Craig Anderson (CRF450) has further closed the gap between himself and current leader of the Nokia MX Nationals Daryl Hurley (RM-Z450) after winning the seventh round of the series at Toowoomba’s Echo Valley Motocross track.

Anderson now trails defending champion, Hurley by just seven points with the Team Shift Motul Suzuki rider dominating the series point score with three-hundred-and-thirteen-points.

Anderson came out firing in the first moto and won the race over his No Fear Honda team-mate Cody Cooper (CRF450). Despite a carburetion issue, Hurley struggled on and claimed third position in the opening thirty minute contest.

In the second moto, a fierce battle enraged the Echo Valley motocross track as Anderson and Hurley tussled for the lead throughout the final. In the end, Hurley was the victor followed by Anderson and Kawasaki Racing’s Daniel Reardon (KXF450) rounded out the top three.

With a first and second to his name, Anderson claimed victory for the round, followed by Hurley and then Reardon. It is the third time in 2006 that the three riders have finished the round in this order.

Reardon continues to perform strongly in the Nokia MX Nationals and in just his first year of Pro Open racing the 20-year-old rounds out the top three in the overall standings. Just one point separates him and Cooper who is in fourth position with two-hundred-and-thirty-two points.

After the disappointment of losing the series leader’s red number plate at Newcastle round of the Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites Championship last month, Motrex KTM rider, Ryan Marmont (KTM250SX) lead a gallant charge at Toowoomba and won the round after taking the chequered flag in both motos.

It was a disappointing round for former series leader, Troy Dorron (CRF250) who finished the day in thirty-first position after being involved in a first corner accident in the first moto which meant he could not finish the race. While the second moto proved to be challenging for the No Fear Honda rider as he fought back to finish in twenty-eighth position.

After obtaining the holeshot in the first moto, Marmont proved to be too strong for the opposition and won the race ahead of Serco Yamaha rider, Robbie Marshall (YZ250F) and Teknik Racing’s Michael Phillips (KX250).

In the second moto, Marmont was once again too powerful for the opposition and after again taking his second holeshot for the day, was the first to the finish line ahead of Marshall and defending series champion, Cameron Taylor (YZ250F).

With two victories under his belt, Marmont won round seven of the Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites, followed by Marshall who is finding form after a challenging start to the season. Taylor was able to claim valuable championship points by rounding out the top three for the event.

The Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites series point score changed dramatically after the round seven of the series, with Marmont once again securing the lead and gaining an advantage over his opponents. Taylor now trails Marmont by twenty-five points with two-hundred-and-fifty-two points to his name. The events of the round proved detrimental to Dorron who slipped from first to third and follows Taylor by nineteen points.

Round seven of the Nokia MX Nationals also marked the Northern heat of the Craig Dack Rookies with Todd Waters beating home Dean Ferris in each of the two motos. Third position was shared by Jake Pengelly and Harley Quinlan. Overall Waters topped the score sheets for the day, followed by Ferris and then Pengelly.

The top twenty for the round will now join the top competitors from the Southern heat at the final to be held at Barleigh Ranch Raceway in Newcastle on the 15 and 16 July.

According to Kevin Williams, Nokia MX Nationals Series Promoter, round seven of the series produced some great racing which is certain to get closer as the championship heads towards the final stages.

“A great day was had by all and while the rain clouds looked to be coming over the circuit at one point of the day, the weather held off and was fantastic for motocross racing,” Williams said.

“The championship continues to get tighter and tighter and many I’m sure are starting the feel the pressure of having to record a great result. With just three rounds of the series remaining, it is going to be a thrilling run to the finish.”

The teams and riders will now have three weeks to prepare for the final phase of the Nokia MX Nationals with the eighth round of the series to be conducted at Broadford on the 9 July.

Craig Anderson – Winner, Round Seven, 2006 Nokia MX Nationals
“I’m feeling good about the championship and we’re working our way towards the goal. I only made up one point at Newcastle and this weekend managed to get three more points on [Daryl] Hurley, which proves we are heading in the right direction.”

“I haven’t ridden at Broadford since the GP in 2001, however it was always a good track and a really good surface. I’m looking forward to it.”

Daryl Hurley – Runner Up, Round Seven, 2006 Nokia MX Nationals
“The bottom line is I’ve got to start winning races. It is clearly a race between Ando [Craig Anderson] and me for the championship. We have raced together a lot and know each other so well we both know what needs to be done to win.”

“If I didn’t get that win in the second moto it would have changed the championship a lot. It is a shame I had a mechanical problem in the first race and I couldn’t get second.”

Daniel Reardon – Third, Round Seven, 2006 Nokia MX Nationals
“The weekend didn’t start the way I had planed. I put a lot of pressure on myself as I have spent a bit of time at this track and I really wanted to win.”

“It is a little bit unexpected to be where I am in the championship when it is my first year in the class. I’m sitting in third but it is a tight third. Ando [Craig Anderson] and [Daryl] Hurley sit in the lead and are hard to catch, however, I’m not giving up yet, there are still three rounds to go.”

Ryan Marmont – Winner, Round Seven, 2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites
“It’s huge to have the red plate again. It felt good going into the round to not be the hunted as I have been in this position nearly every round this year - so it was good to have no pressure on me. However, saying that now I’ve got the red plate back I want to keep it to the end of the season.”

“I’ve never raced at Broadford before, I’ve rode a Pee Wee there once and been there to watch a lot, however the track is more like what I’m used to racing, so it should be great.”

