With the final fast-approaching, MotoOnline.com.au looks at 10 topics to keep an eye on this weekend.

Coppins’ Retirement
In his last official outing on Aussie soil, Josh Coppins will enter the round as MX1 title favourite thanks to his 14-point advantage. It’s been a pleasure to see the Kiwi battle it out on Aussie soil for the past two years, but all good things one day must come to an end!

Waters and Dale
Todd Waters and Ford Dale have long been recognised as rising stars. Well, 2012 may just be the year that the pair have arrived up front for good. With Waters in the MX1 title fight and Dale leading MX2, both will be awesome to watch at Coolum due to their hefty experience at the venue.

Styke’s Fight Back
Don’t think for one second that Luke Styke is going to give up after losing 50 points at Moree last Sunday. He wants to win this MX2 title more than ever, but of course he’ll need some luck on his side if he’s to eclipse Dale’s 21-point advantage.

Expect Luke Styke to be a man on a mission this weekend in Coolum. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Boppo v Brad
The fight for the final podium position in the MX1 ranks is well and truly on between Lawson Bopping and two-time British champion Brad Anderson. For Bopping it would be a mega achievement in his debut year with CDR Yamaha, while for Anderson it would go some way toward salvaging a frustrating (at times) season. Just six points separate them right now.

Development Desire
The MX Development class of Under 19s contenders has come a long way since Conondale, with the likes of Kayne Lamont, Dylan Long, Dylan Leary and Jay Wilson all featuring up front, not to mention Luke Clout’s stunning debut at Moree. The question is, how many of these guys will step up to MX2 after Coolum?

New Champs
Three new national champions will be crowned at Coolum for the first time in five years. With Jay Marmont having a tough MX1 campaign, Matt Moss departing Australia for the US and giving up his MX2 title, plus Errol Willis stepping up from MXD to MX2, this year marks a new era of sorts in the series.

Jay’s Day?
Not only will Marmont miss out on a fifth straight title with Monster Energy Kawasaki, the four-time champion hasn’t even stood on the podium at all in the 2012 season. Nobody would have predicted that, but considering his success at Coolum in years past, can he break the trend? Only time will tell.

Will rising stars such as Kayne Lamont make the move to MX2 after success in the MX Development division? Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Two-Smokers
The KTM 2 Stroke National will see the likes of Kirk Gibbs, Dean Porter and more contend this weekend, in a unique addition to the sport. It’s sure to get the hearts racing of many moto enthusiasts and the best thing is, it’s all capacities, so we may just see a few 500cc weapons fighting it out! One surprise entrant in the two-stroke class is FMX king Cam Sinclair, fresh from landing a medal at the X Games in Los Angeles.

Old School Stars
The Veterans class has been a favourite for young and old in recent years, mainly because it gives the old blokes a race to focus on at the elite level without too much pressure. Cameron Taylor will be back for a third title in the 30-39 age category.

Trade Alley
Coolum always brings out the best trade and dealer displays of the season, and this year we’re not expecting anything different. The grand finale of a world-renowned 10-event series, the MX Nationals always finish with a bang and it’s the atmosphere on the Sunshine Coast that never fails to disappoint. We’re also expecting a few 2013 models on hand for fans to check out.