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MNZ - Press Release:
Christchurch Hosts Premiere Junior Event:
On the same weekend that 19 year old Ben Townley (Taupo) contests round four of the World Motocross Championships in Holland, the NZ Junior Championships will be held in Amberley, north of Christchurch.
Townley, who has been on the world circuit for three years, currently leads the World 125(MX1) Series after three rounds. Josh Coppins (Motueka), will race at the same meeting, he is currently 4th in the world in the open class (MX2)
The protégés, numbering 277, will assemble in Christchurch on Friday for the 3 day meeting. The riders, aged between 8 and 17 years, have their aspirations being played out on the other side of the world.
Added to the individual successes, New Zealand finished fourth at the world teams event in Belgium last year and completed 2003 with towelling over Australia.
In 2003, Motorcycling New Zealand ring fenced a group of promising motocross riders in its High Performance Programme. In the best Kiwi tradition both Coppins and Townley worked with the elite young riders when they were home last summer, many of them will show their wares this weekend.
Racing this weekend starts Friday and goes through until Sunday. The 277 riders are a record and include 5 riders from Australia.
There should be plenty to celebrate by Sunday evening.