Robbie Marshall – Runner Up, Round Seven, 2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites
“I am stoked and really happy with today as I finally managed to put two good moto results together and I stayed on the bike and did what had to be done in both races.”

“The momentum is finally starting to come. Over the last two rounds I got fairly good results but this round is even better. I’ve changed the way I do things at home and listened to myself and have done what I think is right and it seems to be working.”

Cameron Taylor – Third, Round Seven, 2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites
“This weekend Doz [Troy Dorron] lost a lot of points and on the other hand, [Ryan] Marmont made up a lot of ground. There are still three rounds to go and it is definitely not over yet.”

“I’m looking forward to next round at Broadford, being a Victorian track I’ve ridden there a lot and it can be a good track if prepared well.”

2006 Nokia MX Nationals Pro Open, Round Seven, Moto One Results (Top Ten)
1. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda
2. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda
3. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki
4. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
5. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing
6. Nicolas Geck Silkolene Pro Kawasaki
7. Ford Dale CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
8. Peter Boyle Fox Full Throttle Sports
9. Nathan Brochtrup Suzuki of Newcastle
10. Josh Strang Kawasaki

2006 Nokia MX Nationals Pro Open, Round Seven, Moto Two Results (Top Ten)
1. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki
2. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda
3. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing
4. Shayne King Kawasaki Racing
5. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
6. Darryll King CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
7. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda
8. Josh Strang Kawasaki
9. Lee Ellis Motorex KTM
10. Daniel McCoy Motorex KTM

2006 Nokia MX Nationals Pro Open, Round Seven, Round Results (Top Ten)
1. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda 47
2. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki 45
3. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing 36
4. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda 36
5. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 34
6. Shayne King Kawasaki Racing 25
7. Darryll King CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 24
8. Josh Strang Kawasaki 24
9. Peter Boyle Fox Full Throttle Sports 23
10. Ford Dale CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 21

2006 Nokia MX Nationals, Pro Open, Championship Point Score after seven rounds (Top Ten)
1. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki 313
2. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda 306
3. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing 233
4. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda 232
5. Darryll King CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 206
6. Shayne King Kawasaki Racing 196
7. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 164
8. Peter Boyle Fox Full Throttle Sports 146
9. Craig Carmichael Team Seven M2R Racing 139
10. Nathan Brochtrup Suzuki of Newcastle, Ficedia 112

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites, Round Seven, Moto One Results (Top Ten)
1. Ryan Marmont Motorex KTM
2. Robbie Marshall Serco Yamaha
3. Michael Phillips Teknik Racing
4. Danny Anderson No Fear Honda
5. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha
6. Brenden Harrison Privateer
7. Cody Mackie Team TroyLee Design
8. Shane Metcalfe Team Seven M2R Racing
9. Louis Calvin RRP Motorex KTM
10. Warren Smart Kawasaki Racing

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites, Round Seven, Moto Two Results (Top Ten)
1. Ryan Marmont Motrex KTM
2. Robbie Marshall Serco Yamaha
3. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha
4. Warren Smart Kawasaki Racing
5. Shane Metcalfe Team Seven M2R racing
6. Danny Anderson No Fear Honda
7. Kade Mosig Fox Full Throttle Sports
8. Kirk Gibbs Privateer
9. Cody Mackie
10. Justin Carafa

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites, Round Seven, Round Results (Top Ten)
1. Ryan Marmont Motrex KTM 50
2. Robbie Marshall Serco Yamaha 44
3. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha 36
4. Danny Anderson No Fear Honda 33
5. Warren Smart Kawasaki Racing 29
6. Shane Metcalfe Team Seven M2R Racing 29
7. Michael Phillips Teknik Racing 29
8. Cody Mackie Kawasaki 26
9. Kade Mosig Fox Full Throttle Sports 24
10. Brenden Harrison Privateer 18

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites, Championship Point Score after round seven (Top Ten)
1. Ryan Marmont Motrex KTM 277
2. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha 252
3. Troy Dorron No Fear Honda 233
4. Kade Mosig Fox Full Throttle Sports 184
5. Mitch Hoad Kawasaki Racing 172
6. Robbie Marshall Serco Yamaha 165
7. Shane Metcalfe Team Seven M2R Racing 158
8. Michael Phillips Teknik Racing 150
9. Jake Moss Serco Yamaha 149
10. Danny Anderson No Fear Honda 144

2006 Craig Dack Rookies, Northern Heat, Moto One (Top Ten)
1. Todd Waters
2. Dean Ferris
3. Jake Pengelly
4. Joshua Kilvington
5. Shaun Redhead
6. Matt Cunningham
7. Mitchell Austin
8. Scott Seears
9. Kerrod Morrissy
10. Casey Turner

2006 Craig Dack Rookies, Northern Heat, Moto Two (Top Ten)
1. Todd Waters
2. Dean Ferris
3. Harley Quinlan
4. Joel Rizzo
5. Jake Pengelly
6. Mitchell Austin
7. Kerrod Morrissy
8. Scott Sears
9. Dillon Peterson
10. Casey Turner


2006 Craig Dack Rookies, Northern Heat, Round Results (Top Ten)
1. Todd Waters 50
2. Dean Ferris 44
3. Jake Pengelli 36
4. Mitchell Austin 29
5. Joel Rizzo 28
6. Harley Quinlan 26
7. Kerrod Morrissy 26
8. Scott Seears 26
9. Matt Cunningham 23
10. Casey Turner 22