- Hayden Draper secured the 2026 Australian MX3 Championship with a race to spare.
- Seth Morrow completed a stunning late-season charge with two more race wins to finish third overall.
- Kiwi riders impressed across every class at the Queensland Moto Park finale.
New Zealand’s Hayden Draper has been crowned the 2026 Penrite ProMX MX3 Champion after sealing the title at the final round of the Australian Motocross Championship at Queensland Moto Park.
The 17-year-old Monster Energy WBR Yamaha rider wrapped up the championship in the opening moto of the weekend, needing only a solid finish to secure the crown after leading the standings for most of the eight-round series.
“It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet – maybe it will later tonight when I think about it a bit more, but I’m stoked,” Draper said after clinching the title.
“It was good seeing my mate Jack Ellingham get a good start and he was leading for quite a few laps. So I was hanging back there watching him.”
Although Draper crossed the line fourth in the opening race, it was enough to put the championship beyond reach with one moto still remaining.
“I was trying not to think about the title too much, but it’s hard when you get a good start, and you’re sitting in fifth, and you know where other guys are sitting,” he admitted.
“I’m stoked to wrap it up in the first moto.
“There are so many people behind me supporting, so I’m stoked to do it for myself and all of them. Right now, it doesn’t feel real. It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Morrow ends season on a high
Fellow Kiwi Seth Morrow continued his remarkable late-season resurgence by claiming victory in both MX3 motos at Queensland Moto Park.
The Southlander has now won six consecutive motos across the final three rounds of the championship, an outstanding run of form that propelled him to third overall in the championship, just two points shy of second place.
“I came into this weekend wanting to set a good qualifying time, which I did, and I was able to execute two good starts and two good races,” said the 18-year-old.
“I’m proud of my efforts. Once I had that first race win, it took a bit of weight off my shoulders and I just wanted that winning feeling again and again.”
Morrow was equally pleased to see long-time friend Draper secure the championship.
“For us both to come over here and do what we’ve been doing, I think it is pretty cool. It’s a big congratulations to him. He rode well all season.”
Jack Ellingham also impressed, grabbing both holeshots in the MX3 class before finishing 13th overall for the round. Carson Carroll finished 40th, while Tynan Morrow qualified for the event but was forced out with engine failure.
Photo: MNZ/Derek Morrison
Strong Kiwi performances across the board
In the premier MX1 category, Jack Symon continued his impressive introduction to Australia’s top class.
Competing in just his second MX1 round, Symon overcame a heavy downhill crash in the opening moto to record 17th and 13th-place finishes, ending the weekend 13th overall.
The MX2 class saw another encouraging performance from debutant Phoenix Van Dusschoten. The Raceline Husqvarna rider produced two consistent rides to finish 14th in both motos after battling inside the top group early on.
Madoc Dixon was the leading Kiwi in MX2, recording 11th and 12th-place finishes to end the season 11th overall, narrowly missing the championship top 10. Curtis King rounded out the New Zealand contingent in 20th overall for the series after a 17-19 scorecard.
Karaitiana Horne continued her consistent season in the MXW class with 11th and seventh-place finishes, securing eighth overall in the championship. Mikayla Griffiths finished 14th overall.
Focus shifts to Supercross
With the ProMX season complete, attention now turns to the 2026 Australian Supercross Championship.
The five-round series begins in Townsville on October 3 before crossing the Tasman for Round 2 at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium on October 31, giving Kiwi fans the chance to see many of Australia’s and New Zealand’s leading motocross stars battle under the lights.
2026 Australia ProMX Motocross Championship Calendar
Round 1: March 21–22 – Wonthaggi, Victoria (Two-day event)
Round 2: April 19 – Canberra, ACT
Round 3: May 10 – Gillman, South Australia
Round 4: May 24 – Toowoomba, Queensland
Round 5: June 14 – Appin, New South Wales
Round 6: July 12 – Traralgon, Victoria
Round 7: July 26 – Conondale, Queensland
Round 8: August 1–2 – Queensland Moto Park (QMP), Queensland (Two-day event).
