Jake Moss Podiums As Kirk Gibbs Closes In On Points Lead

Jake Moss, Serco Yamaha

Competitors experienced some of the toughest conditions faced in years at round five of the 2011 Rockstar MX Nationals at a wet, boggy and downright nasty Echo Valley in Toowoomba. But through all the mud and red clay, the Serco Yoshimura Yamaha team came away in a positive frame of mind as Jake Moss podiumed and Kirk Gibbs narrowed the points' gap to the championship leader.

Jake Moss made it two podiums in a row after he finished in second place in the Pro Lites class over the weekend. In the shorten race format that saw the round dropped from four motos back to three, Moss posted 3-1-7 results to earn 59points and second spot on the podium behind Daniel McCoy.

The result is another step forward for Moss as he continues to build momentum in his return from injury.

"It was just a hard day racing today," Moss said at days' end. "The track was tough to ride as you couldn't afford to make a mistake or crash. We were right on track to win the round but I didn't get the result I needed in the final race and slipped back to second, but overall, I'm pretty happy with how the day went," Moss finishes.

The event also proved a big challenge for Kirk Gibbs as the conditions caused havoc among the riders. And despite finishing in 12th with a DNF - 9 - 5, Gibbs still clawed back 10points on series leader Matt Moss and the gap between the two now sits at 27points and with four rounds still to come. The Pro Lites championship is now officially up for grabs again.

"I might have got some points back in the championship, but I'm not happy with the way I raced today. The first moto I crashed and I just couldn't get the bike started as mud had clogged everything up. Moto two wasn't much better and at least I pulled a top five to finish the day."

"Today, I got lucky but I didn't capitalize on the mistakes of my competition," Gibbs finishes.

Team Manager, Michael Marty took an optimistic approach when asked about his teams' day.

"Two rounds ago we were 80 points out of the championship, now we are back to 27, so that is something we are happy about. Had Kirk done a little better today, the gap could be even less, but these conditions throw up all kinds of challenges. Jake is looking better on the bike at every round and with two podiums in a row, he now has some real momentum behind him."

The western New South Wales town of Coonabarabran hosts round six of the 2011 Rockstar MX Nationals in four weeks time and the Serco Yoshimura Yamaha team will continue working hard as they close in on the championship lead.

Online Motorcycle Store - Click NOW

For more information and a full list of results; www.mxnationals.com.au

Round Five Results- Toowoomba
Pro Lites

Rider	Manufacturer	Results	Points
1st Daniel McCoy	Suzuki	2-3-2	64points
2nd Jake Moss	Yamaha	3-1-7	59points
3rd Josh Cachia	KTM	1-7-9	51points
4th Luke Styke	Yamaha	6-5-4	49points
5th Phil Nicoletti	Kawasaki	0-2-1	47points
6th Brendan Harrison	KTM	5-13-3	44points
7th Kade Mosig	Honda	7-8-6	42points
8th Alex Morris	Kawasaki	8-6-13	36points
9th Keiron Hall	Honda	9-12-10	32points
10th Justin McDonald	Honda	0-4-8	31points

Championship Standings- After Round Five
Pro Lites Standings
1st Matt Moss 347
2nd Kirk Gibbs 320
3rd Daniel McCoy 295
4th Brenden Harrison 283
5th Josh Cachia 266
6th Phil Nicoletti 244
7th Keiron Hall 244
8th Cody Mackie 238
9th Justin McDonald 235
10th Luke Styke 230
12th Ford Dale 199
13th Jake Moss 185

Credits: Daniel Mckenzie

CDR Rockstar Yamaha Restore Pride At MX Nats

A three week team soul searching mission and some extensive testing on the race bikes has paid huge dividends for the CDR Rockstar Yamaha duo of Josh Coppins and Jay Marmont as they pulled off a sensational 1-3 result at round two of the MX Nationals held at Appin over the weekend.

Josh Coppins break through for 1st MX Nationals Victory

After the huge disappointment of round one where the team struggled to seventh and ninth places, Coppins and Marmont showed the fight and spirit team boss Craig Dack was looking for with Coppins taking the round win and Marmont nailing down third for the round.

Fighting off an ankle injury sustained at a recent round of the New Zealand Motocross Championships, Coppins limped his way into the Appin circuit but the Kiwi gritted his teeth and got down to business of re-establishing himself in this championship.

In the two by back to back race format, Coppins produced consistently good results to take the round win with 2-3-4-2 positions in the premier Pro Open class. The rough and rutty track spells danger for any rider carrying an ankle injury but Coppins smooth style and world championship experience saw him take the round win, rocket up to third in the championship and keep his ginger ankle out of harms way.

"Things obviously went a lot better today than the opening round," said Coppins. "I was able to keep clear of trouble in all four motos and focused on putting in the best laps I could given the conditions and my ankle."

"I also must give credit to the CDR Rockstar Team. Everyone worked tirelessly since round one to ensure the bike was perfect and that I had no excuses."

