Yamaha ready to rock the MX Nationals

The testing has been completed, the bikes are ready, the trucks are loaded and the riders and teams desperate to get back into action. Yamaha Racing wants get dirty and the 2011 Rockstar MX Nationals are about to start.

Yamaha’s three factory supported motocross teams will get season 2011 under way this weekend with round one of the Rockstar MX Nationals to be held at the Broadford Motocross complex in Victoria, this weekend. CDR Rockstar Yamaha (Pro Open), Serco Yamaha (Pro Lites) and GYTR Rockstar Yamaha (Under 19) eagerly wait for the first drop of the gate to get the 2011 national motocross championships under way.

CDR Rockstar Yamaha

The premier team in Australian motocross enters the 2011 season in great shape. Retaining the services of three time and reigning motocross champion Jay Marmont as well as new signing, the world experienced and ranked Josh Coppins from New Zealand.

For Jay Marmont, he took the opportunity to take some time off during the break and recharge the batteries for a fresh tilt at championship number four. Marmont builds his championships on a foundation of consistency but realises he must strive to improve to keep pace with the younger riders each and every year.

“This was the first time in years I have been able to take a break and refresh my mind and body for racing and I think it has done me the world of good. I have never entered the season filling so fresh and excited and my pre season training has been as good as ever.”

“Broadford is the first of nine rounds and I’m just looking forward to getting out on the track and getting the championship under way,” Marmont offers enthusiastically.

Kiwi, Josh Coppins, is back from spending 15 years racing in Europe and is ready to turn up the heat down under.

Kiwi Josh Coppins returns down under after 15 years spent on the world GP circuit in Europe. Since returning home, Coppins has sharpened his skills at the New Zealand motocross championships where he currently leading the Pro Open class and now looks forward to the MX Nationals.

“The change coming back from Europe has been good. I needed something fresh and a new challenge to keep me going forward and to race back in Australia and New Zealand has really lifted me. I look forward to the new formats used here and also racing a bunch of new riders that I have never competed against before. Round one can’t come soon enough,” Coppins finishes.

Team Manager Craig Dack is also excited about the upcoming season where he gets a chance to not only unveils his new rider in Coppins but also the new team transporter — an 18-wheeler semi trailer.

“I have a really good vibe about 2011. As a team we have stepped it up with a new semi and completely new pit set up that will boost our profile in the pits and the riders have been in good form during testing and pre season training. I enjoy this time of year and CDR is ready to go racing,” Dack comments.

SERCO YAMAHA

Serco Yamaha head into the 2011 season full of confidence after enjoying a successful 2010 that saw the team finish in 2-3 formation. Both riders, Kirk Gibbs and Ford Dale, have been retained for 2011 and will be joined be Jake Moss later in the series when he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Gibbs, the man who took second place in 2010, is looking to go one better in 2011 and has been putting in the hard yards to achieve it. Since returning from a wrist injury, Gibbs has stepped up his riding and training program and hopes to reap the rewards out on the race track.

“I have undertaken a proper training program that monitors my fitness and conditioning regularly so I know exactly where I am at. Having a program laid out and the right people around has definitely increased my fitness levels and I feel better on the bike that I have at any other stage of my career,” said the ex-pat South Australian.

Ford Dale has also put in plenty of hours during the break with his focus more on riding techniques and mental focus. Dale, always a lightning bolt on the track but too often hitting the dirt, sought help to tune up his style and thinks it’s exactly what he needs to get to the top.

“After talking with everyone at Serco and a few close friends, we thought that if I keep doing the same old things, I will keep getting the same old results and that’s not what I’m about. As I rider and racer, I want to get better every time I’m on the track, so I have been getting some advice on my riding and it really feels to be paying off on the practice track.”

“It’s up to me to now take what I have learnt over the summer and apply it in race conditions and I’m confident I will do that,” Dale said.

GYTR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA

Yamaha’s factory under-19 team have made a few changes during the off season by scaling back to a two rider team to offer a more focused and hands on approach to their riders. Luke Arbon joins incumbent member Shaun Redhead in the Yamaha young gun assault and both riders are ready to let rip at the season opener in Broadford.

“I’m enjoying the change to Yamaha and everything so far has been extremely positive,” states Arbon. “The team has worked closely with me to ensure I have everything I need and the knowledge available is first rate.”

“I have had a couple of injuries over the Christmas period, but I’m back to 100% and have been able to get a good preparation going into the opening round.” Arbon finishes.

For Redhead, it’s all about redemption. After a tough 2010 season, Redhead has vowed to restore some pride and respect to his racing and he certainly has put in some hard work in recent months.

“Last year wasn’t good and I know it. This year, I have made plenty of changes to my life and feel I’m far better prepared to go racing than I was at any time in 2010.”

“This championship is 36 races long, so there are a lot of laps to be done and a lot of things can happen, but I’m ready to go and look forward to Broadford,” Redhead adds.

Round one of the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals kicks off on March 13 at the Broadford Motorsport complex in Victoria.