ProMX ’23: Beaton, Todd, Dennis, and Cannon fire first shots in Coolum
The stage is set for the final round of the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, as riders took to the Coolum Pines MX venue in the Thor MX1, Pirelli MX2, MAXXIS MX3, EZILIFT MXW, and MXV classes today in preparation for tomorrow’s showdown.
In what marks the final time national-level motocross will visit the Coolum Pines MX venue, tomorrow’s race day is set to provide the ultimate send off following what was a stacked day of action today.
Thor MX1
As the quest for the coveted Thor MX1 Championship heats up, it was the title-hunter Jed Beaton (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) who stormed to the top of the qualifying timesheets, being the only rider in the 1:44’s in qualifying with a 1:44:378 lap time. In behind Beaton was teammate Kyle Webster aboard the second Boost Mobile Honda, with Queensland privateer Levi Rogers charging to an incredible third place time against the country’s top talent.
New Zealand ace Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports KTM) finished in fourth place as he looks to cap off what has been an impressive season to date, whilst KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs finished in the P5 position as he remains in mathematical contention for the title.
Sixth place was the in-form championship leader Dean Ferris (Brisbane Motorcycles Yamaha), who posted a time that was 2.7 seconds off series rival Beaton, with the number 111 left with some work to do overnight. Defending Thor MX1 Champion Aaron Tanti (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy), Penrite GO24’s Brett Metcalfe, Joel Evans (Honda) and Luke Zielinski (Yamaha) completed the top ten.
The stakes are high atop the Thor MX1 Class Championship, with Ferris and Beaton separated by a marginal 15 points entering tomorrow.
Pirelli MX2
Terrafirma Honda’s Wilson Todd fired the first shot in the Pirelli MX2 class at the series finale, topping the timesheets with a 1:46.306 lap time, which sat .832 clear of teammate Brodie Connolly (Polyflor Honda) in P2.
GASGAS Racing Team’s Noah Ferguson continued his blistering recent form by securing the third-fastest lap time, whilst championship contender Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) finished in P4. Rounding out the top five was West Australian rookie and sand specialist, Kayden Minear (KTM Racing Team).
Six through ten ran WBR Bulk Nutrients Yamaha’s Ryder Kingsford as he continues his return from early season injury, followed by Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jayce Cosford in seventh place. Honda’s Liam Andrews secured eighth as he fights for the sixth-place position in the Pirelli MX2 Championship, with Serco Yamaha’s Rhys Budd and privateer Caleb Ward completing the top ten.
There are battles aplenty throughout the Pirelli MX2 Class, with series rivals Todd and Crawford topping the standings and separated by 27 points.
Maxxis MX3
MAXXIS MX3 Championship leader Byron Dennis set the pace in qualifying, notching a 1:46:683 lap time which put the GASGAS-supported racer .655 ahead of previous round’s winner, Jake Cannon (GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing). Liam Owens (Raceline Berry Sweet Husqvarna Racing) secured position three, with Connor Towill (KTM) and Deacon Paice (KTM) finshing in P4 and P5 respectively.
Championship contender Jack Mather (Raceline Berry Sweet Husqvarna Racing) secured a time that was good enough for sixth place, as the Queenslander faces a 25-point deficit on Dennis with a possible 50 on the line in Coolum.
The MAXXIS MX3 Championship has seen an array of winners throughout the 2023 campaign, however it all comes down to tomorrow’s action, as the nation’s top young talent fight for MX3 glory.
EZILIFT MXW
After describing herself as ‘pretty angry’ following a mishap during QMP’s final moto which resulted in a DNF, Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Charli Cannon took to the Coolum circuit with a point to prove, and would do just that by posting a qualifying time that was over two seconds clear of her rivals.
Empire Kawasaki’s Taylah McCutcheon finished in P2, while previous round winner Taylor Thompson (GASGAS) captured P3. Tied for the championship lead, Emma Milesevic (Team HRC Honda) qualified in fourth, whilst Honda teammate Madison Brown finished fifth.
Completing their first moto, Cannon once again raced to the top of the field, finishing a sizable 26 seconds clear of fellow Queenslander McCutcheon in second place, which sees the defending champion stretch her series margin to nine over Milesevic, who finished the moto in fifth. Thompson raced to the final podium position in third, whilst Honda’s Tahlia O’Hare notched P4.
Tomorrow’s final EZILIFT MXW moto will determine the outcome of the 2023 Championship, and if today is anything to go by, all riders will be chasing the number one of Cannon.
MXV
Adding to the spectacle of the Coolum Pines final round was the MXV Championship, which is divided up into the 30-39 years category, and the 40+ class. After a two-moto format in each, Western Australia’s Dean Porter topped the 30-39 class with a 1-2 result, followed by Queensland’s Luke Weaver in P2 with a 4-1 scorecard, and Victorian racer Justin Carafa in P3 with a 2-6.
In the 40+ Class, Victoria’s Steve Powell swept the division with a perfect 1-1, with former multi-time national champion Cameron Taylor in P2 with a 3-2 scorecard. Finishing with a 5-3 result, Queensland’s Barry Surawski completed the podium.
Congratulations to both Porter and Powell on their 2023 Penrite ProMX, presented by AMX Superstores, MXV Championships!
Official program for the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores
How to watch the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores
Official calendar for the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores
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