Honda New Zealand's MX Team for 2011/2012

Bel-Ray Honda Motocross Team

Blue Wing Honda has revealed details of a new title sponsor for their highly successful four man Motocross team. Bel-Ray, a name long associated with off road racing in New Zealand have joined forces with Honda in what will now be known as the "Bel-Ray Honda Motocross Team”.

But it’s not just new oil for Justin McDonald, Michael Phillips, Peter Broxholme and Cameron Dillon this year. The New Zealand Bel-Ray distributor, Northern Accessories have also come to the party with a full complement of top line products that will have the riders and their bikes going fast, looking sharp and most importantly, staying safe.

Peter Finlay, Blue Wing Honda’s Events and Race Team Co-Ordinator:  "We are really happy to have been able to put this deal together with Bel-Ray. They have gotten right behind the team and the other brands we have partnered with are all very high quality too. This deal should give our guys the tools they need to be right up the front come race day.  The riders will wear Suomy Mr Jump MX helmets, quality Italian TCX boots and riding gear by Troy Lee Designs. Their bikes will all use Yoshimura exhaust pipes and PIM2 race ignitions, Renthal handlebars and grips and Braking oversized brake rotors, as well products from Zeta, Z-Carbon and DRC.

Steven Croad, Northern Accessories Sales and Marketing Manager:  "I am very happy to be working with Blue Wing Honda and the new MX team project. Bel-Ray has gone through 12 months of big changes, from the packaging and new range, to the International Riders that are now part of the Bel-Ray Family, and now to have the opportunity to work with Blue Wing Honda in New Zealand to increase the presence of the product in our own market. We are also excited to be able to offer a Bel-Ray starter pack to everyone who purchases a new 2012 CRF250R or CRF450R”.

The team will continue to use RK chains and sprockets and Pirelli tyres, products that have served them well over the years.

The first official outing for the Bel-Ray Honda Motocross team will be Whakatane’s annual Summercross on 27 December before the team heads South to contest the New Zealand Supercross Championships.

Edited copy courtesy of Peter Finlay, Events & Race Team Co-Ordinator, Blue Wing Honda Ltd.

---

Now back to full fitness and looking to re-engage the sport at the ultimate level, Ben Townley has agreed to terms to race for the Carlton Dry Honda race team in Australia throughout 2012 and also at selected high-profile events in his native New Zealand.

The 26-year-old Townley, a many-time former New Zealand Motocross and Supercross Champion, will race one of the new Honda CRF450 bikes at the big annual Summercross event, near Whakatane on 28 December, before also tackling the annual Woodville Motocross Grand Prix in January and then the four-round New Zealand Motocross Championships, starting in South Canterbury in February.

Townley won the MX2 world championships in Europe in 2004, finished world No.3 in the MX1 class in 2005 and followed that by winning the East Coast Lites Supercross title in the United States in 2007.  He also rode a Honda CRF450 to a thrilling race win while representing New Zealand at the Motocross of Nations in Denver, Colorado, in September last year, but a series of debilitating injuries have hampered his claim for international glory in more recent times.

Ben Townley:  "At the end of the day, it’s all about me getting the right equipment to get the job done and Honda in Australia and New Zealand were able to provide me with what I need to win races. I want to be winning ... I have missed that lately and now I’m ready to start winning again.”

Martin Wylie, Group Marketing Manager, Blue Wing Honda: "We are naturally delighted to have Ben Townley on board,” he said.  "He will be at all the major events in New Zealand, racing alongside our Honda Dealer Team riders. We are looking forward to an exciting season ahead.”

Peter Finlay, Race Team Co-ordinator:  "Blue Wing Honda is really happy to have Ben back on a CRF and we look forward to working with him throughout the year. This is really exciting news for all New Zealand motocross fans too. The racing this season is going to be truly world class,” said Finlay.

Pictured after putting ink to the new deal are (at left) Honda management staff Paul Stewart and Peter Finlay, Kiwi international racer Ben Townley and Honda Group Marketing Manager Martin Wylie.

Courtesy of Blue Wing Honda. Edited copy and image by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com.