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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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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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.

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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

Serco Yamaha ' s Kirk Gibbs Takes Second At MX Nats Round Two

Ford Dale

Serco Yoshimura Yamaha roared back into contention with Kirk Gibbs taking a well earned second place in the Pro Lites class at the second round of the MX Nationals held at Appin Raceway.

Gibbs entered round two just outside the top five in the points standings after some crashing at the opening round but was determined to get his championship hopes back on track with a good showing at Appin and that's exactly what the likeable South Australian did.

Gibbs charged his way through the field in the opening two motos to log two second place finishes and be right on track for a top shelf day. The afternoon session saw Gibbs take two more top five finishes and his moto results of 2-2-4-5 gave him a total of 78 points and second for the round.

More importantly, the big points haul saw him climb from sixth to second in the overall standings and carrying plenty of confidence for the coming rounds.

"Overall, today was good and it was nice to be back on the podium again. If I had to pick where things need to improve is my starts so I can give myself every chance of winning a race or two instead of coming from mid pack," Gibbs said thoughtfully.

"The good thing is I have made up plenty of points and moved to second in the championship and the next couple of rounds at Raymond Terrace and Murray Bridge are some of my favourite tracks," Gibbs explains.

Team mate Ford Dale rounded out the day in sixth place despite overcoming first turn crashes in the opening motos. Dale finished 12th in both the opening two legs as he was continually caught up in the first turn pile ups.

But after lunch, Dale got the starts he needed and the results instantly improved. His 2-4 finishes in the afternoon session combined with his 12-12 in the morning gave him sixth place on the day and moved him up one spot in the series standings.

"I wasn't getting good jumps out of the gate in the first two races, so we made a couple of changes to the bike and it was much better for the last two races," Dale said.

"The first lap on this track was so important as it strung the field out very fast so getting a good start was essential to a good result."

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"I finished the day of strongly and we now move to Raymond Terrace where I hope to keep the momentum going."

For Jake Moss it was simply a matter of getting some track time as he continues to overcome a shoulder injury. Barely back on the bike prior to round two, Moss didn't have the strength to man handle his YZ250F around the rutted and rough course and had to withdraw in the final event. It was baby steps for Moss and he will look to improve at each round throughout the championship.

The Serco Yoshimura Yamaha team now head for Raymond Terrace this weekend for round three of the MX Nationals as they chase the Pro Lites championship.

For a full list of results and more information on the MX Nationals, www.mxnationals.com.au

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."

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"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