62pts
3. Dylan Heaton 53pts
13-u15 years 100-150cc
1. Jordan Smith (USA) 75pts
2. Joel Dinsdale 64pts
3. Jayden Rykers 57pts
15 years 100-150cc
1. Hamish Harwood (NZ) 72pts
2. Scott Mann 58pts
3. Joel Milesevic 51pts
15 years 250F
1. Hayden Mellross 72pts
2. Hamish Harwood (NZ) 62pts
3. Scott Mann 55pts
