When riders, teams, parents and spectators arrived at the Shrubland Park Circuit this morning, a change in the air could be felt as this year’s KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship reaches the business end of the event.

With plenty of water added to the track overnight to compensate for extra warm conditions in Western Australia today, riders were greeted with damp track conditions for finals this morning.

With such a talented group of riders taking to the track today, the usual suspects continued on with their impeccable form, Mat Fabry, Jett Lawrence, and Seth Burchell all proving that they’re a force to be reckoned with, as this year’s AJMX prepares for it’s final day of racing.

100cc to 125cc 2-stroke 13-u15 years final one:
When the talented 100cc to 125cc 2-stroke 13-u15 years class headed out for their first final today, it was anyone’s guess as to who would take the win.

With a full grid of 40 riders, it was KTM’s Duffy, who took the hole shot and the early race lead, while Bailey Malkiewicz settled in to second ahead of Mat Fabry and Riley Dukes.

With only 28 seconds separating the top 20 riders at the halfway point, positions changed left right and centre, with Fabry gaining plenty of attention, passing Malkiewicz for second, and beginning to hunt down the rear wheel of Duffy.

By the time the last lapboard came out, Duffy and Fabry were going head to head, Fabry with the lead by only the smallest of margins. And at the conclusion of the moto it was Yamaha’s Fabry who held on to take the race win, ahead of Duffy in second, and Callum Norton in third.

100cc to 125cc 2-stroke 13-u15 years final two:
With the stakes high in the 100cc to 125cc 2-stroke 13-u15 years class, riders fixated their eyes on the first corner – Riley Dukes making the most of a ripping start and moving in to the race lead.

However after a tough outing this morning, Yamaha’s Mat Fabry made his presence known, taking the race lead from Dukes, with Caleb Grothues following suit, settling in to second behind him.

However after a quiet day so far for Grothues, the KTM mounted youngster looked to redeem himself, moving in to the race lead, relegating Fabry to second, while Callum Norton sat in third.

When the ten-minte moto wrapped up, Western Australia’s Grothues returned to form to take the win, while Fabry also redeemed himself to take second, while Norton wrapped up the race in third.

85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std wheel 9-u12 years final one:
The second race for this morning, was one that had spectators on the edge of their seats, with all eyes on the hard charging Jett Lawrence (KTM) who was looking to take another race win.

When the 40 riders launched off the start, Lawrence was the first bike through turn one, with tough competitor Billy Payne caught up in turn one.

After only one lap, Lawrence had stretched out his lead to a whopping eight seconds, while Seth Manuel, Alex Larwood and Liam Atkinson began their battle for second.

When the chequered flag flew, Lawrence took another commanding 16-second race win, ahead of Larwood in second, while a late charge from Levi Rogers saw him finish in third.

85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std wheel 9-u12 years final two:
When the youngsters lined up for the second final in the 85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std wheel 9-u12 years class, all eyes were on the number 49 machine of Jett Lawrence who looked to keep up his 2015 form.

And keep up form he did, after getting to the early race win, Lawrence left Alex Larwood, Deegan Mancinelli and Cody Chittick to chase his tail, proving that his skill extends to the bigger bikes too.

As racing progressed, Larwood kept Lawrence in his sights, however unable to close in on the KTM superstar, Lawrence crossed the line in first, ahead of Larwood in second and Levi Rogers who put in a late charge to take third.

For a handful of classes today the stakes were extra high, with riders wanting to put their best foot forward in as they continue their 2015 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship campaigns.

With the blistering hot sun shining down on the Shrubland Park circuit in Bunbury, riders took to the differing track conditions like true professionals, with many classes getting in two finals races as the AJMX progresses.

However it was the likes of Riley Dukes, Regan Duffy, and plenty of other hotly contested other classese, that left people talking, as juniors prepare for their final hit out tomorrow.

85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std/big wheel 14-u16 years final three:
When the gates dropped on the 85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std/big wheel 14-u16 years class, it was the Honda machine of Morgan Fogarty who edged out tough competition to take the holeshot, however it wasn’t long before Husqvarna’s Riley Dukes, and Mitchell Outram made their way past Fogarty to move in to first and second respectively.

After only a few laps, Liam Walsh found his way in to second while Fogarty pushed hard to move in to third ahead of Outram. However Outram was not letting Fogarty out of his sights, managing to make the pass for third with less than half of the moto remaining.

When the moto concluded, it was New South Welshman Dukes who took the race win ahead of Walsh, while local boy Outram wrapped up the race in third.

85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std/big wheel 14-u16 years final four:
As the blistering hot sun shone down on Shrubland Park, the usual sandy surface became dry and hard, making the 85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std/big wheel 14-u16 years class all the more exciting.

When gates dropped, it was go time, with KTM’s Mitchell Outram taking the holeshot and the lead, ahead of Riley Dukes, and Liam Walsh.

After only one lap, the three front-runners separated themselves from the pack, and began a three-way battle for the race lead, with Dukes and Walsh beginning to apply the pressure on Outram.

