Motorcycling Australia

The 21-year-old topped an all-star international field to win for the Aussies on home soil in the premier MX1 ranks, taking two brilliant victories to commence the round. He clinched the win with a close second in the final 30-minute moto, handing him a debut win for Suzuki.

Waters? podium was his fourth in five rounds since switching to the RM-Z450 for this season and he now sits second in the championship, just 21 points behind leader Josh Coppins at the halfway point.

?It was pretty much just a picture perfect day,? Waters explained. ?I got three good starts, was in the top three for all of them. The first moto I holeshotted and led from start to finish, then in the second moto I was up front again and made the pass halfway through.

?I had a ball riding with Brad [Anderson] in the final moto, dicing for the lead, and I enjoyed it. I didn?t get the win in that one, but I had a lot of fun. I love this track and it?s one of my favourites, so it was good to come back and win. My fitness is great, I?ve been working really hard, so I?m just looking forward to this six-week break to redo my base fitness.?

British champion Brad Anderson claimed second for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing after winning the third and final moto of the round, keeping himself in the hunt for the championship following a disappointing round in WA a week prior. Anderson finished second in moto one and fifth in moto two.

Privateer standout Tye Simmonds made it two Hondas on the podium in third overall, marking his second top three of the year. Simmonds was fifth in moto one, then battled to second after leading early on in moto two. The third moto saw Simmonds round out his weekend with a fourth.

Completing the top five overall was CDR Yamaha?s Lawson Bopping in fourth for the round, while Waters? teammate Cody Cooper finished fifth for the second weekend in a row.

CDR Yamaha?s Coppins was sixth in South Australia after an incident with Jake Moss in the final moto spoiled his day. Prior to that, Coppins had finished third in moto one and sixth in moto two. The GP legend will now head to Europe during the mid-season break.

The Pirelli MX2 category saw Josh Cachia race to JDR/KTM Factory Racing?s first victory of the 2012 season. Cachia finished with a fifth in the opening moto before breaking through for a win in moto two, then he sealed the overall with a fighting second to conclude the round.

?In the first moto I rode solid, got stuck behind some people, but that?s racing,? Carpenter Rocks resident Cachia explained. ?If you don?t get a good start you don?t get in clean air, so that was my fault. In moto two I sorted it out, got the holeshot and felt good.

?The feeling from the holeshot continued in the moto and I was feeling good the whole time, so I put down consistent laps and won. In the 30-minute moto, Boydy and I worked hard until the end, so it was sweet. I rode solid and it was good, so now I?m number one for today and that feels good.?

DPH Motorsport Honda?s Cheyne Boyd claimed his second podium in a row with a well-deserved victory in the final moto at Murray Bridge after holding off Cachia in the closing stages. Boyd opened the round with a second in moto one, but an eighth in moto two after a crash dashed his hopes of the overall victory.

The final podium position in MX2 went to moto one winner Ford Dale. The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing rider had Ben Townley in his corner on this weekend, but he too suffered from a crash in moto two that left him 15th. Dale bounced back to third in the final moto and overall.

Series leader Luke Styke was fifth overall at Murray Bridge behind MX Factory Honda?s Justin McDonald, who scored a season-best fourth. Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing?s Styke had a disastrous first moto, but salvaged his round with a second and a fourth in the final moto.

Kiwi Kayne Lamont became the first two-time winner of the 2012 season in the Pirelli MX Development class. The KTM rider was sixth in the first moto, but he bounced back to win moto two and finish second in the final moto to clinch the overall. Lamont now sits nine points in arrears of series leader Dylan Long.

Long was a solid second at Murray Bridge, concluding his weekend with victory in the final moto and he?ll keep the red plate he?s held all season throughout the mid-season break. The podium was completed by Dylan Leary, making it a clean-sweep of the podium for KTM.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki?s Jay Wilson finished fourth overall for the round, while GYTR Yamaha?s Sam Martin was fifth. First moto winner Joel Milesevic had to settle for sixth after suffering a mechanical in moto two, but he finished the weekend with third in moto three.

The Australian Motocross Championship will return for round six following a mid-season break at Hervey Bay in Queensland in Sunday, 1 July. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Five ? Murray Bridge, SA

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters     72     
2. Brad Anderson     63     
3. Tye Simmonds     56     
4. Lawson Bopping     52     
5. Cody Cooper     49     
6. Josh Coppins     48     
7. Daniel Reardon     40     
8. Daniel McCoy 39     
9. Dean Porter     33     
10. Jay Marmont     30

MX2 Overall Results:
1. Josh Cachia     63
2. Cheyne Boyd 60
3. Ford Dale     53     
4. Justin McDonald     49
5. Luke Styke     46     
6. Scott Columb 45     
7. Lewis Woods 39     
8. Kade Mosig 39
9. Errol Willis 37     
10. Nick Murray     33

MXD Overall Results:
1. Kayne Lamont     62
2. Dylan Long     58     
3. Dylan Leary     52     
4. Jay Wilson     49     
5. Sam Martin     47     
6. Joel Milesevic 45     
7. Jarrad Davis     34     
8. Michael Crugnale 30
9. Mitch Budd     26     
10. John Phillips     25

MX1 Championship Standings (after 5 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins     301
2. Todd Waters 280
3. Brad Anderson     274
4. Lawson Bopping 255
5. Tye Simmonds     234
6. Cody Cooper     232
7. Jay Marmont     207
8. Jake Moss 171
9. Daniel McCoy 164
10. Daniel Reardon 147

