Coolum hosted the final round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship on the weekend of Saturday, August 25th and Sunday, August 26th. While much of the focus was on CDR Yamaha’s Josh Coppins and Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Todd Waters in the MX1 class, the battle for the MX2 and MXD championship was just as tight, with the MX2 victor and runner up separated by only 2 points!

MX2
In the Motul MX2 category, Sunshine Coast local Ford Dale won his first national championship in what was a nail-biting conclusion to the championship. Riding a Honda CRF250R for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing, Dale had secured the championship lead at the previous round from Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Luke Styke, but after poor results in the first two motos at Coolum, went into the final race with no guarantee of success.

Styke rode to brave 2-1-2 finishes at Coolum, but 6-6-3 results from Dale proved to be enough – just! – for the Honda rider to fall over the line ahead of Styke. At the end, Dale's winning margin in the championship standings was a mere two points.

“This is just amazing,” Dale said upon securing the MX2 championship. “I am totally overwhelmed. I have had my fair share of ups and downs but it 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.”

Despite falling agonisingly short, Styke remained positive about the season, and was looking forward to success in the upcoming supercross series.

“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.”

The Coolum round was won by one of the pre-season favourites in JDR/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Cachia. The young KTM pilot claimed victory in motos one and three, but had to settle for second in moto two after stalling while leading. Cachia finished the series third overall, 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.”

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.

Runner-up in the class last year, Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing) was involved in a serious incident during the final MX2 race, and attended to by Suzuki RACESAFE personnel before being transported to Nambour Hospital in a serious, but stable condition. The nature of Gibbs’ injuries were not revealed, but the South Australian is believed to be recovering well, with expectations he will be released from hospital shortly.

MXD
New Zealand rising star Kayne Lamont (KTM) won the Pirelli MX Development (MXD) championship for Under 19s. Lamont won the series by 21 points riding a KTM 250 SX two-stroke, finishing second for the round at Coolum with 3-1-6 finishes.

“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 weekend’s second moto.

Third overall in the series was Dylan Leary (Axis Motorsports Kawasaki), who 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.

Other Classes
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 the round 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.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round 10 – Coolum, QLD

MX2 Round 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 (after 10 of 10 rounds)
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 Round 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 (after 9 of 9 rounds)
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

Images: Two Three PR, Simon Makker – makkkreative.com