Preview of the final round of the NZ MX Champs

MX1

NZ’s # 1 Cody Cooper (The Honda Shop) is looking to wrap up the premier class of NZ Motocross Championship 4 Round Series at Taupo’s Digger McEwen Park this weekend.

Home track of former AMA Supercross East Coast Lites Champion Ben Townley, Cooper commands a 37 point lead heading into the final three MX1 motos on Saturday 22 March.

With competition picking up pace between national and international riders, the series has certainly set benchmarks for riders competing in Australia’s 10 Round Motocross Nationals one week later at Broadford, Victoria on 30 March.

It will certainly be noticeable if Cooper, Australia’s KTM Ford Dale, Kirk Gibbs and JCR Yamaha Billy MacKenzie have an advantage on the track from competing in NZ’s MX Championship prior to Australia’s Opening Round.

Cody at Harrisville's Round 3 at Harrisville. Photo - clmintiepix

For Coops, 2014 has offered positive professional change racing under Ben Townley’s Honda Shop Racing Team.

"Having BT as Team Manager has been unreal for me, for my confidence and training programme. I have learnt so much from his knowledge, keeping me a lot more consistent when racing. It will help me in Australia and is certainly one of the most important changes that have happened to me, which is something you just can’t buy."

No stranger to change or positive results, Cooper reflects on what has influenced his Motocross career. Finishing 2nd to James Stewart at AMA Outdoors Round at Southwick in 2008 ranks top of the list. Add numerous NZ and Australian Titles, Cooper holds an impressive MX career record.

With only one month rest, no bike time in October 2013 before pre-season training, what keeps Cody’s motivation to gear up for a tough Feb-March NZ Championship season before Australia’s March to end of August National Series.

"For me one month off in October makes you miss the bike and makes it fun again when you get back into pre-season training. If I am having fun with it all year I stay in the mood for racing."

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MX2:

Point’s leader Kayne Lamont (Red Bull Husqvarna) is equally pleased with his performance in NZ MX Championship 250cc class.

Heading into the Final Round with 38 points advantage over Hamish Dobbyn (CMR Red Bull KTM).

Lamont is focused; "Holeshot every race and continue to race as I have in the previous 3 Rounds."

With an impressive six wins and three seconds from nine starts, Kayne attributes his successful results to having a great Team behind him, and looks forward to his racing campaign competing in Australia’s MX National MX2 class.

Australia’s Jay Wilson (Altherm JCR Yamaha) is sitting in 3rd position, making the most of race time in MX2 before competing in Australia’s National Series.

Jay credits Josh Coppins for all the support given to him while racing NZ’s four Rounds, with the first two rounds most challenging "As I was riding real tight after Supercross."

Jay Wilson at Harrisville's Round 3 at Harrisville. Photo - clmintiepix

With anticipation, Jay looks forward to his home country’s Opening Round racing under Serco Yamaha Team. Jay says: "I’ve been waiting to race Pro Lites class for a long time, and I can’t wait."

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National 125

Overall point’s leader Josiah Natzke (CMR Red Bull KTM) is making a successful debut from Junior to Senior racing at 15 years of age. Natzke has impressed plenty on and off the track with his consistent race style against older and more experienced peers.

Josiah says: "The transition from Junior to Senior has been quite smooth and I haven’t really made any big mistakes. A big thing for me was thinking to myself I am just the same as everyone else on the track. I might be younger but I’m still human like they are so why can’t it be done?"

Confident in his ability to wrap up National 125 Title at Taupo, Josiah says; "Racing Senior Nationals has been very exciting and new. It changes it up a bit from what I’m used to racing Junior Nationals over a long weekend."

Words: Sharon Cox