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Contributed by: Ian Miles.
COPPINS & TOWNLEY HEAD STATESIDE
New Zealand’s motocross heroes Josh Coppins and Ben Townley line up in the USA this weekend.
Taking the opportunity to spread their wings during a one-month break in the European-based world championship, the pair will ride a US national outdoor event at Unadilla in upstate New York.
Coppins, current number two in the glamour 250 world champs, will line up a Honda CR250R for the American Plano team.
Meanwhile 17-year-old Townley becomes a factory KTM rider for the weekend on an SX125.[Grant Langston`s KTM.]
The bikes are similar to those ridden by the expat Kiwi aces in Europe. And both already have experience in American racing this year.
But the pair, close friends off the circuit, come to the States with very different recent memories.
Embattled by a heavyweight doping charge after taking a lightweight hay fever tablet, then suspended and left without a bike for a fortnight by his Italian Honda team, 25-year-old Coppins still turned up trumps with a fighting second behind runaway world 250 champion Mickael Pichon at the Swedish Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
At the same event 125 class sensation Townley claimed his maiden grand prix victory, and the first for his Big Five Vangani KTM team, hinting at a late run for this year’s title.
Then last weekend the youngster cleaned up the 125 class at a Dutch national round.
“Josh and I both decided it’s best to have a good tough event in the middle of the championship break, to keep in form and stay focused,” said Townley. “Josh had targeted Unadilla for a long time, then when Kurt Nicoll from KTM offered me the chance a fortnight ago I leapt at it. “I wasn’t totally happy with the sixth and eighth placings I got when I was here at Budds Creek last month, I think I can do better now that I have a better idea of the US conditions and competition.”
For Coppins the event is his first US outdoor motocross, although he rode indoor supercross races on the west coast last January.
“It’s great to get away from some of the hassles in Europe and just do what I love, racing my bike,” commented Motueka-born Coppins. “And to have Ben there as well makes it better yet, a real racing holiday. “I was pretty envious when Ben came out to the States for that race a few weeks ago. “I’ll be watching his races closely and I’m sure he’ll keep an eye on me … he always gives me cheek if I make a mistake.”
Coppins has confirmed he will race the Grand Prix of Belgium on 4 August, the day before he faces a court hearing in Switzerland on the doping charge laid after the GP of Austria last month.
Townley will also contest the Belgian event at Genk, the first in the final series of four GPs in this year’s 12-round championship. The youngster from Taupo can expect close attention from fans and competitors alike after his stunning win last time out.
Qualifying at Unadilla is on Saturday with two races for each class on Sunday.
