Internationals rule the Aussie Supercross roost in Newcastle

2023 FOX Australian Supercross Championship
Round Two – Newcastle

In another incredible night of racing for Team HRC Australia, Froth Honda Racing’s Dean Wilson (SX1) and Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Max Anstie (SX2) secured back-to-back overall wins in front of almost 20,000 people McDonald Jones Stadium.

Both riders took the maximum 75 points after three wins (1-1-1) in their respective finals in a night of hard-fought racing at the FOX Australian Supercross Championship Newcastle Triple Crown.

Repco M9 Honda’s Parker Ross also secured consecutive round wins in the SX3 class, while Tasmania’s Cooper Ford, took the honours on his KTM in the CR22 85cc Cup.

The hard packed track was slick and slippery thanks to rain leading into the event, with a challenging set of whoops further making conditions extremely technical. Smart decisions and strong starts were crucial, and ultimately, saw the star riders rise to the top.

With the Triple Crown format in play for SX1 & SX2, it was a make-or-break night for championship contenders resulting in intense racing and compelling viewing for fans.

SX1 Final 1

Final #1 saw the star-studded line up burst out of the gates with five-time Australia Champion Justin Brayton taking an early lead over current series leader and Froth Honda Racing’s Dean Wilson, Empire Kawasaki’s Matt Moss and CDR’s Justin Hill.

Moss was in the mix early along with Wilson, who eventually passed him to go into battle with his Honda team-mate.

Unfortunately for Moss, his night ended prematurely after a heavy crash in lap 7, leaving the resilient Australian, bitterly disappointed.

Wilson and Brayton went bar-to-bar while navigating traffic with lappers, but it the Scotsman who used it to his advantage, gaining the edge and ultimately taking the first SX1 checkered flag.

SX1 Final 1 Results

SX1 Final 2

CDR’s Luke Clout started strongly in Final #2 but Wilson quickly took the lead with Brayton hot on both their heels.

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Wilson looked comfortable and cruised holding the lead from lap one to the finish line where he took his second win of the night, while Clout and Brayton banged bars, with the American pushing hard trying to pass the Australian for several laps. Brayton’s persistence paid off passing Clout in the final stages of the race to narrowly secure second place, with Clout rounding out the top three.

SX1 Final 2 Results

SX1 Final 3

The final race of the night, the SX1 Final #3, was drama filled even before the first turn with Brayton and Boost Mobile Honda Racing team-mate, Kyle Webster crashing together hard and not finishing.

With Brayton out, Wilson, Hill and Boom Racing’s Dylan Wills hit the front, with the in-form Wilson further extending his lead on the pack to easily finish his laps and secure his third straight SX1 win of the night. Hill and Wills held their own to round out the top three.

SX1 Final 3 Results

SX1 Overall

Wilson cleaned up with the overall win in Newcastle, took home the maximum 75 championship points from the Triple Crown format giving him a commanding lead on the SX1 Australian Supercross Championship title going into the final round. CDR’s Hill was second overall, while his team-mate Clout took home third place.

Dean Wilson – P1

“I had to be patient tonight, the track became super slippery, it was really unpredictable.  My first goal is to win the championship, I won’t jeopardise that, but it would be nice to finish the championship with another win in the teams home town of Melbourne.”

Josh Hill – P2

“Things were pretty wild out there and there was a lot going on in those first few laps. My starts were terrible, and I was always stuck in the chaos on the first lap so I just had to pick my way through and make passes where I could. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the final race where I came out of the first lap that I was able to see the leaders and make a charge at the front. But, overall, I’m happy with how the night went and it was good to see a big crowd turn up to watch the racing and I hope everyone enjoyed the night.”

Luke Clout – P3

“I think that was the slipperiest track I have ever raced. The dirt was so hard and then with a bit of water, it was really easy to lose traction and override it. You had to stay as calm as possible and be gentle on the throttle which is the opposite to how I usually ride. Starts were important tonight and mine weren’t great. The last one I locked handlebars with Brayton going into the first turn and he went down which was unfortunate, but every rider knew they needed a good start here. It’s nice to be back up on the podium as it’s been a while for me and good for my confidence heading into the final round in Melbourne in two weeks. The team did a great job with the bike and let’s go for the top of the box at the final round.”

Dylan Wills – P4

“I injured my collarbone prior to the season, and even though it’s still not 100 percent, it was good enough to go racing at Newcastle. I got a fifth in the first final and that was a decent start, so my goal was to keep getting good results for the rest of the night. A third place in the third final is better than I expected after a lot of time off the bike. A top five or six is about where I thought I could be, but to finish on the box in that last race, and to be the first Australian in that one, was massive for me. I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to come back racing and it’s a dream scenario.”

Justin Brayton – P5

“I am really disappointed; this wasn’t how I wanted the night to go.  My goal is to finish 2nd in the championship and support the team.”

SX1 Round Points

SX1 Championship Points

SX2 Final 1

Final #1 was full of action with KTM’s Nathan Crawford taking the lead, and favourite and current SX2 series leader, Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Max Anstie, caught deep for several laps before skilfully and patiently fighting his way to the front, his whoop speed and smart passing the difference. Anstie took the first points over Crawford, with Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Kaleb Barham taking out third place.

SX2 Final 1 Results

SX2 Final 2

Final #2 saw Anstie go two-from-two claiming a comfortable win, over WBR’s Robbie Wageman and KTM’s Crawford.

Terrafirma Equipment Sales Honda Racing’s Wilson Todd had been leading early in the race but a mishap on lap 3 saw him go down and hand the lead to Anstie, who took the advantage and didn’t look back.

