Source: Supplied.

Australian talents Hunter and Jett Lawrence have signed a long-term contract with Kawasaki to compete within a new youth structure set up by the Monster Energy Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team.

The Lawrence brothers have been dominant in Australia with 11 national titles between them, now set to transfer to Europe in a bid to establish themselves on the world stage.

Hunter, 16, finished second in the 85cc FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in 2013 and third in the 125cc class this year, while 12-year-old Jett is the 2014 65cc world champion.

“Europe has always been my main goal since I first raced the junior world championship in Italy,” Hunter explained. “I love the tracks, the different cultures and racing lots of fast riders. Europe produces so many amazing champions and I have always wanted to have a chance to grow in the environment that the European motocross scene provides.

“In Australia we don’t have the population to get a lot of fast riders on the line – there is usually one or two really fast riders, but not half the field like in Europe, so that provides more challenges which I love. I believe Europe is a great opportunity to see how far my career can go.”

Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team owner Jean Jacques Luisetti said it was a unique opportunity to work with the Lawrence family as they move their family across the world from Australia to Europe.

“For several years already we have worked on the possibility to bring young hopefuls into the team, to prepare them for the MX2 world championship,” he said. “Our friend Ben Townley recommended Hunter and Jett to us. They have amazing riding style, speed and ability despite their young ages.”

Darren Lawrence – father of Hunter and Jett – is excited to see his sons take the next step in their young careers: “The opportunity Kawasaki has given our family is a dream come true for us, not only do we get to race over in Europe we get to do it on a brand of bike and team that has worldwide proven success.

“So to be able to join the Kawasaki factory team is unbelievable and we are really excited to be able to learn and grow with the team to hopefully return a world championship back to Kawasaki in the future. We can never thank Kawasaki enough for this opportunity, it means so much.”

The 2015 season will see Hunter contest the European-based EMX250 series on board a KX250F, while Jett will spend the year competing in 85cc across Europe as part of his development process.