With all remaining Final Moto’s complete the 2023 Australian Junior Motocross Championship have concluded with a host of new champions crowned under blue skies at Acacia Hills in the Northern Territory.
The final day of racing left some titles right up until the final laps, with some Championship titles separated by only a few points.
Seth Shackleton was crowned 2023 Australian Champion in the 128cc to 150cc 2-stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-stroke (13 – U15yrs) class. Shackleton had an exceptional day, claiming back-to-back Moto wins in Final 4 and 5. Additionally, Shackleton claimed the best lap time for both Finals, to further cement his victory. Cooper Rowe’s efforts saw him finish in second place, with Lachlan Morris in third.
The 2022 Champion, Madi Simpson gave it one last shot in retaining her title in Female 100 to 150cc 2-stroke & 200 to 250cc 4-stroke (13 – U16yrs). After winning Final 5, the points just weren’t enough to beat her rival, Danielle McDonald. McDonald has now become the 2023 AJMX Female 100 to 150cc 2-stroke & 200 to 250cc 4-stroke (13 – U16yrs) Champion. Simpson finished in second place overall, followed by Darci Whalley in third.
Ollie Birkitt was crowned the 2023 AJMX 85cc 2-stroke & 150cc 4-stroke (9 – U12yrs) Champion. It had been a challenging week for the victor, fending off Championship efforts by the likes of Sidney Stephenson and Nate Tomerini. After the Final 2 & 3 Moto’s, Stephenson and Tomerini claimed second and third place overall in the Championship, respectively.
It’s been a fantastic week for Lachlan Allen as he leaves the NT with the 2023 AJMX 85cc 2-stroke &150cc 4-stroke (12 – U14yrs) Championship title. After a fantastic result in Final 2 & 3, Allen comfortably secured his success, ahead of Peter Wolfe and Cooper Ford. Wolfe and Ford have in turn claimed the remaining podium positions, of second and third respectively.
The competition in the 85cc 2-stroke & 150cc 4-stroke (14 – U16yrs) class was intense right up until the final lap in Final 5. After Final 4 & 5 though, Jackson Fuller walked away with the 2023 AJMX 85cc 2-stroke & 150cc 4-stroke (14 – U16yrs) Championship title. His main competitor, Max Compton conceded for second place, even after claiming the win in Final 4. Rounding out the podium this year was Cooper Phillips in third.
Although Rowdy Rabjones was able to clinch the win in Final 4, he couldn’t beat Huson Francis onto the top step. Francis has left Acacia Hills with a well earnt 2023 AJMX Championship title for 50cc Auto (7 – U9yrs). Rabjones has finished this year’s Championship in second place, while Nate Forwood in third place.
Connor Feather came into Final 4 & 5 with a very clear point to prove, and boy did he! At the close of Final 5, Feather has come away with the 2023 Championship title in 65cc 2-stroke (10 – U12yrs). Nate Perrett put in an impressive fight for the gold, even clinching the best lap time in Final 4 but it just wasn’t enough. Perrett finished the 2023 Championship in second place overall. The last podium spot in 65cc 2-stroke (10 – U12yrs) was won by Ethan Wolfe.
It was a battle right through to the finish in 128cc to 150cc 2-stroke & 200cc to 250cc 4-stroke (15yrs). After Final 4, Ky Woods looked primed to take out the title but after Final 5, Liam Owens came in strong to claim victory. With Owens the 2023 Champion, Woods has earnt silver, leaving Kayden Strode in third for bronze.
It was a hard earnt win for Bella Burke, who is now the 2023 AJMX Female 85cc 2-stroke & 150cc 4-stroke (12 – U16yrs) Champion! Final 4 saw Burke risk losing valuable Championship points, however, she redeemed herself in Final 5 to claim both the Final Moto win and the Championship. Kyrah Mancinelli took out second place overall, just ahead of Stephanie Turnbull who claimed the third and final podium spot.
Nico Verhoeven took a clean sweep in 65cc 2-stroke (7 -U10yrs)! After Final 4 & 5, Verhoeven was crowned the 2023 Champion and also clinched another fastest lap time in Final 4. Liam Millard took home the silver, beating Lewis-Jay Carafa to the punch. Carafa settled for third place overall.
Cooper Rowe had an eye-wateringly perfect run. Claiming first place for all five Final Moto’s, Rowe wiped the floor with his competition to earn the 2023 AJMX 100cc to 125cc 2-stroke (13 – U15yrs) Championship title. Max Compton protected his second-place spot, earning silver overall. Behind Compton in third place is Sonny Pelicano.
Having faltered ever so slightly in Final 5 but with the hard yards put in throughout the week, Ky Woods has come away with a well deserved 2023 KTM AJMX Championship title in 100cc to 125cc 2-stroke (15yrs). Second place was a battle between Patrick Butler and Liam Owens but after the Final Moto, Butler took home second place while Owens settled for third.
To access all final results for all classes, please click here.
