The 2023 Auspromx series is run and won, 4 titles decided on the last day. The Coolum Pines MX track is run and done, a quarter of a century of history on this plot of land coming to a close.
Dean Ferris, surprising, contentious, and much discussed come back ended in triumph. He answered the questions with authority.
Former champion Aaron Tanti’s title defence ended in frustration. When its not your year, as they say.
Wilson Todd and Charli Cannon’s seasons ended just as we expected.
Byron Dennis began his pro title collection in style, I’m tipping many more to come.
Really glad I made the trip, I had heard a lot about Coolum and it didn’t disappoint. Like many tracks the TV didn’t do it justice. There was a real mix of emotions over the weekend, elation of course with dreams coming true, and disappointment for those who missed out. But also, a real sense of sadness about Coolum’s last hurrah.
Yarrive hugging Wilbur with tears of joy. An exhausted, disappointed and ill Jack Mather scratching out words on the podium, the club volunteers selling burgers out of that shed one last time.
And several emotions all at once seeing Ashley Erbacher out there racing the vet class.
The MX1 class was all about watching the 111 and the 14, where are they, calculating points and hoping for a battle. In the end Jed gave it a red hot go and made mistakes, but he had to leave it all out there. Dean was just smart and clean (don’t talk about practice!) with 2-2 scores. That’s nearly as good as a win when you’re at a sand track with Kyle Webster. Webby not surprisingly put on a clinic, going 1-1.
Speaking of smart, MX2 champion Wilson Todd was just that all year. For mine, this championship was more impressive than his domination of last season, fighting through injury. It almost felt like at this round we finally saw him really strut his stuff, going 1-1.
Charli Cannon also went 1-1, the only race she didn’t win all year was the DNF the week before at QMP. Great to see the MXW field get stronger as the season went on.
My favourite thing of the weekend came from my favourite class. Byron Dennis clinching a well-deserved MX3 title. As luck would have It, I found myself standing close by his dad, just across from the start gate, he wheelied a little of the gate and didn’t get a great start, 16th place by the timing. Things were pretty quiet as all eyes were fixed on the down ramp that leads back to the start straight, the start area not a good vantage point for the rest of the track. To my surprise and to Mr Dennis’s elation, Byron came into sight in the lead, passing 15 riders on first lap! Absolute clutch play from the boy from Wagga Wagga.
Don’t forget, the vet’s class which saw our Trent in action. He’ll tell you all about that on the upcoming vlog. I can’t write about the afterparty. What happens at the afterparty, stays at the afterparty.
It was a full and fun weekend wearing lots of hats, pit bitch, man friend, camera man, content creator, co-host, writer and most of all, moto fan. Next years finale has some very big shoes to fill.
And now, new beginnings, riders heading abroad to start their international career, riders stepping up to the next class, Supercross too, how lucky are we.
Go Riding
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