Racing News |
EMPIRE MOTORSPORT SHOW PODIUM SPEED IN AEC RD 1
The 2026 edition of the Australian Enduro Championship kicked off this weekend in the Queensland town of Roma. With a variety of riders absent from the previous season or moving up in classes, the podium positions were unpredictable heading into the opening round.
Empire Motorsports Team welcomed back reigning J3 champion Nate Munro aboard his KX250X in the junior category. A fresh face entered the tent as rising star Kai Austin stepped into the EJ category for the team, aboard a Kawasaki KX250X.
A double header Sprint format saw the Pro riders tackle a dry, awkwardly technical track along the river banks for round one. Racing out of the starting blocks was Empire Motorsports latest signing, 16 year old Austin. Stepping up to his first season in the senior category, Austin ripped his KX250X to a test win in the EJ class to start his EJ campaign.
Kai commented “the day started off great with a test win but struggled hard for the rest of the day to keep it on two wheels.”
A track where it valuable seconds were hard to come by, young Austin lost his momentum, sliding down the EJ order after a few minor mistakes. His resilience and perseverance shone through as he showed impressive signs of raw speed and an exciting season ahead in his class and overall results.
“The speed is there, so keen to clean it up and come out swinging at Dungog” Austin reflected.
In the junior category, returning Empire Motorsports prodigy Nate Munro dominated the J4 class on his KX250X. With experience from the last time AEC visited Roma, Munro rode smart, smooth and consistent all the day to secure strong results. Winning a solid five out of six tests, he claimed the class and outright victory, an impressive start to the season for the 15 year old.
“I felt unreal on the bike and the bike set up was awesome. The tracks were pretty cool and had a lot of different terrain like rocks and sand as it ran along some creek beds” - Munro
Munro reflected that “overall I am wrapped with how I rode and keen to get back out and do it again at the next rounds.”
Unfortunately, the sky opened up overnight and flash flooding caused a cancellation of Australian Enduro Championships round two. Despite this, the team leaves Roma is high spirits ready to tackle the 2026 season. Next up, the series returns to Dungog, NSW for rounds three and four on April 11th and 12th.
RESULTS - RD 1
NATE MUNRO
J4 Results: 1st
Outright: 1st
KAI AUSTIN
EJ Results: 6th
Outright: 30th
RESULTS - RD 2: CANCELLED
The Empire Motorsports Team extends a huge thank you to everyone who provides ongoing support during our 2026 season.