Gareth Swanepoel is Carlton Dry Honda’s most recent import. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Carlton Dry Honda Racing faces a race against time to secure two riders for the remainder of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, which resumes next weekend at Hervey Bay in Queensland.

With Josh Cachia undergoing dual wrist surgery this week to repair long-standing injuries and South African guest Gareth Swanepoel also uncertain after sustaining wrist injuries of his own, the factory Honda team could require as many as two new riders for the season remainder.

The team originally had Ben Townley and Ford Dale signed for the MX1 category, while Cachia was an 11th-hour addition in MX2 after returning from the US. Townley made a shock decision to retire before the opening round in April, prompting the team to sign Daniel McCoy on a round-by-round basis.

Since then Dale has been forced out with a knee injury, McCoy departed due to financial reasons and Cachia finally opted for an operation after struggling through the early parts of the 2013 campaign.

Swanepoel was a promising option in place of McCoy aboard the CRF450R, however he too is currently undergoing medical examinations on a wrist injury from Appin, which has since been cleared of any fractures. An appearance at Hervey Bay is yet to be decided.

“We’re definitely reviewing our position at the moment and we do have support riders on Hondas throughout the country that we are considering,” team owner Yarrive Konsky said.

“We have plenty of people on support rides, as well as the opportunity to bring somebody out for the remaining Motocross and Supercross in the Lites division.

“We will have somebody representing us in the Lites, and although we will make a decision, we will not make a rushed decision. If I had two 450 riders I’d probably just go with it, but there is an expectation there that we run a two-rider team – there’s pressure there to find somebody.”

Capable Honda-backed support riders include the likes of part-time experienced Victorian Cheyne Boyd, or potentially a return of McCoy to the team. McCoy still has a Honda practice bike at his base in Sydney, but has also been linked to a number of teams this week.

Former MX Nationals privateer campaigner Peter Boyle has also enjoyed a lengthy relationship with Konsky and the team, recently impressing with a podium finish at the Hattah Desert Race. He too could be a surprise addition to the squad.

Queensland rising star Jacob Wright was also in the frame for a seat earlier this season, but he too is currently recuperating from a broken collarbone picked up during the mid-season break.

Speculation that former world champion Townley will make a comeback of sorts have been squashed by Konsky, the Kiwi not expected to return at any stage during the final four outdoor rounds.

American Gavin Faith, who won the Australian Supercross Lites Championship for Carlton Dry Honda Racing in 2012, is expected to return for Supercross, but has ruled out an early appearance in the outdoors.