— Monster Energy MX Nationals 2012 – Round Ten – Coolum
MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters 72
2. Josh Coppins 69
3. Cody Cooper 60
4. Brad Anderson 46
5. Dean Porter 43
6. Jay Marmont 42
7. Billy Mackenzie 42
8. Daniel McCoy 40
9. Lawson Bopping 37
10. Jake Moss 36
MX1 Championship Standings
1. Josh Coppins 618
2. Todd Waters 607
3. Cody Cooper 509
4. Brad Anderson 509
5. Lawson Bopping 506
6. Jay Marmont 374
7. Jake Moss 347
8. Dean Porter 331
9. Daniel McCoy 329
10. Dan Reardon 320
MX2 Overall Results:
1. Josh Cachia 72
2. Luke Styke 69
3. Kade Mosig 52
4. Ford Dale 50
5. Cheyne Boyd 45
6. Brock Winston 44
7. Scott Columb 42
8. Kirk Gibbs 40
9. Ryan Marmont 36
10. Justin McDonald 32
MX2 Championship Standings
1. Ford Dale 571
2. Luke Styke 569
3. Josh Cachia 565
4. Kade Mosig 499
5. Kirk Gibbs 441
6. Cheyne Boyd 411
7. Adam Monea 409
8. Scott Columb 360
9. Justin McDonald 320
10. Lewis Woods 306
MXD Overall Results:
1. Dylan Long 68
2. Kayne Lamont 57
3. Sam Martin 52
4. Jay Wilson 47
5. Mitch Norris 46
6. Kale Makeham 46
7. Wade Hunter 46
8. Dylan Leary 44
9. Luke Clout 44
10. Daniel Banks 33
MXD Championship Standings
1. Kayne Lamont 521
2. Dylan Long 500
3. Dylan Leary 462
4. Jay Wilson 439
5. Kale Makeham 428
6. Sam Martin 411
7. Mitch Norris 322
8. Wade Hunter 268
9. Joel Milesevic 230
10. Mitch Budd 201
— Monster Energy MX Nationals 2012 – Round Ten – Coolum
— Coppins, Dale and Lamont crowned at Coolum Monster Energy MX Nationals finale
Retiring CDR Yamaha rider Josh Coppins clinched his first MX1 Australian Motocross Championship series victory at Coolum in Queensland on Sunday, 26 August, in the final round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals.
The former world championship number two battled to second overall at the season finale, with 2-1-2 finishes on a YZ450F in a trio of action-filled motos. The New Zealander’s eventual winning margin in the series was 11 points, capping off a brilliant professional career with the national title.
“I’m really happy for the team, its staff and all of the CDR Yamaha sponsors,” the 35-year-old commented. “Everybody has all been working really hard, so this is a rewarding result. It’s been a great series to be a part of, there is a lot of great teams and a lot of good kids coming up. This is a nice way to finish off my career.”
Coppins edged out talented 21-year-old Gold Coast resident Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) in the series, however he was able to conclude his season on top of the podium with the overall victory on the Sunshine Coast. Waters won motos one and three, plus scored second in moto two.
“We did everything that we could do to win this championship, but on a positive note we end the season knowing that we were the fastest around Coolum,” Waters reflected. “It’s nice to know, but to be honest we ran out of time. We kept Josh honest the whole way, but as soon as I got it down to a few points he’d put it straight back up. I’m pumped for Josh and he deserves it.”
Completing the podium for both the round and series was another Kiwi in Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki). A trio of thirds at Coolum elevated him to a podium position in the series, gaining the position on count-back due to having more race wins during the year than fourth place finisher Brad Anderson (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing). Rounding out the top five was Coppins’ teammate Lawson Bopping.
Four-time series champion Jay Marmont (Monster Energy Kawasaki) was sixth in the series, one position ahead of top privateer Jake Moss (Campbell Mining/TLD/Maxima/Honda). For his inspired efforts, Moss took home the Andrew McFarlane Cup as leading MX1 privateer in 2012.
Sunshine Coast local Ford Dale won his first Australian Motocross Championship in the Motul MX2 category for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing aboard a CRF250R. In a nail-biting decider, Dale claimed fourth overall with two sixths and a third at Coolum, concluding the season with a two-point advantage.