MX2 Championship Standings (after 5 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke     306
2. Ford Dale     274
3. Cheyne Boyd     258
4. Josh Cachia     258
5. Kade Mosig     233
6. Kirk Gibbs     229
7. Adam Monea     215
8. Justin McDonald 192
9. Lewis Woods     173
10. Errol Willis     168

MXD Championship Standings (after 4 of 9 rounds):
1. Dylan Long     201
2. Kayne Lamont     195
3. Samual Martin     195
4. Dylan Leary     193
5. Jay Wilson     159
6. Joel Milesevic     156
7. Kale Makeham     156
8. Mitch Norris     123
9. Mitch Budd     103
10. Dylan Wills     99

- words by Two Three Public relations

Peter was an intrinsic member of the MA community, having worked tirelessly as the President of Motorcycling Tasmania since 2004 and as a member of the MA National Council since 2005. He was also a member of the MA Motocross Commission.

Well known and well liked throughout the industry, Peter will be held in our memories and sorely missed.

The condolences of Motorcycling Australia and the entire Motorcycle Sport community are with Peter?s family and friends at this time.

The meeting returned Stephen Foody as the MA President for a second term, and Ray Jonkers to the position of Director.

Vice President John Tisdale, and Directors Lyal Allen, Bob Kershaw and Stuart Strickland, are currently fulfilling their two-year Board terms and were not up for re-election at this year?s meeting.

For more information regarding the MA Board or Constitution please visit the MA Structure section of our website.

Crump, who top scored in the heats before winning the semi-final, just missed the top spot on the podium after rearing at the start of the final and unable to pass eventual winner Nicki Pedersen. Despite missing out on victory on the night, the three-time World Champion collected 20 points to take the lead in the World Championship standings. 

?I am pretty happy with the result but messed the start up a little in the final, but tonight has been a big step forward,? reflected Crump, who used a new engine that he had not ridden before.   

?I?m physically and mentally fit and being back on the pace tonight has boosted my confidence immensely. 

?It takes a lot of self-belief to know that you are still capable of winning races and getting back on the podium.  I have not been on top of the box for some time so hopefully I can make that happen several times this year.?

Round Four of the 2012 World Championship Speedway GP will take place at Sweden?s Ullevi Stadium on Gothenberg on 26 May.  

FIM MITAS CZECH SGP SCORES:  1 Nicki Pedersen 19, 2 JASON CRUMP 20, 3 Tomasz Gollob 12, 4 Greg Hancock 12, 5 Chris Holder 12, 6 Emil Sayfutdinov 10, 7 Josef Franc 9, 8 Antonio Lindback 9, 9 Hans Andersen 6, 10 Jaroslaw Hampel 6, 11 Bjarne Pedersen 6, 12 Chris Harris 6, 13 Fredrik Lindgren 6, 14 Peter Ljung 5, 15 Kenneth Bjerre 3, 16 Andreas Jonsson 3.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:  1 JASON CRUMP 44, 2 Greg Hancock 43, 3 Tomasz Gollob 43, 4 Nicki Pedersen 42, 5 Jaroslaw Hampel 39, 6 Chris Holder 35, 7 Antonio Lindback 26, 8 Emil Sayfutdinov 25, 9 Fredrik Lindgren 22, 10 Andreas Jonsson 20, 11 Hans Andersen 17, 12 Kenneth Bjerre 15, 13 Bjarne Pedersen 15, 14 Peter Ljung 15, 15 Chris Harris 14, 16 Josef Franc 9, 17 Przemyslaw Pawlicki 7, 18 Jason Bunyan 1.

The Supplementary Regulations and Entry Form are available to view and download from the MA Supp Regs page.  

Entries close at COB Friday 1 June and must be submitted to:

Rebecca Payne
Acting Race Secretary
25 The Domain
Nerang QLD 4211

For further event information please contact Rebecca Payne on 0434 243 717.

The penultimate round of the 2012 MotoGP season will see Casey Stoner take to the cliff-top circuit chasing a sixth consecutive premier class victory at his home track, while the Moto2 and new-for-2012 Moto3 categories feature a talented trio of Australians looking to mix it with the world?s best.

In addition, the best home-grown racers in the country will provide an action-packed support race bill, with the Australian Superbike/Superstock 1000 and Australian Supersport/Superstock 600 categories promising fast and furious racing at Australia?s premier two-wheel event from October 26-28.

David White, Chief Executive Officer of Motorcycling Australia, said support category riders would once again relish the chance to demonstrate their skill in front of such a large audience.

?The riders in the Australian Superbike/Superstock 1000 and Australian Supersport/Superstock 600 categories are the best in Australia, and they?ll be keen to put on a show at Phillip Island,? White said.

Nearly 100,000 people attended the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix last October, and none of them would have gone home disappointed with the action they saw across three days of racing.

Stoner will be the man to catch in the MotoGP class; remarkably, the Australian has led all but one lap of the last five Grands Prix at his home track. World Champion in 2007 and again last year, the 26-year-old Honda rider is likely to be right in the championship mix come the second-last round of the 2012 campaign.

Queensland?s Anthony West is Australia?s representative in the competitive Moto2 category, with the 30-year-old riding a Moriwaki for the QMMF Racing Team in the intermediate class.

Two young guns will represent Australia in the Moto3 category, the new four-stroke 250cc championship that made its debut as a replacement for the 125cc two-stroke class at this season?s opening World Championship round in Qatar.

Townsville?s Jack Miller, 17, will ride a Honda for the Caretta Technology team, while 16-year-old Arthur Sissis will make his maiden World Championship appearance at home for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. The Adelaide native finished second in the prestigious Red Bull Rookies Cup feeder series in 2011.

Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Andrew Westacott, said the local contingent in the international classes and the packed fields in the support races will offer plenty of high-class racing at the 2012 AirAsia Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

With five separate categories of racing all featuring Australian riders on one of the world?s most revered motorcycle circuits, we have a fantastic line-up of events for fans in October,? he said.

"The Superbike and Supersport categories always put on a show, and we?ll all be keen for the Australians in the World Championship classes to put in top performances in front of a passionate home crowd.?

Tickets for the October event are on sale now and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is urging fans to book early to secure their seat. For more information visit  www.motogp.com.au or call Foxtix on 1800 100 030

Remember, if you know any Aussies who are competing anywhere on foreign soil send an email to communications@ma.org.au with all the details and we?ll add it to the wrap. And give you the credit!

Gardiner and Wilson make top 5 in Portugal
Jess Gardiner and Jemma Wilson delivered an excellent performance at the 2012 MAXXIS Enduro World Championship Women?s Cup in Portugal last weekend.

In just their second round on the EWC circuit, the Yamaha duo managed to pull out some solid results. Wilson picked up a consistent 6-5 result across the two days, while Gardiner finished the weekend with an impressive 8-4 tally.

The pair will now wing their way back to Australia for this weekend?s round of the 2012 Australian Off-Road Championship. 

Crump takes lead in FIM Speedway GP
Three-times World Champ Jason Crump has taken the overall lead in the 2012 FIM Speedway GP World Championship, after a commanding third round performance in the Czech Republic.

The Australian Speedway star emerged from a strong four-man final with Nicki Pedersen, Tomasz Gollob and Greg Hancock with the silver medal of the round, and enough points to take the overall Championship lead.

Fellow Australian Chris Holder, who claimed the second round of the Championship, finished his visit to the Czech Republic with a 6th place result.

The fourth round of the 2012 Championship will be played out at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden on 26 May.

Consistent weekend for Ferris in Mexico
The 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship visited Guadalajara, Mexico over the weekend for the fourth round of the Series. Australia?s Dean Ferris, who missed the start of the 2012 season with an elbow injury, delivered a consistent 12-12 MX1 result for his Kawasaki Ice1Racing Team.

The Series will head to Brazil next weekend for the fifth instalment of the year.

Aussies deliver at Donnington
It was a green and gold weekend at the fifth round of the 2012 World Superbike Championship in Donnington, with three Aussies finishing in the top ten of the Supersport class.

Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products) led the Australian assault to claim fourth, with Smith Gloucester teammates Glen Richards and Billy McConnell finishing in 6th and 9th respectively. Melbourne rider Jed Metcher (Rivamoto Junior Team) rounded out the Aussie quartet to record a 13th place finish.

Parkes now sits 5th in the Championship Standings, followed by Richards (11), Metcher (15) and McConnell (25).

It was a mixed weekend for Australia?s single light in the World Superbike class, Mark Aitchison, who retired just a few laps from the finish in Race 1 before picking up a 14th place result in an incident-plagued Race 2.

Aitchison now holds 26th position in the Championship Standings, ahead of the sixth round in Salt Lake City on 28 May. 

Dream run for Hook and Pickering in Asian Dream Cup
The first round of the 2012 Asian Road Championships delivered dream results for Honda riders Josh Pickering and Josh Hook, who both took top ten finishes in the Asia Dream Cup.

Hook finished the first weekend of the Series with a 4-12 result, while Pickering took home a 10-10 result.

It was a disappointing series opener for Cru Halliday in the Supersport 600 Class, with the Yamaha rider bowing out of Race 1 and not starting Race 2.

The Final Instructions can be downloaded here.

For all the latest news and information about the AORC. make sure to visit the Official Series website.

MX1 series leader Josh Coppins picked up his second win of the season in an impressive performance, winning motos one and three to extend his championship lead to 42 points despite riding through the pain of a pinched nerve in his neck.

?The last round didn?t go to well for us, so it?s nice to bounce back and I really want to thank CDR Yamaha for all their hard work,? the New Zealander said.

?We?ve been working really hard, they?ve been looking after me and I can?t say thanks to the team enough. It?s pretty tough out there, so I just want to try get rid of my injury, loosen up and try ride a bit better as the season goes on.?

Despite the relentless sand whoops of Wanneroo that formed throughout the round, Australia?s leading contenders pushed at 100 percent during all three of the pro motos in the series? first visit to WA since 2009.

Backing Coppins up to make it a Yamaha 1-2 was teammate Lawson Bopping, who picked up his second podium of 2012 after a consistent effort. Bopping claimed second in moto one, third in moto two and sixth in the final outing.

Continuing his spectacular run of results since joining Motul Pirelli Suzuki was Todd Waters, finishing third overall in what was his third podium in four rounds.
Waters was fourth in motos one and two, before a third in the final moto sealed the podium.

Completing the top five was Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing?s Brad Anderson and Waters? teammate Cody Cooper. Top privateer finisher was Simmonds Racing Honda rider Tye Simmonds in sixth.

The hard-luck story of the round was defending four-time champion Jay Marmont, who broke through for his first win of the season for the Monster Energy squad in moto two. His day ended early in moto three though, forced out late in the moto as his pre-season knee injury continues to take its toll.

Motul MX2 championship leader Luke Styke picked up his second overall of the season for Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing, winning motos one and two before finishing fourth in the gruelling final moto.

?After putting in hard this weekend, I just want to thank the Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing team and the club for a great event,? Styke said.

