The MX2 category of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, is getting tighter following the result at round 8 of the championship at Appin, NSW.

Luke Styke (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing) has been the star of the MX2 class so far this season, but Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale showed he’s still got what it takes to win and challenge for the championship. On the deceptively tricky Appin track, Dale finished a disastrous 10th in moto one, but bounced back to salvage the overall with two wins to complete the weekend.

"The first moto didn’t go to plan after I went down on the second lap,” Dale said. “The second moto was a lot better and I was able to get into the lead on the last lap, so I won that. Moto three was good as well, I just rode my own race and that’s how I ride my best.”

Horsham round 7 winner Josh Cachia (JDR/KTM Factory Racing) was second overall and tied with Dale for this round in a continuation of his recent form. With 1-3-5 results from the weekend, Cachia maintains third in the series behind Styke and Dale.

The podium at Appin was completed by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Kade Mosig in a solid performance, scoring second in the first two motos, before a seventh in moto three wrapped up what has been one of Mosig’s best weekends this season.

Runaway series leader Styke was fourth for the round following another consistent effort, and now holds down a 31-point lead in the series with three rounds remaining.

MXD
Winner of the MXD class overall at Appin was Raceline Pirelli Suzuki rider Jay Wilson. In a breakthrough performance, Wilson started off the weekend with wins in the back-to-back motos, and then secured first overall for the round with a third in moto three.

"I’ve finally got the monkey off my back for this year,” Wilson said. “We finally got it all dialed in, the Raceline Pirelli Suzuki was sweet and I’m so happy to get this win for them. The team has been working so hard, so it’s nice to reward them with this."

Second was Dylan Long for Choice Motorsports KTM, edging out title rival and fellow KTM contender Kayne Lamont. The Kiwi may have had his four-round win streak broken, but he enjoys a 27-point lead in the series ahead of Long.

The final moto of the weekend was won by new Axis Motorsports Kawasaki recruit Dylan Leary, resulting in a promising fourth overall on debut with the team on a four-stroke.

The Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, will now take two weekends off before continuing at Moree in New South Wales on Sunday, 19 August.

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

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round 8 - Appin, NSW.
July 29, 2012

MX2 Round Results:
1. Ford Dale 61
2. Josh Cachia 61
3. Kade Mosig 58
4. Luke Styke 56
5. Adam Monea 47
6. Cheyne Boyd 47
7. Kirk Gibbs 46
8. Scott Columb 37
9. Keiron Hall 36
10. Geran Stapleton 26

MX2 Championship Standings (after 8 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 477
2. Ford Dale 446
3. Josh Cachia 429
4. Kade Mosig 395
5. Adam Monea 374
6. Cheyne Boyd 366
7. Kirk Gibbs 347
8. Scott Columb 286
9. Justin McDonald 282
10. Lewis Woods 255

MXD Round Results:
1. Jay Wilson 70
2. Dylan Long 62
3. Kayne Lamont 60
4. Dylan Leary 58
5. Kale Makeham 48
6. Mitch Norris 47
7. Nicklas Scott 39
8. Sam Martin 34
9. Corey James 34
10. Dylan Wills 32

MXD Championship Standings (after 7 of 9 rounds):
1. Kayne Lamont 414
2. Dylan Long 387
3. Dylan Leary 352
4. Jay Wilson 340
5. Kale Makeham 337
6. Sam Martin 323
7. Mitch Norris 237
8. Joel Milesevic 230
9. Wade Hunter 176
10. Mitch Budd 175

Images: twothreepr