Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing has announced that Ben Townley will return from injury in time for this weekend’s season-opening round of the Terex Australian Supercross Championships at Dubbo on Saturday, 13 October.

Townley is eager to race again and is hoping to be able show the speed which made him a frontrunner at the start of the year, before he was seriously injured at the Coonabarabran round of the MX Nationals.

“I’m just looking forward to getting behind the start gates again, it’s been a long time between drinks for me,” said Townley.

“It’s been very wet in New Zealand and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to stay and train with Ford [Dale] up on the Sunshine Coast where the weather has been amazing.

“I haven’t raced a supercross championship for a few years, the biggest thing for me and the team is to get out there and race four solid events and build on that foundation for 2013.”

The former world champion is well-credentialed in supercross, picking up the 2007 American East Coast Lites Supercross Championship.

Townley and younger teammate Dale have formed a strong bond during the past nine months, and have spent much of their training time together.

2012 MX2 Australian Motocross Champion Dale will campaign a Honda CRF450R for the first time during the supercross championship and, given the momentum behind him, is sure to be a podium contender.