?It was a good weekend and it feels good that all the hard work is paying off for all of us, but it?s early in the season and we need to keep trying the best we can.?

Styke won ahead of DPH Motorsport Honda?s Cheyne Boyd, who enjoyed a consistent round for his first podium of the season. After setting pole on Saturday, Boyd raced to second in moto one and third in the final two motos of the round.

Zero Seven Motorsports Suzuki rider Adam Monea was third overall, winning the final moto in a dominant performance. The Victorian was yet again back to his best in WA, edging out fellow Victorian Kade Mosig for the final position on the podium by just a single point.

Motorex/KTM?s Josh Cachia completed the top five despite battling through the day with an expected bout of appendicitis, heading another Victorian in Lewis Woods. Woods enjoyed his best round of the season by far for the Hart and Huntington/InsureMyRide team.

Title contenders Ford Dale (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) and Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing) had a day to forget, with Dale taking seventh after a troublesome day, while Gibbs will have to settle for 13th after a flat tyre in moto one forced him out of the points.

Styke now enjoys a handy 39-point lead in the series ahead of Dale, while Gibbs remains third as we approach the halfway point.

The Australian Motocross Championship will now head straight to Murray Bridge in South Australia for round five of the Monster Energy Mx Nationals this weekend on 20 May.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Four ? Wanneroo, WA

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Josh Coppins 72
2. Lawson Bopping     57
3.Todd Waters 56
4. Brad Anderson 50     
5. Cody Cooper 46
6. Tye Simmonds 45     
7. Daniel McCoy 42     
8. Jay Marmont 38
9. Mike Phillips 33
10. Gordon Crockard 32

MX2 Overall Results:
1. Luke Styke 68     
2. Cheyne Boyd 62     
3. Adam Monea 55
4. Kade Mosig 54     
5. Josh Cachia 46     
6. Lewis Woods 44     
7. Ford Dale 42     
8. Scott Columb 38     
9. Luke Arbon 38     
10. Kirk Gibbs 37

MX1 Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 253
2. Brad Anderson 211
3. Todd Waters 208
4. Lawson Bopping     203
5. Cody Cooper 183
6. Tye Simmonds 178
7. Jay Marmont 177
8. Jake Moss 157
9. Daniel McCoy 125
10. Daniel Reardon 107

MX2 Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 260
2. Ford Dale 221
3. Kirk Gibbs 199
4. Cheyne Boyd 198
5. Josh Cachia 195
6. Kade Mosig 194
7. Adam Monea 190
8. Justin McDonald 143
9. Lewis Woods 134
10. Errol Willis 131

- Words by Alex Gobert, TwoThree Public Relations

After recording a 7-3 result in the two timed qualifying practices of the weekend, the Newcastle native rode his Ten Kate Honda to an impressive fourth place finish in the main event, laying down a fastest lap time of 1?31.660 in the process.

The Australian was edged off the podium by Great Britain?s Sam Lowes (Bogdanka PTR Honda), Turkey?s Kenan Sofugulo (Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini) and France?s Jules Cluzel (PRT Honda).

Parkes was shadowed across the finish line by fellow Australian racer Glen Richards (Smiths Gloucester) who picked up fifth place behind Parkes with a margin of 3.698 separating the pair, and a best lap time of 1?31.682. Richards? teammate Billy McConnell piloted his Triumph to ninth, while Melbourne?s Jed Metcher (Rivamoto Junior Team) picked up thirteenth.

Having picked up third place at the season opener at Phillip Island, and a fourth place finish at Round 4 in Monza, Parkes? now sits fifth on the Championship ladder with a solid tally of 42 points.

Parkes? and his fellow countrymen will now pack their bag and make the long haul to Salt Lake City in the United States for the sixth instalment of the fourteen round Series on 28 May.

For all the latest news and results from the 2012 World Superbike Championship and support classes, visit www.worldsbk.com.

With the first two rounds of the World Championship already completed in New Zealand and Poland, Crump will be looking for a better result when he heads out at Marketa Stadium tomorrow.

The three-time World Championship is no stranger to success at Marketa Stadium, having taken three victories there in the past. 

"I have had some success here at this track but it has been a while since I won here,? said Crump, who finished fourth at last year?s event.   

?I just need to remain focussed on the job at hand and take each race at a time, get through the semi-final and win the final; that would be perfect but it?s not that easy, unfortunately.?

?I will be giving it everything next Saturday and with a bit of luck on my side, I hope to be on the top of the podium once again.  It won?t be from lack of trying.  We will wait and see what happens on the night.?

Crump enters the round sitting fourth in the Championship Standings, with fellow Australian Chris Holder one position behind in fifth.

The third round will be screened live from the Czech Republic on SPEED TV from 3am EST on Sunday May 13.

For live results on your iOS or Android device, download the new free Speedway GP 2012 Official App!

The Australian Motocross Championship will enter the toughest sand track on the calendar that will prove a real test of man and machine, giving WA dirt bike fans an opportunity to witness some of Australia and the world?s best riders put to the ultimate test.

Following three of 10 rounds to be contested nationwide in 2012, it is CDR Yamaha?s former world number two Josh Coppins who will lead the field into Wanneroo. In his final season of professional racing, the 34-year-old Kiwi has a 20-point lead in the series and is excited to race on the soft sands of WA.

After a successful long-standing career in the world championship based near the iconic Lommel sand circuit in Belgium, Coppins is a clear favourite for the win at Wanneroo, but knows that the shorter 15-minute back-to-back motos to commence the round will be tough ones. The third and final moto will span the more traditional length of 30 minutes.

