Motorcycling Australia PR:

As riders take a short break from the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship, Mt Gambier local Kirk Gibbs (Yamaha) has returned home in the lead up to round five which is set to kick off at Murray Bridge on 14 June.

Gibbs, who moved from South Australia to Brisbane at the end of 2008, is enjoying the luxuries of home ahead of the next two rounds.

“It’s definitely good being back home, it’s great catching up will all my mates and family, and getting a bit of Mum’s home cooking too!” Gibbs said.

The 20 year old, who struggled in the 2008 season, is currently placed fifth in the Pro Lites Championship standings and is only one point away from fourth place.

With the top three in his sights, Gibbs will be working hard to make the step-up in the next two rounds as the Series heads west, first to South Australia then on to Wanneroo in Western Australia.

“In order to get into the top three I’ll need to be consistent and get some good starts,” he said.

“At Mackay I got some reasonably good starts – when you start up front you stay up front, so hopefully if I can keep doing that and stay on two wheels I’ll be okay.

“I’ve ridden at Murray Bridge a fair bit and hopefully I’ve got enough track knowledge that I know a few different lines when it gets rough, but I’m just getting ready for Wanneroo which is a really sandy track.

“I’ve been doing a lot of sand riding to get ready for that round; most of the tracks down Mt Gambier way are either loamy or sand so I’ve been brought up on it.”

With Kade Mosig (KTM) and Dean Ferris (Honda) returning from injury, and with Series leader Matt Moss (Suzuki) and second placed Luke George (Kawasaki) setting some blisteringly quick lap times at Mackay, Gibbs is under no illusions that the competition is about to get even tougher.

“I know a few other guys are returning to racing at the Murray Bridge round so I know it’s going to get tougher,” he said.

The fifth round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship will be held at the Murray Bridge Sporting Car and Motorcycle Club on Sunday 14 June.

Sign posted from the Monarto exit, South Eastern Freeway, about 45 minutes south east of Adelaide.

The sixth round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship will be held at AJS Motocross Club on 1 June.

AJS Motocross club is located north of Perth on Wattle Avenue East.

Admission:

Sunday (on-track action from 8:30am):

Gates open from 7am
Adult $30
Family (Two adults, two kids) $70
Kids (5-15 years) $15