"This is also my first win in Australia, the championship points got a lot tighter and I think we are starting to pick up some momentum," Coppins signs off.

Jay Marmont entered round two with the motocross community questioning if he has what it takes to win this years' championship. Marmont answered in the best way possible, by slamming his number 1 plated YZ450 at the head of the field and racing with his heart on his sleeve.

After the opening three motos, Marmont was right in contention to take the round win day but a first turn crash in race four left him well down the field and the round win slip through his fingers. Still he fought on and charged back inside the top 10 to finish the day with 4-4-2-8 places and the final spot on the podium in the Pro Open division.

"I came into today determined to get a better result, one that I was proud off and while I didn't win the day it was a huge step in the right direction and I feel like I put in a good effort," Marmont said.

"It was a shame that I could quite seal the deal for the round as I crashed in the first turn of the last race, but I think I have clawed back a lot of points and look forward to the next round at Raymond Terrace," Marmont enthuses.

Craig Dack, Team CDR Rockstar Yamaha Manager, was in a much happier frame of mind leaving the Appin venue and is proud of the effort and energy his riders and team put in.

"We were under the pump at round one and had plenty of work to do to get back in the hunt. The team pulled together well and got the improvement out of the bikes we needed and the riders showed good mental strength to fight back from a disappointing round one."

Online Motorcycle Store - Click NOW

"We still have a long way to go and but we leave Appin with a positive frame of mind and ready for the next challenge at Raymond Terrace.

For a full list of results and more information, please visit www.mxnationals.com.au

Round Two Results - Appin
Pro Open.

Qualifying: Jay Marmont- P1 / Josh Coppins - P3

Rider	Manufacturer	Results	Points
1st Josh Coppins	Yamaha	2-3-4-2	80points
2nd Dean Ferris	Kawasaki	10-6-1-1	76points
3rd Jay Marmont	Yamaha	4-4-2-8	71points
4th Michael Phillips	Honda	3-8-3-5	69points
5th Ryan Marmont	KTM	0-1-8-2	60points
6th Cheyne Boyd	Honda	5-5-6-14	54points
7th Lawson Bopping	Suzuki	6-2-0-7	51points
8th Billy Mackenzie	Kawasaki	8-10-5-13	48points
9th Louis Calvin	KTM	7-9-12-9	47points
10th Lewis Woods	KTM	12-15-9-6	42points

Championship Standings- After Round Two
Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Dean Ferris 139
2. Billy Mackenzie 137
3. Josh Coppins 134
4. Ryan Marmont 128
5. Cheyne Boyd 123
6. Lawson Bopping 121
7. Jay Marmont 118
8. Michael Phillips 113
9. Louis Calvin 99
10. Cody Cooper 96

Yamaha Racing Ready To Let Loose In 2011

Shaun Redhead is back for 2011

The testing has been completed, the bikes are ready, the trucks are loaded and the riders and teams desperate to get back into action. Yamaha Racing wants get dirty and the 2011 Rockstar MX Nationals are about to start. Let's go racing!

Yamaha's three factory supported motocross teams will get season 2011 under way this weekend with round one of the Rockstar MX Nationals to be held at the Broadford Motocross complex in Victoria, this weekend. CDR Rockstar Yamaha (Pro Open), Serco Yamaha (Pro Lites) and GYTR Rockstar Yamaha (Under 19) eagerly wait for the first drop of the gate to get the 2011 national motocross championships under way.

CDR Rockstar Yamaha
The premier team in Australian motocross enters the 2011 season in great shape. Retaining the services of three time and reigning motocross champion Jay Marmont as well as new signing, the world experienced and ranked Josh Coppins from New Zealand, CDR Rockstar Yamaha expects to continue on with their recent success and has spent the off season working hard to ensure everything is in place.

For Jay Marmont, he took the opportunity to take some time off during the break and recharge the batteries for a fresh tilt at championship number four. Marmont builds his championships on a foundation of consistency but realizes he must strive to improve to keep pace with the younger riders each and every year.

"This was the first time in years I have been able to take a break and refresh my mind and body for racing and I think it has done me the world of good. I have never entered the season filling so fresh and excited and my pre season training has been as good as ever."

"Broadford is the first of nine rounds and I'm just looking forward to getting out on the track and getting the championship under way," Marmont offers enthusiastically.

Kiwi Josh Coppins returns down under after 15 years spent on the world GP circuit in Europe. Since returning home, Coppins has sharpened his skills at the New Zealand motocross championships where he currently leading the Pro Open class and now looks forward to the MX Nationals.

"The change coming back from Europe has been good. I needed something fresh and a new challenge to keep me going forward and to race back in Australia and New Zealand has really lifted me. I look forward to the new formats used here and also racing a bunch of new riders that I have never competed against before. Round one can't come soon enough," Coppins finishes.

Team Manager Craig Dack is also excited about the upcoming season where he gets a chance to not only unveils his new rider in Coppins but also the new team transporter, an 18 wheeler semi trailer.

