Racing: Mackenzie for Aussie MX title

Three-time world motocross grand prix winner Billy Mackenzie is set to make Australia his new base in 2010, with Bikesales Network sources confirming that he's signed for the factory Kawasaki team.

The Scot, 25, has been a long-time Honda staple in world motocross, but he's now opted for a change of scenery in Australia, where he will ride a KX450F in the Kawasaki team managed by recently retired multiple national champion Troy Carroll.

Mackenzie made his world motocross debut in 1999, and won his first GP in the MX2 class six years later. In addition to his three overall victories and five individual race wins in grand prix racing, he's also a dual British champion.

Mackenzie, whose 2010 team-mates will be Cody Mackie in lites and Luke Arbon in under 19s, will line-up in a new-look open class motocross grid, which is set to feature Craig Anderson on a Husqvarna, Andrew McFarlane and Tye Simmonds on KTMs, and New Zealander Cody Cooper on a Suzuki.

Only CDR Yamaha, which has Cheyne Boyd and defending champion Jay Marmont on its books, will be a carry-over version of 2009, while Honda is tipped to continue with Todd Waters in addition to a yet unknown team-mate.

As well as the injection of Mackenze's class, the return of Cooper to Australian shores after a two-year stint in America will also add some extra spark to the motocross title.

Copper was third in the 2006 and 2007 open championship, and was the lites champion in 2004.

The eight-round Australian Motocross Championship will commence in Horsham (Vic) on March 28, and conclude in Coolum (Qld) on July 25.