Racing: Price draws level with Merriman

The battle for the 2009 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) is heading for a dramatic conclusion, with Kawasaki's Toby Price and Yamaha's Stefan Merriman deadlocked in first place heading into today's final round in Young (NSW).

Price, 22, from the MSC Kawasaki team, claimed yesterday's penultimate round from the two Ballard's Wellard Yamaha teamsters, Jarrod Bewley and four-time world champion Merriman.

That was enough for the in-form Price to draw level on points with Merriman, with Bewley only 8pts further behind in third.

It's set up the closest finish in the short history of the AORC

"My first two laps were really good, I got through with no troubles," Price said.

"My third and fourth I had a couple offs and put a hole in my crankcase, but other than that it was all pretty good and hopefully I'll back it up again tomorrow."

Chris Hollis (Husqvarna) was fourth outright on day one, and also the E1 winner from Kirk Hutton (Ballard's Wellard Yamaha).

In the E1 title chase, Ballard's Wellard Yamaha's Kirk Hutton is just 5pts behind Motorex KTM's Ben Kearney, setting up another gripping finale.

Ben Grabham (Motorex KTM) was fifth outright on his E2 class machine.

In the big-bore E3 class, Brad Williscroft (Motorex KTM) took the win yesterday, ahead of class leader Geoff Braico.

AORC ROUND NINE RESULTS
1. Toby Price Kawasaki E2
2. Jarrod Bewley Yamaha E2
3. Stefan Merriman Yamaha E2
4. Chris Hollis Husqvarna E1
5. Ben Grabham KTM E2
6. Kirk Hutton Yamaha E1
7. Peter Boyle Honda E2
8. Ben Kearney KTM E1
9. Brad Williscroft KTM E3
10. Josh Green Kawasaki E1

AORC OUTRIGHT (after nine of 10 rounds)
1= Price 189
1= Merriman 189
3. Bewley 180
4. Hollis 145
5. Kearney 132
6. Grabham 128
7. Hutton 120
8. AJ Roberts Honda 117
9. Boyle 115
10. Geoff Braico KTM 94