"I have a really good vibe about 2011. As a team we have stepped it up with a new semi and completely new pit set up that will boost our profile in the pits and the riders have been in good form during testing and pre season training. I enjoy this time of year and CDR is ready to go racing," Dack comments.

SERCO YAMAHA
Serco Yamaha head into the 2011 season full of confidence after enjoying a successful 2010 that saw the team finish in 2-3 formation. Both riders, Kirk Gibbs and Ford Dale, have been retained for 2011 and will be joined be Jake Moss later in the series when he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Gibbs, the man who took second place in 2010, is looking to go one better in 2011 and has been putting in the hard yards to achieve it. Since returning from a wrist injury, Gibbs has stepped up his riding and training program and hopes to reap the rewards out on the race track.

"I have undertaken a proper training program that monitors my fitness and conditioning regularly so I know exactly where I am at. Having a program laid out and the right people around has definitely increased my fitness levels and I feel better on the bike that I have at any other stage of my career," said the ex-pat South Australian.

Ford Dale has also put in plenty of hours during the break with his focus more on riding techniques and mental focus. Dale, always a lightning bolt on the track but too often hitting the dirt, sought help to tune up his style and thinks it's exactly what he needs to get to the top.

"After talking with everyone at Serco and a few close friends, we thought that if I keep doing the same old things, I will keep getting the same old results and that's not what I'm about. As I rider and racer, I want to get better every time I'm on the track, so I have been getting some advice on my riding and it really feels to be paying off on the practice track."

"It's up to me to now take what I have learnt over the summer and apply it in race conditions and I'm confident I will do that," Dale said.

GYTR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA
Yamaha's factory under 19 team have made a few changes during the off season by scaling back to a two rider team to offer a more focused and hands on approach to their riders. Luke Arbon joins incumbent member Shaun Redhead in the Yamaha young gun assault and both riders are ready to let rip at the season opener in Broadford.

"I'm enjoying the change to Yamaha and everything so far has been extremely positive," states Arbon. "The team has worked closely with me to ensure I have everything I need and the knowledge available is first rate."

"I have had a couple of injuries over the Christmas period, but I'm back to 100% and have been able to get a good preparation going into the opening round." Arbon finishes.

For Redhead, it's all about redemption. After a tough 2010 season, Redhead has vowed to restore some pride and respect to his racing and he certainly has put in some hard work in recent months.

"Last year wasn't good and I know it. This year, I have made plenty of changes to my life and feel I'm far better prepared to go racing than I was at any time in 2010."

"This championship is 36 races long, so there are a lot of laps to be done and a lot of things can happen, but I'm ready to go and look forward to Broadford," Redhead adds.

Round one of the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals kicks off on March 13 at the Broadford Motorsport complex in Victoria.

For more information on the MX Nationals www.mxnationals.com.au and for information on Yamaha and its products, www.yamaha-motor.com.au

Credits: Damien Ashenhurst / Daniel McKenzie

Rockstar helps usher in new decade of Aussie MX

Williams Event Management (WEM) is pleased to announce that Rockstar Energy Drink have come on board to support the 2010 Australian Motocross Championship, heralding a new decade, and indeed a new era, for Australian Motocross.

The long-term deal with Rockstar has allowed WEM to secure a never-before-seen television package for Motocross in Australia, highlighting all three classes and propelling the sport into the spotlight.

Series Promoter, Kevin Williams, was thrilled to have Rockstar onboard, with their support enabling the Series to continue to grow.

“Over the last few years we’ve made a conscious effort to help improve and develop the sport of Motocross in Australia,” Williams said.

“With Rockstar signing up, the Series looks set to be bigger and better than ever.

“Rockstar have made a long-term commitment to the Championship, and with their support we’ve been able to line-up an awesome television package, heralding a new era for Motocross in Australia.”

Mike Kelso, Marketing Director of Rockstar Energy Drink, said that Rockstar was thrilled about their partnership with the Australian Motocross Championship.

“We are excited about our partnership with Kevin Williams and being the title sponsor of the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals,” Kelso said.

“This is a multi-year deal which has helped to secure an amazing television package, ensuring fans across Australia get to experience top level racing at its finest and helping to bring the Series to a new level of competition.”

The 2010 Championship will see the premier Pro Opens class take to the tracks once more, with CDR Rockstar Yamaha rider, Jay Marmont, aiming to make it three Championship Titles in a row.

The Pro Lites and Under 19s will also line up at each of the eight rounds featuring all new race formats.

The first round of the 2010 Rockstar MX Nationals kicks off on Sunday 28 March at:

Horsham Motorcycle Club
Henty HWY
Dooen via Horsham
Victoria

Admission:

Adult $30
Family (Two adults, two kids) $70
Kids (5-15 years) $15

• For more information about the 2010 Rockstar MX Nationals check out www.ozmotox.com.au and www.ma.org.au.