Ford Dale celebrates his first career MX2 title at Coolum on Sunday. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale is celebrating his first career national motocross championship after claiming the MX2 title at Coolum’s Monster Energy MX Nationals finals on Sunday.

Dale, who held a 21 point lead coming into the final round of the championship, took to the start gate for the final race of the day with a four-point buffer after finishing the opening two motos sixth.

The Sunshine Coast local got a good start and moved into fourth on the opening lap before the race was red-flagged due to a serious incident involving Kirk Gibbs.

Dale wasn’t so fortunate on the race re-start and had his work cut out for him as he climbed his way up the order from eighth over the opening laps of the 30-minute moto.

Sitting third by mid race distance, Dale knew that once Josh Cachia had moved past Luke Styke he just had to maintain his position to seal the championship win. The Honda rider greeted the chequered flag third to clinch the title by just two points from Styke.

“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.”

Dale said his new found friendship and working relationship with former teammate Ben Townley has been a major plus in 2012.

“I am also very fortunate to have been able to work so closely with Ben Townley,” he continued. “His knowledge and experience has been invaluable and while I had the pace he has certainly helped me work on my mental approach to these races.

“Today wasn’t one of my best performances. Nerves certainly go the better of me in the first two races so I didn’t make it easy for myself coming into the last race.

“My start was terrible and I rode quite tight over the first few laps but then I relaxed a bit and started moving up through the order. Once I saw that Josh was into the race lead I knew I just had to maintain my position to take the title.

“I am going to celebrate this win but then it will be back to testing and training ahead of the Australian Supercross Championship,” Dale concluded.

Dale is expected to be stepping up to the MX1 championship for the 2013 outdoor season.