EMPIRE MOTORSPORT'S WILL PRICE MASTERS THE DUST AT KEYNETON AORC

Victorian off-road racer Will Price put Empire Motorsport on the E1 class podium at a challenging, dust-filled weekend of the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) competition at Keyneton, SA.

Price and his 2023 Kawasaki KX250X put in a consistent, smart ride to finish second in Saturday’s Cross Country race, then backed it up with a P4 result in demanding conditions in Sunday’s sprint format.

The 22-year-old was quick off the start for Saturday’s action and found himself sitting third in his class late in the race, despite taking a longer fuel stop to change air filters due to the clogging dust that racers faced in round seven.

The move paid off and Price was able to negotiate the second half of the race and capitalise on others’ misfortunes to finish second in the competitive E1 class and 12th outright.

Sunday’s Sprints saw the conditions deteriorate even further, with powdery bull-dust covering the tests and making it difficult to determine the obstacles that lurked beneath.

Despite this, Price resolved to put in a consistent, steady day and was awarded with a fourth-place E1 class result for his efforts. It was another well-earned result in round eight of the season.

“Saturday’s race was a bit bittersweet, as I got a great result, even though I felt I didn’t ride very well and I was helped by other riders DNF'ing. Still, I rode consistently and smoothly, and the team nailed the air filter change at the fuel stop – I believe that’s what got us through. 

“Fourth in today’s Sprint tests wasn’t too bad, but I didn’t have the speed that the other boys had.

“My KX250X handled mint and everything went well in that department, but I crashed a couple of times and I lacked some outright pace. I know what I need to work on, and I’m excited to head to the next rounds at Kyogle in a few week's time.”

Rounds nine and 10 of the 2023 AORC championship will be held at Kyogle, NSW, between 16-17 September.

Round seven results

E1 results:
1. Kyron Bacon 2. Will Price (Empire Motorsport) 3. Cooper Sheidow 

Round eight results

E1 results:
1. Kyron Bacon 2. Korey McMahon 3. Cooper Sheidow 4. Will Price (Empire Motorsport)