Empire Motorsports welcomed back reigning J3 champion Nate Munro to its junior program, with the young talent again lining up aboard a KX250X.
The team also introduced a new addition, with promising rider Kai Austin joining the squad to contest the EJ category.
Launching straight into the opening round, Empire Motorsports’ newest recruit, 16-year-old Austin, wasted no time making his presence felt. In his first season racing in the senior ranks, Austin powered his KX250X to a test win in the EJ class to kick off his campaign.
Kai said, “The day started off great with a test win, but I struggled for the rest of the day trying to keep it on two wheels.”
On a track where every second counted, Austin lost momentum after a few small errors, slipping back through the EJ order. Despite the setbacks, he showed flashes of impressive pace and determination, suggesting there’s plenty more to come as he settles into the class and the overall field.
“The speed is there, so keen to clean it up and come out swinging at Dungog,” Austin added.
In the junior ranks, returning Empire Motorsports standout Nate Munro delivered a dominant performance in the J4 class on his KX250X. Drawing on experience from the last time the AEC visited Roma, Munro rode with composure and consistency throughout the day to deliver a standout result. Winning five of the six tests, the 15-year-old secured both the class win and the outright victory to open his season in style.
“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 said.
Munro added that he was pleased with the performance and looking forward to the next round. Overall, I’m wrapped with how I rode and keen to get back out there and do it again at the next rounds.”
RESULTS – RD 1
NATE MUNRO
J4 Results: 1st
Outright: 1st
KAI AUSTIN
EJ Results: 6th
Outright: 30th
Team Green rider Mason Phillips impressed in Roma, delivering a strong performance in his home state to claim the EJ class victory aboard the Kawasaki KX250. Phillips remained consistent throughout the day’s tests to secure the win and open AUS Enduro 2026 in winning form.
For Koby Munro, it was a case of following in his older brother’s footsteps (Empire Motorsport Rider Nate Munro) in Roma, delivering a dominant performance to claim the J2 class victory aboard his Team Green-supported KX85. Munro controlled the day’s proceedings with a strong showing across the tests, securing the win to open his 2026 season in impressive fashion.
Another podium finish as part of the Team Green program came courtesy of Asher Murphy, who secured P3 in the J4 Class in Roma. The result saw Murphy share the podium with Kawasaki stablemate Nate Munro after a strong and consistent performance across the day’s tests, equipped with his KX250.
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