“This is just amazing,” Dale said. “I am totally overwhelmed. I have had my fair share of ups and downs but if feels so good to finally claim this title. It has been an incredible journey and I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of such an amazing team.”
The round was won by JDR/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Cachia, who claimed victory in motos one and three, but had to settle for second in moto two after stalling while leading. Cachia ended the series third, six points in arrears of Dale following a lightening finish to the season.
“I did all I could do,” Cachia commented. “I came out here to win and I did win – I hung it out because that’s what I had to do. I didn’t get all three wins, but I got two wins and one second when I stalled the bike. I’m just happy with the year I’ve had. I get to come out here and race pretty much all my friends, so it’s mad to be part of the motocross family that I’m a part of. I love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Second overall at Coolum and in the title chase was long time leader Luke Styke (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing). Styke rode to brave 2-1-2 finishes at Coolum, but fell just two points short of Dale in the championship standings.
“I gave it my all today and did all that I could do,” Styke said. “The team has been unreal to me all year, so I have to carry the good result I got today into supercross. Hats off to Ford, he rode really well, but I just have to keep positive and keep training hard. The results will eventually come.”
Completing the podium for the round at Coolum was Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Kade Mosig. The Victorian was fourth in moto one, fifth in moto two and rounded out the event with a fourth in the final moto.
DPH Motorsport Honda’s Cheyne Boyd was awarded the Jono Porter Cup, which is annually awarded to top privateer finisher in the MX2 rankings. Boyd concluded the series sixth overall.
South Australian Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing) was involved in a critical incident during the final MX2 race of the weekend, attended to by Suzuki RACESAFE before being transported to Nambour Hospital in a serious, but stable condition. Updates will be released when available.
New Zealand rising star Kayne Lamont (KTM) won the Pirelli MX Development (MXD) championship for Under 19s contenders. Lamont won the series by 21 points riding 250 SX two-stroke, finishing second overall at Coolum with 3-1-6 finishes for the weekend.
“It was a good day, the sand was tough, but I came away with the championship so that’s really good,” Lamont said. “I’m pretty stoked to come away with this title in Australia, so hopefully I can come back next year in the Lites (MX2).”
Victorian Dylan Long (Choice Motorsports KTM) won the round on his 250 SX-F, but had to settle for second in the series behind Lamont. At Coolum, Long won motos one and three, along with a fourth in the second moto of the weekend.
Third overall in the series was Dylan Leary (Axis Motorsports Kawasaki), after finishing eighth at Coolum. The final position on the podium for the round was taken out by Sam Martin (GYTR Yamaha). Jay Wilson (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) won moto two of the weekend, but his podium hopes were dashed with a flat tyre in the final outing of the day.
The KTM 2 Stroke National was won by Western Australian MX1 regular Dean Porter (Full Force Racing CarsRus Suzuki), winning three of the four motos contested. Local favourite Brock Winston (KTM) was second, with Porter’s Yamaha-mounted teammate Keiron Hall completing the podium. American guest Mike Sleeter (KTM Orange Brigade) won a moto, but had to settle for fifth overall.
In the 30-39 Veterans category it was defending champion Cameron Taylor (Yamaha) who won overall at Coolum, however the title went to retiring multiple-time national champion Craig Anderson (Berry Sweet/Lucas Oil/Yamaha) after he claimed second overall. Sleeter finished third for the round. In the series it was Anderson ahead of Taylor and Travis Regeling (Team Moto Honda).
The 40 Plus Veterans title was won by Shane Edmonds (Wilsons Jetpilot MX) after he finished third at Coolum. The round was won by Steven Mouritz (Joondalup Motorcycles Suzuki) ahead of Neil Loder (Lode’s Motorcycle Repairs Yamaha) and Edmonds. Loder ended up second in the series, while Adrian Young (KTM) was third.
— Carlton Dry Honda Report
Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale has won the MX Nationals MX2 Championship after finishing fourth overall at the final round of the series at Coolum today .
Dale, who held a 21 point lead coming into the final round of the championship, took to the start gate for the final race of the day with a four point buffer after finishing the opening two moto’s sixth.
The Sunshine Coast local got a good start and moved into fourth on the opening lap before the race was red-flagged due to a serious incident involving Kirk Gibbs.
