An exciting new partnership between New Zealand‰Ûªs top men of motocross will deliver an exciting triple punch to the sport this season.
Former world champion, American champion and national motocross champion Ben Townley will go from being the greatest threat to motocross ace Cody Cooper to being his greatest asset when the new motocross season gets underway in just a few weeks‰Ûª time.
Tauranga‰Ûªs Townley, Mount Maunganui‰Ûªs national MX1 champion Cooper and Waikato businessman Phil Empson have joined forces to establish The Honda Shop Racing Team, basing itself around the Te Awamutu, Cambridge and Putaruru areas.
With last season‰Ûªs champion Cooper to ride the impressive Honda CRF450 in the MX1 class, his former rival Townley to manage him and Empson providing massive support, along with Honda, Cooper is confident of making a successful title defence when the 2014 nationals kick off in February.
Cooper will have a team-mate to ride in the MX2 (250cc) class, but that individual is yet to be confirmed.
The national championships ‰ÛÒ as well as major stand-alone events such as the Waikato Motocross Championships in two weeks‰Ûª time, the popular Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas and the big annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville in late January ‰ÛÒ will be the main focus for the team.
‰ÛÏPhil (Empson) has had a significant stake in the region with his dealership team over the past few seasons and it has always been a goal of his to take it another step further,‰Û
