Image: MXN.

GoPro Super Pole championship points on offer in the premier MX1 category play a vital role in the title chase as the 2016 Motul MX Nationals series end looms near, according to top contenders Kirk Gibbs and Dean Ferris.

With just six points separating the two, defending champion and current points leader Gibbs admits seeing his closest rival gain a number of valuable championship points during the qualifying process is frustrating.

“Dean has been winning a lot of them and has made a lot of points there – it’s sort of a bit frustrating in that sense,” said Gibbs. “But last year I did really well in Super Pole, so I’ve just got to keep pushing and making sure that I’m in there to at least score some points if not be on top.”

With the Super Pole system paying three championship points for first, two for second and one for third, the KTM Motocross Racing Team rider aims to ensure he places himself in a point-scoring position during the remaining rounds.

“It’s definitely something that would be awesome to get a couple of them and score some more points,” he added. “As long as I’m scoring points in that top three, then we’re keeping it as close as we can.”

A strong qualifier throughout his career, CDR Yamaha’s Ferris has now strung together four Super Pole victories in a row, these wins greatly assisting him in tightening up the title chase after bowing out of Wanneroo early and losing a significant amount points.

“When I was here in 2011 I was also good at getting pole, I got a lot of them, but they didn’t pay points,” Ferris said. “It’s really important I think, those three points for a win, taking four of them in a row is 12 points – it’s adding up.

“It’s one of those things I think maybe I gained some experience in Europe where qualifying is so important,” explained the former MXGP regular. “So it’s good to bring that back, especially because it pays points now.”

The 2016 Motul MX Nationals series makes its way to Shepparton in Victoria this Sunday, 31 July, for round eight of 10 scheduled events on the calendar.