Dale wasn’t so fortunate on the race re-start and had his work cut out for him as he climbed his way up the order from eighth over the opening laps of the 30-minute moto.
Sitting third by mid race distance, Dale knew that once Josh Cachia had moved past Luke Styke he just had to maintain his position to seal the championship win. The Honda rider greeted the chequered flag third to clinch the title by just two points from Styke.
“This is just amazing,” Dale said. “I am totally overwhelmed. I have had my fair share of ups and downs but if feels so good to finally claim this title.
“It has been an incredible journey and I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of such an amazing team. I am also very fortunate to have been able to work so closely with Ben Townley, his knowledge and experience has been invaluable and while I had the pace he has certainly helped me work on my mental approach to these races.
“Today wasn’t one of my best performances. Nerves certainly go the better of me in the first two races so I didn’t make it easy for myself coming into the last race,” he continued.
“My start was terrible and I rode quite tight over the first few laps but then I relaxed a bit and started moving up through the order. Once I saw that Josh was into the race lead I knew I just had to maintain my position to take the title.
“I am going to celebrate this win but then it will be back to testing and training ahead of the Australian Supercross Championship,” Dale concluded
Teammate Brad Anderson ended the season third overall in the MX1 class but was relegated to fourth on count back. The Brit was fourth overall for the round after finishing today’s three races eighth, fourth and fifth respectively
“It certainly wasn’t the finish to the season I was hoping for,” Anderson said.
“During the course of this season we have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows but all-in-all it has been a great experience.”
Team Principal Yarrive Konsky praised his team, acknowledging they had left no stone unturned in their title pursuit.
“I am so happy for the whole team, ” Konsky said. “This championshp is a well deserved reward for everyone who put their faith in us.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Ford, he has worked so hard for this over the past six years and never gave up, even when the chips were down.
“As a team, we will build on this and look forward to carrying this momentum through to the Australian Supercross Championship,” he concluded.
The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing Team will take a well-deserved break before they begin testing ahead of the opening round of the Australian Motocross Championship on Saturday October 13 in Dubbo.
– KTM Report
JDR/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Cachia finished a fighting first overall at Coolum’s final round of the MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast over the weekend, 25-26 August.
Cachia was relentless in his final battle for the 2012 MX2 title, picking up his third overall victory of the season aboard the 250 SX-F. The 20-year-old won motos one and three, but stalled while leading the second moto of the weekend.
With those results, Cachia fell short of the title by just six points after entering the weekend 28 in arrears of the lead. Following a breakthrough season, the popular Victorian will now set his sights on contesting the final round of American Motocross in two weeks time.
“I did all I could do,” Cachia commented. “I came out here to win and I did win – I hung it out because that’s what I had to do. I didn’t get all three wins, but I got two wins and one second when I stalled the bike. I’m just happy with the year I’ve had. I get to come out here and race pretty much all my friends, so it’s mad to be part of the motocross family that I’m a part of. I love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Cachia’s teammate in the MX2 division, Ryan Marmont, was ninth overall at Coolum as he continues his comeback from injury that forced him out of rounds four through eight. Marmont concluded his season with 10-8-9 finishes at the finale.
JDR/KTM Factory Racing MX1 contender Dan Reardon was 15th overall at Coolum following a troublesome final round, which capped off the retiring 2007 series champion’s national motocross career. Reardon was eighth in moto one and 15th in moto two, but finished out of the points in the final moto.
“The main point of this weekend was to finish up with a smile on my face,” Reardon said. “It’s been a magic career, lots of ups and a lot of downs, but I couldn’t have done it without all of the important people’s support. I’m very, very grateful to have been able to do what I have and I’ve met a lot of great people. It’s nice to finish off nice and healthy, strong and ready to jump into a new career path. Today itself didn’t go as plan, but like I said it was more about the feeling itself and I always have a good time at Coolum.”
KTM rising star Kayne Lamont won his first Australian championship in the MX Development category for Under 19s riders, riding the race-proven 250 SX two-stroke. Lamont was second overall at Coolum with 3-2-6 results, celebrating the title win at the conclusion of moto two.
“It was a good day, the sand was tough, but I came away with the championship so that’s really good,” Lamont said. “I’m pretty stoked to come away with this title in Australia, so hopefully I can come back next year in the Lites (MX2).”
