BALLARD’s Yamaha Off-Road rider Daniel Milner took out the 2012 Yamaha Victorian Off-Road Championship’s Pro Class for his fourth time over the weekend of August 11-12 at Ballarat’s Monza Park, during Rounds 12 and 13 of the state’s premier enduro competition.

After running out of fuel at Broadford earlier in May, Milner was still keen to make amends at Monza Park: “After that mistake at Broadford, it’s a pretty good feeling,” Milner reflected, who won the class two rounds before the official end of the season, ahead of Tasmanian Matthew Phillips, and Christopher Davey. 

Milner also finished runner-up to Phillips in the Pro-Expert Outright Class.

“From what I’ve been told, the next round (Round 14 at Erica on September 16) will be on the same day that I fly out to Germany to represent Australia at the International Six Day Enduro so Matty Phillips and I  are automatically awarded full-points for the remaining two rounds,” Milner added.

Victorians Daniel Milner and Mitcham Harper, including Tasmanian Matthew Phillips, are representing Australia at the 2012 FIM Red Bull International Six Day Enduro in Saxony, Germany on September 24-29 and will be awarded workers points as a result.

“I had a pretty good year in the VORC,” Milner continued. “It was up and down. I had a few rounds there that I didn’t ride as well as I could have had, and another round where I ran out of fuel.

Milner’s victory at Ballarat marks his seventh VORC title in both the Pro Class (four) and Pro-Expert Outright Class (three).

“I nearly won every round bar three or four; I can’t complain with that. I felt pretty strong on the bike so it was good,” he added.

“The Barrabool round was just unreal. It had an incredible grass-track on rolling hills. That was probably the best round,” Milner added.

The 20-year-old from Yannathan also plans on competing at the 2012 Yamaha WR450 Australian Four Day Enduro that will take place on October 24-27 in Warragul.

“I’m really looking forward to the I6DE. It’s always a lot more technical overseas. Hopefully I can get some good results over there,” Daniel said.

Both Milner and Harper will be back in time to represent Victoria at the A4DE in October. “It’s basically in my backyard.

“I’ll have the home-ground advantage, so hopefully I can do well there, we’ll have to see,” Daniel continued.

Chris Gray, Motorcycling Victoria’s Enduro Committee chairman, has been blown away by the success of this year’s VORC: “Even though the season hasn’t even finished yet, this has been one of the best by far. We have had clubs, including individuals, who have helped out immensely and have performed exceptionally,” Mr Gray said.

“Officials and volunteers have been sensational all year and have really set the benchmark for the rest of the season, including for the A4DE,” Chris added.

“I would really like to thank Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road Team, and Christensen’s Motorcycles, and anyone else who is associated with them,” Milner continued.

“Hopefully I can come back from Germany with a gold medal for Australia.”

Rounds 14 & 15 of the 2012 Yamaha Victorian Off-Road Championships will take place at Erica and Abberfieldy on September 15 and September 16 respectively.

The 2012 Yamaha WR450 Australian Four-Day Enduro takes place in Warragul on October 24-27. Early bird Entries (pay now and save $100) for the A4DE close in two weeks on Friday, August 31. Visit www.a4de.com for more information.