?Honestly, I?m not sure what to expect because sand racing is all about trying to find a rhythm, which is hard to do in the shorter motos,? Coppins explained.

?I?ve got to try and improve my short races after some problems at Wonthaggi, but I feel confident about the sand and that?s the most important thing.

?I rode last week in the sand testing with the CDR Yamaha team in Victoria and felt really good, so after living in Belgium for much of my career I don?t have an issue adapting to it, it?s just a matter of making it work considering the short motos.?

Behind Coppins in the series so far is Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing series rookie Brad Anderson, the two-time British champion having sampled the Wanneroo venue in 2010. Anderson also won the prestigious Manjimup 15,000 during that visit to Australia.

Anderson claimed his first win of the season at Wonthaggi?s third round in Victoria late last month, now moving within striking distance of Coppins despite not finishing a race at Conondale?s opening round.

Third at this stage is Aussie rising star Todd Waters, the 21-year-old Motul Pirelli Suzuki rider from Cairns scoring two podiums to date this season to prove he?ll be a title threat all season long. Waters is 29 points behind Coppins and top Aussie in the series so far.

Two more Australian young guns sit fourth and fifth in the standings with Jake Moss (Campbell Mining Services/Maxima/Troy Lee Designs Honda) next best, following by Coppins? CDR Yamaha teammate Lawson Bopping, who was third overall in round three.

Defending four-time champion Jay Marmont is sixth in the championship in his first season with Monster Energy Kawasaki, but is another to excel in the sand of WA after winning the Manjimup 15,000 three times in his career, including last year.

The local assault in the premier MX1 proceedings will come from series regulars Dean Porter (Full Force Racing) and Louis Calvin (Berry Sweet Strawberries/Lucas Oil/Yamaha). Both are proven sand performers and will relish the opportunity to race ahead of a home crowd in the west.

In the Motul MX2 category featuring the nation?s leading 250cc contenders, Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing?s Luke Styke will lead the field into Western Australia. Fit and relentlessly fast in 2012, Styke will be charging hard to maintain his red plate toward the mid-point of the season.

?My plan is to be fast and consistent at every round and so far things are on track after the first three rounds,? commented Styke, who has reinvented his career after the official factory Yamaha MX2 program offered him a guest appearance last season that has continued into 2012.

Styke heads Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing?s Ford Dale in the points by 13, with the latter coming off a breakthrough win at round three when he scored the victory. The Styke/Dale battle is only just heating up, with Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing?s round one winner Kirk Gibbs right there to challenge them all the way.

Round four will also include the Rookie Lites class for 13-U16 100-150cc two-stroke and 250cc four-stroke models, as well as the second round of the ATV Cup for the country?s top quad contenders. The majority of those support races will take place on Saturday during the weekend.

The series will continue at Wanneroo in Western Australia on 12-13 May, marking round four of 10 for the 2012 season. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Wanneroo Rd4 Event Information:
Adults: $30 one day or $50 for the weekend
Children (aged 5-15 years): $15 one day or $20 for the weekend
Family (two adults and two children aged 5-15 years): $70 one day or $100 for the weekend

Series Calendar:
Rd1 ? 1 April ? Conondale, QLD 

Rd2 ? 14-15 April ? Coonabarabran, NSW

Rd3 ? 28-29 April ? Wonthaggi, VIC

Rd4 ? 12-13 May ? Wanneroo, WA

Rd5 ? 20 May ? Murray Bridge, SA

Rd6 ? 1 July ? Hervey Bay, QLD

Rd7 ? 15 July ? Barrabool, VIC

Rd8 ? 29 July ? Appin, NSW

Rd9 ? 19 August ? Moree, NSW

Rd10 ? 25-26 August ? Coolum, QLD

MX1 Championship Standings (after 3 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 181
2. Brad Anderson 161
3. Todd Waters 152
4. Jake Moss 148
5. Lawson Bopping 146
6. Jay Marmont 139
7. Cody Cooper 137
8. Tye Simmonds 133
9. Daniel Reardon 96
10. Daniel McCoy 83

MX2 Championship Standings (after 3 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 192
2. Ford Dale 179
3. Kirk Gibbs 162
4. Josh Cachia 149
5. Kade Mosig 140
6. Cheyne Boyd 136
7. Adam Monea 135
8. Errol Willis 115
9. Justin McDonald 110
10. Ryan Marmont 91

- Words by Alex Gobert, TwoThree Public Relations

?Last year?s event was phenomenal to watch and this year we plan for the event to be even more spectacular. So far Jackson Evans and Kristian Whatley from the UK, along with Travis Freistat from the US, are confirmed as competing in this year?s event. We are still in negotiation with other national and international competitors, and updates will be announced as these are confirmed,? Thomson told me recently

The Manjimup 15,000 Motocross meeting is known throughout the world, by riders and fans alike and riders of all grades jump at the chance to ride at the annual event which is now promoted by ?Dirt High Promotions? and the event has been going from strength to strength of the past three or four years.

The Manjimup 15,000 has established itself as Australia's richest and most prestigious outdoor motocross competition. It was way back 31 years ago that the first ?15,000? was run at the Cosy Creek track, which has over the years played host not only to the ?15,000? but also the MX des Nations and the World 125cc MX GP.

In 1949 the Warren Motorcycle Club was born, and five years later it was affiliated with (MAWA) as it was in those days, and that very same Club is still in existence today, although it is now known as the Manjimup Motorcycle Club (MMCC).