After a handful of laps, Huqvarna mounted Dukes was all over Outram, treating spectators to the battle they had been waiting for. Thankfully for Dukes he did just enough to edge out W.A’s Outram crossing the line with the race win, followed by Outram and Walsh who finished second and third respectively.

85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std/big wheel 12-u14 years final three:
When gates dropped on the classes third final, supporters flocked to the fences to see Husqvarna’s Corben Weinert rip a massive holeshot. After only one lap though both Regan Duffy and Rhys Budd put the pressure on Weinert, with Duffy moving in to the lead relegating Weinert to second.

As racing progressed the three front-runners were changed only when Bailey Malkiewicz went on a charge to make his way in to second, allowing Rhys Budd to move in to third, while early leader Weinert dropped back to fourth.

When racing wrapped up it was the number 61 KTM machine of Duffy who crossed the line victorious, putting a 22 second deficit on second place getter Malkiewicz, followed by Budd who finished in third.

85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke std/big wheel 12-u14 years final four:
When gates dropped, the action promised was delivered with the likes of Corben Weinert, Rhys Budd, Bailey Malkiewicz, James Scott and more all banging bars down the straight and into the first turn.

And with half a lap down it was Scott who took the early race lead, before Weinert applied the pressure, seeing Scott drop off and allowing Weinert to take on the top spot, ahead of Tyler Darby in second and Malkiewcz in third.

In a huge change of events, Malkiewcz took control of the race-lead after the halfway mark, but it was all about Regan Duffy who was on an absolute charge, challenging Malkiewcz for the race lead in spectacular fashion.

When the chequered flag flew Duffy got the job done, taking the win in front of cheering spectators, while Malkiewcz finished second and Weinert in third.

65cc Solo 7-u9 years final three:
When bikes hit the track for yet another final in the 65cc class, the number 27 machine of Seth Burchell was once again a familiar sight to spectators as he took the early race lead.

After only one lap, riders began to spread out with Burchell holding the top spot ahead of Kobe Drew, and Braden Plath. However Plath was not prepared to settle for third, the youngster managing to make the move on Drew and move up in to second position with a few laps to spare.

Despite a challenge for the lead on the last lap, Burchell once again took the race win ahead of Plath and Drew who wrapped up the moto in second and third respectively.

65cc Solos 7-u9 years final four:
When racing got underway for the final time in the 65cc class, Seth Burchell looked to continue his red-hot racing form – however it was Braden Plath who took the 65cc holeshot, and moved in to the early race lead.

With one lap completed, Kayden Minear made his way into the top spot, followed by Seth Clark, Tyler Collins and Burchell who made up the top remaining positions.

When racing wrapped up, Minear edged out his tough competition to take the win ahead of a determined Tyler Collins, while Rhys Weissel finished in third ahead of Seth Burchell who dropped back to fourth.

100cc – 150cc 2-stroke / 200cc – 250cc 4-stroke Girls 13-u16 years final three:
When girls finals action got underway today, Chelsea Carter once again got to a cracking start, allowing Tahlia O’Hare and Danielle Foot to battle for second place behind her.

As racing progressed Foot showcased her skills on the bike, making the pass on O’Hare to move in to second, before beginning to chase down Carter for the race lead.

When the chequered flag flew, Foot once again added another race win to her growing resume, ahead of Carter who took second, while O’Hare finished the race in third.

100cc – 150cc 2-stroke / 200cc – 250cc 4-stroke Girls – 13-u16 years final four:
When the ladies lined up for the final time today, the talented group of girls headed out for their final hit out for the day, looking to snatch up vital points before the final day of racing tomorrow.

It was once again Chelsea Carter who got to the early race lead, however was hunted down by Danielle Foot who was looking for another race win to end her day.

At the half way point the running order saw Foot with the lead, Tahlia O’Hare made her way into second, while Carter held third.

At the conclusion of the moto, it was Foot who once again showcased her lightening fast speed, crossing the line with the race win, ahead of local O’Hare, followed by a hard charging Carter who finished the race in third.

50cc Division 2 7-u9 years final three:
As the littlies race got underway for their third final, the in form Seth Clark got to a flying start, however it wasn’t long before Seth Burchell made the move, taking control of the race, with Kayden Minear and Clark following in second and third behind him.

With Burchell having a comfortable lead it was no surprise to see him cross the line with the win in final three, ahead of Minear in second while Clark held on to wrap up the race in third.

50cc Division 2 7-u9 years final four:
When the buzzing 50cc class headed out for their final moto, the youngsters of this year’s AJMX had a tough task ahead of them, tackling a shortened but seriously challenging Shrubland Park circuit.

When gates dropped, it was all in the start, as Kayden Minear got to the early race lead, ahead of Deacon Paice and Seth Burchell.

However with Burchell’s speed undeniable, the youngster wasted no time getting to business, putting the move on Paice and moving in to second, allowing him to set his sights on the rear wheel of Minear. And before long Burchell once again snatched up the lead, relegating Minear to second.

But Minear was not prepared to give up, managing to take back the lead and cross the line in first, while Burchell settled for second, ahead of Paice who finished in third.

