Retiring CDR Yamaha rider Josh Coppins clinched his first MX1 Australian Motocross Championship series victory at Coolum in Queensland on Sunday, 26 August, in the final round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals.

The former world championship number two battled to second overall at the season finale, with 2-1-2 finishes on a YZ450F in a trio of action-filled motos. The New Zealander’s eventual winning margin in the series was 11 points, capping off a brilliant professional career with the national title.

“I’m really happy for the team, its staff and all of the CDR Yamaha sponsors,” the 35-year-old commented. “Everybody has all been working really hard, so this is a rewarding result. It’s been a great series to be a part of, there is a lot of great teams and a lot of good kids coming up. This is a nice way to finish off my career.”

Josh Coppins won the MX1 title for CDR Yamaha at Coolum. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Coppins edged out talented 21-year-old Gold Coast resident Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) in the series, however he was able to conclude his season on top of the podium with the overall victory on the Sunshine Coast. Waters won motos one and three, plus scored second in moto two.

“We did everything that we could do to win this championship, but on a positive note we end the season knowing that we were the fastest around Coolum,” Waters reflected. “It’s nice to know, but to be honest we ran out of time. We kept Josh honest the whole way, but as soon as I got it down to a few points he’d put it straight back up. I’m pumped for Josh and he deserves it.”

Completing the podium for both the round and series was another Kiwi in Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki). A trio of thirds at Coolum elevated him to a podium position in the series, gaining the position on count-back due to having more race wins during the year than fourth place finisher Brad Anderson (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing). Rounding out the top five was Coppins’ teammate Lawson Bopping.

Four-time series champion Jay Marmont (Monster Energy Kawasaki) was sixth in the series, one position ahead of top privateer Jake Moss (Campbell Mining/TLD/Maxima/Honda). For his inspired efforts, Moss took home the Andrew McFarlane Cup as leading MX1 privateer in 2012.

Todd Waters won overall at Coolum ahead of Coppins and Cody Cooper. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Sunshine Coast local Ford Dale won his first Australian Motocross Championship in the Motul MX2 category for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing aboard a CRF250R. In a nail-biting decider, Dale claimed fourth overall with two sixths and a third at Coolum, concluding the season with a two-point advantage.

“This is just amazing,” Dale said. “I am totally overwhelmed. I have had my fair share of ups and downs but if 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.”

The round was won by JDR/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Cachia, who claimed victory in motos one and three, but had to settle for second in moto two after stalling while leading. Cachia ended the series third, 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.”

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale won the MX2 title. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Second overall at Coolum and in the title chase was long time leader Luke Styke (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing). Styke rode to brave 2-1-2 finishes at Coolum, but fell just two points short of Dale in the championship standings.

“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.”

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.

South Australian Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing) was involved in a critical incident during the final MX2 race of the weekend, attended to by Suzuki RACESAFE before being transported to Nambour Hospital in a serious, but stable condition. Updates will be released when available.

Josh Cachia claimed the round win at Coolum from Luke Styke and Kade Mosig. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

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

“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 second moto of the weekend.

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

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.

Dylan Long won the MXD round, but it was Kayne Lamont who was crowned. Sam Martin was third at Coolum. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

In the 30-39 Veterans category it was defending champion Cameron Taylor (Yamaha) who won overall 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.

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

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters 72
2. Josh Coppins 69
3. Cody Cooper 60
4. Brad Anderson 46
5. Dean Porter 43
6. Jay Marmont 42
7. Billy Mackenzie 42
8. Daniel McCoy 40
9. Lawson Bopping 37
10. Jake Moss 36

MX2 Overall 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

MXD Overall 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

MX1 Championship Standings (after 10 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 618
2. Todd Waters 607
3. Cody Cooper 509
4. Brad Anderson 509
5. Lawson Bopping 506
6. Jay Marmont 374
7. Jake Moss 347
8. Dean Porter 331
9. Daniel McCoy 329
10. Dan Reardon 320

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 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