Ben Townley
NZ rider Ben Townley claimed multiple Ntaional Championships in
New Zealand before moving to Europe and campaigning the MX2-GP
World Championships. In 2002 he joined the Vangani Racing
Team which was fondly referred to as the 'dream team'.
Townley and his team mates Tyla Rattray and tanel Leok, all sitll
teenagers, scorched to Top 10 results GP after GP. Townley
scored his first GP victory at the GP of Sweden and continued his
good form at the Champ KTM team in 2003 making his mark as a
definate world championship contender. In 2004, riding the
prototype KTM 250SXF, Townley won the MX2 World Championship.
2005 saw Townley move up to the MX1-GP class aboard a 450cc
KTM. He won several GPs in the premier division in his rookie
season and finished 3rd. In 2005 Townley and fellow NZer Josh
Coppins represented their country at the Motocross des
Nations. Townley then moved to the USA and became a member of
the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Team. After a knee injury
sitting him out for the 2006 season he returned to the Supercross
Cahmpionship in 2007 winning the 2007 Supercross Lites East
championship. Ben Townley and team mate Ryan Villopoto kept
the race points close during the 2007 Motocross series with Townley
finishing a close second to his team mate. Townley signed up
with Team Honda Red Bull Racing in 2008 for the 2008
Supercross/Motocross season but an injury meant he missed the
indoor season. He then missed the entire 2009 season due to a
string of injuries. In 2010 he entered the AMA Pro Motocross
series and had great success throughout the rounds with several
strong results including 2nd overall at Thunder valley and 3rd
overall at Red Bud. Townley finished the championship in
4th