Current Australian MX1 champion Josh Coppins will launch the JCR Yamaha team in New Zealand for season 2013. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Retired reigning Australian Motocross Champion Josh Coppins has confirmed he will take over Yamaha’s factory motocross operation in New Zealand for 2013, working closely with his former Australian CDR Yamaha team.

The experienced Kiwi will launch his two-rider JCR Yamaha team in NZ next season after completing his final year of professional racing in Australia during 2012, excited for the challenge that lies ahead in the team owner/management role.

“I started talking with Yamaha prior to Appin about trying to do something in New Zealand,” Coppins told MotoOnline.com.au. “I really wanted to stay involved with Yamaha, they wanted to as well, so it fell together pretty well.

“Daryll King had run it up until now, but he wanted to focus on racing and I wanted to put more effort into the actual riders, try and help develop them. I had the work shop here, the track on the farm, and also a mechanic that worked for me and just came back from five years in Europe.

“Everything was here ready to go, it was just a matter of getting the go ahead from Yamaha. Unfortunately it happened pretty late because I had been in Europe racing until the end of October, so I have been frantically meeting with sponsors and putting everything together.

“It’s been tough, but very rewarding so far and I’m really looking forward to getting to the first race at the end of this month.”

Coppins has confirmed Scott Columb for the MX2 class, plus he also has a number of younger riders within Yamaha that the team will be assisting during the season.

The MX1 program will include one of CDR Yamaha’s Australian riders in the lead-up to the MX Nationals season, however that rider won’t be confirmed until CDR officially announces its 2013 team.

Recent speculation has linked Scotsman Billy Mackenzie to an outdoor-only role with CDR Yamaha in Australia, while Lawson Bopping will likely return for both MX and supercross.

“I’ve aligned all the team sponsors with CDR, apart from the tyres,” Coppens added. “We’ve done that with the intention of trying to use CDR Yamaha riders as they prepare for Australia. We’ll use an English rider, Alex Snow, for the Whakatane Summercross and the Woodville GP.

“After that we will use a CDR rider for the four rounds of the New Zealand Motocross Championship, however which CDR rider that will be, I’m not sure yet. I’m still working on that with Craig at the moment.”

JCR Yamaha will make its official debut at the Whakatane Summercross on 29-30 December.