The Honda factory in the United States has confirmed that Australian Hunter Lawrence will join his brother Jett Lawrence in the 450cc class for the motocross nationals in 2024.
The just-crowned 250SX East and Pro Motocross 250 Champion will move up to premier class where he will probably consider his younger brother as his main rival. Jett Lawrence won the 450cc title this year.
Hunter Lawrence will compete in the AMA Supercross, AMA Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross series.
The 24-year-old Australian, who last season earned crowns in the 250SX East Region and 250 outdoor series, will campaign the factory Honda CRF450RWE alongside his 20-year-old sibling Jett Lawrence.
A native of Landsborough, Queensland, Australia, Hunter raced Downunder and in Europe before signing with American Honda’s Factory Connection satellite squad for the 2019 season.
He was promoted to Team Honda HRC for 2021, and after his first two years with Honda’s factory squad saw him finish second and third in the indoor and outdoor series, respectively, he delivered championships in both series in 2023.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my 250 career, but it’s exciting to move up to the premier class for 2024,” Hunter Lawrence said.
“I feel like my style is well-suited for the CRF450RWE, and off-season testing has been going well so far. I enjoyed battling with Jett in the 250 class before he moved up, and I’m looking forward to doing that again now that we’re both on the big bike. I’ve got a great team around me, and I can’t wait to get back in action at Anaheim 1.”
“It’s a pleasure to move Hunter up to the CRF450RWE,” added Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Experiential Marketing at American Honda.
“Since joining our team three years ago, he has consistently made a positive impact, in terms of results but also for the constructive, optimistic influence that he invariably brings.
“Last season saw him earn the 250 titles that we all knew he was capable of, but he’s also a very good 450 rider. We look forward to him adding to his success now that he’s in the premier class.”
Hunter Lawrence fact sheet:
- Birth Date: August 1, 1999
- 2013: 2nd in FIM 85 Junior World Championship
- 2015: 3rd in FIM 125 Junior World Championship; Australian 125 and 250 Junior Motocross Champion
- 2017: 9th in 2017 FIM MX2 final standings; MX2 winner at Motocross of Nations (Team Australia)
- 2018: 3rd in FIM MX2 final standings; 2nd in MX2 at Motocross of Nations (Team Australia)
- 2019: 10th in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings
- 2020: 13th in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings
- 2021: 2nd in AMA Supercross 250SX West Region final standings; 3rd in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings
- 2022: 2nd in AMA Supercross 250SX West Region final standings; 3rd in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings; 2nd in MX2 at Motocross of Nations (Team Australia)
- 2023: AMA Pro Motocross 250 National Champion; AMA Supercross 250SX East Region Champion; 9th in SuperMotocross 250 final standings; 2nd in MX2 at Motocross of Nations (Team Australia)
Photo courtesy Honda USA
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2023 FINAL SERIES STANDINGS:
450 Class Championship Final Standings:
1 Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 550 Points
2 Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Yamaha – 399 Points
3 Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM – 386 Points
4 Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 338 Points
5 Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 328 Points
6 Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha – 255 Points
7 Ty Masterpool, Fallon, Nev., Kawasaki – 242 Points
8 Fredrik Noren, Lidköping, Sweden, Suzuki – 219 Points
9 Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Kawasaki – 207 Points
10 Grant Harlan, Justin, Texas, Yamaha – 176 Points
250 Class Championship Final Standings:
1 Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 419 Points
2 Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 399 Points
3 Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Kawasaki – 393 Points
4 Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 371 Points
5 Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Yamaha – 322 Points
6 Tom Vialle, Avignon, France, KTM – 302 Points
7 Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., KTM – 295 Points
8 RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna – 288 Points
9 Jalek Swoll, Belleview, Fla., Husqvarna – 221 Points
10 Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Kawasaki – 208 Points