WILL MARMONT DO IT AGAIN?

POSTED: 22 Jul 2010 @ 9:03 am   397 VIEWS

Six races and two huge days of motocross racing stands between Yamaha and claiming two 2010 Rockstar MX National crowns. But there are a lot of laps and a lot of racing to be done. Yamaha race teams have burnt the midnight oil this week and left no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory and a big finish for the 2010 motocross season.

CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha- Pro Open
Jay Marmont currently leads the MX National Pro Open championship by 40 points over his nearest rival. If it all goes according to plan, a good weekend at the sandy Coolum circuit would see Marmont take his third national motocross championship in a row, but he is under no illusions that he will need to be on his game and focused on every lap of every race before he even contemplates what lies ahead.

There is work to be done and Marmont knows it.

“With the level of competition this year you can’t afford to take any race lightly. Six races is the equal of three rounds in the traditional motocross format so anything can happen.”

“But the team and I have stuck to our usual routine and the round win at Moree was a huge boost for all of us. My focus is on producing the same style of racing at Coolum as I did in Moree and everything should look after itself," Marmont said.

CDR Rockstar Energy Drink team mate Cheyne Boyd also has plenty at stake at the final double header round. Boyd sits in sixth place but with less than 20 points separating second through to sixth and with 150 points on offer this weekend, Boyd has the chance to leap frog his way towards the top of the leader board.

“This championship is far from over and a good weekend can see me get up on the podium in the championship. My goal is to win the round this weekend and if I can do that, then I should end up with a pretty good result as far as the championship goes,” Boyd comments.

Team owner Craig Dack is also keeping a lid on things and ensuring that his riders and team are focused on the task at hand.

“Nothing changes this weekend. As a team we have a set of guidelines and principles that we follow regardless of the event or its status and that applies to the weekend at Coolum. Our preparation has been good and we all look forward to another good weekend of racing and a big crowd at the Coolum circuit.”

Serco Yamaha – Pro Lites
The Serco Yamaha pairing of Kirk Gibbs and Ford Dale have set tracks alight in 2010 with blistering speed and great racing. Gibbs is in third place in the Pro Lites class and less than a handful of points behind second place, while for Ford Dale, it is a home town event and there is nothing more he would like to win the final round of the championship in front of friends, family and sponsors.

“Coming from Caloundra, Coolum is a track that I grew up on and have done plenty of laps around. I like the soft surfaces and the Coolum circuit is a loamy dark sand that is great to ride.”

“I can’t wait to get out there,” Dale said enthusiastically.

For Gibbs it is a matter of picking up where he left off last weekend as he won the final two races at the Moree round.

“The last two races at Moree were great for me. I got the starts I needed and raced the way I wanted to race. So, I want to do exactly the same this weekend and across all six motos to ensure I get on the podium for the championship,” Gibbs said.

GYTR / Rockstar Yamaha – Under 19
Ross Beaton has claimed the last two round wins and has whittled the gap between himself and the championship leader to a slender 11 points. Beaton has been the form rider in the Under 19 class since the championship hit the half way point and the Coolum surface suits his style.

“My practice track at home is a lot like the black sand at Coolum. I like riding on that kind of surface as you can really hook into the turns and have some fun out there,” Beaton offers. “And, I have had a few days to relax on the beach so I’m feeling fresh and relaxed.”

Harley Quinlan charged his way back to third place in the championship even though he missed out on the first round and a possible 75 points. But there is still one goal the kid from Caboolture wants to achieve before the end of the championship.

“I want to win a round. I have had three podiums out of the five rounds I have done and none of them have been a win. Its time I win one of these things and finish the year off strongly,”

The grand finale takes place at the Coolum Pines Circuit at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast this Saturday and Sunday. For more information, www.mxnationals.com.au

Championship Standing- After Round 7
Pro Open
1st Jay Marmont – 385
2nd Dean Ferris – 345
3rd Billy MacKenzie – 338
4th Cody Cooper – 334
5th Tye Simmonds – 331
6th Cheyne Boyd -329
7th Todd Waters – 272
8th Daniel McCoy – 243
9th Lewis Woods – 178
10th Beau Ralston – 157

Pro Lites
1st PJ Larsen - 421
2nd Ryan Marmont -337
3rd Kirk Gibbs -333
4th Cody Mackie -332
5th Ford Dale -278
6th Lawson Bopping-270
7th Luke Styke-230
8th Michael Phillips- 228
9th Kade Mosig-216
10th Luke George – 207

U19
1st Josh Cachia - 406
2nd Ross Beaton -395
3rd Harley Quinlan – 309
4th Dylan Peterson – 297
5th Matt Phillips -   296
6th Luke Arbon – 291
7th John Phillips – 222
8th Kieran Leigh – 218
9th Cameron Dillon – 192
10th Ethan Martins- 186

14th Shaun Redhead – 151