Innehållsförteckning för 262 från Dirt Action

DA: So Jett, you’re stepping up to the big boys this year. How was the opening round for you? Jett: Oh, yeah. My first round was good. I was a bit nervous coming into it, stepping up from the EJ class last year. But after I got that first test done, I had a lot of confidence in my riding ability and I knew I’d be able to get on the podium. DA: It looked like you had the speed. Jett: I felt good out there. That WR250F just handles great. I love the way it feels — it makes me feel right at home. DA: So let’s reflect on 2024. You won the EJ championship. How was the year for you? Jett: Last year was good. I had all…

The highly anticipated MXGP of Australia is set to debut at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex in 2025, bringing a world-class motocross track to Australian soil. Designed by Protraxx, the 1.6km circuit is purpose-built to meet international standards, ensuring an intense and technical challenge for the world’s best riders. The track’s standout features include 22 corners, 21 jumps, and a 90-metre start straight that dramatically crosses the Hidden Valley Road Racing Circuit. Riders will face a rolling waves section, a massive triple step-up, and 30-metre jumps — designed to push skill and precision to the limit. The surface is a 70 per cent sand and 30 per cent clay blend, creating the perfect balance between traction and technicality. Jeff Leisk, Australian motocross legend, praised the design: “This track has all…

DA: Jack, let’s quickly chat about your time in the US before we get back to what you’re doing now in Australia. You had three years in the States and a successful run over there. What was that like for you? Jack: Yeah, my whole goal was… you know, I was a little bit stale from the Australian off-road series and once COVID hit, we were all sort of stuck and couldn’t do any racing or anything like that. I got in contact with a good friend of mine, Mark Samuels, who runs the SLR Honda program, and he got a bike ready for me for the 2022 season. I just eased into it over there. I podiumed for him in the 250 class in both the NGPC and WORCS…

Yes, one bike is a 250 and the other a 350, so this test is not a direct comparison. It’s more about relaying what we felt after riding both machines back-to-back over three days on the same enduro loop in the dry, rocky and very technical terrain of Naralgun Downs — a 10,000-acre property west of Armidale, owned by Tim Danieli and home to the Armidale Motorcycle Club. DA tester John “JB” Baker and I attended the 48-Hour Ride Through The Darkness enduro event (a story you can read elsewhere in this issue), and while there, we got to cut a shitload of laps on both bikes around the 20-minute course, which was seriously beat up by the weekend’s end. JB had attended the 2025 WR250F model launch, and both…

DA: Charli, you absolutely dominated the Oceania Women’s Motocross World Cup. How did you feel in the lead-up, knowing the Americans were coming over? Charli: I kind of didn’t really know what to expect coming into the event, but I was quietly confident in my ability. I’d had a really good preseason and I wasn’t prepared to take anything but a win. When I went out for qualifying, I was three seconds a lap faster than anyone, so that kind of set up my week. I really surprised myself with the gap I had over the other girls. DA: Some of those American girls are considered pretty quick. Did your qualifying time give you the confidence that you could run away at the front? Charli: Yeah, pretty much. But anything…

Kiwi Cole Davies has been a revelation in the 250SX west division. The rookie, riding for the Star Racing Yamaha team, has done more than turn a few heads, showing maturity and speed beyond his years. I managed to pull him aside for a quick chat. GR: Cole, how’s the transition from the Austrian bike to the Yamaha? Cole: The feeling is a lot different for sure. I definitely like the Yamaha more. It’s got more power and handles very nice, so I like it. GR: What’s it like being one of the younger kids out there in the 250 class? Cole: You know, I definitely feel like I have to prove myself all the time. Trying to build each weekend, get better every weekend. GR: You stepped into the…

On the 22nd and 23rd of February, around 120 surf and moto frothers headed to Newcastle for the first ever Foam and Loam, a two-day team event that brings the two communities together in one epic event. The crew from MXstore teamed up with surf legend Julian Wilson to bring the idea to life. The concept was simple: four members to a team, with the surf comp on Saturday and the moto events on Sunday. The points from each event would combine to bring you your overall winners. The interesting part was that every member on the team had to catch a wave and ride at least one lap… meaning stacking a team full of gun surfers or racers wasn’t necessarily going to get you a good result! The teams…

