A selection of talented young KTM racers took centre stage in the 2023 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship (AJMX) at Acacia Hills, where KTM Junior Racing Team duo Jackson Fuller and Ollie Birkitt each captured well-earned title wins in the Northern Territory.
In the 85cc 14-U16yrs division, Queensland ace Fuller set the tone early in the event as he topped the qualifying time sheets. Performing double duties, Fuller also set the second fastest qualifying time in the 125cc 13-U15yrs class.
A hard-fought battle on the 85cc saw Fuller take the moto victory in the first and third moto, which meant he entered the fifth and final moto tied on points for the championship. In a clutch performance, Fuller rose to the occasion and took the race win, which sealed the 85cc 14-U16yrs championship.
On his KTM 125 SX, an opening moto fall that resulted in crossing the line in 12th position hampered his chances at the title, with a string of top-five results in the final four races enough for a solid fifth place finish in the class.
Riding under scorching temperatures throughout the week on a technical circuit, Birkitt posted the fastest qualifying time in the 85cc 9-U12yrs division, which sat 1.856 seconds clear of second place.
Carrying his pace from qualifying, Birkitt breezed into the finals through the heat races, and raced to the opening moto victory in his class. A stellar ride in the second moto resulted in another race win, putting him in the box seat for the title heading into the final moto riding the KTM 85 SX. A calculated ride on a slick circuit resulted in an eighth-place finish, which was enough to capture the championship.
Opening his race week with the second-fastest time in the 85cc 12-U14yrs class, KTM Junior Racing Team rider Cooper Ford would race to that same result in the opening final, before taking another second-place finish in final number two. A poor start and a fall throughout the third moto saw Ford finish in seventh position, finishing up this year’s 85cc 12-U14yrs championship in a fine P3 overall.
Jackson Fuller: “My week went well here at the AJMX championships in Darwin, winning the 14-U16yrs 85cc championship and salvaging a top five in the 13-U15yrs 125cc class after a challenging 12th in the opening moto due to a first corner crash. I’m super-happy with how I rode and my bikes were great all throughout the event – a big thank you to KTM and all the partners who support me.”
Ollie Birkitt: “I’ve had a great week here in Darwin racing the KTM AJMX nationals. The track was wicked all week – I put in some good practice and qualifying lap times, followed by the heat races which we made it through. The first two finals went well with two wins, then the track was super-gnarly by the third final, so I did what I needed to do for the big picture. Overall, I had a great week and experience with the KTM team, and it feels great to grab the championship in the 85 9-U12 class.”
Cooper Ford: “My week here at the AJMX in Darwin was pretty good, I started the week off quite well with a top three qualifying time, which was good. I then had a few small crashes in the heats, but we made it through those, and then the finals came around which I grabbed 2-2 in the opening two races. Last one, got a bad start and was charging through the pack before I crashed, which made it hard for myself. Ended seventh in that one which put me third overall in the 85cc 12-U14yrs class. Happy with that – a lot of hard battles with the heat and the track, but got through it and I’m stoked.”
Additionally, KTM-supported Lachlan Allen took home the 85cc 12-U14yrs championship, while Queenslander Bella Burke raced her way to victory in the Female 85cc 12-U16yrs division.
Across all classes, KTM riders collectivley achieved a strong 13 overall podium finishes of an available 36.