Release from 27.08.2023
Saturday’s action saw the Cross Country format return to the series for the first time since 2019, in which Granquist and Karlsson both claimed runner-up positions in their respective classes.
Armed with his 2023 Husqvarna FE 501, Granquist powered to second at round seven, clocking the third-fastest lap of the day on the first lap of the race. He finished ahead of Simford Motorsport Group Husqvarna rider Sam Pretscherer, ensuring Husqvarna locked down two of the three podium positions in E3.
In the EW class, Karlsson put a tough first lap behind her and worked her way through the dusty conditions to finish P2 on her 2023 Husqvarna FE 350. Husqvarna riders filled four of the top five positions, with Monique Simioni, Ariana Collins and Emma Haylock all putting in strong performances.
Sunday’s racing saw a return to the series’ traditional Sprint format, where Granquist and Karlsson remained composed in the treacherous, super-dusty conditions to both finish third. Pretscherer gained the upper-hand over Granquist in the E3 class to edge his fellow Husky rider home.
In the EJ class, rising talent Billy Hargy clocked up a hard-fought runner-up position in Saturday’s Cross Country test, as he too negotiated the dusty conditions. He backed up that performance with a third-place result in Sunday’s technical Sprint tests.
Rounds nine and 10 of the 2023 AORC season will be held at Kyogle, NSW, on 16-17 September.
Stefan Granquist: “It was incredibly dry and dusty this weekend, and it made for very tricky riding conditions. Despite that, I actually had one of my better races of the year, finishing fifth outright in the Cross Country race. I felt I had good pace for the first four laps before I dropped back a little. Today’s Sprint tests were difficult and I felt like I was fighting the bike all day long. For about 80 percent of the tests, the powder dust was so deep, it was almost like riding in snow where you can’t see the ruts, rocks and roots hiding underneath. I laid the bike down in the first test, then just tried to get through the rest of the day healthy and in once piece, so we can go again in a few weeks time at Kyogle.”
Emelie Karlsson: “I started slow both days, but felt my riding got better and better as each day went. My first lap of the Cross Country was a shocker – my arms pumped up and I was very tense in my riding, so I decided to back off a bit to find my flow. That really helped and I was able to start making ground up on the leader. Today was similar, as I lost a lot of time in a crash on the second test, then in the fourth test I caught a rider in front of me and I literally had to stop in some of the corners as I just couldn’t see through all the dust. That lost me a lot of time and probably cost me a second-place finish today.”
2023 Australian Off-Road Championship – Keyneton, SA
Round seven results:
E3
1. Riley McGillivray (KTM)
2. Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna)
3. Sam Pretscherer (Husqvarna)
4. Patrick McGillivray (KTM)
5. Jayden Rudd (Husqvarna)
EW
1. Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha)
2. Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna)
3. Monique Simioni (Husqvarna)
4. Ariana Collins (Husqvarna)
5. Emma Haylock (Husqvarna)
EJ
1. Luke Chellas (KTM)
2. Billy Hargy (Husqvarna)
3. Will Dennett (Yamaha)
4. Max Midwinter (KTM)
5. Jett Yarnold (Yamaha)
Round eight results:
E3
1. Riley McGillivray (KTM)
2. Sam Pretscherer (Husqvarna)
3. Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna)
4. Luke Bunnik (Beta)
5. Jayden Rudd (Husqvarna)
EW
1. Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha)
2. Taylor Thompson (GASGAS)
3. Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna)
4. Ariana Collins (Husqvarna)
5. Monique Simioni (Husqvarna)
EJ
1. Will Dennett (Yamaha)
2. Jett Yarnold (Yamaha)
3. Billy Hargy (Husqvarna)
4. Luke Chellas (KTM)
5. Max Midwinter (KTM)