Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha set for MX Nationals
Serco Motorsport in association with Yamaha and Metal Mulisha are proud to reveal the 2012 Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing Team, featuring Kirk Gibbs and Luke Styke.
Serco Motorsport has been the official Pro Lites Yamaha factory team for 10 years and in that time has achieved remarkable success. 2011 series saw the team, with Kirk Gibbs at the controls, come a very close second in the Pro Lites championship but the bar has been raised for 2012 and the team is shooting for the top step of the podium.
Kirk Gibbs returns to the Serco squad for his fourth consecutive year in a relationship that continues to grow. Gibbs came within 10 points of winning last years’ series but some soul searching and a return to his South Australian base has him revitalized and ready to go.
“I have been second in the championship for the past two years so at the end of the year, I sat down and looked at what I did and how I can improve it. I felt if I kept doing the same things, I would get the same results, so I moved back to South Australia, changed up my training a bit and I’m now feeling as fit and as fresh as I ever have.”
“My motivation may have changed but the goal hasn’t and I want to win the Pro Lites MX Nationals this year,” Gibbs states.
Alongside Gibbs will be Nowra based Luke Styke. The 2009 Under 19 National championship had a disappointing year in 2010 but fought his way back onto a factory team with gritty, determined rides in the 2011 championship then grabbed his opportunity when raced the Super X championship for Serco, taking an impressive third overall for the championship.
“The past 12 months has taught me a lot of things and the most important being that you can’t rest on your laurels. You are only as good as your last race and if you don’t put the work in during the week, then that result is never going to be as good as it should.”
“I got a nice reward for my work in Super X by finishing on the podium and that has given me a real boost heading into 2012. I know my bikes will be awesome and I will head to the start line prepared and ready to race. I can’t wait,” Styke said.
Team owner Gavin Eales feels he has a strong chance at success in 2012 and backs his riders and technical staff to get the job done this season.
“We were close to a championship last year but that’s not good enough so during the off season myself and Michael Marty (Crew Chief) sat down and really tried to fine tune everything on the team. From the bikes, to the riders, the products we use and everyone’s role within it. It was a full team review and I believe we are a better team because of it and I look forward to seeing the guys in action,” Eales states.
“We are also excited about our new relationship with Metal Mulisha and our continued relationship with Yoshimura. The team will wear Metal Mulisha clothing off the track and the riders will showcase their range of racing gear on it and I’m sure we will stand out from the crowd.”
Metal Mulisha founder and FMX pioneer, Brain Deegan also commented on the new arrangement. “My background is racing so for me to be able to sponsor a team has always been a goal of mine! I am looking forward to tearing up the scene down under.”
The Serco Motorsport / Yamaha relationship is now in its 11th year and both parties continue to strive for success.
“Gavin, Michael and the Serco team have done a great job representing Yamaha and the YZ250F in the Pro Lites class in Australia,” states Yamaha motorsport Manager, Ray Howard. “They have put in plenty of work throughout the off season and worked closely with Yamaha to get the best from the bikes and together we expect another successful campaign in 2012.”
To follow Serco Yamaha on Facebook: www.facebook.com./sercoyamaha
Team Structure
Team Manager: Gavin Eales
Crew Chief: Michael Marty
Technicians: Peter Rabjones (Luke Styke) / Joel Reynolds (Kirk Gibbs)
Technical Support: Andrew Stoppa
Riders: # 5 – Kirk Gibbs / #6 – Luke Styke
Team Sponsors: Serco Motorsport / Yamaha Australia / Yoshimura / Metal Mulisha / MSR / Pirelli / RK / Excel /Globalcote/ Wossner Piston / Cometic Gasket/ Hotcams / Factory Effex / Hinson / No toil / SPP/ Dynojet / Spitwater/ Protaper / 100%