In 1980 the now famous Cosy Creek circuit hosted the inaugural Manjimup 15,000. The name Manjimup 15,000 was derived from the original value of the prize money at that time, and was the richest motocross event ever held in Australia. The inaugural winner, Roger Harvey representing the United Kingdom received $5000 prize money and the runner up was local competitor Neville Cutts.

The next Manjimup 15,000 was held in 1983, an event that winner Darryl Willoughby of South Australia described as, ?My greatest win ever?. The 1984 and 1985 Manjimup 15?000 was won by Jeff Leisk of Western Australia. The 1986 event was won by Jimmy Ellis, of the USA, who is now a resident of WA, who gained notoriety after being the first rider to clear the doubles (now tabletop), inspiring the naming of 'Jim's Jump'. In 1987, the club celebrated Australia's bicentennial by holding the largest ever Manjimup 15,000 offering $33,000 in prize money. Riders representing Holland, USA and Australia participated in the event won by Craig Dack from New South Wales. He repeated this success in 1988 against an increased international contingent representing England, USA, Sweden and New Zealand.

In 1989 it was another success story, receiving a record 256 nominations that included competitors from Italy, America and New Zealand. The winner of the Manjimup 15, 000 was New South Wales rider Glen Bell. Craig Dack returned as the winner in 1990 defeating riders from Holland and the USA. 1991 was the 10th anniversary Manjimup 15,000 and to this milestone, riders from England, Australia and the USA competed for $36,000. The event was won by Rob Herring from the UK. In 1993 it was local rider Dale Britton who was crowned the Manjimup 15,000 winner.

In 1994 the Manjimup 15?000 International Motocross featuring England vs. Australia was won by Jason Marshall of Western Australia. The 1995 Manjimup 15,000 was taken out by Eddie Warren from USA.

After a break in 1996, the Manjimup 15,000 returned in 1997 with international riders from Ireland, New Zealand and Indonesia. The winner was Australian Craig Anderson.

The 1998 Manjimup 15,000 was won by Lee Hogan of Victoria who came a close second to Andrew McFarlane in the 1999 event.

The very successful 2001 96fm Manjimup 15000 was not only sponsored by KTM but was strongly represented by their riders from Australia and South Africa, other manufacturers were represented with competitors from Australia and New Zealand. The winner was Yamaha?s Andrew McFarlane (QLD), runner up was KTM?s Craig Anderson (NSW) followed by KTM?s Jay Marmont (NSW).

Jay Marmont returned with a vengeance on a KTM in 2003 and his efforts paid off winning the event that year.

West Australian legend Paul Broomfield finally had his day, after years of contesting the Manjimup 15,000 he won the event in 2004 and the crowd was ecstatic.

In 2005 the trophy went overseas by Tim Weigand from USA taking the title and in 2007 Jay Marmont joined the ranks of Leisk and Dack by winning the Manjimup 15,000 for a second time.

2009 the event returned in style thanks to Dirt High Promotions and Suzuki?s Matt Moss (NSW) was the winner. The 2010 winner was Brad Anderson from the UK, and despite expressing a wish to return this year, he is unable to come back as he will be competing in the French MX GP the same weekend.

Jay Marmont made his history last year by being the first person to win the event for a 3rd time and is expected to return to retain his title as King of the Westrac Manjimup 15,000 International Motocross Spectacular.

Kristian Whatley, Travis Freistat and Jackson Evans are all accomplished riders and are sure to give their best joining current Australian Motocross and Supercross Champion Jay Marmont (Monster Kawasaki), and other top MX NATS competitors are expected to return to WA to compete against West Australian Champions Louis Calvin (KTM) and Michael Addison (Honda) and Dean Porter (Suzuki).

This year?s DIRT HIGH PROMOTIONS event will also have a new flavor and colour with BLU ENERGY DRINK being the new energy drink sponsor and WEST COAST HONDA coming onboard as Major Sponsors for the first time. Once again MOBIL, 96FM, GWN7, KTM, EQUIPRENT, RADIOWEST/HOTFM, SHIRE OF MANJIMUP and AUTOTRADER

 Any further information including sponsorship and program advertising packages contact Linda Russell via e-mail

linda1@iinet.net.au

www.williethomson.com  

The Entry Form can be downloaded from the Series website.

The Broadford rounds will be the seventh and eight chapters of the twelve-round Series.

The Committee has decided to make the eligibility cut-off date for motorcycle entries for the 2013 HBBB the same 25-year rolling date applied to Club Permit Registered motorcycles  - meaning that motorcycles manufactured in 1985, 1986 and 1987 will be eligible to enter the 2013 event.

The Museum and Heritage Committee has made this decision in recognition of the importance of the ?more modern classics? whilst still retaining the aim of drawing more old and unused motorcycles out of sheds and into the daylight.

Event Organiser Peter Drakeford is looking forward to building on the success of the 2012 HBBB to make the 2013 chapter the biggest in the events history.

?We had a lot more motorcycles than last year and more riders,? Drakeford said.

?While things were a little crowded on the road circuit we believe we can cope with the added volume the change to the cut-off date will inevitability bring. The riding format will stay the same and we believe we have the right mix for all enthusiasts.

?Our swap meet drew good crowds and all vendors went away happy, some even stating that they had their best business over two more established events.

?The Friday night MX Reunion was a huge success and so special it will be nigh impossible to top. We had all the Mister Motocross winners bar one in attendance and riders whom had lost contact caught up with each other. The memorabilia was something else too, not the mention the Honda Elsinore display down through the ages,? Drakeford said.

