From grit to glory

When Hunter and his younger brother Jett Lawrence rolled into the 2023 season, they weren’t just chasing trophies—they were building a legacy. They didn’t just win; they redefined the sport. Dual AMA 250 Supercross Championships. A clean sweep of the 450 Pro Motocross season. A dominant 450 SuperMotocross title. And through it all, a style and charisma that made them global fan favorites.

But their journey to Honda’s factory HRC tent didn’t start under stadium lights. It began far from home. Built on grit, sacrifice, and belief.

"It started back in 2017, really," Hunter recalls. "Conversations began between me and Geico [the Factory Connection-run Honda 250 support team]. They already knew about Jett—who was younger than me—and were aware of his potential."

At just 17, Hunter was racing full-time in Europe’s brutal MX2 class, overcoming challenges many U.S.-based riders never face. It was his breakout ride at the 2017 Motocross of Nations, winning the hotly contested MX2 class, that sealed the deal.

"I won the MX2 class at Motocross of Nations at (age) 18—and then that following week I signed with Geico's Factory Connection team," he says. "And that deal brought us over to America for 2019."

That marked the beginning of a journey that would not only bring the Lawrence family to U.S. shores—it would bring them to the top of the sport.

From the outside, it’s easy to assume the Lawrences have always come as a pair. But their rise together wasn’t planned. It was earned.

“We’re not technically a package deal,” Hunter says. “But teams saw us both as talented riders, so they wanted us both. In 2018, I was with a Honda team in Europe, and Jett was still riding for Suzuki Germany.”

Their chemistry was undeniable, but their individual talent stood on its own. And while they didn’t come as a pair, teams could see that getting them both had the potential to pay off. In a big way.

Before American fans knew their names, the Lawrences were earning theirs on the notoriously demanding tracks of Europe—learning new languages, adapting to unfamiliar cultures, and pushing through the harsh realities of international racing.

“The difference is huge, and those weren’t glamorous times,” Hunter says of racing in Europe. “We love our team here in America. The communication, the support structure, everything—it’s great.”Belgian sand. Italian ruts. Endless hours on the road. Those years laid the foundation for everything that followed, giving the brothers a competitive edge few U.S.-raised riders can match.

“Europe was tough at times, but we learned a lot and we’re grateful for it,” Hunter adds. “Those challenges helped shape us into who we are today.”

The transition from the Geico Honda development squad to the full-factory Honda HRC Progressive team for the 2021 season wasn’t just a promotion; it was a transformation. With fewer riders and deeper resources, the new environment unlocked another level of performance.

“Geico had five riders or more, but at HRC, it was just Jett and me in the 250 team,” Hunter explains. “That meant a more focused program, budget-wise and resource-wise. It felt like home right away.”

And it showed. With Honda’s proven CRF/R platform beneath them and factory HRC engineering behind them, the brothers were contenders right from the start. For a family that had spent years living out of motorhomes, “home” finally came with some serious horsepower.

The year of the Lawrence

Hunter’s first two seasons with the factory HRC squad (2021 & 2022) were impressive in their own right, with back-to-back runner-up finishes in the AMA 250 West Supercross series and third place overall in the 250 Pro Motocross championship. But what followed in 2023 was nothing short of meteoric.

“It was more about consistency and health,” Hunter says. “I had solid years in 2021 and 2022 working on body, fitness, and health. That foundation helped everything click.”

And click it did. In one of the most dominant seasons the sport has ever seen, Honda captured six of the seven possible professional titles—five of them delivered by the Lawrence brothers.

They made history as the first siblings to win their respective 250 regional Supercross championships in the same year—Hunter East and Jett West. Hunter backed that up by winning the 250 Pro Motocross crown, while Jett jumped to the 450 class and stunned the motocross world, becoming the first rookie in history to go undefeated, winning all 22 motos. He capped off the year by claiming the inaugural 450 SuperMotocross World Championship.

“It was a big year for us,” Hunter reflects. “But we didn’t dwell on it. We took a moment, appreciated it, and then moved on to the next challenge. That’s just how we operate.”

2023 was no fluke

The start of the 2024 season saw Hunter moving up to the premier 450 class alongside Jett, who continued his success by winning the Supercross title in his rookie indoor season. But when a thumb injury sidelined the younger Lawrence brother for the Pro Motocross championship, Hunter rose to the challenge. He delivered moto wins and consistently finished on the overall podium, battling the eventual champion, Chase Sexton, all the way to the final round

“Stepping up to the 450 class wasn’t easy,” Hunter admits. “But by the time the outdoor season got rolling, once we started racing the 2025 bike, things really started to click.”

