Australia retains Oceania MX crown. Dec 07

Josh Coppins from New Zealand dominated the Pro Open section, but it was Australia which retained its title at the event, which also helped to raise valuable funds for the bid to try and save the motorcross venue.

American racing hero, Ryan Hughes was a guest rider for the event, piloting a Team Shift Motul Suzuki-prepared RM-Z450.In the opening 20-minute Pro Open moto, Coppins, assumed the lead ahead of No Fear Honda's Craig Anderson, Hughes remained in touch in third until a small moment on the fourth lap saw him give Anderson some breathing space and the leading trio spread out but maintained position until the chequered flag.

The second Pro Open race got underway with an action packed opening lap that had Hurley duelling with Hughes and a slow starting Coppins. On the second lap Hughes and Coppins had a coming together which dropped both riders down the order. Coppins stormed through to the front and again reclaimed top spot for the second event. NZ's Luke Burkhart was the star of the Pro Lites field, comfortably winning the second moto after Luke George claimed the opening moto in a race that saw many of the established stars drop down the field. Rounding off the day was the Final Showdown that comprised the top 20 Pro Lites riders battling it out with the top 20 Pro Open riders for an all-in, 20-minute race. As expected, Coppins rode away from the pack and left his opponents to fight over the remaining placings.

His extensive experience on the European scene saw him outgun all local competitors on the YZ450F, which revelled in the conditions.Honda's Craig Anderson puts in an impressive ride at the Oceania Motocross at McAdam Park, taking the first Pro Open holeshot of the day and proving the new 2008 CRF450 is fast and ready to race.A crowd of around 4000 turned out to Barrabool's McAdam Park to see Australia retain the International Oceania Motocross Championship.Josh Coppins from New Zealand dominated the Pro Open section, but it was Australia which retained its title at the event, which also helped to raise valuable funds for the bid to try and save the motorcross venue. Team Shift Motul Suzuki rider, Daryl Hurley clinched second place in the 2007 International Oceania Motocross Champion-ship ahead of American racing hero and guest team mate, Ryan Hughes in third place. Piloting a Team Shift Motul Suzuki-prepared RM-Z450, US star rider Hughes made a strong start narrowly missing the hole-shot in the opening 20-minute Pro Open moto and running in the top three with the race lead in sight. As the current world number two, Josh Coppins, assumed the lead ahead of No Fear Honda's Craig Anderson, Hughes remained in touch in third until a small moment on the fourth lap saw him give Anderson some breathing space and the leading trio spread out but maintained position until the chequered flag.

Daryl Hurley made a slower start in the first Pro Open race, completing the opening lap in ninth place, but the former Australian Motocross Champion delivered a sizzling performance as he charged through the field and closed in on the leaders. On lap seven, Hurley made a move to grab sixth spot and on the following lap passed Michael Addison and Daniel McCoy to claim fourth place and began reeling in fellow Suzuki rider, Hughes.While Hurley continued to close the gap to Hughes, the New Zealander ran out of laps before the chequered flag and had to settle for fourth place.The second Pro Open race got underway with an action packed opening lap that had Hurley dueling with Hughes for third place. Hughes won out and left Hurley to battle with slow starting Coppins. On the second lap Hughes and Coppins had a coming together which dropped both riders down the order, elevating Hurley to third.Hurley continued to charge forward and was running strongly in second before an error by Coppins (who had again stormed through to the front) gave him the race lead which he held for several laps. Hurley put up a good fight before his countryman again reclaimed top spot.

Meanwhile, on the other Team Shift Motul Suzuki, Hughes put in a brilliant fightback, ploughing through the pack to claim the final podium position behind Hurley. Following recent dominant performances in New Zealand, Team Shift Motul Suzuki racer Luke Burkhart made his Australian return from injury in the Pro Lites class, however a first-corner crash in the opening race dropped him to the rear of the field and ruined his chance of a strong result. The second Pro Lites moto had a completely new script with Burkhart featured strongly in third place on lap one, before assuming the race lead in the middle sector of the race. Burkhart was in control and delivered a flawless performance, setting the fastest lap of the race and stretching a gap over his rivals until he greeted the chequered flag aboard the Suzuki RM-Z250 with more than five seconds to spare.Rounding off the day was the Final Showdown that comprised the top 20 Pro Lites riders battling it out with the top 20 Pro Open riders for an all in, 20-minute race. As to be expected, World MX1 Championship contender, Coppins rode away from the pack and left his opponents to fight over the remaining placings. His extensive experience on the European scene saw him outgun all local competitors on the YZ450F, which revelled in the conditions.

American veteran, Hughes began well in fourth place while another slowish start saw Hurley end the first lap in seventh.Hughes quickly climbed to second place, as Hurley began a gutsy ride in difficult dusty conditions to work his RM-Z450 through the field, eventually relegating Hughes to third place for both the moto and the overall event.Oceania is run on a bi-annual basis between Australia and New Zealand, and will head back overseas for 2008. While the trans-Tasman race with New Zealand was the headline act, a secondary fight - which might be even more important - is the continued struggle by the Sporting Motorcycle Club of Geelong to raise the necessary funds to save the famous Barrabool Hills track. The auction of a special edition Yamaha and Honda motorcycles and signed jersey from US star Ryan Hughes and Kiwi Josh Coppins raised $23,000, which went into the Save McAdam Park Fund, alongside the entry fee takings.

Donations can be sent to Sporting M.C.C., PO Box 447, Geelong, made payable to Saving Barrabool Fund.