Kirk Gibbs will enter the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals series as a favourite for the MX2 (Pro Lites) title, back again with the Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing Team.

MotoOnline.com.au called him up earlier today as the subject of our latest ‘Fast Thoughts’ feature section on the site, to get his input on five things motocross-related.

Ben Townley returning to America…
I reckon it’s half his luck. That’s where he wanted to be, but couldn’t get what he wanted over there and came here. Obviously he’s gone home and gotten healthy after a bad streak of injuries, so now he’s back on track. He can definitely run with those top guys and has already shown that – speed wouldn’t be a problem. It’s just a matter of being there all season.

The 2012 MX Nationals formats…
I don’t mind it. It’s not traditional 30-30, but at least we have a race that’s close the 30 minutes there at 14 laps or whatever it is. It’s a bit more for the big guys. It still has the back-to-back motos in there so it’s still about getting starts, but the longer race will help if you don’t get the best of starts or have a little slip. It gives you the chance to charge back and I just think it’s better, shows a little more endurance. Especially with us being first, the track’s going to be a little bit smoother for our races, so it’s going to be easier to go fast for seven or eight laps.

Metal Mulisha getting behind Serco Yamaha…
They’re a great bunch of guys and I hadn’t heard much about it until the last couple of weeks, then obviously you guys have found out as well. I’m stoked, it might even open doors for going to America because obviously the Yamaha team over there is Metal Mulisha as well. They’re throwing a lot of support behind us and you can’t complain when people just want to support and help the team out.

Return of Conondale to outdoor schedule…
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Conondale. It is good and I like the natural terrain track. It’s a bit grassy so it’s definitely slick when there is a bit of water on it in the mornings, but it turns out good. It’s like an old Thumper Nats track, brings back a bit of old school when I would be growing up watching the top guys do Thumper Nats and stuff. Hopefully we can have a good one this weekend.

MX1 (Pro Open) title favourite…
I probably would have said Townley, but now he’s going out, I’m going to have to say Josh Coppins. He definitely proved he was there last year, he was consistent all year and it was just the last two races after he had that crash that he lost it when he was 18 points up. So, I’m going to say Josh Coppins now that Townley’s out.