Dean Ferris shines in Wonthaggi ProMX opener

Four-time champion Ferris banks 2–3 moto finishes for third overall on debut with Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki

The 2026 Penrite Australian ProMX Championship fired into life at Wonthaggi last weekend, and Kawasaki’s MX1 charge got an early boost with Dean Ferris putting Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki on the overall podium in his first outing back with the squad.

Ferris, a four-time Australian champion and the 2023 title winner, returned to the Penrite ProMX Championship after spending much of the past two years on the sidelines. Wasting no time getting back up to speed, Ferris delivered a pair of moto podiums aboard the KX450—finishing 2-3 across the two MX1 races—to claim third overall for the round.

With the series now underway, Ferris’ consistent, front-running form immediately marks him as a key contender as the championship moves on from the Victorian sand to Canberra in April.

Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki team owner Tyson Cherry was upbeat after the opener, particularly given the home-round atmosphere at Wonthaggi.

“Was great to be back at the races for round 1, the whole weekend had a really good vibe. Unreal to have it as a home race as well,” Cherry said. “Dean Ferris was unreal, did exactly what we spoke about and got through round one on the podium. That puts us in an awesome position heading into Canberra in a couple of weeks.”

It was a tougher weekend for Ferris’ young teammate Brad West. The 19-year-old from Dingo, Queensland showed flashes of speed but couldn’t convert it into the results he was chasing, ending the round 19th overall in MX1.

“Brad West showed some great speed, just couldn’t quite put it all together this time,” Cherry added. “We’ll go back to the drawing board with him and get him back to where he belongs.”

Kawasaki also had representation through JPM 360 Developments Kawasaki and its Australian Team Green presence at the opening round. In Team Green ranks, Joel Cigliano (MMM Cycles) battled through a challenging day, logging a 22nd-place finish in Moto 2, while Nick Medson (Peter Stevens Dandenong) posted consistent moto scores of 21st and 23rd.

Round two of the ProMX Championship heads to Canberra in April, where Ferris and the Kawasaki crews will look to build on a promising start.

ProMX Results Round One – Wonthaggi