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Talented New Zealand brothers Levi and Jaggar Townley will make a high-profile move to America with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing in 2027, signing multi-year deals to contest amateur motocross in the US.

The sons of former 250SX East champion Ben Townley arrive after a successful stint in Europe, where Levi claimed the 2024 FIM 85cc Junior Motocross World Championship, while Jaggar finished third in the 2025 EMX85 series and second at the 2026 YZ BLU CRU SuperFinale.

This year saw Levi’s EMX125 campaign with MJC Yamaha disrupted by injury, forcing him to miss the opening four rounds before returning with fifth in France. He went on to claim a podium with P3 at Foxhills, eventually finishing 11th in the standings despite missing the finale in Turkey.

Levi, 16, will now step up to the YZ250F to contest 250A and Open Pro Sport divisions, alongside an SMX Next campaign. In addition, 14-year-old Jaggar will compete in the B/C and Schoolboy 1 classes aboard a Star Racing-prepared YZ125.

“I’m really excited – I can’t wait, really,” said Levi. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was little to come to America and race, and obviously to do it with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is super exciting. It’s one of the best teams – if not the best team – right now in America, so it’s super exciting to be able to come over here and race on this team.”

Jaggar added: “I’m really excited to come over to the US. It’s a dream come true, and to ride for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is a really awesome opportunity. We’ve had a couple of days already, and the bike’s amazing, and the team has been really supportive.”

The move marks a milestone in their developing careers, following a similar path to their father, who contested the European circuit – claiming the 2004 MX2 World Championship – before heading stateside with Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team in 2006.

Joining the Townleys at Star Racing is American prospect Easton Graves, who impressed in the 2026 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s by claiming the Supermini 2 title and finishing runner-up in Supermini 1. All three will line up alongside returning rider Carson Wood, who also made three 250MX appearances this season.

The Townley brothers’ first official outing with the Star Racing amateur program is scheduled for the 54th annual Thor Mini Olympics at Gatorback Cycle Park in Florida, running from November 21-28.