The saying ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ certainly rings true in the Townley household, with former supercross and motocross star Ben handing down his riding talent to his sons.

Tauranga’s Levi,14, and Jaggar,12, demonstrated they are both have a bright future in the Kiwi motocross scene by winning their respective classes at the 2024 New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships on Sunday.

Held in the Manawatu region, the AFC Motorcycles-sponsored three-day event was hosted at the sandy Flipp’s Motocross Park circuit.

Battling his way around the technical track and the cream of the country’s young motocross talent, Levi won the 13-16 years 85cc championship on his Yamaha YZ85.

Then displaying his versatility got onboard a custom-built 112cc-engined motorbike and went out and won the 12-14 years 125cc class title as well.

His younger brother Jaggar was involved in a tight tussle for the 11-12 years 85cc crown and emerged victorious by one point over Connor Feather.

Yamaha rider Jaggar Townley claimed the 11-12 years 85cc national title on his YZ85. Photo: CD Photography.

Father Ben was on-hand to support his boys and says Jaggar’s title went “all the way down to the wire”.

“He managed to claw his way back in moto 4. He went down in the first corner and got back up to second place, which salvaged his shot at the championship. In the last moto he finished second and was able to win the championship.”

“Levi in 13 to 16 years class clean swept all the motos and rode really well. Then in the 12 to 14 125 class there was some epic racing between him and fellow Yamaha rider Auckland’s Jack Ellingham and Maz Parkes.”

“Jack was riding really well over the weekend. Although, at times, a little inconsistent and he had one major crash, which he was able to pick himself up from to finish second in the championship,” says Ben.

He adds that other Yamaha riders that performed well were Clevedon’s Jayden McKenzie, who finished third in the 15 to 16 125 class and Levi Rodgers, of Tokoroa, which achieved the same podium position in the 8 – 11 years class.

Mikayla Griffiths also had a great result in the 12-16 years Women 125cc/250F class where she finished runner-up on her Yamaha YZ250F.

Altherm JCR Yamaha Team Manager Josh Coppins was at the event and appreciated the bLUcRU support provided for Yamaha customers by the new Palmerston North dealership AFC Motorcycles.

“We had our senior mechanic Nabe on hand to assist, which was really good for the customer network,” says Josh.

He congratulated the Townley siblings on their national titles and was pleased by the Yamaha representation across many of the classes.

The Townley family. Photo: CD Photography.

Along with their father, Josh can trace the start of his hugely successful overseas racing career back to his junior motocross racing days.

Altherm JCR Yamaha team members - current national MX2 champion James Scott and 2023 MX1 title holder Maximus Purvis - also began their soaring racing trajectories back at a junior level.

“The future certainly looks bright and we are looking forward to working with all these riders for their endeavours over the coming years. Whether that’s in New Zealand, or internationally, we will be trying to progress the next world champion,” says Josh.

Ben wrapped up by thanking the Manawatu Motorcycle Club for their good management of the “really gnarly sand track”, so that it was challenging, but still safe for the young riders.

AFC MOTORCYCLES NZ JUNIOR MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS:

11-12 years 85cc

1st Jaggar Townley (YZ85) – 111

2nd Connor Feather – 110

3rd Harry Daly – 108

12-14 years 125cc

1st Levi Townley (YZ85) – 115

2nd Jack Ellingham (YZ125) – 106

3rd Maz Parkes – 102

12-16 years Women 125cc/250F

1st Karaitiana Horne – 125

2nd Mikayla Griffiths (YZ250F) – 108

3rd Ruby Leech – 95

4th Breanna Rodgers (YZ250F) – 92

13-16 years 85cc

1st Levi Townley (YZ85) – 125  

2nd Bodie Court

3rd Bo Phillips

14-16 years 250F

1st Phoenix Van Dusschoten – 117

2nd Kayden Strode – 108

3rd Hayden Draper – 106

4th Nixon Parkes (YZ250F) – 90

15-16 years 125cc

1st Seth Morrow – 125

2nd Kayden Strode – 104

3rd Jayden McKenzie (YZ125) – 104

8-11 years 65cc

1st Nico Verhoeven – 122

2nd Mason Ezergailia – 111

3rd Levi Rodgers (YZ65) – 100