One of Victoria’s leading Enduro racers have called on all Victorian dirt bike enthusiasts to come try their hand at the final Victorian rounds of this year's Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) next weekend at Horsham.

Husqvarna Racing Team’s Jehi Willis (from Koo Wee Rup) said AORC racing was “great fun” for any level of rider, from serious motocross and Enduro racers to hobby or trail bashers.

“I think a lot of people are intimidated by the AORC, but they just need to come out and give it a go,” Willis said.

“The off-road championships are for all levels, not just the pro’s. I think clubman have just as much fun as we do.

“AORC’s are also well organised, so you get in plenty of riding.”

Willis said he had ridden three Victorian Enduro Championship rounds at the venue. Next weekend will be the first time an AORC has visited the property.

“It’s a really fun track. It’s pretty flat, but it’s got a creek bed that goes through it and with a bit of rain, like they’ve had recently, it’s really loamy and pretty awesome,” Willis said.

“It’s got a bit of everything, it’s fairly treed but it also has some open stuff... the track jumps in and out of the creek bed so that’s really fun.

“I really encourage everyone to come out and have a ride, they’ll have a great time.”

Willis, 28, who has represented Australia at several International Six Day Enduro competitions, is sitting 5th in the AORC’s Championship E2 class.

The battle for the AORC Outright number one plate has been hailed the closest in AORC history, with Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road Team’s Chris Hollis leading by six points over GHR Honda Racing’s Peter Boyle.

Jarrod Bewley and three-time winner of the series, AJ Roberts are not far behind with four rounds to go.

Dirt Bike Promotion's Phil Sargent said they had chosen the Horsham venue for rounds 9 and 10 partly to get the championship “closer to South Australian and Western Victorian racers”.

“It’s hard to have venues close to every rider in the country who is interested in competing, but we do our best, and we really hope some riders from this end of the country take the opportunity next weekend,” Sargent said.

“AORC racing is heaps of fun and a great way to hone and expand your motocross skills or add a bit of competitive edge to your trail riding hobby.

“We are excited to be having a cross-country on Sunday, which will give spectators and all the clubman, juniors, women and masters who will ride in the morning a chance to watch the Pro’s – the best off-road racers in Australia bang bars for two-and-a-half-hours.

“For those who would cringe at the thought of racing for so long, there’s no need to fear – only the pro’s and experts race for two-and-a-half-hours in Sunday’s cross-country, juniors race for an hour, women, masters and clubman for an-hour-and-a-half.

"You'll have a blast and have some great stories to take home to your mates... just check out www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au and get an entry in and hopefully we'll see you at Horsham."

The AORC are a 12-round championship that visits NSW, VIC and QLD. The championship is ran over six weekends, the remaining rounds will be held at Horsham (VIC, August 2 & 3) and Nowra (NSW, August 16 & 17).

Saturday is ran in sprint format (several laps of the bush/motocross track racing against the clock) and Sunday in cross-country format (class mass start, pro’s race for two-and-a-half-hours flat out).

The championships boasts classes for every level of rider, from Juniors older than 9-years to clubman, women, veterans, masters, experts and championship-level racers.

Racing at Horsham next Saturday will start at 9am and finish at about 4pm. To get to track: follow signs from Obrees Road, Horsham. (Track is located 20-minutes south west of Horsham on Lights Lane).

Racing on Sunday will start at 8am – the mass-start Pro race will start at 11.30am and finish at about 2pm.

To enter or for more information please visit www.dirtbikepromotions.com.au or contact Dirt Bike Promotions on 02 6362 4437 or 0438 721 024.