The 2011 AORC’s attracts the big names
Tuesday 15 February: The 2011 Yamaha Australian Off Road Championship commences on 26-27 February and the Series looks set to feature some of the biggest names in Australian Off Road racing.
- Toby Price - reigning Champion
- Chris Hollis – recently returned from Europe
- Stefan Merriman - multiple World Champion
- Ben Grabham - multiple National Champion
- Glen Kearney - recently returned from the USA
These 5 will lead a stellar line-up as the Series showcases an unprecedented depth of talent. If those names aren't enough, they'll also be joined by the likes of; Jarrod Bewley, Stefan Granquist, Polish export Bartosz Oblucki, former Champ AJ Roberts, Geoff Braico – who will be returning from injury, young-guns Luka Bussa, Matt Ryan and Matt Phillips, along with Jess Gardiner heading up with Women's title fight.
Ballard's Yamaha Off Road Team Manager and reigning Masters Champ Geoff Ballard said he excited to see so many top riders competing in 2011.
"I'm pretty excited for a number of reasons,” Ballard said. "We've never seen this many top riders in the Australian Championship at one time. We've got some top guys coming back from Europe and America, and some talent coming out from Europe; the field is the strongest it's ever been. I believe it's really going to be on this year – if anyone can get in the top 10 they're going extremely well so we're keen for it to get started!”
Also enthused about the rider line-up for 2011 is Motorex KTM Off Road Team Manager Brad Williscroft.
"The field will be good for competition this year for sure,” Williscroft said. "It's great to have the best riders racing - it makes it better for spectators, race fans and even the competitors themselves – if they do win, they know they've beaten some of the best riders around !”
Husqvarna Racing Team Manager Paul Feeney was happy to see the Championship running in conjunction with the State Championship rounds, and knows it'll be a tough year if his team are going to win.
"I think running with the state rounds will be a good thing – the people who organise the state rounds always do a good job because their hearts are in it,” Feeney said. "It'll be good to get the extra numbers which will boost the Championship, and it will also be good for the state riders to get a glimpse of where the National riders are at. As far as talent goes it's by far the best year the Off Road has had - we've got a strong team this year, but it's not going to be easy that's for sure!”
For more information regarding the 2011 AORC visit the official Series website at: www.ma.org.au/aorc, and checkout the fan page on Facebook !
The dates and venues for the 2011 AORC:
Rd 1 and 2 26-27 February Buladelah NSW Cross Country/SprintCentral Coast Dirt Riders
Rd 3 and 4 28-29 May Hedley VIC Cross Country/SprintCorner Inlet Motorcycle Club
Rd 5 and 6 18-19 June Dungog NSW EnduroDungog Motorcycle Club
Rd 7 and 8 09-10 July Broadford Vic Cross Country/SprintMotorcycle Riders Club of Victoria
Rd 9 and 10 27-28 August Callington SA Sprint/SprintJuventus Club of South Australia