Motorsport: A different brand of World Motocross rider

Hamish Dobbyn is looking forward to the world champs at Taupo. Photo / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

A change of bike brand just weeks before the biggest race weekend of their careers? What were Hamish Dobbyn and Matt Hunt thinking?

Warkworth's Dobbyn and Gisborne's Hunt have each switched brands in the past few days, Warkworth's Dobbyn changing from Yamaha to Kawasaki and Gisborne's Hunt from Suzuki to Kawasaki.

The 17-year-old Dobbyn is not one to rush into things and, having been a fierce Yamaha stalwart for many years, winning numerous races and earning the respect of championship rivals all across the land, it came as a shock when he announced last week that he was switching to Kawasaki.

Both Dobbyn and Hunt are among the elite 24 riders who have been selected to represent New Zealand at the RoadCraft FIM Junior World Motocross Championships at Taupo on August 15-16.

The 17-year-old Hunt, one of New Zealand's most successful junior motocross racers over the years, with a staggering seven junior titles (five motocross and two supercross) to his name, said he simply "felt like it was time for a change".

"The Kawasaki is very good straight out of the box and I've had great support from Gisborne bike shop CGM Motorcycles. I've had three rides on the KX250F and it felt good straight away."

Dobbyn joins the successful Fly Team Green race team, while Hunt is happy to be a privateer rider but time is running out for them to be sharp for the Taupo event.

Fortunately, these two young men are both quick learners and Dobbyn says the "Kawasaki is a very friendly bike".

"I've been out on the Kawasaki KX250F five times now and it really feels like it's my bike now, not a stranger's bike at all," said Dobbyn.

"I've had a couple of months away from serious racing as I try to heal completely from an earlier injury and my shoulder is still a bit sensitive but my strength is building up day by day. I'll be 100 per cent by August 14.

"Fly Team Green manager Mike Cotter (Cambridge) and my new mechanic Craig Guy (Napier) have been working a lot with me and I'm feeling very confident ahead of the world champs.

"I have been so lucky also to be getting help in my training from Ben Townley."

Taupo's Townley won the MX2 world crown in 2004 and then raced a Kawasaki KX250F to great success in the United States in 2007, winning the East Coast Lites Supercross crown and coming within an ace of also winning the 250cc outdoor motocross title.

"Ben was really straight with me; without getting into a structured team environment, I didn't stand a chance," said Dobbyn.

"Dad and I were doing our best but bike set-up, disciplined training practices and all the rest that comes from being in a team environment were missing. But I also can't say enough about the support I've had from Yamaha and, incredibly, I still do. They have been supportive of my move and are still offering me advice. They're great people.

"I'm really looking forward now to the world champs at Taupo. I love that track and usually go pretty well there."