With the off-season in full effect, MotoOnline.com.au looks back at a number of memorable Aussie-related racing moments that caught our attention in 2012.

World Class
Former world champion Ben Townley entered the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals with blistering speed and incredible form, the New Zealander blitzing the MX1 field on his way to the Conondale round one victory. Unfortunately a crash during practice at Coonabarabran’s round two would see him forced to sit out the entire motocross season due to the serious hip injury he sustained. Still, his form at the opener was enough to rank him as title favourite in 2013.

Coppins’ Crown
After an illustrious career at the highest level of our sport, Josh Coppins announced he would retire at the end of the 2012 season, but not before he took home Australia’s premier motocross championship. The New Zealand native finished his career in dominant fashion, clinching the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals MX1 title at the final round in Coolum.

Makeham Makes It
Kale Makeham’s come from behind victory in the Under 19s 2012 Terex Australian Supercross Championships was one of the season’s major upsets. The KTM 250 SX two-stroke mounted rider stole the title away from Honda’s Hayden Mellross in the final main even of the year, winning by just one point. Makeham’s win made it a two-stroke sweep of both the supercross and motocross U19s series’ in 2012, with Kayne Lamont taking the outdoor crown aboard his KTM premix machine.

Podium Performance
Matt Moss’ breakthrough podium performance at the San Diego round of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series had the Australian fans on their feet cheering. Aboard the JDR/J-Star/KTM at the time, it was Moss’ first ever podium in the US, as well as the Australian-owned team’s.

Sweeping Debut
18-year-old Luke Clout returned from a lengthy stay in America to sweep the Moree Under 19s Monster Energy MX Nationals round on debut. His perfect 1-1-1 sweep stunned many and caught the attention his now current Lites class ride for 2013, the Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing team. He’ll no doubt be a title contender in the MX Nationals next year as an MX2 rookie.

Home Run
Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale wrapped up the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals MX2 title by the slimmest of margins at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, his hometown race. Dale battled with serious title threats Luke Styke and Josh Cachia throughout the series, making his maiden MX2 title a hard-fought and well deserved one. In the end, just six points separated the trio after the title went down to the wire.

Rookie Wonders
With our leading international Australian riders out injured for the 2012 MXoN event in Belgium, Australia sent a team of rookies to the deep sands of Lommel which consisted of Todd Waters, Lawson Bopping and Luke Styke. The youthful team did exceptionally well on debut, bringing home a 10th place overall finish for our country and gaining valuable experience for seasons to come.

Marmont’s Mission
After a tough 2012 outdoor season, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont entered the 2012 Terex Australian Supercross Championships with a hard-fought win over CDR Yamaha’s Dan McCoy at the opening round in Dubbo. It was a clutch victory for Marmont in the closing laps, marking his first and only win of 2012, but the boost in speed and confidence proved vital as he carried on to clinch the 2012 supercross premier class title.

Island Awareness
For the first time ever in 2012, a supercross event was run alongside a MotoGP event at the world famous Phillip Island circuit for round two of the 2012 Terex Australian Supercross Championships. This truly put the series on the map, receiving attention from worldwide media and athletes alike, with riders such as Valentino Rossi in the Monster Energy VIP area cheering on his friend Chad Reed as he took his first win of the season on debut.

Reed’s Revival
TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed was in his element at Newcastle’s season finale of the 2012 Terex Australian Supercross Championships, the former American and world supercross champion dominating the SX-Open main even to win by half a lap over his closest rival. Reed looked energized, fast and comfortable as he looks to carry his momentum into Anaheim’s opening round of the US supercross series next month. Newcastle also marked cousin Craig Anderson’s official retirement, making the night even sweeter being surrounded by friends and family at their home round.