ProMX ’23: Penrite ProMX Championship ready for retro round at Toowoomba

Published On: June 23, 2023Categories: News

The 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, continues this Sunday, 25 June, as riders and teams are ready for ‘retro’ round six at Toowoomba, set to feature some striking throwback themes across the Thor MX1, Pirelli MX2 and MAXXIS MX3 categories.

Thor MX1

The top three contenders in the Thor MX1 Class are separated by just nine points! The fight for the 2023 title is well and truly alive with Jed Beaton (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) entering Echo Valley holding the red plate, ahead of Dean Ferris (Brisbane Motorcycles Yamaha) by a single point, and defending champion Aaron Tanti (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) in third place.

From the leading trio, the momentum is currently with Tanti, who emerged in testing conditions last time out at Gillman with a 2-2 scorecard. Ferris will certainly be looking to rebound after finishing a lowly ninth overall, while consistency has remained the trend for Beaton as he notched 4-4 results.

One to watch for is Kyle Webster, with the Boost Mobile Honda Racing rider winning both motos in South Australia and entering Toowoomba red hot. However, misfortune throughout the opening half of the season sees him eighth in the standings, and what will be of interest is observing the team’s strategy as the outfit looks to secure the 2023 Thor MX1 crown.

Fourth in the standings is KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs, who remains in contention just 18 points from the red plate. The 450 SX-F rider will be eyeing a top step performance at round six to put a stamp on his title challenge.

The depth of the field doesn’t end there, with former national champions and race winners such as Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) – currently fifth in the standings – Todd Waters (Raceline Berry Sweet Husqvarna Racing), Brett Metcalfe (GO24 KTM) and the rebuilding Regan Duffy (GASGAS Racing Team) all in the mix.

Round six is sure to be an exciting one, and is also pivotal in determining the Thor MX1 Class momentum entering the series’ final stages. You don’t want to miss the two 25-minute motos!

Pirelli MX2

The Pirelli MX2 class has delivered its share of controversy, surprises, and exciting racing, as Toowoomba marks the next chapter in what has been an entertaining season for the category so far.

Last time out, Terrafirma Honda Racing’s Wilson Todd underlined exactly why he has the number one plate, keeping his composure to hold off a hard charging Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) for victory in moto one, before completing a Gillman sweep with another win in race two.

Crawford has shown immense speed throughout much of 2023 season and will be hungry to return to the top step at Toowoomba, in a bid to close the 37-point deficit he faces to Todd. Additionally, the early season contact and animosity between the pair raises the question of when or if we could see another controversial moment.

While much of the focus has been on the Todd and Crawford rivalry this season, there is a huge range of talent in the Pirelli MX2 category, including the likes of Brodie Connolly (Polyflor Honda Racing) and Serco Yamaha’s Rhys Budd, who have each stood on the top step of the podium this year.

Another one to watch for will be Kaleb Barham, the Toowoomba local and longtime privateer having his 2023 charge boosted by an opportunity with Yamalube Yamaha Racing. While his debut with the team at Gillman was a tough outing that left him needing surgery on an untimely thumb injury, the number 16 is fired up for a strong round six performance.

While Toowoomba has not featured on the national motocross calendar since 2017, a lot of the riders behind the gate have experience at the venue from various high level local and state races. If form across the opening rounds can be used as an indicator, then Todd and Crawford should be the favourites, however, the Pirelli MX2 class this year has thrown up its surprises…

Caption: Terrafirma Honda’s Wilson Todd leads the Pirelli MX2 Class by 37 points with three rounds remaining in this year’s championship.

Maxxis MX3

With four different manufactures in the top four, the MAXXIS MX3 Championship enters the final three rounds of the 2023 season with GASGAS-racer Byron Dennis at the head of the field.

Dennis and Junior Motocross World Championship-bound Jake Cannon (Yamaha) split wins last time out in South Australia, with Cannon awarded the overall on countback and he is now P3 in the standings.

Husqvarna rider Jack Mather splits the pair in the title race, 22 points back from Dennis as Toowoomba marks an important round for the number 43 as he can’t afford to let his championship rival stretch out a further advantage.

Fourth-placed Cambell Williams is motivated to notch another overall victory, and a huge list of hungry emerging contenders will look to put their best foot forward when gates drop at Echo Valley.

Bikes will be on track from 8:00am on Sunday, commencing with Pirelli MX2 practice. Each category will have two motos, with the first gate drop of the day at 10:25am.