John Lytras has completed a perfect season in the Yamaha Aussie Flat Track Nationals, taking out the Pro Twins title at Gunnedah’s Balcary Park without dropping a race all year.
Mr Lytras rode a Suzuki SV650 prepared by Keeley Pritchett and went undefeated in the class at Round 6 on Saturday, 7 November.
“Gunnedah never disappoints when it comes to quality racing,” said Series Organiser Dave Maddock.
“Across all classes we saw some incredible battles that feel all that more intense when you’re at the track.”
“John Lytras deserves a special mention – to not drop a race all year is a great achievement not only for him, but for Keeley Pritchett who put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to build a race winning machine against some fine opposition,” he said.
The final round of the 2026 series runs on the Balcary Park TT track on Sunday, 8 November, where the remaining series champions will be crowned.
In the premier Pro 450 class, brothers Tom Drane and Sam Drane pushed each other all day, with Tom Drane clinching the round win from his younger brother.
Balcary Park’s oil-based track is renowned for producing quality racing, and the Pro 450 field delivered in perfect conditions. Tom Drane fired the first shot with an ultra clean lap to take out Superpole in the morning.
Sam Drane won the opening race, with the pair trading blows over six laps. Max Whale, who came into the round with a points deficit, made a strong start to finish third on his KTM.
Tom Drane struck back in the second race ahead of Sam Drane, with points leader Cameron Dunker third in front of Mr Whale.
Mr Whale made a clean start in the third race and held off both Drane brothers, with Mr Dunker fourth.
“It was a really good day, we started off well and in each race there was tough competition out there,” said Pro 450 round winner Tom Drane.
“Me and Max were battling hard there in one and Sam was making it tough as well, trying to go as slow as he could (laughs) in the last one to hold us up!”
“It was good fun and a lot of good racing!”
The final race was perhaps the highlight of the day. Mr Whale started strong again, only to be shuffled back by a strong move from Mr Dunker.
In the chaotic opening laps Sam Drane was out front dictating the pace, and he held off Tom Drane and Mr Dunker at the line. Mr Dunker attacked on the outside for the win, despite knowing a points finish was the safest option.
“The Pro 450 guys were definitely on the limit and it was something special to see the Drane brothers pushing each other as hard as they did,” Mr Maddock said.
“The title was on the line though, and seeing Cameron Dunker and Max Whale taking huge risks for race wins lifted the crowd, it’s a fine line between victory and hitting the dirt and Dunker had to be only a fraction off tucking the front in the final race!”
Mr Dunker now holds a solid advantage, on 1261.5 points to Mr Whale’s 1152, heading into the final round on his favoured TT course.
Jed Fyffe swept Junior Lites, Neil Girdler took every race in the All Powers Over 35s, and Harley Ford did the same in 65 Trackers. Flynn Beard won the Junior 85s round with three race victories.
Round 6 podiums:
- Pro 450: Tom Drane, Sam Drane, Max Whale
- Pro Twins: John Lytras, Corey Banks, Daniel Lawrence
- Junior Lites: Jed Fyffe, Tahj Edwards, Nate Jaeger
- Junior 85: Flynn Beard, Brody Ford, Cooper Quinn
- 65 Trackers: Harley Ford, Lachlan Webber, Axel Kirkness
- Over 35s All Powers: Neil Girdler, Ajay Muggleton, Jason Griffin
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