Northern Territory sending 21 juniors to compete in national championships

The Territory has sent a strong group of junior Motocross racers to take on the best in the country at next week’s national championships. Check out who is in the squad.

The NT Thunder Motocross Team will take 21 Motocross riders to compete at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in Bunbury. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A strong contingent of the Territory’s aspiring Motocross riders are geared up and ready to take on the best from across the country Australian Junior Motocross Championships in Bunbury.

Territory juniors got their first taste of national competition when they hosted the 2023 edition of the 2023 Championships, which was a huge step for the local riders.

Acacia Hills MX Association Jodie Simpson said the group were eager to have another go and at a practice several parents made a fundraising team to start the journey to Bunbury.

The NT Thunder Motocross Team will take 21 Motocross riders to compete at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in Bunbury. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Since then they’ve gathered dozens of sponsors including Recharge Petroleum, Motorsports NT, KCS Industrial Services and Howard Springs Tavern, while doing raffles on the side to drive the funding.

“It’s just grown so much bigger than we could have ever expected, it’s been brilliant,” Ms Simpson said.

“It was just a group of parent figuring out what we could do to give these kids the best opportunity, because the NT is very remote and after last year we wanted them to still be a part of it.

“The kids are excited because they’re a part of something and have so many people behind them, they don’t even realise it yet but they’re thrilled.

“They’re all very talented, and it’s only going to get bigger and better for them the more they ride different tracks against different kids, this is just the beginning for them.”

The NT Thunder Motocross Team will take 21 Motocross riders to compete at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in Bunbury. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kingsley Potts is competing in the 85CC 9-U12 Years Small Wheel and said that after taking a big step last year, this year’s interstate adventure would be an even bigger leap for the NT group.

“Last year was a big step for us, and this year is an even bigger one because we’re going interstate to compete,” Potts said.

“We’re all thankful, because if it wasn’t for all these sponsors and for everyone that’s supported us we wouldn’t be able to race.”

A strong group of Territorians are going to compete in the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in Bunbury.

In the 85CC 12-U14 Years Big Wheel category is Kenny Woodhill, who can’t wait to show off how Territorians can ride interstate.

“I’m really looking forward to it because we don’t get to do as much racing up here against others and I’m excited to see how I go,” Woodhill said.

“We’re going to go down there, do our best and show how NT boys can rock it, and hopefully we go really well.”

Aiden Blowers is one of group of riders also going along despite injury to support the group and get a taste of what it’s all about.

“I was looking forward to it until I got the injury, but I’m still keen to get down there and see how all the NT mob do,” Blowers said.

NT Thunder Team Nominations

50CC 7-U9 Years

#144 Ty O’Halloran

#179 Darcy Simpson – Injured

65CC 7-U10 Years

#180 Nathan Lawrence

#179 Darcy Simpson – Injured

65CC 10-U12 Years

#144 Connor O’Halloran

#159 Aiden Blowers – Injured

#178 Gus Simpson

85CC 9-U12 Years Small Wheel

#144 Connor O’Halloran

#112 Kingsley Potts

#126 Floyd Williamson

#180 Nathan Lawrence

#159 Aiden Blowers – Injured

85CC 12-U14 Years Big Wheel

#110 Angus Ramsay

#118 Kenny Woodhill

#194 Brodie Holmes

#198 Rhys Gwynne

85CC 14-U16 Years Big Wheel

#176 Harry Steel

125CC 13-U15 Years

#110 Angus Ramsay

#146 Ben MacFarlane

#124 Banjo Williamson

#176 Harry Steel