6 Sep 2010

Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha’s Jessica Gardiner and Geoff Ballard were all smiles last night after being awarded the 2010 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) Championship Women’s and Master’s trophies.

Gardiner, 17, from Hawkesbury (Sydney) said winning the title in her rookie year as a senior was a “huge accomplishment”. 

The WR250F rider cemented her victory with dual wins at rounds 11 and 12 of the series, held at Cherrabah Resort (near Warwick) at the weekend.

“It’s the best feeling, I can’t describe it, honestly,” Gardiner said.

“It’s my first year going into seniors and my first year of [the AORC] and the four-day and to come out on top in both has really made my year, that’s for sure.

“Next year I’ll be out there once again and just give everything my best shot, see how I go.”

Ballard, a true legend of the sport and reigning Championship Master’s winner, won all but two rounds of the series aboard his WR450F.

The pair weren't the only Yamaha riders on the top tier of the podium, with Gary Tomlinson taking the number one prize in Clubman Veteran’s.

Yamaha’s championship E1, 2 and 3 racers also scored podium results.

Stefan Merriman was the only rider this year to beat series winner, Toby Price, and finished second in Yamaha Championship E2. 

“I’d like to be up there with Toby, but I just wasn’t able to do it,” Merriman, from Nelson Bay, said.

“It has been [a tough season]... the younger guys, Toby and Jarrod, have been constantly improving and it’s been hard to keep up with them, basically.

“We’ve been doing the best we could and the bike went great and everything was good, just wasn’t quite fast enough.”

Merriman’s teammate, Ben Burrell (from Parkes, NSW) nabbed sixth Outright (was tied on Outright points with fellow Yamaha rider, Kirk Hutton).

Hutton, 37, from Brisbane, missed out on second in his class by one-point after having to miss a round of the series.

Up-and-comer, Tom McCormack, rode his YZ250F to several top-10 Outright finishes and fifth Outright in one round.

McCormack, 17, from Byron Bay, took home third in Championship E1 and 11th Outright.

For more information visit www.aorcracing.com.au

ENDS

Media: Leigh Hutton (Shooting Star Media) - 0400 465 101

2010 Yamaha AORC Top-10 Outright

1. Toby Price Class: Champ E2 Points: 222
2. Jarrod Bewley E1 180
3. Ben Grabham E3 168
4. Stefan Merriman E2 167
5. AJ Roberts E2 104
6. Ben Burrell E1 96
7. Kirk Hutton E3 96
8. Daniel Milner E2 94
9. Mitcham Harper E3 86
10. Luka Bussa E1 86