?All the volunteers worked as a well-oiled team and again made this a ?must attend? event for lovers of old motorcycles of any description.

?Easter is early next year on March 28-30, so you have only got 42 weeks to prepare your machinery and finalise plans for the event!?

For more information about Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza and to check out the Photo Galleries make sure to visit the HBBB website.

The Supplementary Regulations and Entry Form are available to view and download here.

Entries close at COB Thursday 21 June 2012 and must be submitted to:

The Race Secretary                                                      
33 Medley St
Gulgong NSW 2852

For more information on the 2012 Australian Junior Dirt Track Championship:

Lyndel Butler                                  
Mob: 0411 194 315

Cheryl Andrews
Mob: (02) 6550 6597

MA CEO David White is looking forward to working with IEG to deliver a new era of Supercross for Australian riders and fans.

?Supercross is an exciting component of Australian Motorcycle Sport, and MA is committed to building a strong future for the Championship,? White said.

?We are pleased to confirm the appointment of IEG to promote the Australian Supercross Championship from 2012 through to 2014, with the option to extend.

?IEG has a proven record of delivering major Motorcycle Sport events in Australia, and we are confident they will once again deliver excellent results.

?We look forward to seeing IEG?s vision for the Championship translate on the track over the coming three years.?

IEG Managing Director Yarrive Konsky said IEG was excited to have the opportunity to develop the Australian Supercross brand.

?IEG are committed to making Supercross work, we believe in the brand and its worth,? Konsky said.

?IEG are excited by this great opportunity to expand our business. We equally want to further develop Motorcycle Sport in Australia as a passionate enthusiast of racing.

?Supercross the brand is well recognised, we will make it more affordable and more accessible to riders, sponsors and spectators.?

The 2012 Australian Supercross Championship will be run over four rounds in September, October and November, with a calendar of events to be released in the coming weeks.

The Random Image Photography team, led by principle Scott Ferguson, will capture all the action of the 2012 event, from Opening Night right through to the Presentation, with photos and footage on display throughout the week.

Ferguson, who hails from Victoria, brings with him a wealth of experience in capturing off-road motorcycle events, having covered a long list of events including the Hattah Desert Race, Kenda Rally, Motorcycle Racing Club of Victoria Championships and Stockman?s Rally and the Victorian Off-Road Championships.

The A4DE is the second largest Motorcycle Enduro race on the planet, challenging more than 350 riders and their machines to a testing four day program of trail and special tests.

The 34th instalment of the A4DE will take place outside the Victorian town of Buln Buln, located near Warragul, from 24-27 October 2012.

For all the latest news and information on the 2012 Yamaha WR450F A4DE, visit the official event website www.a4de.com  and Facebook page.

For further information about the event, please email admin@a4de.com.

A final turn, final corner pass in Saturday?s race was the clincher for Team Honda?s Maxwell, who wasn?t going to let victory pass him by.

Maxwell and Team Suzuki?s Waters battled for the full 17-lap distance, with Waters appearing to take the advantage after Maxwell relinquished the lead running wide behind a backmarker.

Maxwell staged an entertaining fightback, and set up the thrilling pass with a strong run onto the long back straight.

There were millimetres in the move between the pair, great friends off track, but the fiercest of rivals with the visor down.

Greasy conditions saw riders contending with changing levels of grip throughout the race, with WA local using Ben Henry his intimate knowledge of the track to claim a hard-fought third place finish.

Cameron Stronach rounded out the top 5 on his BMW in a strong showing for local riders.

Sunday?s race was bittersweet for Suzuki riders Waters and Robbie Bugden.
The Team Volvo Group Suzuki pilot stormed into the lead before Waters assumed control after a lap.

Bugden pounced on Procon Maxima BMW Glenn Allerton rider at mid-race distance, taking second and setting the quickest lap of the race. Unfortunately, his charge came to nothing when he was thrown spectacularly from his bike in a high-side crash at turn 1 a lap later.

The race was red-flagged on lap 9, with Waters declared victor and Allerton returned to second place.

Officials awarded half-points after the shortened affair, meaning Waters only claimed 12.5 points for his win while Maxwell took the full 25 on Saturday.

34 points played 33.5 in a narrow victory for Maxwell, who moves to second in the race for QBE Australian Superbike Championship honours.

?It was a tough weekend with the conditions being wet and dry,? said Maxwell.

?We had reasonable pace in the wet early on but it wasn?t ideal, and we were lucky to adapt quickly when it dried out.

?The bike wasn?t quite there but we worked hard to improve it.

?In the first race the conditions were really wet, and although we had good pace I nearly blew it 2 laps from the finish.

?We were lucky enough to get out of jail on the last corner and I was really stoked to get my second win of the year.

?In the dry we?re still working hard to find a setting with the new suspension.

We?re slowly bridging the gap and it?s not for lack of trying ? everyone?s giving it 110%.

?It?s only a matter of time until we?re back at the top.?

Waters added a fourth win to his 2012 tally and now leads the championship by 33.5 points.

?The whole weekend went pretty good,? said Waters.

?Unfortunately that final race got cut short so I didn?t get full points and didn?t get the overall which would normally happen if you got a pole, a second and a first but these things happen.

?I have to say a huge thank you to the team who did a great job to be in the top 2 all weekend and I hope Robbie is okay after his crash.?

Defending champion Allerton battled hard on the BMW and holds down third on the standings despite a tough run in damp conditions yesterday.

The QBE Australian Superbike Championship returns to the track in a fortnight at Phillip Island, again racing alongside the V8 Supercars.

AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE C'SHIP at Barbagallo Raceway, Perth. Rd 3:
Overall: W Maxwell (Honda) 34 pts 1, J Waters (Suzuki) 33.5 pts 2, B Henry (Suzuki) 25.5 pts 3, G Allerton (BMW) 25 pts 4, B Attard (Suzuki) 23.5 pts 5, C Stronach (BMW) 21.5 pts 6, J Stauffer (Honda) 20.5 pts 7, B Waters (Suzuki) 20 pts 8, S Charlton (Suzuki) 19 pts 9, L Safranek (Honda) 14.5 pts 10.

Championship: J Waters (Suzuki) 130.5pts 1, W Maxwell (Honda) 97pts 2, G Allerton (BMW) 96 pts 3, J Stauffer (Honda) 87.5pts 4, B Attard (Suzuki) 85.5pts 5, R Bugden (Suzuki) 83pts 6, B Henry (Suzuki) 80.5pts 7, S Charlton (Suzuki) 62pts 8, C Trounson (BMW) 26pts 9, C McMillan (Yamaha) 24pts 10.

- Words by Toby Lynch, Fluid PR

Remember, if you know any Aussies who are competing anywhere on foreign soil send an email to communications@ma.org.au with all the details and we'll add it to the wrap. And give you the credit!

Stoner takes victory at Estoril
Reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner continued his 2012 campaign in style at the Grand Prix of Portugal, taking his first pole of the season and his second successive victory ahead of Yamaha?s Jorge Lorenzo and Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa.

The victory was Stoner?s first at the Estoril circuit, meaning that the Aussie has now recorded a win at each of the circuits on the current MotoGP calendar.

Anthony West delivered a 17th place finish in the Moto2 Class, while Arthur Sissis put in a good performance in the Moto3 to come home in 13th position. Fellow Australian Moto3 riderJack Miller was forced to sit out the Grand Prix with a fractured collarbone sustained in Jerez.

The 2012 MotoGP now heads to Le Mans, France for the fourth instalment of the year on 18-20 May.

Wilson and Gardiner clock first runs at EWC
Jemma Wilson and Jess Gardiner had their first taste of the 2012 MAXXIS Enduro World Championship Women?s Cup last weekend in Spain, with the Aussie?s posting 7th and 8th place finishes on Day 1, before retiring during Day 2.

The Aussie duo will now head to Portugal for the second round of the Cup on 12-13 May, before making their way back to Australian shores in time for Rounds 7-8 of the 2012 Australian Off-Road Championship in Broadford on 19-20 May.

Mixed fortunes for Aussies at Monza
It was a disappointing weekend for Mark Aitchison at the fourth round of the 2012 World Superbike Championship in Monza, with the Aussie falling during the warm-up lap of race one ? which was eventually abandoned due to safety reasons ? and not fronting the starter for race two.

In World Supersport, Broc Parkes crashed out of the lead on the opening lap, while fellow Aussie Jed Metcher finished in 11th place.

Sole Australian Supersport 1000c pilot Bryan Staring did not start the main event, and now sits thirteenth on the overall Championship ladder. Matt Davies delivered a strong performance to finish 10th in the Superstock 600, ahead of fellow countrymen Corey Snowsill who placed 16th, and Adrian Nestorovic who retired with  5 laps on the board.

In the KTM European Junior Cup, Australian pilot Giuseppe Scarcella delivered an impressive time to take home a 6th place result in qualifying, before the main race was cancelled before the halfway mark due to heavy rain.

The 2012 World Superbike Championship continues at Donnington Park from 13 May.

Las Vegas Finale for 2012 AMA SX
The 2012 AMA-FIM Supercross World Championship wrapped up with its fifteenth and final round in Las Vegas over the weekend, with both Aussie contenders finishing the season in the top ten.

Despite a disappointing final round, finishing in 18th in the main event, Brett Metcalfe finished the 2012 Supercross Series in overall 8th place.

Las Vegas delivered more riches for Matt Moss, who finished the East-West Superlites Shoot-Out in tenth position, and snared enough points to finish in 6th place on the Superlites West Series Leaderboard for the year.

Aussies on fire at German Superbike Championship in Oschersleben
Aussie trio Gareth Jones, Troy Herfoss and Karl Muggeridge made a clear impression at the second round of the 2012 2012 IDM International German Superbike Championship in Oschersleben.

Jones claimed the most consistent results of the trio, taking a 4-4 finish for the Wilbers team. Herfoss picked up a 5-7 finish for RAC Racing BMW, while Muggeridge claimed 11th in the first race before taking 3rd in the second race, narrowly missing out on the silver spot.

The Aussies will now have a little over a month to recoup, with the third round of the Championship scheduled for Nurburgring on 15-17 June.

Burgess takes on AMA Superbikes in California
Jordan ?Jordy? Burgess rode the third round of the 2012 AMA Pro Superbike Championship in California over the weekend, delivering an 18-16 result to retain his hold on the 18th rung on the overall points ladder.

The fourth chapter of the 2012 Series will play out at the Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah on 27-28 May.

Brookes thunders at Oulton Park British Superbikes
Josh Brookes continued his fiery form at the third round of the 2012 British Superbike Championship in Oulton Park, qualifying with the third fastest time before claiming the bronze podium position in the main event. After an impressive start to the series, the Tyco Suzuki rider now sits second in the overall Championship standings.

In the British Supersport Championship, Glen Richards and Billy McConnell took fourth and fifth respectively, with the duo now holding the same positions on the Supersport Standings board.

Round 4 of the 2012 Series is slated for 25-27 May at Snetterton 300.