RILEY MCGILLIVRAY CLAIMS E3 AORC GLORY!

KTM-supported off-road racer Riley McGillivray closed out 2023 in the most spectacular fashion, securing victory in the final round of the 2023 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) and claiming the E3 class championship. Facing a nail-biting finish, the 19-year-old McGillivray, who entered the final two rounds of the series in Dungog, NSW, with a slim four-point lead in the championship, had to outperform his closest rival to clinch the title.

Amidst the dry and dusty conditions of the race, McGillivray and his 2023 KTM 500 EXC-F battled fiercely with Husqvarna racer Stefan Granquist throughout Saturday’s races, concluding a gruelling day of competition just two seconds behind. The action on Sunday commenced with only a single championship point separating the two frontrunners. However, it was the young talent who navigated the scorching conditions to establish a 14-second lead after the initial three tests.

During the afternoon loop, McGillivray once again dominated the leaderboard, finishing the day with a commanding 17-second lead and, more importantly, securing the well-deserved E3 championship number-one plate.

“It was a stressful weekend here for the final rounds, as I needed at least a first and a second to win. After finishing second yesterday, it came down to the wire, with just one point in it. I was a bit frustrated yesterday that I wasn’t quick enough, so I made sure I came out of the gates swinging today! I put some good tests in and built a gap, and was able to maintain that to the end. It blows me away to think that the title came down to a matter of seconds after a full year of racing, but I couldn’t be happier to take the win.” Riley McGillivray