Round seven of the 2011 Yamaha Australian Off Road Championship (AORC) has come to a wrap in the Hastings Valley, with Ballards Yamaha Off-Road rider Matt Phillips pipping Yamaha’s Chris Hollis at the post to claim outright line honours for the third consecutive round.

More than 150 riders crossed the starting line in the Hastings Valley to tackle the six-kilometre sprint track in gusty conditions.

Young Tasmanian rider Phillips backed up his strong performance at rounds five and six in Callington to take outright out line honours for the day, coming in a tight four seconds ahead of Outright championship leader Hollis and 55 seconds ahead of Motorex KTM’s Jarrod Bewley.

Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road rider Stefan Merriman confirmed his lead in the E1 class, coming home ahead of teammate Ben Burrell and Motorex KTM’s Ben Grabham.

In the E2 class, Hollis took line honours for the second round in a row, followed closely over the finishing line by Glenn Kearney (Husqvarna) and Daniel Milner (Christensen’s Motorcycles).

Phillips coupled his Outright win with a first place taking in the E3 class, finishing the day ahead of Bewley and Husaberg-mounted Geoff Braico.

Suzuki rider Trent Lean clocked up the fastest time in the Masters Class, followed by Yamaha’s David Cash and Vaughan Style.

In the Veterans Class, Husqvarna rider Damian Smith was victorious, tailed by Adam Schneller (KTM) and Garry Dukes (Husaberg).

Yamaha’s Jemma Wilson carried home the Women’s flag in another blue bike bonanza, shadowed closely by Jess Gardiner (Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road) and Emelie Karlsson (Yamaha).

In the Junior ranks, Brendan Walther (Yamaha) continued his winning streak in the J1 class while Dylan Heaton stormed home with a massive lead under his belt in the J2 class. Nic Tomlinson and Mitch Kellner claimed the J3 and J4 classes respectively.

Reigning champion Toby Price (Motorex KTM), out of action due to injury, was at the track to support his teammates and hopes to be back on the bike before the final rounds in Sailsbury on 2-3 October.

The action continues tomorrow with round eight at the Hastings Valley Motorcycle Raceway.