Read all about it! Kiwi former World MX and AMA SX Lites Champion Ben Townley will race in Australia next year. Image: Alex Gobert.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing has officially announced that 2004 MX2 Motocross World Champion Ben Townley will ride in Australia full time next season.

Townley will join British MX1 Motocross Champion Brad Anderson at the factory Honda team, with the duo to contest the Open class onboard Honda’s CRF450R.

“It has taken some time to reach this point,” Townley admitted. “I was intent on racing in the USA again but things didn’t work out there, and during that time I’d had on going talks with Yarrive about racing for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing if things didn’t work out in America.

“I’m excited about 2012, it will be a new chapter for me and this team has already started to make some big changes that will put us in a position to be Australian champions. Honda make great motorcycles and with the equipment and structure they have here for me on both sides of the Tasman is great.

“Personally, I’ve watched the Aussie scene from afar for a while now and it seems like the whole sport and scene has elevated to a very high level from the events to the teams and also the exposure of it which I’m looking forward to being apart of, plus the bonus of living at home full time is pretty cool!”

The 27-year-old New Zealander boasts 12 New Zealand national titles, 13 World Motocross Championship Grand Prix wins and was the 2007 AMA Supercross Lites East Coast Champion.

While Townley suffered injury setbacks in 2008 and 2009, he proved to be an impressive force in 2010, finishing fourth overall in the 450 class of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship and winning the opening race of the MX of Nations.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing team principal Yarrive Konsky acknowledged Townley’s signing would give his team the best possible chance at championship success.

“I am a fan of racing, and have followed Ben’s career with great enthusiasm and appreciation for his achievements,” Konsky said.

“His attitude towards his racing, training and fans fits the teams dynamics perfectly. Having Ben on the team will only help. His wealth of knowledge and experience is priceless.

“Ben truly is the consummate professional and we look forward to mutually chasing after our common goals and objectives next year.”

Tony Hinton, general manager, Honda Motorcycles is thrilled that Townley will be on board a Honda in 2012.

“To have secured such an international talent is exciting for the Carlton Dry Thor Honda team and in fact for the whole motocross community in Australia,” Hinton said.

“Ben Townley’s experience and talent will put the team in a great position to challenge for the title and will also boost the profile of the sport, we are very excited about this.”


Townley will make his first official appearance for the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing Team at North Ipswich Stadium today for the final round of Super X where he will meet with sponsors and observe the team.