Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki's Cody Cooper and Lawson Bopping had mixed fortunes at the championship-ending eighth round of the Australian National Motocross Championship at Coolum Pines motocross track, Coolum in Queensland at the weekend.
With dull, overcast skies and semi persistent rain, Pro Lites young gun Bopping (pictured) put it all on the line over the final two days racing: He fought hard, showed great pace and came away with good results. During Saturday's racing, Bopping went 6-8-2 for a fifth overall on the day. On Sunday, he continued his great form, working his way from 14th to fifth in the first moto and then collecting a pair of seconds in the back to back second and third moto.
His overall round result for Sunday's racing was third, enough to claim fifth in the championship.
Throughout the season, Bopping has recorded several podium results but he has struggled to find consistency. The young charger now has his sights set on the upcoming Australasian Supercross Championship and improving on his third place finish from last year. Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki has an impressive record to defend, as the reigning Pro Lites Championship winner for the last two years.
In the premier Pro Open class, Cooper sat in fourth position coming into the round; four points shy of third-placed Billy Mackenzie, and 11 points off Dean Ferris in second place. A strong first moto result saw Cooper finish third. With an overall podium finish up for grabs, Cooper was charging through the pack in moto two when he came unstuck after the notorious monster tabletop.
After being attended to by Suzuki Racesafe, Cooper was transferred to Nambour base hospital. He will have surgery on an injured elbow and is expected to make a full recovery.
The injury caps a dramatic year for the Suzuki star. After an indifferent start to the season, Cooper has made a late charge at the championship recording three moto wins and an overall round win.
Jay Foreman, Team Manager, Rockstar Motul Suzuki, was upbeat about Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki's 2010 motocross results. He said: "Both Cody and Lawson put in strong performances and got faster as the season progressed, and they both recorded race victories. It was a whole new team for this season so it always takes time to adjust to the new environment.
"It has been an inconsistent season, but I am confident that we will be challenging for a championship next year. Recognition must also go to our sponsors - Rockstar, Motul, ONE Industries, Bridgestone, NGK, RK Chains, Yoshimura, Tag Metals, Hinson, Uni Filter, Vortex, RG3 and Braking. Without their fantastic product and ongoing support we would not be able to go racing."
Pro Open Final Championship Standings: 1. Jay Marmont 495, 2. Billy Mackenzie 482, 3. Dean Ferris 465, 4. Tye Simmonds 431. 7. Cody Cooper (Suzuki RM-Z450) 354.
Pro Lites Final Championship Standings: 1. PJ Larsen 535, 2. Kirk Gibbs 470, 3. Ford Dale 413, 4. Ryan Marmont 387, 5. Lawson Bopping (Suzuki RM-Z250) 380.
