Tight racing assured

JAY Marmont is gunning for a fourth straight MX Nationals title but there is one thing standing in his way – teammate Josh Coppins.

Josh Coppins, JDR Motorex KTM’s Brendan Harrison, Jay Marmont and JDR Motorex KTM Matt Moss practise at Coolum.

JAY Marmont is gunning for a fourth straight MX Nationals title but there is one thing standing in his way – teammate Josh Coppins.

CDR Rockstar Yamaha's Coppins and Marmont are running first and second respectively in the championship going into this weekend's final round at Coolum.

Wollongong's Marmont is trailing New Zealander Coppins by 18 points and admits he will need a bit of luck if he is to claim his fourth successive crown.

“It's not much, but it means I need to be dominant,” Marmont said yesterday after arriving at the Coolum Pines track.

“I need to push him into a mistake. I didn't do that enough last weekend. I was a little bit under the weather and wasn't able to get the most out of myself. I feel like my riding's really coming along and there's something special in the air here at Coolum.

“It's always been kind to me.

“The last few years I've come in with a good points buffer and brought it home. This year it's the opposite. I have to go out there and be dominant and hope for some bad luck from Josh.

“There's still 100 points up for grabs, but I have to put riders in between me and him. It's racing. Anything can happen. I know I can win the day.”

Kawasaki's Dean Ferris was leading the championship going into last weekend's round at the NSW town of Moree.

A crash meant stopped him from registering any points in the final two motos, allowing Coppins and Marmont to overtake him in the standings.

Coppins (603 points), Marmont (585), Ferris (563) and Billy Mackenzie (559) are set to battle for podium places during tomorrow's four motos and Marmont says he has extra motivation to keep the trophy in Australia.

“I wouldn't want to see a Kiwi take it away from Australia,” he joked.

“Josh has been there all year and rode an awesome series. I'm not going to go down without a fight.

“I've had that No.1 plate on my bike for the last three years.

“If he's going to take it off me, I'm going to fight him all the way to the end. May the best man win.”

Coppins, 34, is racing in the series for the first time, after spending the past 15 years on the European circuit.

“As a team we're confident (of winning the title),” Coppins said.

“There's still 100 points on offer though and it's been an unpredictable series. I just have to keep focused and work on executing the small things like my starts.

“If I can ride to my potential, I'm sure I can win.”

The Open and Pro Lites divisions will go through practice and qualifying today before tomorrow's races.

Originally published as Tight racing assured