Ben Townley racing 2007 MX Lites finishing second behind Ryan Villopoto – a remarkable turn-around of NZ’s SX/MX history with Cole Davies heading into 2026 AMA 250 MX on May 30. Coming full circle, Cole broke Ben’s long running record as NZ’s first rider to win AMA 250SX East Championship in 2007 by winning the exact same Title 19 years later at Round 15 in Philadelphia on April 26. Now, continuing the legacy of kiwi rider’s claiming victory in America’s premier Championships, Cole heads into the Outdoor season – the same race schedule as Ben in 2007.
The uncanny resemblance of their racing career milestones extends further with BT coaching Davies in his early years of training in NZ along with both rider’s and their families making huge sacrifices for them to race in America. As BT states after winning 2007 250SX East Championship: ”’this is a dream come true. My family came in from New Zealand and it’s really special. We all worked so hard…to give me the best bike out there and it’s so gratifying to give them the number one plate. To win this Championship in my first season is amazing”‘. Credit: RacerX. And for Cole: ‘”this Title means everything to me. I’ve kind of spent my whole life coming towards this moment. All the sacrifices my family have made to get me here – it’s all paid off. I’m stoked and this means everything to me”‘.
With Ben taking the 2007 250SX East Championship and his then team-rider – Monster Energy Pro/Circuit Kawasaki Ryan Villopoto winning ’07 250SX West Title – Ben’s guidance and mentorship for Cole has been invaluable. Relaying first-hand experience and knowledge from battling the sport’s multi-time Champion – with RV racking up 9 AMA SX/MX Championships – Cole has put all advice given to best possible use competing against the elite SX and MX rider’s of the world.
Heading into AMA 250 MX Opening Round at Pala in 2 weeks time, BT’s comments on winning Round One 250 MX at Hangtown in 2007 are remarkably pertinent for Cole’s up-coming race. As Ben states: ‘”I really didn’t know what to expect…my season started well and I got a lot of momentum from Supercross although I got caught up in the first moto and didn’t ride how I should have. I was frustrated and went back and assessed the race with the guys and we changed a few settings on the bike. The hole-shot helped a lot. I got the lead and rode really consistently, put my laps down and picked some good lines. Once I got into my own rhythm I rode like I know how and it was a whole different Ben Townley out there”‘. Credit: Silver Bullet NZ.
With BT going 2-1 at the Opener in 2007 and RV finishing 1-2 – the battle on the track played out across the entire 12 Rounds with Villopoto taking ultimate victory and Ben finishing second in the 2007 AMA 250 MX Championship. For Cole, having only raced 2 Rounds Outdoors in 2025 due to recovering from injury, the challenges faced and overcome to claim his first AMA 250SX East Championship will surely outweigh any doubts on whether the likeable kiwi can produce pointy end results from gate drop at Pala to the Final Round in Indiana on August 29.
Header photo: Ben Townley winning AMA 250 MX opening Round at Hangtown in 2007. Image: Vital MX.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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