News 26 Jul 2017

Active8 Yamaha close in on AORC class success

Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

The Active8 Yamalube Yamaha off road duo of Josh Green and Wil Ruprecht produced another sensational weekend of racing at rounds nine and ten of the Australian Off Road Championship (AORC), at Kyogle and both riders are now well placed as the championship moves into its final two rounds.

Kyogle turned on a good old fashion enduro style event with plenty of rocks, logs, hills and special tests that the competitors really enjoyed. It was off road racing at its best and the riders enjoyed the challenging terrain.

This time it was young gun of the team, Wil Ruprecht, who led the way on his WR250F, dominating the E1 (250cc) class all weekend to take a perfect 1-1 result and consolidate his position at the top of the E1 points table.

Ruprecht raced a near flawless weekend to not only take class honours but also shake up the off-road establishment that saw him finish fourth Outright on Saturday and then go one better to finish third Outright on Sunday. An outstanding result for the 19year old, New South Welshmen.

“The weekend was just the result we were looking for,” Ruprecht said at the conclusion of racing. “Both days I was able to have a pretty smooth run and I had no bike problems at all so all I had to do was worry about riding well and keeping focused on the trail.

“I loved the fact that it was an old style enduro and the conditions were good for racing. It’s the kind of event you love to ride and I had a great time out there.

“Thanks to everyone at the Active8 Yamalube Yamaha team for their support and I look forward to finishing off the championship strongly at the final two rounds at Omeo, in Victoria,” Ruprecht ends.

Josh Green also had a productive and consistent weekend on board his WR450F, taking second both days in the E2 class. Green tackled the Kyogle event with gusto and raced to third and fourth in the Outright standings each day.

His 2-2 results see him sit second in the E1 class, 28 points from class leader Daniel Milner, with two rounds remaining. Green promises to give it his all at the final two rounds in an attempt to snare a round win and chase Milner all the way to the finish.

“It was another good weekend for me,” Green shrugs. “I’m just a bit off the pace Daniel is setting at the moment but I will keep putting in my best effort to try and bridge the gap between us. It is a long shot to win the class from here but I want to make him earn it so I have nothing to lose at the final rounds and will just go for broke,” he smiles.

The final two rounds of the AORC will take place at Omeo in Victoria on August 5 and 6. The Active8 Yamalube Yamaha team are well placed to bring home class championships and podiums but fully understand that in the off road game, getting complacent can lead to trouble.

“Both riders tried hard all weekend and rode well,” states team manager, AJ Roberts. “It was a good event on the weekend and I think all riders liked the fact that it was a typical enduro and not ran in another format.

“Wil rode exceptionally well and has built up a good lead in the E1 class, 33 points ahead of Scott Keegan, while Josh looks comfortable in second but I know he is a racer and wants to finish the AORC off strongly.

“It’s a quick turnaround for the final rounds so the boys will be busy back at the work shop but we will be ready to go at Omeo,” AJ ends.

For more information and a full list of results on the AORC: www.aorc.org.au

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