Championship Battles Loom For Yamaha Racing

Kirk Gibbs

Yamaha Racing enter the final round of the nine round 2011 Rockstar MX Nationals in the enviable position of battling for two championship wins and locking down two podium positions in what has been a successful campaign for Yamaha.

After eight rounds and 30 individual motos, only 18 points separate the CDR Rockstar Yamaha duo of Josh Coppins and Jay Marmont in the Pro Open class. 33 points is the gap Kirk Gibbs must bridge if he is to take the crown in the Pro Lites division while Luke Arbon and Shaun Redhead will look to put the finishing touches on their season and nail down second and third respectively in the Under 19 category. Add to that some serious challengers in the Veterans classes and it promises to be a huge weekend for Yamaha.

CDR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA
CDR Rockstar Yamaha is shooting for their fourth successive MX National championship in a row. That feat alone is remarkable and a credit to the entire team for their continued commitment to racing and the culture they provide for their riders.

Josh Coppins will hit the black soil of Coolum holding an 18 point lead over team mate Jay Marmont and trying to win his first Australian Championship. Coppins has been a model of consistency all year and his relentless pursuit of victory is what has got him to this position with one round remaining. With the Moree and Coolum round on consecutive weekends, Coppins stayed in Australia but maintained his regular routine.

"It's actually been nice to stay here and enjoy the warm weather," Coppins commented. "With the team also staying in Queensland I have been able to get some riding in and hit the gym so for me its business as usual this weekend and try and post the four best motos I can."

Jay Marmont is gunning for a record equaling four Australian motocross championships and a record breaking four in a row. Marmont has been the diesel engine of the championship, building momentum slowly but coming home strong and showing no signs of slowing down. His past three rounds have seen two victories and an equal first so his form is first class.

"Coolum has been a happy hunting ground for me the past few seasons and I always enjoy the weekend up there. I did a race at the track during the year and managed to win that so I'm looking forward to the race."

"I have nothing to lose, so it's all or nothing for me this weekend."

SERCO YOSHOMURA YAMAHA
After being as far as 80 points behind the championship leader, Kirk Gibbs has now reduced that margin down to 33. With four races and 100 points remaining the Pro Lites championship is well and truly alive. Gibbs is a fan of the Coolum circuit and was the round winner here just 12months ago and hopes to continue that form this weekend.

"My goal is nothing more than to win the round. There is no point working out points and positions so it's just win the day, get as many points and race wins that I can and see how we end up when it's finished."

"I like Coolum as it's a great track to ride and being close to the Serco team base, it's always good to do well there," Gibbs finishes.

Guest rider Luke Styke is also back for the final round and looking to improve on his ninth last weekend at Moree. Styke is filling in for the injured Jake Moss and now with a race under his belt and more seat time on the Serco YZ250F, he is looking for an improved performance.

"I was pretty angry after Moree as I didn't get the result I wanted. I have been hitting the practice track pretty hard this week to make sure I'm prepared for this weekend. The sandy surface of Coolum is to my liking and I want to give the Serco team a good result to thank them for the opportunity they have given me," Styke comments.

GYTR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA
With their championship aspirations exhausted, the GYTR Rockstar Yamaha duo of Luke Arbon and Shaun Redhead are out to restore a bit of pride this weekend. Both riders are hurting from the disappointing round at Moree and have had a week to regroup and come out swinging at Coolum.

"No one likes to be beaten like we were at Moree," Redhead states. "This weekend is all about gaining back some respect and showing everyone that Moree isn't what this race team is about."

VETS
The Coolum weekend will also see the 30 to 39years as well as the 40 plus class in veterans racing. Cameron Taylor, last years' winner in the 30 to 39 years group is back on his YZ450F and looking to make in back to back wins while New Zealand's ageless warrior Darryll King will be back to defend his 40plus championship.

The ever green King will also contest the Pro Open class and will no doubt get the iron man award as he will line up for eight races over the weekend.

Action gets underway at 8.30am on Saturday morning at the Coolum pines circuit. Veterans and Quads will be on track Saturday as well as practice for the professional classes. Sunday will see the pros race in ager and the 2011 champions decided. Visit, www.mxnationals.com.au for more information.

Championship Standings - One Round Remaining

Rockstar Energy Pro Open
1 Josh Coppins 603 Points
2 Jay Marmont 585 Points
3 Dean Ferris 563 Points
4 Billy Mackenzie 559 Points
5 Cheyne Boyd 494 Points
6 Michael Phillips 460 Points
7 Lawson Bopping 433 Points
8 Cody Cooper 395 Points
9 Louis Calvin 313 Points
10 Daniel Reardon 226 Points

Motul Pro Lites Championship
1 Matt Moss 567 Points
2 Kirk Gibbs 534 Points
3 Brenden Harrison 478 Points
4 Phil Nicoletti 477 Points
5 Daniel McCoy 461 Points
6 Kade Mosig 440 Points
7 Josh Cachia 423 Points
8 Cody Mackie 419 Points
9 Justin McDonald 403 Points
10 Luke Styke 372 Points

Pirelli Under 19's Championship
1 Errol Willis 656 Points (2011 Champion)
2 Luke Arbon 550 Points
3 Shaun Redhead 466 Points
4 Dylan Peterson 425 Points
5 Jay Wilson 385 Points
6 Jake Emanuelli 380 Points
7 Kyle McKeddie 370 Points
8 Sam Martin 305 Points
9 Kale Makeham 280 Points
10 Dylan Long 270 Points

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