A third placing was Kye's best effort in Victoria.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So Kye was determined for a big effort on his home track. He was hoping to win one of the three major championships in the 13 to under 16 years division. Instead, he claimed the title trifecta.
Kye is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order from Iguana. He was nominated by Taree Motor Cycle Club.
Related content
- http://www.manningrivertimes.com.au/story/4946104/kye-andrews-wins-three-australian-championships/
Kye explained he prefers the oil-based surfaces like Old Bar for racing and can struggle at times on loose surfaces, as was the case at Mildura.
However, he added the Mildura track wasn’t totally to blame. A bit of rider error contributed as well.
“I was leading two races and made mistakes, so I wasn’t too happy about that,’’ the 14-year-old said.
There was one constant about all his wins at the dirt track titles at Old Bar. Kye gained an early lead and didn’t surrender the advantage.
“I knew I needed a good start,'’ he said.
“Because it can be hard to pass at Old Bar.’’
Kye said he didn’t feel any extra pressure going into the last final after winning the two earlier deciders.
"I didn’t let nerves get to me at all,’’ he said.
He went into the championship determined to win one class, so anything else he considered a bonus.
Kye conceded a bit of local knowledge helped him devise the race plan. Kye now has four Australian championships to his credit following a win at Kempsey in 2015.
He’s hoping to add to the tally next year when the dirt track titles will be at Kurri Kurri – a venue he’s familiar with. At this stage Kye isn’t sure where the long track events will be decided. He’ll ride in the 13-16 years class for the last time in 2018.
Kye’s been riding competitively since 2010, with his dad, Mark, his early coach.
Kye's only his bike racing every second weekend and this can take him all around the East Coast of Australia. In the past 12 months Kye’s competed from Townsville to Mildura.
Riding in the MotoGP is his long-term ambition, but he knows that will be a tough road to ride.
Kye opened this year on a positive note when winning his division at the Troy Bayliss Classic, where he had a great battle with fellow Taree rider Jack Hyde. Kye admits he’s disappointed there won’t be a Bayliss Classic next January, but he hopes to be riding there as a senior when it returns in 2019.