Motorex KTM’s Todd Waters has joined a list of greats with his overall win on debut at this year’s annual Manjimup 15,000 in Western Australia.

Lining up against a stacked field of national, local and international riders, the current Monster Energy MX Nationals MX1 series leader earned himself a coveted place on the clubhouse honour role.

Waters earned his win using a second place finish and three wins in the four six-lap race format, only to be beaten once by his Motorex KTM teammate Kirk Gibbs.

Gibbs, also a first-timer to the Cosy Creek circuit, won the first moto of the day following a huge holeshot before finishing second to Waters in the following three motos.

Local KTM rider Jamie Law made it an orange trifecta on the podium in third place overall, followed by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont, three-time winner of the event, in fourth. Rounding out the top five was Josh Adams.

The demands of the iconic circuit, which blends deep, energy-sapping sand whoops with famous WA pea-gravel over hard pack caught out AMA Motocross top-10 rider Weston Peick, who crashed out of the event.

Waters was inspired by the Manjimup clubhouse and used it as inspiration to push for his first-ever win at the famous event.

“Manjimup was a really good experience,” said Waters. “The biggest thing is the clubhouse, the memorabilia there is something special!

“It’s this heritage listed clubhouse that’s been there for years and years and you walk in and there are a heap of photos of all the life members and the Des Nations. Leisky’s [Jeff Leisk] on the wall there and guys like Craig Anderson and Andrew McFarlane.

“It was a real inspiration to win it. I wanted to be one of those guys on that list.”

Waters is impressed by his teammate Gibbs’ performance and enjoys having a close teammate who he can battle with out on the track.

“Kirk stepping it up was good and very exciting for KTM,” he added. “I love competition and having a team mate like Kirk who I get along with but am also able to race closely with is great.”

2013 Manjimup 15,000
Cosy Creek, WA

Overall results:
1. Todd Waters 97
2. Kirk Gibbs 91
3. Jamie Law 72
4. Jay Marmont 67
5. Josh Adams 53
6. Louis Calvin 51
7. Kyle Webster 51
8. Charlie Creech 38
9. Paul Humberston 37
10. Travis Freistat 3