Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

Countdown To 4-Day

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 08:41

Around 260 dirt bike racers and hundreds of supporters and fans will descend on Portland (near Lithgow, NSW) starting this weekend to get ready for next Thursday’s kick-off of the 32nd annual Yamaha Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE).

Australia’s fastest off-road racers will spend early next week doing last minute preparations to their bikes, signing on and scrutineering for the race, to be held at Portland (NSW) from April 8th to 11th.

Yamaha A4DE Event Coordinator, Lyn Braico, said the prestigious Yamaha A4DE was an Australian championship race that attracted some of the world’s fastest riders.

“The Yamaha A4DE consists of four days of grueling trail and about seven to eight special test phases a day, equaling a total of about 30 hours and more than 1000kms on the machine. Riders must also complete a final motocross on day four,” she said.

“The A4DE is the second largest of its kind on the globe and contributes more than $1.5 million to the Australian economy annually.

“This year, spectators and fans will be in for a real treat when Australia’s best racers, including Bathurst’s Ben Grabham, try to topple last year’s A4DE Outright winner, Jarrod Bewley of the Motorex KTM Team from Hawkesbury, Sydney.

“Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha will also have a hot favourite in the running, with five-time world Champion, Stefan Merriman, ready to take an A4DE win.”

In the 2010 Yamaha A4DE riders of all skill levels - from Clubman to Pro - from every Australian state (including Tasmania) and New Zealand will be vying for class and Outright honours.

Dozens of riders from the Central West and surrounds will also be competing, including reigning Championship Veteran’s winner, Stuart Bennett (from Orange), Gary Dukes from Lithgow and rising E1 Class star, Ben Burrell (Yamaha), from Parkes.

There is also a state-versus-state element to the event, with the top riders from each state competing on Junior and Senior Trophy Teams.

New South Wales will have Bewley, Merriman, Toby Price and several other top riders fighting in its corner.

Queensland will also have some big talent on its side, with multi-Australian Off-Road Champion, AJ Roberts (from Bribie Island) and four-time Australian Enduro Champion ‘King’ Kirk Hutton from Kobble Creek (Pine Rivers Shire).

Victoria will again have a strong presence, including Blake Hore (from Officer), Peter Boyle (from Stony Creek, Gippsland) and Jehi Willis (from Koo Wee Rup).

The 32nd annual Yamaha A4DE will be held at Portland (near Lithgow, NSW) from April 8th to 11th, 2010.

Spectators are welcome. More info will be available from the event’s staging area located at the Portland Showground, corner of Lime and Laurie St’s, Portland, NSW. For more info go to the official A4DE site

Photo: 5 time world champ Stefan Merriman will be out for revenge at the 2010 A4DE Credit: A4DE site