Something to Prove
Kiwis to the Aussie Nationals
Four top Kiwis at the Aussie Nationals and, would you believe it, three of them are from our neck of the woods!
Yes, Cody Cooper (Papamoa), Rhys Carter (Papamoa) and Logan Blackburn (Te Puke) along with Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont will all be racing at Raymond Terrace in New South Wales on Sunday.
The 2013 Australian National MX Series is about to get underway with a new two x 30 minute moto race format, new points structure down to 30th place and new Super Pole points to be gained through hot laps in qualifying.
In 2012, Josh Coppins (MX1) and Kayne Lamont (Under 19s) brought two of the titles back to New Zealand but with Coppins retiring and Lamont moving up to MX2, neither is defending his title.
Cody Cooper (below right) won the NZ MX1 title a couple of weeks back and is in great form. He’s a “seasoned campaigner” and riding for the Pirelli Motul Suzuki team. He’s Last year he came third. This year, he wants higher.
Fellow Suzuki rider Rhys Carter (below left) is NZ MX2 No 3 but reckons he has something to prove. “During the NZ series, I seemed to find myself in the wrong place at the wrong time a bit too often,” he says, I need consistent results.”
Rhys has raced over the ditch before but Logan (pictured above) is a newbie. Both will be privateers and have linked up with DMR Racing which, for a reasonable fee, transports bikes and spares in a purpose built race truck to all the rounds of the national series.
“I’m hoping to get into the top 10,” says Logan, “but it’s going to be tough. There are so many more riders over there. With 80 riders in a class, there’ll be qualifying every time. It’s going to be hotter and I’ve been told the tracks are harder, rougher and faster and the riding more aggressive. But I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s an opportunity to go and prove myself.” “ Josh Coppins has been really good helping me to get sorted,” he adds, “ I’ll be on a Yamaha”.
Kayne Lamont will be riding for the Choice Motorsports KTM MX2 team. He’ll be a rookie in the class but a rookie looking to make an impact.
“Don’t over think it, just ride. Make every point count” is what Josh Coppins offers as advice.
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Go the Kiwis !!!
