Preview: 2020 Australian Off-Road Championship

The 2020 Australian Off-Road Championship kicks off in Toowoomba on February 22-23, with many big names set to line-up for the opening rounds.

Classes for the weekend will once again include E1, E2, E3, EJ, Womens, Veterans, Masters and the 2T Cup. The little tackers will also be represented with JJ, J1, J2, J3, J4 and JG.

In the E1 class, Yamaha’s Luke Styke will aim to defend his 2019 title, but he’ll face stiff competition from Kyron Bacon (Yamaha) and Mason Semmens (KTM) who has made the full-time switch from motocross. Also piloting a KTM is Corey Hammond who steps up from the EJ class. Absent this year is KTM’s former Victorian young-gun, Lyndon Snodgrass, who is trying his luck overseas in 2020.

KTM’s Daniel Milner wants another E2 title and he is naturally a very good chance to do so. But Yamaha’s Josh Green is looking to break through after playing bridesmaid in 2019. Beau Ralston will also challenge aboard his Kawasaki, while Michael Driscoll (Yamaha) has moved across from E1.

The 2019 season was all about Husqvarna’s Daniel Sanders, who won the E3 class and the unofficial overall title. While he is adding the Finke Desert Race to his already packed schedule in 2020, he is going to tough to beat in the AORC series. Jonte Reynders (Sherco) and Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna) will be doing everything they can to chase him down. Other riders to watch include privateer Jesse Lawton, Victorian Callum Norton, who is on the verge of big things, and Kawasaki pilot Matt Mury.

The EJ class is always competitive, but Blake Hollis (Yamaha) will be tough to beat. Korey McMahon, Samuel Pretscherer and Kobe Conley will also be fighting for podium spots.

It’s hard to see Jess Gardiner not winning her sixth Women’s AORC title and her third in a row. The New South Wales rider has a monopoly on this class after the retirement of Jemma Wilson. Still, Emma Milesevic will be in the mix and Emilie Karlsson and Ebony Nielson will also be competitive.

The Veterans class will see KTM’s Lee Stephens attempt to defend his title, but Jason Pearce, Christopher Thomas and Richard Chibnall will all want to steal the crown.

The absence of 2019 Masters champ, Kirk Hutton, will open the door for a new champion, with Peter Rudd, Tim Martin and Craig Treasure all a chance.

The opening two rounds at Toowoomba will be sprint races, before a pair of enduro races in Dungog on March 14-15. The series will also visit Nowra (April 18-19), Murray Bridge (August 1-2) and Omeo (September 19-20), before wrapping up in Wynyard on October 17-18.