The Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team is hard at work preparing for the 21/22 New Zealand motocross season. Following on from a successful relationship in the 20/21 season Kawasaki NZ and Whites Powersports have doubled down and are taking the team to the next level.
Bridgestone continues to be the naming sponsor, providing the team with exceptionally competitive tyres, which provided many holeshot advantages last season. In conjunction with this, the team will now be representing some of Whites Powersports cornerstone brands in the form of Shoei Helmets, Fly Racing gear and Gaerne Boots to name a few.
“Whites really enjoyed last season working with Kawasaki NZ and the team, the businesses align very well and when the opportunity arose to kit the team out head to toe, it was simply a no brainer” stated Luke Mason – Group Marketing Manager of Whites Powersports.
“Working with Whites Powersports last season highlighted to me their staff’s dedication to motorcycling. Their level of professionalism is unparalleled which ushered the start of a seamless and integrated relationship.” Says Shane Verhoeven, owner/manager of the Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team.
“We’re incredibly excited to expand our partnership into apparel and riding gear, especially with such renowned brands”, he concludes.
This season sees Josiah Natzke return to The Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team on a mission, he will be in the saddle of the 2022 KX250 in the MX2 class, while new-comer Micah McGoldrick is taking the reins of the 2022 KX450 in MX1.
The teams first official appearance will be Labour Weekend Motocross held in Taupo on 24 October.
Zara Gray signs with Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team – 23 November ’21
The Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team is proud to announce the signing of Zara Gray for the 2021/2022 motocross season. Zara will contest New Zealand motocross events aboard her 2022 KX250.
Shane Verhoeven, team Owner/Manager says, “To have Zara on board representing Kawasaki and being a part of the Bridgestone Kawasaki Race Team, I couldn’t be prouder. She is truly genuine, has an addictive training attitude and achieves her goals. She will become a great asset to our team and will fit in really well. She will become a great role model for like-minded females in the sport of motocross. Peter Gray, Zara’s father will also be a welcome member to the team, and we look forward to working with Pete in creating the best opportunity we can for Zara.
Mike Cotter, General Manager for Kawasaki NZ has been instrumental in working with Pete, Zara, and her riding coach Ben Townley from Method Moto to put this all together.
The 18-year-old from Otorohonga says she’s looking forward to racing competitively and getting to know the team.
After claiming the Junior Women’s 12-16 years national MX title in 2019 with 5 wins from 5 starts, Zara is set to mix it up with the Senior women this season. With the arrival of the 2022 KX250 she will be busy getting acclimatised to her new bike in the lead-up to the season saying after her first shakedown, “it feels great, and I feel confident riding it”.
Zara will join team riders Josiah Natzke and Micah McGoldrick who have kicked off with notable pre-season results already; Natzke taking honours in MX2 at Taupo’s MX Fest over Labour Weekend.
Zara’s KX250 will be adorned with Bridgestone X10, X20 and X30 option tyres which she’s excited to try.
Zara’s first official appearance for the upcoming season will be at North King Country’s Waikato Champs event on 4th and 5th December and plans to race Summercross, Woodville GP and the NZ Motocross Nationals.
DECEMBER
- 27 December – Summercross – Whakatane
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
- 6 February – New Zealand Motocross Championship Round 1 – Otago
- 20 February – New Zealand Motocross Championship Round 2 – Rotorua
MARCH
- 20 March – New Zealand Motocross Championship Round 3 – Hawkes Bay
- 27 March – New Zealand Motocross Championship Round 4 – Taupo
MX2 RIDER PROFILE
JOSIAH NATZKE – #23
BIKE: 2022 KX250
Age: 23
Hometown: Hamilton
Based: Tauranga
MX1 RIDER PROFILE
MICAH MCGOLDRICK – #146
BIKE: 2022 KX450
Age: 25
Hometown: Rangiora
Based: Tauranga
Age Started riding: 6
Most memorable MX achievement: Racing in Europe and meeting Ken Roczen
Best result: 2015 Motocross Championship mx2 NZ3
Favourite track: RAT Track Motueka
Hobbies outside of mx: Seeing friends & family, golf, surfing, and walking my Dog
WMX RIDER PROFILE
ZARA GRAY – #118
BIKE: 2022 KX250
Age: 18
Hometown: Otorohonga
Age started riding: 10
Best Result: 1st – 12-16 Junior Women Nationals
Favourite Track: Tect Park, Tauranga
Hobbies outside of MX: Wakesurfing, snowboarding, spending time with family & friends
Planned events this season: Waikato champs, Summercross, Woodville GP, NZ MX Nationals
Favourite thing about your Kawasaki: After my first ride it feels great and I feel confident riding it
