Only weeks before flying to Europe to compete in the first three rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship, former MX2 World Champion Ben Townley has thrown his full support behind the Taupo Motorcycle Club’s bid for a Motocross Grand Prix in New Zealand.

The Taupo Motorcycle Club has been granted hosting rights for a round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in New Zealand from 2012 – 2014 (which would be known as the Grand Prix of New Zealand), and has applied to the Government for Major Events funding.

“Hosting a Grand Prix in New Zealand from 2012 – 2014 will be the biggest ever event for motorcycling in New Zealand – it will positively impact on New Zealand’s ability to produce future world champions and will showcase New Zealand and its beauty to the world,” said Townley, winner of the 2004 FIM MX2 World Championship, the 2007 AMA Supercross Lites East championship and twelve New Zealand titles.

“As a very proud Kiwi, I am often asked about my country and its culture. New Zealand is looked upon as a special corner of the world – a destination that many people wish to travel to.”

“An event like this would showcase New Zealand’s beautiful scenery and culture and provide an excuse for international motocross spectators to make a trip to the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’”

“It will provide motocross fans with a chance to see the stars of the sport in their backyard and allow top New Zealand riders to compete at the highest level,” said Geoff Hall, President of the Taupo Motorcycle Club.

“However, this is bigger than just motocross – this will deliver real economic and business benefits to Taupo and New Zealand and it is estimated that the beauty of New Zealand will be screened to approximately 63 million people across the world,”

“We have support from the Taupo District Council, local MP Louise Upston, the President of Youthstream (the promotional arm of the FIM, and Motorcycling New Zealand, however we are dependent on Major Events funding to bring this event to New Zealand,”

“With assistance from Central Government from 2012 – 2014, this event will be self-funding by 2015, and we will be able to deliver this event to New Zealand without any Government assistance.”

In 2009, the cumulative television audience of FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme ) Motocross World Championship was 1.09 billion viewers and 3.8 million followed the Championship via live-streaming on the internet.

The Taupo Motorcycle Club is renowned throughout the world for its ability to host high quality international events – on the back of the success of international events in 2006 and 2008 and the 2009 RoadCraft Junior World Championships, the Club was granted hosting rights for Grand Prixs in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

25 year old Townley will race for the Martin Honda factory team in Grand Prixs in Bulgaria, Italy and The Netherlands – it will be his first appearance on European soil in over three years. He is expected to be a serious threat to championship hopefuls after battling motocross legend Stefan Everts and countryman Josh Coppins for the MX1 title in 2005.

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