As the Australian ProMX Championship heads to Gilman, South Australia for Round 3, Honda Racing Australia takes a moment to pause and pay tribute to the Anzacs — the men and women of Australia and New Zealand who served and sacrificed in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping.
Anzac Day, observed annually on April 25, is a solemn day of national remembrance in Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga. It commemorates those who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, and acknowledges the enduring contributions and sacrifices of veterans and their families.
Over 30 million people now call Australia and New Zealand home, and the freedoms they enjoy today were built upon the bravery and commitment of those who came before. Team Director Yarrive Konsky reflects on the deep meaning of the day:
“Our team is proudly made up of people from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. We’re grateful to live in countries that offer us so much opportunity and freedom. My father always reminded me that ‘Australia is the lucky country’ — that anything is possible here if you’re willing to try. That belief was made possible by the sacrifices of those who served before us. Their courage and selflessness continue to inspire us every day.”
To honour the legacy of the Anzacs, the team partnered with Sam Morton, director of SKDA, to design special Anzac-themed liveries for their Factory Honda race bikes.
“Yarrive and Honda have always made it a priority to honour the past,” said Morton. “It’s humbling to sit with the team and collaborate on designs that show respect to those who served. I’ve had amazing opportunities thanks to this country, and it’s important we never forget those who defended it.”
On the track, the team is prepared and focused ahead of Sunday’s racing. Kyle Webster enters Gilman having won three of the four motos so far this season in the MX1 class, but a crash and DNF in the opening round sees him currently sitting third in the championship standings.
“Gilman is one of my favourite tracks,” said Webster. “We’ve done the work, and now I just need to ride like I did at Appin, go all out and leave nothing on the table. I’m trailing by 16 points, so it’s simple: I need to win.”
Team Manager Mark Sladek echoed the sentiment of preparation and perspective.
“Racing is unpredictable and there are no guarantees,” said Sladek. “But we’ve controlled what we can, testing has gone well, the bikes are strong, and the team is united. Round 2 was a standout for us; we won five out of six races across all classes. We’re aiming to build on that this weekend.”
