Image: Jeff Crow.

Serco Yamaha’s defending MX Nationals MX2 champion Luke Clout claimed a vital victory in the Nowra round on Sunday, closing in on title rival Jay Wilson by three points as the series goes down to the wire.

The opening MX2 moto was controlled by Clout at the front of the field, shadowed by Nathan Crawford throughout the moto for an eventual 1.9s victory.

Behind Crawford was a charging Wilson on his JCR Yamaha, who came all the way through the field for third – pressuring the leaders during the final laps.

It was a strong fourth for Geran Stapleton, who in turn held off Dylan Wills as he ran up front early before going down and clawing his way back to fifth.

Upon return to racing Keiron Hall put in an impressive ride to sixth, ahead of Joel Wightman, Takeshi Katsuya, Jack Simpson and Jed Beaton. The latter pair were also up front early before mid-moto mistakes bumped them down the order.

Notable names outside of the top 10 included Cody Mackie in 12th, Caleb Ward a lowly 13th and Wade Hunter 21st after lapping inside the top five during the opening laps.

In moto two Wills scored his second race win of the season, overcoming Clout in the early stages and maintaining the lead from there.

Wills was in charge out front and eventually won by over six seconds from Wilson, who made an important pass on Clout in terms of the championship for position. Clout was able to hang onto third for the overall victory.

The fourth position in the moto was an improved showing from Katsuya, while Hall again featured on his way to fifth.

Positions six through 10 were filled by Beaton, an improved Ward – who saw his win-streak end at four in a row -, Hunter, Crawford and Simpson.

Overall it was Clout the victor, pulling back three points on Wilson in second, and Wills third overall. The difference between Wilson and Clout now sits at three with two rounds remaining.

2015 MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round eight – Nowra, NSW

MX2 overall results:
1. Luke Clout 65
2. Jay Wilson 62
3. Dylan Wills 61
4. Nathan Crawford 54
5. Takeshi Katsuya 51
6. Keiron Hall 51
7. Geran Stapleton 47
8. Jed Beaton 46
9. Joel Wightman 44
10. Jack Simpson 43
11. Caleb Ward 42
12. Cody Mackie 37
13. Dean Porter 37
14. Wade Hunter 33
15. Alex Morris 31
16. Dylan Gosling 31
17. Kurt Gow 30
18. Matt Ryan 26
19. Ricky Latimer 25
20. Jamie Harvey 23

MX2 championship standings:
1. Jay Wilson 465
2. Luke Clout 462
3. Takeshi Katsuya 435
4. Jed Beaton 395
5. Wade Hunter 362
6. Caleb Ward 353
7. Nathan Crawford 346
8. Dylan Wills 334
9. Luke Arbon 327
10. Geran Stapleton 324
11. Jack Simpson 286
12. Joel Wightman 276
13. Riley Graham 264
14. Hamish Harwood 225
15. Dean Porter 197
16. Kyle Webster 192
17. Alex Morris 180
18. Tomas Ravenhorst 167
19. Luke Wilson 165
20. Dylan Leary 142

Click here for detailed results