SX2 Final 2 Results

SX2 Final 3

The final SX2 race, Final #3, unsurprisingly saw championship leader Anstie lead from start to finish, with KTM’s Crawford right behind him, hunting for opportunities as the leader started to make mistakes. While his composure secured him the win, Anstie admitted post-race he struggled with the track and how tough it was. Crawford took a gallant second, with Serco Yamaha’s Cole Thompson finishing third.

SX2 Final 3 Results

SX2 Round

Anstie also secured the overall win in Newcastle, maximum 75 championship points and takes a commanding lead in the SX2 Australian Supercross Championship title going into Melbourne. Crawford finished second overall, with Barham taking out third in his first SX2 podium finish.

Max Anstie – P1

“I can’t complain too much, the track was a little challenging and I needed to ride smart, but it was fun, the fans were great and I enjoyed the night.  I will now focus on the final round where I want to wrap it up with another win, the bike, the team, everything is working well.”

Nathan Crawford – P2

“Man, I am so stoked with this result, riding right there with Max [Anstie] in the last one. To be able to learn from a guy like that is huge, and I’m just so pumped with my night overall. Adelaide wasn’t acceptable and I was out for redemption here, which I feel like I achieved, although today was all about just being smart, especially with the slick track conditions. My bike felt awesome all day long, so a big thanks to the team, we’ll line up and go again in Melbourne!”

Kaleb Barham – P3

“I’m just so stoked, the first round didn’t go well for me, and I left Adelaide really disappointed as we had all put in a lot of work heading into this championship. But the team kept working hard and we spent plenty of time at the practice track, so it was awesome to turn things around here and get on the podium. This is my first MX2/ SX2 round podium, so I’m pretty excited about it. I had a few in MXD but this one has been far too long coming and I have been close so many times. I can’t thank the team enough for all the work they have done and hope we can do it all again at Melbourne in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Cole Thompson – P4

“It wasn’t the night I was looking for as I felt good leading into the event. I just couldn’t get much track position in the early laps and that cost me. My starts simply need to be better in this format and it’s something that I will need to address by Melbourne. The team worked hard all day and I’m determined to finish the championship on a positive note at Melbourne.”

Robbie Wageman – P6

“Like everyone, these triple challenge races can be good or bad for you depending on how things go on the night. For me, this time I only had one good result out of the three and that’s not good enough to get you on the podium, so I need to do better. I just didn’t get the starts I need, or I made mistake at the wrong time and in a night where every race counts, it’s never good to be in that situation. But still third in the championship with a round to go, so let’s go to Melbourne and aim for the podium.”

Ryder Kingsford – P7

“I feel in my qualifier and finished way back, so I had a terrible gate pick for the three-race final. I managed to do what I could but I was always trying to find a way forward as my starting position was so bad. But, I did learn and understand with events like this, to get a good result, your night really starts with the first lap of practice because as we progress, being in a good position on the gate makes life much easier.”

Rhys Budd – P9

“It’s a disappointing night for me and not the result I wanted. My speed on the track was good but when it came down to the three finals, things just didn’t go my way. I was caught in crashes, made some mistakes myself and just couldn’t get any clear track at all. The first two rounds haven’t been good for me so it’s important I get my act together for the final round in Melbourne and get a result that the team and I have worked so hard for.”

Jayce Cosford – P10

“I’m disappointed on how I finished tonight as my riding at the last round and during the week as been good. Tonight, I was able to get myself into the top five in every race only to make a mistake and go down. Just silly mistakes that I shouldn’t be making but did tonight. But my riding is improving, and I feel I can match it with these guys now and maybe that’s why I’m so frustrated with myself. I can race and beat these guys and feel I should be up the front every time we race. I’m learning as we go and will continue to do so as I want to get better and I know the team supports me so we will keep at it and try and make the podium in Melbourne.”

SX2 Round Points

SX2 Championship Points

SX3

The SX3 division raced their standalone final with Repco M9 Honda’s Parker Ross going back-to-back with the top spot on the podium after a victory over Yamaha GYTR’s Kayd Kingsford and R&D Husky’s Jyle Campbell.

After popping his shoulder in the heat and having a slow start, Ross rode patiently on the slick track before taking back control from Kingsford to secure the win.

Round 1’s second place getter and Heat 1 Winner, Kobe Drew, was in the mix but had a mishap on the final lap ending his winning chances, finishing the night in eighth place.

Parker Ross

“I hurt myself in my heat race crash, I want to thank the Racesafe team for strapping my shoulder and the team for getting my bike ready for the final.  The battles have been good with the other riders and I can’t wait for the final round in Melbourne.”

SX3 Final

SX3 Championship Points

CR22 85cc Cup

In a highly anticipated night of racing for the 12-to-14-year-olds in the CR22 85cc Cup, Tasmania’s Cooper Ford took the honours on his KTM SX 85 over New South Welshman Heath Davey and New Zealand’s Levi Townley on their Yamaha YZ 85s.

Round One’s first and second place getters Jack Nunn and Lachlan Allen – came sixth and fifth respectively – after fighting their way back from deep in the pack and are now still in the mix for the title, sitting second and third in progressive series points. The final round of racing will be hotly contested in Melbourne with the CR22 Cup Title wide open.

CR22 Final

CR22 Championship Points

The final round of the Australian Supercross Championship runs in conjunction with the World Supercross Championship in Melbourne, Victoria on the weekend of the 24th and 25th of November.