Ferris, Todd, Dennis and Cannon clinch championships as 2023 season draws to a thrilling close at Coolum.
The curtains have drawn to a close on the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, as all titles were decided in a thrilling final round, which marks a fitting end for national motocross competition at the historic Coolum Pines MX venue.
Brisbane Motorcycles Yamaha rider Dean Ferris added Thor MX1 championship number four to his ever-growing trophy collection, as Terrafirma Honda Racing’s Wilson Todd successfully defended his Pirelli MX2 crown in commanding fashion.
The MAXXIS MX3 title was wrapped up by GASGAS-supported youngster Byron Dennis in a clutch performance, as Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Charli Cannon put together a picture-perfect weekend to defend her EZILIFT MXW championship.
Dean Ferris is the Thor MX1 class champion for season 2023.
Thor MX1
After notching the fastest time during Saturday’s Thor MX1 class qualifying session, Boost Mobile Honda’s Jed Beaton rocketed to the top of the timesheets once again in the AMX Top 10 Pole Shootout, as his comfort continued to increase on the sandy surface. Privateer revelation Levi Rogers (Yamaha) posted the second fastest time, while Kyle Webster (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) finished third.
Championship leader Dean Ferris sat fourth, with one second separating he and Thor MX1 series rival Beaton, as KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs remained in contention in P5.
As the gates dropped for the opening Thor MX1 moto of the day, all eyes were on the Beaton and Ferris showdown, however it was Gibbs who launched out of the gates for the holeshot, before sand specialist Webster made the move into the lead and checked out up front.
Ferris would slice his way through the field following a top ten start, making his way into second position by races end, and setting himself up nicely entering moto two. Beaton finished the race in P3, albeit 22 seconds behind Ferris, whilst CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Aaron Tanti finished in fourth place ahead of Gibbs.
The final moto of the Thor MX1 class was where the premier championship would be determined, as the ultra-rough Coolum circuit provided the perfect battleground for the duel. 25 minutes plus one-lap were the terms for the decider, and Beaton answered the call by launching out of the gates for the holeshot, with moto one winner Webster in tow. Ferris occupied the third placed position, as fans were set for a Coolum spectacular as the venue hosted its final national following a decorated history.
Webster made the move on his teammate early in the piece, before Beaton dropped the number 14 CRF450R, which was all the invitation Ferris needed to seal his fourth Thor MX1 championship IN deserved fashion, which marks a remarkable five years – and multiple retirements – since he won his last in the class during 2018.
Webster took the moto win to capture a perfect 1-1 scorecard for the finale, while Ferris finished the event in P2 and Gibbs rounded out the podium in P3.
The 2023 Thor MX1 championship was one for the history books, as contenders from all walks of life emerged ready to fight for the coveted title. In the end it was Ferris who reigned supreme, with Beaton taking the runner up position, and Gibbs finishing in third.
Congratulations to Ferris and the team on a well-deserved 2023 Thor MX1 championship!
Kyle Webster dominated the Thor MX1 Coolum race weekend with a perfect 1-1 performance.
Pirelli MX2
After a hard-fought season in the Pirelli MX2 championship, Terrafirma Honda’s Wilson Todd raced to a second successive title in the quarter-litre category, by virtue of a first moto victory in Coolum.
Circling the opening lap inside the top 10, Todd held a couple of positions between he and series rival Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team), as the duo made passes before Crawford found himself on the rear wheel of Todd. Realising the situation, the defending champion put the hammer down, charging his way through the field and making the move on teammate Brodie Connolly (Polyflor Honda) for the lead.
Crawford shadowed Todd through the pack, however, would wind up P2, and therefore concede a 30-point margin to Todd, with only 25 remaining. Connolly finished the moto in third, while Kayden Minear (KTM Racing Team) and a fast-starting Noah Ferguson (GASGAS Racing Team) finished fifth.
With the pressure of the title lifted, Todd charged out of the gates in moto two to secure the lead in the Pirelli MX2 class by the first lap, and would disappear off into the distance to notch a perfect 1-1 scorecard for the final round of the series.
Second place was Ferguson, who made a run at Todd, however dropped it on the last lap and finished the moto in second for third overall for the round. Crawford finished a quiet third in the moto, which secured him second overall for the round, while Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jayce Cosford finished the moto in fourth and Caleb Ward rounded out the top five.
2023 represented a remarkable season of Pirelli MX2 competition, as the fight was alive right throughout the field. With new contenders emerging, seasoned veterans returning, and an influx of fast rookies, 2024 is already shaping up to be an incredible season of racing.
Congratulations to Todd and the Terrafirma Honda Racing crew on their 2023 Pirelli MX2 championship!
Wilson Todd wrapped up his second Pirelli MX2 Championship in succession by virtue of a 1-1 performance in Coolum.
MAXXIS MX3
After piecing together a season akin to that of an experienced veteran, GASGAS-supported racer Byron Dennis claimed his first ever MAXXIS MX3 championship in emphatic fashion by sealing the overall round win in Coolum.
Racing into the lead during the opening moto of the day, Dennis appeared as though he would wrap the title up a moto early, before a fall at the midway mark relegated him to second position. Series rival Jack Mather (Raceline Berry Sweet Husqvarna Racing) made the move into the lead, capturing the win and pushing the quest for the championship into the second moto. Dennis recovered to finish second place, with KTM rider Deacon Paice finishing P3.
The stage was set for a showdown as the MAXXIS MX3 championship came down to the very last moto of 2023, and Dennis proved that he was up for the challenge, delivering a clutch performance to win the final moto by over 17 seconds, securing the round victory and the MAXXIS MX3 championship.
Second place on the day and in the series was Mather, who put up a valiant performance as he entered the final round under the weather, while GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing youngster Seth Burchell completed the round podium. Teammate Jake Cannon would wrap up P3 in the series standings following a standout year.
Congratulations to Dennis and the team on his first MAXXIS MX3 championship!
Byron Dennis delivered a clutch final moto victory which sealed the 2023 MAXXIS MX3 championship.
EZILIFT MXW
After a dominant performance in yesterday’s opening EZILIFT MXW moto, defending champion Charli Cannon announced that she was the rider to beat in the sand of Coolum, and Sunday’s moto proved no different, with Cannon taking the moto victory by a staggering 41 second margin to claim her second MXW championship.
Second place in the moto and third for the round was Honda Racing’s Tahlia O’Hare, while Empire Kawasaki’s Taylah McCutcheon finished the moto in third place, ending up P2 for the round’s overall podium. Taylor Thompson (GASGAS) and Madison Brown (Honda) rounded out the top five for the Coolum race weekend.
The EZLIFT MXW Championship was all Cannon’s in 2023, with the Queensland racer dropping only a single moto win which came at the previous round in QMP. Honda Racing’s Emma Milesevic put up a hard fight all season long to enter the round tied on points with Cannon, as the Victorian claimed P2 in the overall standings ahead of Brown.
Congratulations to Cannon and the Yamalube Yamaha Racing team on the 2023 EZILIFT MXW championship!
