2015 AJMX Nationals – Day Three
By Jeremy Hammer
Day three of the 2015 Australian Junior Motocross Championship was once again welcomed by perfect weather conditions and a well watered Bunbury circuit.
With only four qualifying heats run yesterday, the remaining classes commenced their first of five, final Moto’s.
Hunter Lawrence dominated the 250cc 15 Years class, despite a crash on the first lap, which relegated him several positions. Wade Kirkland capitalised on the opportunity, and quickly gapped the field. However, it was only a matter of laps before Lawrence had worked has way through the field to regain the lead, and Moto win. Kirkland would eventually cross the line in second, with WA local Justin Hart in third.
Lawrence also went onto to dominate the 125cc 15 Years class too, leading from start to finish – capturing the win 18-seconds ahead of Wyatt Chase and Wade Kirkland.
New Zealand’s Trent Collins secured the early lead of the 250cc 13-U15 Years class, however several laps in he would eventually lose not only the lead, but numerous positions as he slipped back down through the field.
Caleb Grothues fought his way to the front after an average start, and once he grasped the lead, he went onto to gap the field. But in the closing stages of the race Grothues went down hard, handing the lead to Callum Norton.
Grothues was able to remount, however he had significant damage to his motorcycle and would ultimately have to DNF. New South Welshman Michael Driscoll finished behind Norton for second, while Mason Semmens rounded out the podium for third.
With the 125cc 13-U15 Years class being one of two categories to qualify, it meant they would still contest their heats until tomorrow.
Caleb Grothues went onto win the Group A heat, which was stacked with top rider such as Regan Duffy, Rhys Budd and Callum Norton. Once Grothues grabbed a hold of the lead, he dominated the remaining laps. Duffy held second place for a period of time, however Norton would take over the position once the chequered flag was thrown.
WA’s current state champion, Mitchell Outram would win the group B heat 9 seconds ahead of fellow West Australian Mat Fabry. Queensland rider Bailey Malkiewicz concluded the podium in third.
Mitchell Outram – “I’m stoked to get the win in qualifying this morning, it’s a big confidence booster heading in to a big week of racing. I had Nutri-grain for breakfast this morning, so that might have been what helped me with my start. I’ve got to give a big thanks to dad though for getting me racing here this week.”
Outram also crushed the 85cc 14-U16 years class, while Regan Duffy fought his way from the middle of the field to capture the 85cc 12-U14 years Moto win.
Mitchell Outram – “I haven’t really had to touch the bike at all, it’s handling the track perfectly. Myself and my trainer set the bike up last week, and we have the bike running good, so you can see that this week. For the rest of the week, I’m just going to come back and try and do the same thing as I did today. I’d definitely like to take out the Australian Championship, that would just top off my year.”
