Features 28 Apr 2012
In Brief: 2012 MX Nationals Rd3 Wonthaggi
MotoOnline.com.au has an assortment of notes from the Wonthaggi round of the Monster Energy MXN.
- Despite rain in the region all week long, the Wonthaggi track has been prepared to its best and riders noted just how quickly it got rough during practice on Saturday. Moisture is soaked throughout the soft and loamy soil, making for plenty of line selection, and rain held off on Saturday. Some overnight rain could make things interesting come Sunday though.
- WEM has live timing up and running finally this weekend, so check out the Results tab on the official series website and click Live Timing to check that out – we’re happy to see it in place!
- Juniors are back at the MX Nationals this weekend and it’s unique to see a number of the factory-supported riders pitted with their professional heroes. One rider gaining lots of attention today was KTM young gun Hunter Lawrence on his number one mini. He has style to burn and even MXN champ Jay Marmont was impressed with his form during the proceedings. Soon enough we suspect he’ll be under the factory awning full time.
- Monster Energy was at it again this weekend in the lead-up to the race, placing flyers throughout the area and again running their free kids’ ticket promotion when accompanied by a paying adult. The brand really is behind this sport and we’re definitely embracing it, because their vision to raise awareness has been highlight recognised three rounds in.
Jay Marmont has a new teammate in Dylan Peterson at Monster Energy Kawasaki. Image: Alex Gobert.
- Dylan Peterson is onboard the Monster Energy Kawasaki and already he’s settling in quickly this weekend, in place of Billy Mackenzie. Peterson adapted to the engine and is loving the extra HP from Pro Circuit straight away, but he’s opted to stick with his stock-based suspension rather after spending just limited time on the kit KYB product. By the way, I heard the Tim Ferry joke more than once on Saturday since he is number 15 on a factory Kawi!
- Beau Ralston was a surprise addition to the Berry Sweet/Lucas Oil/Yamaha team this weekend, joining team owner Craig Anderson and WA’s Louis Calvin on the squad in the MX1 class. Of course, there’s also Luke Arbon on the lone MX2 entry, making for a pretty formidable support team at Yamaha this season.
- Kiwi Michael Phillips is another to return from the sidelines, but we spotted that MX Factory Honda has retained speedy Swede Calle Aspergren in a two-rider MX1 team. Along with Justin McDonald in the MX2 ranks, the team has made an early impact on the series and plan for even bigger things to come in 2013. Good to see!
- Speaking of riders returning from injury, both Brenden Harrison and Ross Beaton are at Wonthaggi, but still recovering from injury. Harry isn’t yet certain when he’ll be back, but has been riding on a 450 lately, and I’m predicting it may even be South Australia or Hervey Bay before we see him. As for Beaton, he’s sure that he’ll be there with Zero Seven after the June layoff.
Shaun Redhead is back from injury with GYTR Yamaha this weekend. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.
- Shaun Redhead is back this weekend at GYTR Yamaha, but not yet at 100 percent after breaking both his hand and foot early on at Conondale’s season opener. He’s not yet ready to ride at his full potential, but is showing heart to return for GYTR Yamaha so soon.
- Some have suggested this weekend that Jay Marmont could be in line for Ryan Villopoto’s Monster Energy Kawasaki ride in the AMA Motocross series. Jay was reluctant to comment, but we know he’s rated highly by Monster (they really wanted him at Kawasaki this year) and he deserves at least a few races when he can. In saying all that, you’d have to think Kawasaki Australia need him to focus on the MXN and no doubt riders all around the world want RV’s seat.
- Mark Brown from Browns Grafix delivered the Monster Energy Kawasaki team a few helmets on Saturday morning right before practice, including a new lid for Jay Marmont and also new teammate Dylan Peterson. Brownie is the man when it comes to energy drink lids, and we have to say that he sure does get them out quick!
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