Ford Dale will maintain the same game plan he has used throughout the series as he heads into Coolum. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

After gaining the MX2 series lead at the most recent Moree round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale plans carry the same attitude through to the final round in Coolum.

Dale mounted a late season charge against former series leader Luke Styke, laying down consistent results and chipping away at the solid lead the Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha rider once held.

Moree’s round eight saw Styke suffer misfortune and the in-form Dale was right there to make the best of the situation.

“I got a pretty good start in the first moto and quickly moved into the race lead,” Dale explained. “I had a small crash but got back up in third, then worked my way back into the lead.

“In the second moto, I took the lead on the first lap and pulled out to an eight second gap on the field by the race end.

“Race three I was into second off the start but I did get a bit of arm-pump, so I concentrated on riding my own race. At three quarter race distance I moved past Josh [Cachia] and rode comfortably to take the win.”

Heading into the Coolum season finale this weekend, Dale will take it one race at a time and leave it all on the track.

“I have got a lot of good people around me and I have been working on my mental approach to these races,” Dale added. “I need to go into Coolum with the same game plan, to take it one race at a time. Whatever else happens – happens, it will be out of my control.”

Dale now leads Styke by 21 points heading into the final round at Coolum in Queensland this weekend, 25-26 August.