CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team racer, Jed Beaton, has won the 2024 Manjimup 15,000. The historical and high-profile event that draws riders from the US and Europe as well as the best domestic riders in Australia saw Beaton take the win, in his first attempt, and take home a wallet full of prizemoney.
Entered into the All-Stars feature event that sees the Pro riders tackle the torturous sand and red road base track across four motos throughout the day, it was Beaton who prevailed with 3-2-1-1 results to take a popular victory ahead of Kayden Minear and Kyle Webster.
The event saw 1000’s of spectators line the fences and deal with ever-changing conditions throughout the day. Over 50mm of rain fell overnight and then there were brief showers throughout the day to keep conditions challenging for riders and teams.
After a slow start in the morning motos, Beaton found his mojo in the afternoon and dominated the final two motos to snatch victory and have his name etched on the Manjimup Honor Board.
“What an awesome event and thanks to all the people that lined the track to make the racing atmosphere so good,” Beaton said from the podium. “I had heard great things about racing here, so it was nice to finally do it, and have it live up to expectations.
“I wasn’t getting great starts in the morning and was coming from deep in the pack in the first two motos. Because the track was so smooth and fast as well as the short sprint races, I couldn’t get to the front by race end.
“But I gated much better in the final two races and was able to get the moto wins when I really needed them. The final moto felt good as the track was super rough and I was able to pull out a good lead and coming over the finish line, it was good to see the team on the track waiting for me.
“Thank you to Willie and the event organisers, the track crew who did a great job to give us a raceable track and the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team for all the hard work in getting me over here,” he finished.
Ryder Kingsford also made the trip over and on his Yamalube Yamaha Racing YZ250F also won the MX2 division of the All-Stars race. Kingsford had plenty of opposition not just in the 250 class but also going up against the 450cc machines on the power-sapping circuit. Kingsford racked up 1-3-2-2 in the MX2 division to win comfortably and join Beaton on the podium making it a successful outing for Yamaha.
“The first race was the most hectic thing I have ever raced,” Kingsford expressed. “There were bikes going everywhere, the roost from a 450 nearly punched holes in me and its five laps wide open. I loved it.
“I got destroyed on the start because the 450s have so much more power, but I just tried to race with as much intensity as I could and go all the way to the finish, so it was good to get the class win.
“Like Jed, it was my first time here and hope there are plenty more trips to come as everyone has been so welcoming and I loved the track.
“Thanks to the Yamalube Yamaha team and our sponsors for getting me over and the work Mike put in during the day as it’s pretty hard on a 250 around here,” he said.
Deegan Fort flew the GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing flag and charged to a second place finish in the 85cc class. Fort finished with 1-5-2-1 to just miss the event victory but can be proud of his efforts.
