Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing has outlined its initial development schedule in the lead-up to the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals, the all-new 2013 CRF450R revamped from the ground up ahead of the new season.

The team will field title favourite Ben Townley alongside current MX2 champion Ford Dale next year as the team focuses its efforts on the premier MX1 class, with bike development vital ahead of April’s season opener at Raymond Terrace.

Team owner Yarrive Konsky has confirmed Townley has taken delivery of the 2013 CRF450R in New Zealand, with official pre-season testing due to take place mid-December. Townley will then defend his NZ title, which kicks off near Timaru on 10 February.

“Initial testing will take place through the 13th to the 16th of December as Ben’s planned to come down for four days,” Konsky explained. “Initial testing will be suspension, tyres, fuel management and exhausts. From there, we’ll take the information that Ben provides us and start preparing the bike.”

Meanwhile, injured Queenslander Dale continues to recover from knee surgery, expected to begin his preparations for the MX Nationals when he returns to riding toward the end of January. That further magnifies the importance of Townley’s testing program.

“We’ll most likely have our entire team in New Zealand for testing, utilising their nationals for those tests,” he added. “Ford won’t be back on the bike untl late January, so we need to work closely with Ben to get everything underway.”

The team has confirmed that long time Honda technician Pip Harrison will join the team full time next year in engine and suspenion development, the team to be managed by former Raceline Pirelli Suzuki manager Chris Woods. Mike Landman will also remain in a senior position at the team, working closely with the riders throughout the season.

Chad Reed, based out of the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing semi, debuted the 2013 CRF450R in Australia during supercross, winning all three rounds he contested on his way to third in the series.