Darryl King defended his number one plate in the 40-plus Vets class. Image: Dan Mackenzie.

Yamaha riders Cameron Taylor and Darryl King retained their national Australian Motocross Championships in the Veteran’s categories at Coolum’s MX Nationals season finale.

Taylor dominated the 30-39 years class aboard a Geoff Taylor Yamaha YZ450F, winning four motos from four starts.

“I wasn’t even sure I could make the event as it’s a busy time back at home but I made a last minute decision and it has worked out great,” Taylor said. “Coolum is a great track to race on and the Sunshine Coast is the perfect environment for the final round.

“This is my second Vet championship so I have to come back next year and go for three in a row.”

New Zealand’s King is still amazingly fast at 43 years of age, winning the 40-plus class for the second year in succession after overcoming a spirited challenge from local rider Mick Cook to take the championship with 2-1-1-1 results.

King is the current 250cc champion in his native New Zealand and manages the Rockstar Yamaha team in his home country, yet he still finds time to ride and even at the Coolum event he worked double time as he also contested the Pro Open class.

He hit the track a total of 12 times over the weekend and like Taylor, left with his second Vets championship.

“I was hoping the Vets race would be a little easier but Mick was riding really well,” King said. “He made me work for it and we had some great battles out there that made racing really enjoyable.

“I also must thank the GYTR Rockstar Yamaha team here in Australia for providing me with everything I need and I look forward to coming back again next year.”

Yamaha won all classes at Coolum’s finale from the Under 19s to the Vets in what was a dream finish to the season for the Japanese manufacturer.