Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals - CDR Rockstar Yamaha - Round 8
CDR Rockstar Yamaha's Jay Marmont went into the double-header final round of the 2010 MX Nationals with the chance to not only equal a long-standing record, but also create his own bit of history. However, Jay had to deal with strong challengers, an unexpected obstacle and a bit of luck in his efforts to secure a third consecutive Pro Open championship.
Aware of the threats posed by the likes of Billy Mackenzie, Dean Ferris and Cody Cooper, and with only forty points separating Jay from those same challengers, a couple of DNFs over the weekend's six moto format could be disastrous.
Unfortunately, Jay's qualifying session was poor, managing only fifth fastest behind the aforementioned challengers, as well as team mate, Cheyne Boyd. Something of a loose track specialist, Cheyne revelled in the wet and greasy conditions and was looking forward to the chance of a strong finish to the championship.
In the first of Saturday's two 20+ minute motos, Mackenzie was simply dominant, winning from start to finish, while both CDR riders finished outside the top three. For the second moto, Mackenzie was once again unstoppable, but Cheyne improved from a poor opener to take second place ahead of Jay. Fortunately for Jay, his closest title rival, Dean Ferris, finished well down the field following a brake problem, while Cody Cooper crashed badly enough to end his weekend altogether. Their misfortune meant Jay finished Saturday's motos with a 38 point championship lead, but the whole team knew that with four separate sprint races to be run on Sunday, the Pro Open title was still up for grabs.
Racing conditions for Sunday were almost the same as Saturday, but unfortunately for CDR, so were the early results. Mackenzie won the opening seven lap moto, despite an early challenge from Jay. After running as high as third, Jay dropped to be fifth at the finish behind Simmonds, Todd Waters and Ferris. Cheyne also struggled, finishing fifth. For CDR, it wasn't a great start to the day, but for Jay, it was about to get worse.
The first jump on the Coolum track is a big 35 metre triple. Following a serious accident there last year, a safety ruling barring riders from clearing the triple - on the opening lap only - was put in place, with a 20 second 'Stop-Go' penalty applied to any rider who breached the rule. At the start of Sunday's second moto, Jay scored the holeshot and was racing Ferris for position when he approached the triple jump. Riding too quick to safely shut off, Jay cleared the triple and was immediately given the warning board to serve a 20 second penalty. Risking a DNF if he didn't comply, Jay had no option but to roll into the pit area and serve his penalty.
"I made the ultimate mistake out there," Jay said afterwards. "I had Dean come up on me and I was going flat out racing him and just wasn't thinking about the jump, and then I couldn't pull out - I was on the up ramp and just committed to it. I had to try sprinting off, but I paid a 20 second penalty and there was a bit of scrutiny over how long it was - but hey, what's two seconds when you come in for 20, so it was a tough day."
After the moto 2 setback that saw him finish seventh, the final two motos proved to be a real nail biter for the whole team. With Mackenzie on a charge, Jay's lead had been whittled down to just 21 points by the penultimate moto, so a DNF could elevate the Kawasaki rider into the #1 position. Keen to make amends for his earlier error, Marmont started well in moto 3 and kept pace with Mackenzie and Ferris, eventually passing the latter on the second last lap and finishing only a second behind Mackenzie at the finish. While that result was good, the same equation applied for the day's final moto - DNF and Mackenzie would win the championship if he won the race. Mackenzie was super quick yet again, but had Jay and Ferris for company. With preservation now the requirement, Jay could afford to let Mackenzie and Ferris bolt, as long as he finished close behind them. The two time champion managed just that, finishing third to greet an elated team at the finish and wrap up what has been his toughest championship ever. Cheyne suffered a rare DNF in the final moto, not the result he was looking for at one of his favourite circuits.
"It feels so good to get this championship for myself and the team," Marmont said amidst the celebrations.
"It's been a trying year in many ways, but when it had to be done, the CDR Rockstar Yamaha team worked hard to get me the bike that I wanted and I was able to win races at the important times.
"Three in a row was a goal at the start of the year and to achieve it and have my name alongside the legends of the sport like Craig (Dack) and Jeff Leisk is a huge honour," Marmont added. "I can't thank Craig, Gary, Shawn, my mechanic Jason and everyone at CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha enough. The team continually rally behind me with the best bike and support available."
CDR Team Principal, Craig Dack, who won three straight Mr Motocross titles himself in the 1980s, was just as pleased as the rest of the team with Jay's 'three-peat' result.
"Jay is fast becoming a warrior and icon of Australian motocross," Dack said. "He continually finds ways to challenge and raise himself to every occasion. I am amazed by his mental strength and his ability to fight. He never quits and he thoroughly deserves all the accolades that come his way. To win three championships in a row is a testament to his character and determination."
CDR's result also marks the first major championship win for a team using Yamaha's all-new, fuel-injected YZ450F. With the outdoor title in the bag, CDR are now getting ready for the Super X season, which starts in October. Jay finished third overall in Super X last year, so is looking to go one or two better this time around.
Source: JUST BIKES, September 2010, Issue #255
