Kingston SE’s eighth and ninth rounds of the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) proved to be a triumphant one for the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team.
Daniel Sanders and Fraser Higlett stormed to victories in their respective classes. Sanders charged to the top spot in the E2 category on Saturday’s eighth round, falling just short of P1 in the outright times aboard his FE 450, while teammate Lachlan Stanford was also highly-impressive, winding up second in E3 for ninth outright.
Piloting the competitive FE 250, Higlett put on an exceptional display as he collected second in the E2 division, while also establishing himself inside the top 10 fastest times, positioned just ahead of Stanford in P8.
Round nine saw Sanders continue his E2 dominance, lodging his ninth victory from nine rounds. A selection of errors cost him in the outright times, although he still persevered for runner-up honours. Ever-consistent Stanford placed his FE 450 on the E3 podium for the second successive day in P2, taking home ninth in the outright results.
Higlett pushed through for an incredible victory in E1 on Sunday, crossing the line with a comfortable advantage over second, granting him eighth on the outright timesheets, capping off what was a successful weekend for the youthful talent.
Next up on the AORC calendar is Omeo in Victoria, scheduled between 6-7 October for the final two rounds of the series.
Christian Horwood – Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team Manager: “Fraser was second in E1 yesterday and came through for the win today – that was fantastic and he rode really strongly. Daniel kept his winning streak going in E2 and won both days quite comfortably. He was in the running for the top spot in the outright times, but finished just short. Lachie was extremely consistent all weekend with a pair of seconds in E3. It was great to have all three on the podium in their classes and also inside the top 10 in the outright times for both days. “
Lachlan Stanford – Husqvarna FE 501: “It was a positive weekend at Kingston – I was second in the E3 class on both days, but my outright speed just wasn’t quite there. The track had a lot of variety in soil and technicality, and it got really rough, really quick. I’m pretty pumped to head to Omeo now and finish off the season on a high.”
Daniel Sanders – Husqvarna FE 450: “We rolled up and I had to put my sand shoes back on in South Australia – it was a good circuit and something that we haven’t really had. Saturday went pretty smoothly, but on Sunday I had to overcome a few crashes. I want to keep a clean-sweep for the year- that’s the goal. I just have to stay injury free for the final two rounds in Victoria.”
Fraser Higlett – Husqvarna FE 250: “It was a tough weekend and the tracks were really rough, making it more of a challenge. Overall, I’m really happy with my weekend. I’m happy with second yesterday and first today in the E1 class – it was a really positive two rounds really. I’ve got a points buffer both sides of me, so I’ll just be doing my best for the last round and minimising my mistakes.”
2018 Australian Off-Road Championship – Kingston SE, South Australia
Round Eight Results
E3
1. Daniel Milner (KTM)
2. Lachlan Stanford (Husqvarna)
3. Broc Grabham (Gas Gas)
4. Andrew Wilksch (Sherco)
5. Jesse Lawton (Husqvarna)
E2
1. Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna)
2. Wil Ruprecht (Yamaha)
3. Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM)
4. Joshua Green (Yamaha)
5. Beau Ralston (Yamaha)
E1
1. Luke Styke (Yamaha)
2. Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna
3. Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha)
4. Jack Simpson (KTM)
5. Brad Hardaker (Yamaha)
Round Nine Results
E3
1. Daniel Milner (KTM)
2. Lachlan Stanford (Husqvarna)
3. Thomas Mason (KTM)
4. Broc Grabham (Gas Gas)
5. Andrew Wilksch (Sherco)
E2
1. Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna)
2. Joshua Green (Yamaha)
3. Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM)
4. Wil Ruprecht (Yamaha)
5. Stefan Granquist (Yamaha)
E1
1. Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna)
2. Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha)
3. Jack Simpson (KTM)
4. Luke Styke (Yamaha)
5. Brad Hardaker (Yamaha)
Championship Standings (After 9 of 11 Rounds)
E3
1. Daniel Milner 225
2. Lachlan Stanford (Husqvarna) 189
3. Andrew Wilksch 149
4. Thomas Mason 146
5. Broc Grabham 146
E2
1. Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna) 225
2. Lyndon Snodgrass 186
3. Joshua Green 168
4. Stefan Granquist 149
5. Matt Murry 119
E1
1. Luke Styke 215
2. Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna) 192
3. Jack Simpson 158
4. Jeremy Carpentier 156
5. Brad Hardaker 137