2011 MX Nationals - Rd 8. Moree, NSW
New Zealand's Josh Coppins has taken over the Pro Open series lead following a hard-fought overall victory at Moree in New South Wales on Sunday, 24 July. Coppins' results of 1-2-2-1 secured the overall for the penultimate round of the series, his final moto win giving him the victory over Marmont's 2-1-1-2 results. The win was Coppins' third of the season, handing him the red plate in the premier Pro Open category. Coppins' lead now stands at 18 points over Marmont, the defending three-time champion.
Long time series leader Dean Ferris and his Monster Energy Kawasaki team endured a disastrous round in Moree. After qualifying first and leading the majority of moto one, a crash bumped him back to third. Moto two saw a repeat of that result. Ferris then crashed out of moto three and was forced out of the round while being treated by the Suzuki RACESAFE Medical Team. Ferris' 14-point advantage disappeared and he now faces a 40-point deficit with just one round remaining. Billy Mackenzie's luck wasn't much better as his title hopes faded with a crash-marred sixth overall. The Scottish standout is another four points in arrears of Monster Kawasaki teammate Ferris.
Rounding out the Pro Open podium at Moree was Queensland rising star Todd Waters for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing, breaking through for his first rostrum of the year. Waters scored 5-5-4-3 finishes for the round. Continuing his impressive rookie season in the Pro Open class was Raceline Pirelli Suzuki's Lawson Bopping, taking fourth overall ahead of experienced Victorian Cheyne Boyd (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing).
The Motul Pro Lites class will also go down to the wire at the season finale, with Serco Yoshimura Yamaha's Kirk Gibbs shrinking Matt Moss' (JDR Motorex KTM) points lead from 58 points to 33 with one round remaining.
Gibbs put forward a consistent performance on Sunday at Moree, finishing with 3-1-2-2 results to secure what marks his second overall victory of the season.
"I had a plan for what I had to do this weekend, just to worry about myself and ride how I can," Gibbs explained. "Heading into Coolum next weekend, it's a track I've raced at twice this year and I'm going to make Matt [Moss] fight for this championship the whole way."
Meanwhile, Moss bounced back from a luckless start to the round to win the final moto, adding that result to his 11-7-6 finishes from earlier in the day to take out sixth overall. Moss is confident he can seal the deal next Sunday in Queensland.
"I know what I need to do, I just need to get out of that gate and I can get the job done," Moss said. "I'm looking forward to Coolum, I usually go good there and it's a track I really like."
Finishing second on the podium in another strong ride was Berry Sweet Strawberries/Lucas Oil Honda Racing's Kade Mosig. The talented Victorian won moto three in his first race victory of the year. Rounding out the podium for the weekend at Moree was Moss' teammate Brenden Harrison, whose results of 4-3-4-6 were enough to take third in Moree and also take control of that position in the series. JDR Motorex KTM rookie Josh Cachia won the opening moto of the weekend, before he went on to finish fifth overall behind Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda's Cody Mackie.
Raceline Pirelli Suzuki's Errol Willis wrapped up the Pirelli Under 19s development category championship in dominant fashion at Moree. Entering the round Willis had a 76-point advantage, however four moto wins and an unbeatable lead of 106 points crowned him as champion.
"It's unreal, I just couldn't have done it without my Raceline Pirelli Suzuki team," Willis beamed. "The team has been right behind me all year and has given me the equipment to do it - I'm on top of the world right now."
Finishing behind Willis at Moree was Dylan Long (Top Gear KTM) with 4-2-3-5 finishes, while title challenger Luke Arbon (GYTR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) rounded out the podium with a scorecard of 2-3-4-11 on Sunday afternoon.
The ninth and finale round of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will take place at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, 30-31 July.
Championship Standings (after 8 of 9 rounds):
Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Josh Coppins 603
2. Jay Marmont 585
3. Dean Ferris 563
4. Billy Mackenzie 559
5. Cheyne Boyd 494
6. Michael Phillips 460
7. Lawson Bopping 433
8. Cody Cooper 395
9. Louis Calvin 313
10. Daniel Reardon 226
Motul Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss 567
2. Kirk Gibbs 534
3. Brenden Harrison 478
4. Phil Nicoletti 477
5. Daniel McCoy 461
6. Kade Mosig 440
7. Josh Cachia 423
8. Cody Mackie 419
9. Justin McDonald 403
10. Luke Styke 372
Pirelli Under 19s
1. Errol Willis 656
2. Luke Arbon 550
3. Shaun Redhead 466
4. Dylan Peterson 425
5. Jay Wilson 385
6. Jake Emanuelli 380
7. Kyle McKeddie 370
8. Sam Martin 305
9. Kale Makeham 280
10. Dylan Long 270
Visit www.mxnationals.com.au on the web for complete series and round information on the 2011 season.
