2018 Yamaha WR250R Rally Recap

The second annual WR250R Rally went off bigger and better than the first with 64 riders of the capable Yamaha trail bike congregating at Cessnock, NSW for the two-day 500km adventure ride. That’s close to twice as many who turned up for the inaugural 2017 Rally.

The event was organised by Greg Yager and his team from Ride ADV and hosted by dirt bike legend Chris Watson of Chris Watson’s Motorcycles. This year’s Rally had an international flavour with US guest rider and WR250R nut Tim Hollis entertaining the group with his special style of freeriding straight from the dunes of Southern California.

The Rally covered prime trails around the Hunter region including the Watagan, Olney and Yengo State Forests on 28/29 April. Prizes were awarded for a number of categories including best bike– scooped by David Poole – and furthest travelled – won by three intrepid mates who rode up from Melbourne on a camping trip.

Once again, a wide range of riders turned up from 18 year old sweep Lochie Caldwell to 84-year-old Cessnock local Brian Rooney. Rooney rode the same lowered WR250R that he rode on the inaugural Rally and neither bike nor rider missed a beat. Four female riders also enjoyed the Rally which this year offered optional technical sections. Most riders elected to ride those challenging routes – the WR250R being well capable of covering terrain that a big adventure bike would struggle with.

The bench racing continued into the evening celebrations at Peden’s Hotel in Cessnock. Greg Smith from IKAPTURE photography and David Darcy from MAD TV were on hand to capture the fun and preserve the memories for Rally riders. And the crew from Chris Watson’s Motorcycles ensured no-one went hungry with a BBQ breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday. “If I had to sum up the event in one word it would be FUN,” says YMA Communications Manager Sean Goldhawk.

“The Rally brings together a group of like-minded riders for the best time. Riders who know the secret of the WR250R – that it’s not only an awesome trail bike but also a super Double the number of WR250R Rally riders at Chris Watsons MCs in Cessnock before the start of their two-day adventure ride capable adventurer. And now our US guest Tim Hollis has shown it can also handle freestyle motocross – although we don’t recommend this!” he adds.