Junior Enduro has arrived in Victoria to compliment the cross country and sprint events already held. Dandenong and Koo Wee Rup
motor cycle clubs combined their efforts to put on a "juniors only" event in great conditions to test the young riders skills to
the limit.
Designed to train and encourage the riders using time cards, timed sections, special tests and bike maintenance the
day was a huge success. The event was open to all riders under 18 years of age who held a national racing licence. As the event
was on private property, registration was not required.
Series sponsors Thor donated extra prizes for the junior riders on the day with regular sponsors Camelbak, Cykel, Scott, Tag,
Gorilla Grip supporting the development of these younger Riders. As this was the first time for some of these young riders to
adjust to using trail time and rider cards and then turning on the pace in the special tests there was an air of unknown amongst
some of the riders. Those who had travelled to NSW and competed in some of their junior enduro rounds had a definite advantage.
Coby Willis, a regular competitor on the NSW scene cleaned up in the J5 class on the KTM 125 and managed to win the event outright
from Glyn Taylor and Jye Townsend. The intermediate class for those over 16 years but not yet able to gain a road licence in
Victoria were included for the days racing. Husqvarna mounted Danny Mc Conville rode to second place outright and the class win
from Brett Boyd and Joel Kent coming in Third.
The hottest class of all was the J4 Class with 17 riders ready to roar. The two stand out riders all ready dominating this
class were not going to let the large field have a piece of the action. Troy Maynes continued his perfect score with another
win from Ben Robbins and the consistent Danial Milner claiming third place.
Younger riders under 11 years were also given the opportunity on a reduced course to test their enduro skills. In the J3
class Nathan Ondrus already dominating the class continued on his winning way with a win from Kale Makeham and Dandenong
club member Joel Pay. In the J2 class local Warragul hotshot Travis Cooper picked up a win from MCRCV member Josh Green
and Thomas Pay.
The event was the first of 2 junior enduros planned as part of the already successful 2005 Yamaha Off Road Championships.
With junior riders already competing in the cross country and sprints with their senior counterparts. It was a great
atmosphere with many Victorian Pro and Expert riders giving up their training and competition schedules for the day and
helping to encourage the riders and ensure the success of the day.
The next round of the off road series for junior riders is a 2 day event at Horsham on the 25th and 26th of May 2005. This
event is a sprint on the Saturday and a cross country on the Sunday. The junior riders will enjoy over 4 hours of riding on
the Saturday and a one and a half hour cross country on the Sunday morning. Junior riders will be completed by 11.30 am on
the Sunday. The next Junior Enduro planned is for Sunday 4th Sept. 2005. watch
www.offroad-racing.com.au for further
information and details.
Main Photo: Troy Maynes at Erica Junior enduro, winner J 4 class.
