Yamaha Preview Toowoomba MX
Yamaha Racing’s second venture to Queensland for the 2007 Nokia MX Nationals will have mixed objectives for its factory teams and riders, with the sixth round at Toowoomba’s Echo Valley signalling the start of the frenetic run home. The Pro Lites lineup has had a stellar year to date, led by Serco Yamaha’s Jake Moss, and riders will look to carry this momentum onwards to the weekend and beyond. It’s been a similarly successful story in the Yamaha Under 19’s Championship, with a number of riders flying the manufacturer’s flag at the front of the field.
In complete contrast, the Pro Open campaign has been largely luckless, with a number of bizarre incidents preventing riders from making any progress in the championship. With the calibre of riders featuring in the CDR/Nokia/Yamaha and Team Seven Yamaha outfits, a good run of results is certainly on the cards, and hopes are high for a return to form this weekend.
A spectacular and challenging venue, Echo Valley rewards flat out racing, and has been described as the closest thing to an American AMA-style track that Australia has to offer. Riders will contest an initial qualifying session before lining up for two fast-paced motos, with 25 points on offer for the winner of each.
Yamaha Racing Pro Open
2007 looked set to be a transitional season for CDR/Nokia/Yamaha, but few could have predicted the run of injury and bad luck that they would experience. Despite missing the two opening rounds of competition, Matt Moss still sits on the cusp of the top 10 in the championship, a testament to his ability and fighting spirit.
Riding under an injury cloud since his return, he has managed to score some amazing results, including a second place in the previous round’s opening moto.His form has left many wondering just what could have been had he started the season at full fitness, and this weekend he is focused on chipping away at the riders immediately ahead of him in the standings.
“Murray Bridge showed a lot of promise and it was disappointing not to convert my first moto form into a good result in the second,” said Moss. “It shows how important getting a good start is, when I got the holeshot I was able to ride my own race but getting stuck in the pack really slows you down.”
“It will be good to make some inroads on my championship pointscore at Echo Valley.”Darryll King’s return to the CDR/Nokia/Yamaha lineup at Echo Valley will be dependent on a last-minute medical clearance, which will determine if he is fit to ride following injuries sustained at Murray Bridge.
Team Principal Craig Dack said they hoped to have King available for the weekend but would not have him ride if it looked like jeopardising his fitness. “It has been fantastic to have Darryll back to ride for us in place of injured team members but we do not want to interrupt the healing process after he had a rough weekend in South Australia,” reiterated Dack.“Matt (Moss) and Ford (Dale) look set to have a good consistent weekend, and both know the Echo Valley track quite well.”
A lean points haul from Murray Bridge has Team Seven’s Shane Metcalfe determined to bounce back at the tricky Toowoomba circuit, and he sits amongst a bunch of riders in 9th overall. With experience on his side, he will be out to carve through the pack and set himself up for two strong pointscoring motos this weekend.
Teammate Tom Jones' home race didn't go to plan, and despite a concerted effort he was unable to take any points from the round.He is in realistic reach of a top 10 finish this round and looks certain to move onwards and upwards from his current 15th place.
Yamaha Racing Pro Lite
Yamaha’s factory efforts in the Lites class will once again be spearheaded by Jake Moss aboard the Serco Yamaha YZ250F as he looks to reassert his dominance this weekend at Echo Valley.
His leads the championship by 55 points following a standout first-half of the season, and is aiming to maintain this run on the weekend.
“I’ll be out to keep up a good points lead this weekend and strengthen my position in the championship,” said Moss.“It’s a great position to be in but its still important to ride a consistent race to ensure I keep at the front of the field.”
Making a welcome return to Yamaha’s Pro Lites lineup will be freestyle star Robbie Marshall, a rider who has experienced considerable success in the category across previous seasons.The Queenslander will ride at Echo Valley with the support of Northstar Yamaha and Serco, and will definitely be one to watch.
“It’s good to be back and should be a good round to be a part of, thanks to those who have helped me to get here including Michael from Northstar Yamaha and the Serco Yamaha team,” said Marshall.
Shaun Williamson will be looking to get some good points on the board at Echo Valley after a promising campaign was interrupted by a disappointing crash at the previous round. The Team Seven Yamaha rider can make a move towards the top 15 competitors with a clean and consistent weekend.
Yamaha Under 19’s Championship
The Yamaha freight-train of Brenden Harrison, Kirk Gibbs and Dean Ferris will be out to share the spotlight at Echo Valley as the Yamaha Under 19’s Championship steams on ahead.The trio sit 1st, 3rd and 4th respectively in the race for the title and are all in the running for a victory this weekend.
Harrison is 10 points in front of rival rider Todd Waters after losing ground at the previous round, and is determined to re-establish a points gap at Toowoomba. “I’ll be concentrating on starting well at this round, as it showed at Murray Bridge the race can be run and won in the first few laps,” said Harrison. “There are a lot of riders recording good consistent results in the championship and its important that I can take away as many points as possible.”
Gibbs (Team Seven Yamaha) and Ferris (GYT-R/QYDT) will be hot on the heels of Harrison, with any one of the leading Yamaha pilots able to take the win.
2007 Nokia MX Nationals Championship Points
After Round 5 of 10.Pro Open MX Championship
1. Daniel Reardon, 228
2. Daryl Hurley, 197
3. Cody Cooper, 167
4. Jay Marmont, 167
5. Troy Carroll, 116
6. Kade Mosig, 92
7. Nathan Crawford, 92
8. Nathan Brochtrup, 91
9. Shane Metcalfe, 83
10. Matt Moss, 75
Pro Lite MX Championship
1. Jake Moss, 190
2. Mitch Hoad, 174
3. Cody Mackie, 156
4. Danny Anderson, 152
5. Kyle Tobin, 142
6. Michael Phillips, 142
7. Adam Monea, 124
8. Lewis Stewart, 110
9. Cameron Taylor, 109
10. Louis Calvin, 97
Yamaha Under 19's
1. Brenden Harrison, 216
2. Todd Waters, 206
3. Kirk Gibbs, 180
4. Dean Ferris, 174
5. Matt Ryan, 145
6. Lawson Bopping, 144
7. Kody Wheeler, 127
8. Matt Hair, 98
9. Mat Arnautovic, 85
10. Joel Passlow, 76
