Carlton Dry Honda Racing has ticked another box in its preparation for the Australian MX Nationals, with new signing Ben Townley (right) dominating proceedings in the opening round of the New Zealand MX Championships in South Canterbury over the weekend.

Townley won all three races in a convincing display, verifying the factory Honda team’s development path as the clock ticks down towards the MX Nationals April start date. His victory over countryman and leading contender Josh Coppins sends a warning to rival riders that he is in championship-winning form.

Ben Townley:
“There is no better training than racing. It’s difficult to simulate the intensities of a race in practice, so this type of preparation is priceless. We started testing early near the team’s base in Carrum, Victoria. The team put in a big effort prior to Christmas and it shows.

“I have so much confidence in my 2012 CRF 450R, it’s a completely different bike to the 2010 Honda I raced in America. Honda has really done a great job balancing the bike out and I am feeling at one with it.”

The motorcycles Townley will race on for the remainder of the New Zealand championship are identical to those being built in the team’s Australian workshop.

The experience and race data gained will aid in the development of the Open class machine, which is undergoing rigorous testing on home soil with British champion Brad Anderson on board.

Carlton Dry Honda Racing’s 2012 campaign will be boosted by a technical alliance with Chad Reed’s TwoTwo Motorsports outfit, which races with the factory backing of Honda in the ultra-competitive AMA Pro Motocross and AMA/World Supercross Championships.

The teams will work closely to ensure the Honda CRF 450R is at its competitive best.

Team manager, Mike Landman said: “Blue Wing Honda in New Zealand, Honda Australia and the Carlton Dry Honda team are working together in an effort to give Ben the opportunity to race competitively in New Zealand.  We have built him two identical race bikes to the ones he will race with in Australia with the help of his New Zealand mechanic Blair and suspension technician Jimmy."

Townley’s next outing will be in a fortnight at Patetonga.