Thrilling on-track action at the fifth round of the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, has wrapped up in Gillman, SA, with both Kyle Webster and Wilson Todd sweeping the Thor MX1 and Pirelli MX2 classes, while Jake Cannon notched the MAXXIS MX3 overall victory and Charli Cannon achieved a perfect day in the EZLIFT MXW ranks as the best riders from all over the nation took to the South Australian venue.

Facing an array of weather conditions, Gillman shaped up to be a classic motocross circuit, with ruts and lines aplenty across the loamy surface, providing riders with a challenging racetrack to navigate on Sunday.

Thor MX1

Qualifying for the Thor MX1 class was swept by Boost Mobile Honda Racing team duo of Jed Beaton and Kyle Webster, as the two traded places atop the leaderboard, thriving in the sandy conditions. New Zealander Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports) locked in P3, while CDR Yamaha Monster Energy duo Aaron Tanti and Luke Clout rounded out the top five.

Transitioning then into the ever-exciting AMX Top 10 Pole Shootout, it was Webster this time who would catapult to the top of the time sheets, with Beaton in second, 0.153s off his teammate’s time. Clout and Tanti took positions three and four, while series points-leader Dean Ferris (Brisbane Motorcycles Yamaha) secured fifth.

Webster’s run of dominance continued in the opening moto, as the Western Australian took to the sand and blasted his Honda around the circuit, leading Tanti and Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team) across the finish line. Beaton came home in fourth, while an impressive ride from Maximus Purvis (WBR Yamaha) saw him in fifth place by race’s end.

The stage was set for a battle of the titans in the second moto, as all was to play for in the Thor MX1 class. Webster would again fire the first shot with the holeshot, leading for some time before Clout emerged to take hold of the top spot. In the background, Tanti and Beaton were working their way forwards, as Ferris experienced a fall early in the moto and had his work cut out for him. 

The skies then opened up with 10 minutes to go, providing a staggering downpour on the Gillman circuit. Goggles were tossed, front wheels washed, and passes were made as Webster eventually took the top spot securing a perfect 1-1, followed closely by Tanti and Clout. Beaton finished in fourth, while Harwood claimed fifth.

Webster’s 1-1 put him on top in Gillman, followed by Tanti and Beaton for the overall. The championship standings have tightened up as points leader Ferris could muster only ninth overall on a difficult day, with Beaton reclaiming the red plate on 172 points, followed by Ferris with 171, and Tanti with 163.

Pirelli MX2

Qualifying for the Pirelli MX2 class was topped by defending champion and current points-leader Wilson Todd (Terrafirma Honda Racing), who put down a blistering 2m04s lap-time, putting a sizeable 1.7s margin to second-placed Jesse Dobson. Next was Serco Yamaha teammate and previous round winner Rhys Budd, as GAGAS Racing Team’s Noah Ferguson rode to the number four position, and Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) rounded out the top five.

As the gates dropped for the opening Pirelli MX2 moto, it was the number one bike of Todd that rocketed out of the gates for a phenomenal holeshot. Title combatant Crawford slotted into second position early in the moto, setting up a classic dual for the top spot. The duo didn’t disappoint, as the Gillman fans were treated to an MX2 epic, with Todd holding on to a slender 0.463s margin as the chequered flag flew. Ferguson crossed the line in the final podium position, whilst Serco Yamaha teammates Budd and Dobson finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Another epic was expected for the final MX2 moto of the event, although it was not to be as Todd proved to be the class of the field, crossing the line with a commanding 11-second advantage in front of Crawford. Brodie Connolly (Polyflor Honda Racing) made a welcomed return to the moto podium in third, while Ferguson kept up his fine form in fourth, and Serco Yamaha’s Rhys Budd added another top-five result.

Atop the podium overall was Todd as he notched a perfect 1-1 scorecard, followed by Crawford with his 2-2, and Ferguson with 3-4 scores. Connolly took position four, while Budd took P5. With his perfect day, Todd extends his points lead to 37 over Crawford, with Connolly a further five in arrears as three rounds remain in this year’s championship.

Maxxis MX3

The MAXXIS MX3 class was won by Yamaha-mounted Jake Cannon, who went 2-1 across the two moto format to tie with series points leader Byron Dennis (GASGAS), who secured a 1-2 scorecard, and extended his points lead in the process.

Yamaha’s Kayd Kingsford rounded out the podium in third place, with Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing) in fourth and Seth Burchell (Yamaha) in fifth. Dennis now leads the standings with 186 points, followed by Mather with 164, and Cannon on 141.

EZILIFT MXW

Defending champion Charli Cannon demonstrated why she wears the number one aboard her Yamalube Yamaha Racing YZ250F, securing a dual moto victory in South Australia. 

The Queenslander achieved a staggering 18-second margin in the second moto, adding to her year of dominance as she’s yet to be beaten domestically. Honda’s Emma Milesevic secured 2-2 on the day and second overall, while teammate Tahlia O’Hare posted a 3-3 ride for third place.

Cannon sits atop the leaderboard with a perfect 75 points, followed by Milesevic in second with 64, and Madison Brown (Honda) in third position with 54.

The 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, heads to the picturesque Toowoomba circuit for round six of this year’s championship, and if Gillman was anything to go by, fans can expect an absolute motocross spectacular. 

Championships are close, and everything remains on the line as the Thor MX1, Pirelli MX2, and MAXXIS MX3 classes will fight for glory in Queensland.

OUTRO

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Official Calendar for the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores