Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

In 2018, CDR Monster Energy Yamaha Team sent over Dean Ferris to race the Manjimup 15000. This year, they have loaded both barrels with Kirk Gibbs and Luke Clout set to make the trip across the Nullarbor to take on the best in the West at Australia’s most prestigious single motocross event.

The long running and high profile motocross event has along list of champions and is steeped in history. Its set down for June 1-2 and the entire CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team will be heading over to contest and fly the bLU cRU flag.

Kirk Gibbs is a past champion of the event and longing to have his name added to the trophy one more time. Although finishing the fifth round of the MX Nationals with a shoulder injury, Gibbs is expected to be fit and firing for the Manjimup 15,000 and is looking forward to getting back on a track he enjoys racing.

“I have done Manjimup a few times over the years and it is an event that every motocross racer should do,” Gibbs offers. “It’s an amazing track to ride that offers challenges in its layout, its terrain and its physical demands.

“The atmosphere at the venue is also nothing like we experience back on the East Coast. There is always a big crowd on hand that line the entire track and make plenty of noise as they watch the races. They are motocross people who know about the sport and are enthusiastic to cheer on their favourite rider.

“My shoulder should be good to go and I’m looking forward to heading back to Manjimup and catching up with all the WA fans,” Gibbs ends.

For Luke Clout, 2019 will mark his first appearance at the event and the has the current MX Nationals points leader exciting about the prospect of racing on the famous Manjimup circuit and experience the race for the first time.

Clout has been in red-hot form since swapping over to the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team and has been on the podium at four of the five rounds contested at the MX Nationals this season. Manjimup presents opportunity for Clout to engrave his name on the event leader board and continue his upswing in Australian motocross.

“I have heard so many good things about Manjimup and it’s awesome to know I will finally be taking the trip over to contest the event. Dacka has told me so many stories about his time racing Manjimup and I hope my time there is half as exciting as his. And I’m not sure if I can bare another story about riding a 500cc two stroke on a track rough enough to swallow an ocean-liner,” Clout joked.

“I have seen the track on video and watched some races there and it looks like such a fun track to ride. The schedule looks hectic with six motos during the day but that’s fine with me and I can’t wait to get behind the gate and race Kirk as well as all the WA riders,” Clout explains.

The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team appearance at the Manjimup 15000 is a sign of Yamaha Australia’s acknowledge of racing in the west and representing the brand in all areas of the country.

“WA is sometimes over-looked for major motorcycling events but Yamaha Australia want to keep in touch with our WA customer base and having the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team work in conjunction with our local WA race teams and dealers is a great way for us to show case the powerful YZ range,” says YMA Sales and Marketing manager, Matt Ferry.

“Last year, Dean Ferris represented Yamaha at the event and took home the victory while this year, both YMA and CDR Yamaha have stepped it up and we now have both of our factory riders contesting the event and mingling with WA dirt bike fans.

“We wish both Kirk and Luke the best of luck for the event and hope they enjoy their racing experience at Manjimup and the WA fans appreciate the effort from both riders and team in the middle of their busy MX Nationals schedule.”