Motor Racing
13 November, 2025
Juniors to light up Blue Ribbon Raceway
Junior speedsters will battle it out on Sunday at Blue Ribbon Raceway in round two of the Junior Quarter Midgets Victoria Country Cup.
Across four groups - Novice 120cc, Junior Restricted 120cc, Open 120cc and Open 160cc - 36 nominations have been received, including local talent Aury Muller, Charlie Simpson, Jed Simpson, Lenny Beddison and Reed Muller.
The Country Cup encompasses numerous rounds, with Nyora having hosted the first meeting and Horsham the second.
The remaining rounds will be held at Nagambie, Wangaratta, Laang and Daylesford.
Dylan Simpson, from Blue Ribbon Raceway, said the racing will be close, fast and hard across all age groups on Sunday.
Although Simpson said all drivers had a chance at glory, he said there were a few who would definitely be in contention for the chequered flag.
"In the novice, again, anyone has a chance, but it would be the V28 of Lewis O'Brien; he's won the last three novice races, but the V82 of Nate Roycroft will be nipping at his heels," Simpson said.
Hunter Brown is also expected to be a driver to watch this Sunday, after a solid performance in round one of the Country Cup recently.
He finished the final in third behind O'Brien and Roycroft.
The Junior Restricted 120cc division continues to be a proving ground for developing drivers stepping up, but a bit of family-friendly competition has been added into the mix this season.
"In restricted, it will probably be between the cousins; Jed and Reed (Muller), but no doubt Chase (Goss) and Logan (Wright) will be right behind them," Simpson said, adding they were both experienced drivers.
The fact Jed and Reed Muller are cousins, Simpson said, only makes them battle it out harder, with family bragging rights up for grabs.
In a class that is a blend of rising rookies and experienced steerers, Dusty Eastham and Ollie Roycroft will be looking to continue their form this Sunday, along with Jordan Lowry, who claimed the standout driver's award at the last meeting.
"The open (120cc), it honestly could nearly be anyone's game," admitted Simpson.
"Most of the kids in that list have finished on the podium this year already."
The fastest junior division on the program, the 160cc open, has once again produced a high-quality field with a mix of experienced drivers nominated.
Simpson said he expects this class to be a close tussle as well, although Ben, Billy, and Zac Parsons were drivers to watch, along with Toby Lock, Kaiden O'Brien, and Amber and Chase Van Ginneken.
"But even Lexie Eastham is one to watch, and I am pretty sure she won last time," he added.
Full nominations are as follows:
Novice 120cc: V82 Nate Roycroft, V9 Hudson Belk, V28 Lewis O'Brien, V78 Scott Chippindall, V47 Aury Muller, V70 Hunter Brown, V86 Zara Wright and V54 Lenny Beddison.
Junior Restricted 120cc: V98 Jed Simpson, V57 Reed Muller, V30 Chase Goss, V43 Logan Wright, V93 Mila Knox and V83 Casey Ackland.
Open 120cc: V42 Chaz Mackenzie, V85 Ollie Roycroft, V23 Jack O'Brien, V96 Charlie Simpson, V72 Leo Parsons, V77 Josie Chippindall, V67 Niki Chippindall, V88 Dusty Eastham, V7 Jordan Lawry, V92 Phoebe Belk and V16 Sophie Van Ginneken.
Open 160cc: V8 Toby Lock, V24 Kaiden O'Brien, V37 Zac Parsons, V0 Billy Parsons, V71 Ben Parsons, V81 Lexi Eastham, V38 Ned Orton, V89 Charlie Ackland, V44 Chase Van Ginneken, V6 Amber Van Ginneken and V56 Jensen Kalaitzidis.
