MX Nationals bound for Coonabarabran
And this circuit's going to be a huge test for all concerned, measuring nearly 3km in lengthRound six of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will take place at an all-new circuit in Coonabarabran (NSW) on June 19.
The massive 2.988km layout will put Australia’s best riders and teams to the ultimate test, with lap times expected to be well over three minutes.
Rising star Dean Ferris, 20, leads the Pro Open category into round six, just 9pts ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki team-mate Billy Mackenzie.
Scotsman Mackenzie has steadily been climbing the championship ladder following an early-season injury, while New Zealand’s former world No. 2 Josh Coppins (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) makes for a truly international top three.
The top five is currently rounded out by consistent Victorian Cheyne Boyd (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) and defending triple champion Jay Marmont (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha, pictured)), who recently won the prestigious Manjimup 15,000 event in Western Australia.
All five remain in title contention just past the halfway mark of the title, the quintet separated by 55pts with a total of 400 still up for grabs in the final four rounds.
Winner of the most recent round in Toowoomba, Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Cody Cooper, will once again be a contender for the victory at Coonabarabran, however he sits eighth in the championship after sustaining injuries to his ribs and lungs in round two.
Marmont spent time out at the Goanna Tracks Complex recently, and believes it will add even more character to the MX Nationals schedule.
“Coonabarabran is a bit of an unknown track for all of the riders, but from my experience there it’s going to be a good round for the series,” 28-year-old Marmont said. “The first part of the track is kind of loamy sand, and then as you reach halfway on the track over the other side of a quarry, it’s more natural terrain up a hill and really flows fast.
“The best lap time I could do around there was over three minutes, so it’s a long track, with plenty of obstacles including big whoop sections, big jumps and lots of high speed sections. It’s going to keep us on our game and will create close racing, that’s for sure.”
The Pro Lites points’ race is also tightening up, with early runaway leader Matt Moss (JDR Motorex KTM) fighting to recover from a fractured shoulder blade sustained recently.
Moss maintains a sizeable 27pt lead in the championship over Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yoshimura Yamaha), while most recent round winner Dan McCoy (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) will also be looking to make further inroads on the championship.
In the Under 19s development category, it’s Raceline Pirelli Suzuki’s Errol Willis who leads the way by a sizeable 51pts, with arch-rival Luke Arbon (GYTR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) second ahead of his team-mate Shaun Redhead.
Practice and qualifying in Coonabarabran, will commence at 8:30am with the official opening ceremonies taking place at approximately 10:30am.
Spectator Entry Information:
Adults – $30
Children (5-15yrs) – $15
Children (Under 5yrs) – free
Family (two adults, two children) – $70
Click on the following link for more information on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals.
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