Choice Motorsports KTM’s Dylan Long did all he could to challenge Lamont for the title with the overall round win at Coolum, but had to settle for second in the series on the 250 SX-F. Long won motos one and three, with a fourth in the second moto of the weekend.
American development rider Michael Sleeter made a guest appearance at Coolum in the KTM 2 Stroke National and 30-39 Veterans classes, picking up multiple moto wins for sixth and third positions overall respectively aboard a 250 SX.
— Kawasaki Report
Monster Energy Kawasaki have finished the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals on the podium with Kade Mosig (MX2) taking 3rd place for the round at the series finale at Coolum. Jay Marmont (MX1) fought back from a big first race crash to take 6th for the round and Billy Mackenzie, still gathering race fitness, was just behind him in 7th.
In a hotly contested MX2 class, Kade Mosig rode well at Coolum to finish the round on the podium. Kade started well in all three motos and maintained lead group positioning on a hard to pass track to take 4-5-4 results for 3rd for the round. Kade’s consistency throughout the series earned him a top 5 finish for the championship with 4th place overall.
Kade Mosig say’s, “I rode well. I gave it all I had out there and would have liked to have won but a podium is still a good way to finish the season. I started well but it was hard to get to the front on a hard to pass track with the short back to back motos. But my good starts today definitely made my job easier.”
Reigning champion Jay Marmont relinquished his MX #1 plate at Coolum but not without a fight. In a series that has dealt Jay many blows, the bad luck continued for him at Coolum with a big first turn crash in the opening moto leaving both himself and his KX450F bruised and battered. Jay fought back to 12th before lining up immediately for the second back to back moto where he pushed hard for 6th place. Jay was then able to regroup over the lunch break and come out refreshed for the final moto where his results improved again. Jay came away with 12-6-4 results for 6th overall for the round and 6th for the series.
Jay say’s, “I could have done without the crash in the first race. It caps off an unlucky series. This series obviously didn’t go to plan for me. I had an injury that forced me to miss a whole round which is unheard of for me but on the plus side, I’m fit and healthy now, and getting faster and faster on the Kawasaki and I’m heading into the upcoming Supercross series very confident and ready to defend my #1 plate.”
Billy Mackenzie raced his way to the lead position in the opening MX1 moto however minimal bike time, due to a hand injury that sidelined him for the majority of the series, took its toll. Billy came away with 7-7-7 results for 7th overall for the round.
Billy Mackenzie say’s, “I showed in the first race that I still have the speed to put it back up the front so I’m pleased with that but I just didn’t have the fitness because of the injury and not enough bike time so that’s frustrating. The track was really rough too so my main goal was just to finish the round injury free. With more training and testing under my belt I’ll be ready for the Supercross opener.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki was not only represented in the MX1 and MX2 classes at Coolum, they also had a strong presence in the Vets class with Monster Energy Australasia Manager, Adrian Hunter, lining up to do battle on his own 2013 KX450F. Unfortunately he was forced to line up a little longer than his competitors in the opening moto when his gate failed to drop along with the others. (The team thinks it may have been a deliberate case of sabotage in a bid to handicap Hunter!!!). The event was only the second time Adrian had ridden his new 2013 KX450F however the Monster Energy Kawasaki mechanics still managed to find the time to give the new KX a “once over” before the race meet.
The Axis Motorsports Kawasaki Race Team (MXD) celebrated a top 3 finish for the series in their first year on board Kawasaki. Dylan Leary, who raced a portion of the season as a privateer before joining the team at Appin, took out 3rd place overall in the championship. Mitch Norris finished the series in 7th after taking 5th at Coolum.
Kawasaki’s Meghan Rutledge rode extremely well at Coolum. She raced to a best finish of 13th amongst her male competitors. Meghan is looking forward to racing with Monster Energy Kawasaki at the final round of the World MX Championship in Germany on 23 September.
Monster Energy Kawasaki would like to thank all of their valued sponsors and fans for their support throughout the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals championship. The team will now focus all of its attentions and efforts on the upcoming Australian Supercross championship where Jay Marmont will be racing for back to back titles. Kawasaki will be looking to win their 5th Open class Australian Supercross title in 7 years in 2012.