SCRAMBLER MX JERSEYS The ScramblerMX jerseys are designed for riders who want a combination of style, comfort and performance, featuring a retro-inspired aesthetic with bold, vibrant colours. The design includes a classic checkered pattern running down the length of the sleeves, adding a dynamic and vintage touch. These motocross jerseys feature a breathable mesh construction to keep you cool, along with bold graphics that make a statement on the track. FEATURES » Lightweight and breathable: Made from high-quality moisture-wicking micro-mesh fibre polyester for optimal ventilation. » Durable construction: Built to withstand the demands of motocross riding. » Comfortable fit: Designed with an athletic cut for ease of movement and flexibility. » Elastic cuffs and collar: Provides a secure fit without restricting mobility. » Scrambler branding: Prominent ScramblerMX logos for an…

Triumph Motorcycles has officially launched the new TF 250-E and TF 450-E enduro models for 2026, engineered in collaboration with world enduro champions Iván Cervantes and Paul Edmondson. These new models, designed for both competitive racing and trail riding, have been developed to deliver exceptional performance across technical terrain and high-speed sections, thanks to their precision-engineered powertrains and fine-tuned chassis. The TF 250-E and TF 450-E feature a lightweight aluminium chassis for improved agility and stability. The 450cc TF 450-E offers smooth, powerful acceleration, perfect for high-speed enduro races, while the 250cc TF 250-E excels in technical sections, providing responsive and manageable power for riders seeking fun and accessible performance. Both models include cutting-edge technology, including dual engine maps, bespoke engine management systems, and a fuel injection system for efficient…

Motorcycle racing has four more inductees into the very exclusive Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame — supercross superstar Chad Reed and International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) heroes Jessica Gardiner, Tayla Jones and Jemma Wilson - while two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has been elevated to Legend status. The ceremony took place at the 2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 13. This year’s ceremony brings the total number of inductees in the Hall of Fame, which celebrates the achievements of Australian motorsport over 125 years, to 99. Meanwhile, Stoner is now officially a Legend alongside Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones and fellow MotoGP icon Mick Doohan, who was a special guest at the induction ceremony. Stoner’s induction recognises his outstanding contribution to the sport, with a…

The Triumph Bonneville is an iconic motorcycle with a history that dates back more than 65 years. Since then, Triumph has continued successfully building market share in the road bike scene with its other iconic nameplates, such as the Speed Triple, Rocket 3 and the Tiger range of adventure bikes. In a first for the British powerhouse, Triumph entered the dirtbike market with the introduction of its TF 250-X and now the TF 450-RC edition. The TF 450-RC landed on Aussie shores recently, and the crew at Triumph were all too proud to be showing off their flagship motocross machine at the Aussie Moto Media Launch event in Melbourne, Victoria. THE SPECS Although the TF 450-RC is arriving about 12 months after its smaller sibling, the TF 250-X, behind the…

The event was a battle from the outset, with Team Australia, led by Charli Cannon, overcoming an early points deficit to retain the cup they claimed in 2024. Day one saw Team USA set the pace, gaining a narrow four-point advantage over Australia after a solid performance in the opening moto. Despite Cannon’s dominance, leading every lap and taking the win with a 28-second margin, the combined results of Lachlan Turner (second), Jordan Jarvis (third), Kyleigh Stallings (sixth), Mikayla Nielsen (seventh) and Jamie Astudillo (10th) ensured the Americans had the upper hand. Meanwhile, Australia’s Taylor Thompson (fourth) and Taylah McCutcheon (fifth) secured top finishes, while Madison Healey and rookie Madi Simpson found themselves outside the top 10. With the pressure on, Team Australia entered Sunday determined to close the gap.…

I don’t know what’s more important: training your arse off to be fit enough to handle a 48-hour enduro ride, or just going in unprepared with the mental toughness to know you’ll get the job done no matter what. The Frost clan chose the latter due to either injury or busy lives, and while some pre-training would have definitely helped their cause, Mick, Slug, Cam and Ted relied on their determination and the tough-as-nails genes that run through their family to get them to the finish line. When they set off on their ride, they weren’t just pushing their physical limits - they were proving that tough challenges, whether on a dirt track or in life, are best faced together. How did this idea come about? Well, Mick, a former…

