Rockstar Motul Suzuki's Cody Cooper recorded the fastest lap of Appin's MX Nationals series launch today.

The 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, was launched at Appin in Sydney today as teams officially unveiled their new riders and liveries ahead of this season.

This year’s title chase will commence at Broadford in Victoria on Sunday, 13 March before spanning across four different states and nine rounds to determine who this year’s best Australian motocross riders are.

Season 2011 will see a four-moto format contested at all rounds in back-to-back races, marking a gruelling test of man and machinery. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the top title contenders of the Pro Open class are eager for the gates to drop.

Defending triple champion Jay Marmont will remain with the powerhouse CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha team as he bids for his fourth straight crown, confident he has what it takes to remain at the top.

“There are going to be new guys battling for the title, a lot of points up for grabs and it’s going to be important to be consistent,” 27-year-old Wollongong local Marmont commented.

“I’ve prepared as much I can heading into the season and I feel like I’m in better shape than I ever have been. Will it be enough? I hope so! We’ll definitely know once the racing begins.”

New Zealand’s long time Motocross World Championship contender Josh Coppins will join Marmont at Yamaha this season, the 34-year-old logging a series of impressive laps at the launch in his Aussie debut.

“It’s really professional in Australia so it’s great to come and race here, plus spend a little bit more time at home – I’m excited about it,” Coppins said. “All that I can do is give it 100 percent every week. After 15 seasons in grand prix racing I’m looking forward to what this championship presents.”

Last year’s runner-up, Scotsman Billy Mackenzie, returns with Monster Energy Kawasaki once again and he’s eager to go one better now that he’s settled into the Australian lifestyle. Both he and new teammate Dean Ferris, who is the current number three, debuted their new colours today.

“I came over to Australia to have a bit of fun and we did that,” Mackenzie said of 2010. “Last year was a good fun year for me, but I could have ridden better and done things better. I feel like I’ve had my learning year, now I want to go out there and win the championship.”

One rider who is entering the season under the radar is Queenslander Dan Reardon, the JDR Motorsports KTM rider who returns home after three seasons based in the U.S. Last time Reardon contested the MX Nationals in 2007 he won the title, and he is eager to reclaim that title from Marmont.

“Winning the title is the team’s plan and that’s my plan,” Reardon explained. “I’m feeling comfortable on the 350 SXF so I look forward to getting round one underway and seeing how it pans out.”

Former Pro Lites champion Ryan Marmont, 26, will join Reardon this season aboard the factory KTMs, the experienced younger brother of Jay Marmont who has the ability to take victory as a rookie.

The man who set the fastest lap today was Cody Cooper, another Kiwi who has what it takes to battle for the title as Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s lone Pro Open contender. In his second year back on Australian soil, Cooper believes experience from last year will pay dividends come round one.

“We have a good base to start with after last year and I am entering the series really focused,” Cooper said. “There’s going to be a lot of competition this year and I’m excited about that, but I just have to worry about myself so I can do my best come round one.”

Many top Pro Lites contenders were also on hand at Appin today including 22-year-old 2009 champion Matt Moss (JDR Motorsports KTM) in his return to the series alongside Lites teammate Brenden Harrison.

Also debuting in new colours was Daniel McCoy (Rockstar Motul Suzuki), Cody Mackie (Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda) and American talent Phil Nicoletti, who has been drafted in by Monster Energy Kawasaki as their lone Lites contender.

The Under 19s category will again expose Australia’s up and coming talent in 2011, that class featuring well over 50 pre-entries who are keen to stake their claims on the title ahead of round one.

Williams Event Management general manager Kevin Williams was proud to see the 2011 season launched in style with many of the title contenders on hand, looking forward to further developing and growing the series this year.

“The championship in 2011 has the most packed fields we’ve ever had – there are a number of guys in all categories who are capable of winning,” Williams commented. “The series will take in nine rounds this year and with all the points on offer across all rounds, the championships will come down to the wire.”

This year’s opening round of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested at Broadford’s State Motorcycle Sport Complex in Victoria on Sunday, 13 March.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au on the web for complete series and round information on the 2011 season.

Click here to check out MotoOnline.com.au’s image gallery from the launch

Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals Launch Lap Times

Session 1:
1 1 Jay Marmont 1:44.617
2 5 Josh Coppins 1:45.239
3 33 Cody Mackie 1:46.369
4 48 Kade Mosig 1:46.526
5 10 Cody Copper 1:46.872
6 12 Brendan Harrison 1:48.130
7 100 Craig Anderson 1:48.160
8 3 Ryan Marmont 1:48.243
9 117 Dylan Long 1:48.825
10 65 Daniel McCoy 1:49.424
11 19 Dylan Peterson 1:50.037
12 122 Dan Readon 1:50.223
13 175 Beau Ralston 1:50.764
14 15 Lewis Woods 1:51.208
15 86 Daniel McEntee 1:52.408
16 x Corey Lucas 1:52.746
17 19 Louis Calvin 1:52.820
18 41 Dale Wheeler 1:52.840
19 96 Kale Makeham 1:53.170
20 61 Kody Wheeler 1:53.325
21 013 Luke Reardon 1:53.537
22 125 Shaun Cornick 1:54.631
23 144 Keiron Hall 1:54.769
24 36 Aiden Stanford 2:05.371
25 139 Jake Williams 2:14.033

Session 2:
1 10 Cody Copper 1:41.837
2 1 Jay Marmont 1:44.298
3 144 Keiron Hall 1:45.368
4 5 Josh Coppins 1:46.169
5 3 Ryan Marmont 1:46.677
6 33 Cody Mackie 1:47.364
7 12 Brendan Harrison 1:48.199
8 48 Kade Mosig 1:48.534
9 19 Louis Calvin 1:48.554
10 65 Daniel McCoy 1:48.691
11 100 Craig Anderson 1:48.706
12 19 Dylan Peterson 1:49.149
13 117 Dylan Long 1:49.338
14 175 Beau Ralston 1:49.586
15 122 Dan Readon 1:49.587
16 15 Lewis Woods 1:51.473
17 x Corey Lucas 1:52.812
18 41 Dale Wheeler 1:53.019
19 86 Daniel McEntee 1:53.050
20 125 Shaun Cornick 1:54.126
21 013 Luke Reardon 1:54.573
22 36 Aiden Stanford 2:03.417
23 61 Kody Wheeler 2:05.230
24 96 Kale Makeham 2:17.037
25 139 Jake Williams 2:40.258