Yamaha Racing Primed For New Coonabarabran Tracks

Yamaha's Shaun Redhead

Excitement is high among Yamaha Racing's factory supported motocross teams as they prepare for round six of the 2011 Rockstar MX Nationals to be held at Gonna Tracks, Coonabarabran.

The Gonna Tracks circuit is new to the motocross tour for 2011 and it's the first time the majority of competitors have raced at this venue. With lap times over three minutes and long, fast sections of track, the Coonabarabran track is sure to become a favourite among the riders.

CDR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA
Josh Coppins and Jay Marmont enter the round sitting in third and fifth place respectively and still well and truly in the championship hunt. New Zealand based Coppins has been back to Australia since the previous round and completed a few test sessions with the team where the focus has been on getting himself and Marmont to the front of the pack and clawing back points in the title chase.

Both riders left testing with all issues answered and now realise the responsibility is on them as the CDR Rockstar Yamaha team has delivered the bike exactly to their requests.

"Since the Toowoomba round we have been able to continue testing with the team and feel we have made good gains. My lap times certainly improved during those sessions and now it's up to me to do it on the race track," Coppins explains.

But maybe the biggest hurdle facing Coppins is in the sky as the volcanic ash cloud continues to float around Australia and New Zealand causing flight delays and cancellations. But Coppins will do whatever it takes to make the start line on Sunday.

There has been no rest for Jay Marmont as he has competed and won in two high profile events since the Toowoomba round. He headed west to race the prestigious Manjimup 15,000 event and beat a top shelf international field before heading back to Queensland to compete in their state championships and race to another victory.

Marmont has long been the hunted in Australian motocross after winning three straight national championships, but he now becomes the hunter and is out to make his presence felt.

"A month is a long time between national rounds, so instead of just sitting at home or riding on a burnt out practice track, I decided to get some racing in and try and keep some momentum in my riding. Both events had good riders attending so it was good to get some wins under my belt and carry that confidence into Coonabarabran," Marmont said.

SERCO YOSHIMURA YAMAHA
Kirk Gibbs is now in sight of the championship lead in the Pro Lites class after round six and since the Toowoomba round hasn't been sitting idle either. Gibbs headed south to compete in the New South Wales State Motocross Championship last weekend and came away with three wins and the lead in both the Pro Open and Pro Lites class.

"This year I have been searching out new competition and new tracks to race to mix things up a bit and gain as much experience as possible. So far it seems to be working but myself and the team needs to keep working hard and try and get a hold of this red plate before this championship ends," Gibbs explains.

Team mate Jake Moss has been lying low since the Toowoomba round but as managed to get plenty of time on the Coonabarabran circuit when his father hosted a riding clinic at the track. Now completely recovered from injury and with two podiums from the last two rounds, Moss is looking to hit the top step of the podium this weekend.

"I have lucky enough to do some riding at the venue and really like the track. It's big, fast and wide and should make for some great racing. I am fully fit, the bike is great and it's time to out the Serco Yoshimura Yamaha out front," Moss said.

GYTR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA
Yamaha's Under 19 team is well placed as the championship just ticked over the halfway point, with Luke Arbon in second and Shaun Redhead third. But both riders realize it's time to pour on the pressure as the series heads for home if they have any chance of taking home the number 1 plate.

"It's time to bring my A game and get after this championship," states Arbon. "There is no time for top five finishes; it's about race and round wins and just going wide open."

Redhead will be full of confidence after a strong showing at the recent Queensland Motocross Championship and he also won the last race of round five.

"I think I have been riding pretty well lately but I need to turn those good rides into race and round wins. I am yet to win a round and that is my goal this weekend."

Action gets under way at Coonbarabran at 8am this Sunday. For more information, www.mxnationals.com.au

Championship Standings- After Round Five

Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Dean Ferris 379
2. Billy Mackenzie 370
3. Josh Coppins 350
4. Cheyne Boyd 328
5. Jay Marmont 324
6. Michael Phillips 291
7. Lawson Bopping 251
8. Cody Cooper 213
9. Ryan Marmont 206
10. Louis Calvin 193

Motul Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss 347
2. Kirk Gibbs 320
3. Daniel McCoy 295
4. Brenden Harrison 283
5. Josh Cachia 266
6. Phil Nicoletti 244
7. Keiron Hall 244
8. Cody Mackie 238
9. Justin McDonald 235
10. Luke Styke 230

Pirelli Under 19s
1. Errol Willis 407
2. Luke Arbon 356
3. Shaun Redhead 307
4. Dylan Peterson 272
5. Jake Emanuelli 249
6. Kyle McKeddie 241
7. Jay Wilson 208
8. Kale Makeham 159
9. Dylan Long 159
10. Jacob Mcleod 153

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