After narrowly missing out on the 2024 85cc Australian Enduro Championship, Harley has made the jump to the YZ125 and the J3 Junior category. We caught up with him to chat about his journey so far, his move to the bigger bike and what’s ahead for 2025. DA: Harley, you had an awesome 2024 season with plenty of race wins and podium finishes in the Australian Enduro Championship. What was your highlight? HH: Rounds three and four at Mt Misery in Victoria were definitely my highlights. The track was unreal — big grass sections on the side of a mountain, fast and flowing but also technical. I got second on day one and then took the win on Sunday. It was really close racing, which made it even more exciting.…

Based just north-west of Brisbane, Scottie has been obsessed with bikes since his teenage years. While he raced for a couple of seasons and worked as a motorcycle mechanic after high school, it wasn’t until he transitioned to a FIFO roster that he found the time and resources to take his passion for building bikes to the next level. His latest KX250 project started with a simple swap — he traded a tidy 2006 RM125 he’d built years ago for the well-worn Kawasaki his mate owned. The 2004 model was a significant year for the KX, featuring the first iteration of an updated linkage design and the last of that engine generation, known for its strong mid-totop-end power. But this particular bike had seen better days. After some initial maintenance,…

KTM embraces a new chapter, reinforcing its core values of adventure, performance and passion while forging deeper connections with its riders and fans. On February 25, 2025, Mattighofen’s night sky lit up with KTM’s signature orange glow, symbolising a renewed direction for the brand. More than a spectacle, the event marked the launch of ‘Orange Blood’ - a new platform designed to engage and integrate the global KTM community like never before. KTM’s commitment to innovation extends beyond its machines; it’s now redefining how it interacts with riders, enthusiasts and industry partners. ‘Orange Blood’ is an official online hub where fans can connect, share experiences and actively contribute to the brand’s evolution. From long-time racers to first-time owners, KTM is opening the floor for riders worldwide to share their stories,…

Lyndoch Recreation Park, located in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, has unveiled an extensive transformation as the facility prepares to host the AFL Gather Round matches in 2025. As a part of a wider reconstruction project, the $45.7 million upgrade to the venue, co-funded between the State Government and The Barossa Council, was finished ahead of schedule and will be ready for community use following its debut as a key venue in this year’s footy extravaganza.. The precinct overhaul features a multipurpose building with a 350-seat event space, clubrooms with a commercial kitchen, multisport change facilities and gyms, and an Adelaide Oval-inspired bar and service area to support events and the cricket club. Other upgrades include a recreation green and second oval, an athletics track, shelters, a new playground and family…

Ever taken a photo of something, only to realise the image doesn’t do justice to what you actually saw? That’s the only way I can describe watching supercross live in the USA. It’s nothing like what you see on TV — the atmosphere, the energy and the sheer intensity is on another level. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend roughly 15 supercross events in the US, and it never gets old. I still get a rush when I arrive at a stadium — the excitement, the smell of race fuel in the pits, the fans and everything moto-related in between. If you’re a supercross fan, this is a bucket-list trip. I’m not usually one to tell people what to do, but I’m telling you — see a race in the…

TAYLOR THOMPSON AGE: 20 TEAM: KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM RIDES: 2025 KTM 250SX DA: The Women’s Oceania MX Cup is a big deal in women’s racing. You raced in NZ last year, and this year it’s in Australia. Was NZ a career highlight for you? Taylor: The Oceania Women’s Cup is awesome! New Zealand last year was nothing short of amazing — I had so much fun. It was definitely a highlight for me. In the three races, I went 2-7-3 for third overall. I had some great battles and a few challenges, like my goggles breaking in race two, but overall I had good speed and an incredible experience. Racing in a different country, representing Australia, and then seeing Team Australia take the win was amazing. DA: Looking back…

Over the years, I’ve seen patterns of common mistakes that prevent riders from reaching their full potential. Whether you’re an athlete or a coach, recognising and correcting these issues can make a massive difference to performance, safety and longevity. Here are some of the biggest mistakes I see when coaching motocross and off-road athletes. 1. IGNORING THE FUNDAMENTALS Many riders, especially those with some experience under their belt, overlook the basics in favour of trying to go faster or throwing in advanced techniques too soon. Poor body positioning, improper braking and bad throttle control are often deeply ingrained habits that can limit a rider’s ability to progress. Common issues include: » Having the knees too far forward and a poor standing posture (loose knees, weak grip, upright torso and hunched…