The 2025 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships this Easter weekend will not only showcase the best young talent in the country, but may also give fans a glimpse of future senior stars—or even national or world champions—10 to 15 years from now.
Over the past 25 years, junior title meetings like this weekend’s showdown have featured future world champions such as Casey Stoner, Remy Gardiner, Darcy Ward, and Chris Holder; road racing stars like Jack Miller, Senna Agius, and Joel Kelso; and speedway talents including Brady Kurtz, Rohan Tungate, and Sam Masters on their way up.
It may not necessarily be this year’s champions who go on to reach the sport’s highest levels, but fans can be assured that many of the riders on show will turn in performances that match—or even surpass—those of their senior counterparts.
The Kurri Kurri Junior Motorcycle Club has attracted almost 100 riders for the event, including a strong contingent from Queensland as well as representatives from Victorian clubs, all eager to take on talent from across New South Wales.
Last year’s event at Somersby saw thrilling battles in the 13 to Under 16s class between dual-class winner Neiko Donovan from Townsville and Thomas Gotts from the ACT. Gotts may carry an edge into this weekend, having already raced and won at Kurri Kurri last month, taking out the Junior Masters crown.
Also expected to feature prominently are Hugh Hope-Hodgetts (Forbes), Jed Fyffe and Tommy Wright (Albury-Wodonga), Nate Jaeger (Gunnedah), and Queenslanders Jake Paige, Hamish Bibby, and Kai Moran. Local hopes rest with Bodie Cardinale and Zac Brady of the host club.
Defending champion Ruby James, also representing the host club, will aim to replicate the dominant form that brought her success last year. Teammate Braxsen Anderson and fellow Hunter region rider Cohen McCosker—both newly moved up to the 9 to Under 13s category—are also tipped to be contenders.
Other defending champions returning include Hugo Holmes (Gunnedah), Riley Holder (Kempsey), and Cooper Quinn (Gold Coast).
Riders in the younger age brackets, starting with the 7 to Under 9s, will compete on smaller capacity bikes, but their races are just as exciting as the older juniors. Many display a level of confidence and composure well beyond their years.
Larger-entry classes will be contested over four rounds of heats (either two or three per round), followed by a repechage and a final. Smaller classes will be decided on points across five rounds.
Practice begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday, followed immediately by the opening heats. On Sunday, a Parade Lap at 9:00 AM will precede the final rounds of racing.
Entry is just $5 per vehicle, with full canteen facilities available. The venue is located on Dickson Road, Loxford.