For some classes today, Thursday meant just one finals race, meaning when racing kicks off for the final time at the 2015 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship tomorrow, it is game on.

With more than 20 finals races being run and won at the Shrubland Park circuit today, the track was tough, rough and rutty and would challenge the most experienced motocross racers.

However with the juniors this year showing that the track is no match for their talent, it was no surprise to see Hunter Lawrence, Taj Marshall and more top today’s standings in their respective classes.

65cc Solo 11 years final three:
When racing got underway for the talented 65cc Solo 11 years class, it was the usual suspect Benny Novak who took the holeshot ahead of Cody Chittick and Jett Lawrence who exited turn one in second and third.

However sticking to trend, KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team’s Lawrence moved in to the race lead after only one lap, leaving the battles for remaining podium positions to take place behind him.

And battle they did. Tyran Tomich charging into third position, while Chittick maintained second position well behind Lawrence.

At the conclusion of the seven-minute moto it was a familiar sight as Lawrence crossed the line with the win by 26 seconds ahead of Chittick in second, while Tomich secured a hard fought third.

100cc to 125cc 2-stroke 15 years final three:
As one of the most hotly contested classes lined up for their third final, spectators once again watched on, as the questioned loomed as to whether anyone could possibly break the winning streak of Yamaha’s Hunter Lawrence.

And when racing got underway, the undefeated Lawrence looked likely to keep his title, moving in to the early race lead ahead of Tom West, Justin Hart and Wyatt Chase who commenced their three way battle for second.

As racing progressed, Lawrence continued to stretch out his lead, putting a 12 second deficit on closest threat Hart, while Chase continued to chase down Hart and maintain third position.

With Lawrence not backing off, and bettering his own lap times, it was no surprise to see his number 46 machine collect the chequers ahead of Hart and Chase who finished in second and third, unable to break Lawrence’s AJMX winning streak.

128cc – 150cc 2-stroke & 200cc – 250cc 4-stroke 13-u15 years final three:
When the big boys came out to play for their final, the number 34 machine of Callum Norton got the start he wanted, taking the early race lead ahead of Taj Marshall and Caleb Grothues. However there was no fairytale start for Mat Fabry – after getting caught up in turn one, Fabry was forced to start from dead last, putting one of the major contenders at the back of the pack.

However with confidence from yesterday up his sleeve, BCP Honda’s Marshall wasted no time in making the move on Norton, handing spectators a new race leader before the halfway point.

With only one lap to go, the running order saw Marshall out front by two seconds, followed by Norton, Grothues, and Jake Williams.

When the tenth race for the day concluded it was once again the hard charging Marshall who secured the race win, ahead of Husqvarna mounted Norton in second, while Grothues rounded out the top three in third.

65cc Solo 9-u11 years final three:
When the 65cc machines headed out on to the rough and rutty track, Noah Smerdon slotted himself into the early race lead, while Deegan Mancinelli and Liam Atkinson followed closely behind.

As racing progressed, Atkinson made his way up to second place behind Smerdon, while Connor Rossandich found himself in an outstanding third.

And with the 65cc class on an absolute charge, a three-way battle for the lead emerged – with Atkinson pressuring Smerdon for the lead, while Atkinson felt the pressure of Myles Gilmore. As the last lapboard came out a single second separated first to third, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

When the chequered flag came out Smerdon took the race win ahead of Gilmore in second, while Zachary Watson inherited third when Atkinson went down on the final lap.

85cc 2-stroke / 150cc 4-stroke all wheel Girls 12-u16 years final three:
As the ladies lined up once again for racing, it was KTM mounted Tahlia O’Hare’s turn to shine, as she got to a cracking start ahead of Hayley Miller and Kara Cats.

With O’Hare out the front with a huge lead, the battle for positions was left to happen behind her, and following this year’s AJMX tradition, Danielle Foot made her way in to second position, ahead of Cats, while Miller came to grief dropping back to fifth.

When the chequered flag flew, Western Australia’s O’Hare did exactly what was required to take the race win by 47 seconds ahead of Foot, followed by Cats who crossed the finish line in and impressive third.

128cc – 150cc 2-stroke & 200cc – 250cc 4-stroke 15 years final three:
When the roar of the 128cc – 150cc 2-stroke & 200cc – 250cc 4-stroke 15 years class engines was heard throughout the pits, spectators raced to the fence line to get the best vantage points for racing.

And when gates dropped, onlookers were treated as Hunter Lawrence ripped a huge holeshot, while a number of riders were caught up in a first turn crash, adding to the racing excitement.

With one lap down, Lawrence extended his lead to six seconds on Tasmanian Wade Kirkland, while Cooper Pozniak slotted comfortably in to third.

With Lawrence and Kirkland looking comfortable in first and second, the focus shifted to the battle for third, with Justin Hart and Pozniak going head to head, keeping spectators eyes glued to the track.

However Lawrence proved he was unstoppable once again, the Queenslander taking the race win by a whopping 37 seconds ahead of Kirkland and Pozniak who finished in second and third respectively.

Click here for detailed results