Jett returned just in time for the SuperMotocross playoffs, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown between brothers. The championship came down to the wire, with both brothers finishing tied on points. And while Jett ultimately edged Hunter for the title based on a tiebreaker of more overall wins, the real story was another historic Lawrence one-two finish.

“To battle Jett that close in SMX was cool,” Hunter says. “We tied on points, so it wasn’t fun ending up second—but at least it was a Lawrence that won. If it can’t be me, then it better be Jett.”

The 2025 Supercross season started with a gut punch. The brothers were both sidelined early—Hunter with a shoulder injury and Jett with a knee injury. Their absence left a noticeable void. Not just on the track, but throughout the paddock.

“Yeah, it was a rough start,” Hunter says. “But Honda supported us every step of the way. No pressure, always just, ‘Come back when you’re truly ready.’ That says a lot.”

In the interim, longtime fan-favorite and family friend Dean “Dino” Wilson was drafted in for the final five Supercross rounds, bringing his signature charisma and comedy to the red tent. “Dino stepping in was amazing,” Hunter adds. “It was great PR, the fans loved it—he brought character and heart.”

Thankfully, both brothers came back strong. Healthy. Focused. They wrapped up 1-2 finishes in both the 450 Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross World Championships once again: “The team missed us. We missed the fans. That’s what keeps us hungry.”

With domestic titles secured, the next challenge came wrapped in green and gold—and carried the pride of a nation once again.

Australia had chased the glory of a Motocross of Nations victory for almost four decades. Thirty-nine years to be exact. And it was a Lawrence-led squad that finally delivered. After finishing third in 2022 and second in 2023, the green and gold of Team Australia stood atop the podium for the first time in history in 2024.

“It’s something the nation has been waiting a very long time for,” Hunter says. “It meant a lot for us to be able to give that to all the fans—it was special.”

With MXoN 2025 returning to U.S. soil, defending the crown was tougher than ever. The Lawrences once again led the charge, this time proudly wearing the #1, #2, and #3 plates. And with them, a target firmly on their backs.

“This year it was about how far we could take it,” Hunter adds. “We knew other teams would be coming in strong, gunning for us, but we were ready.”

Ready they were. Hunter won every moto to top the MXOPEN class. Jett went 1-3 to win the MXGP class. And their teammate Kyle Webster came back from a pair of first-turn crashes to take 5th in the MX2 class. This was enough for Team Oz to take home the Chamberlin Trophy once again, winning in dominating fashion for the second year in a row.

The secret to serenity

Same garage. Same training facility. Same daily grind. And two riders rising to the top at the same time. Maintaining harmony at the highest level is never easy. But when your fiercest competitor is also your brother, it takes total honesty—and unwavering self-belief.

It’s a level playing field,” Hunter says. “Same programs. Same tools. Same advice. No secrets. It’s just up to each of us to go execute on race day.

They’re brothers and teammates. Equals and friends. Their rivalry fuels progress, while their bond keeps it grounded.

At this level, balancing racing, media, pressure, and family takes more than talent. It takes a rock-solid foundation. For the Lawrences, that rock is their father, Darren—affectionately known as “Dazzy."

“Our dad plays a big role and we’re extremely grateful, Hunter says. “He balances being our dad and dealing with the team environment really well, which not many parents can do.

Inside the factory Honda squad, Dazzy is trusted and respected. He’s not just part of the support team; he’s part of the results: “He’s a huge part of our success and we work best as a true team."

With the spotlight always on and the pressure to perform at the highest level, you might expect superstitions or elaborate race-day routines. But not for Hunter. He likes to keep it simple. “Not really my thing, he laughs. “I just focus on eating well, staying hydrated, and treating it like work. I don’t think a bricklayer has superstitions before a day of pouring concrete. Same for me—I’m here to do a job."

His advice to up-and-comers is just as straightforward: “Fitness and safety are huge. Being in shape and having solid technique lowers your risk, and that risk is already high in motocross. Mental sharpness matters too. You’ve got to be locked in."

Well known for his growing car collection, when he’s not racing two wheels, Hunter spends much of his time collecting and working on fast, four-wheeled machines. “I’ve always loved cars, he says. “My dad was into cars, and Australia has a big car culture.

And when the final checkered flag flies on his career, Hunter already has a vision for what might come next. “Right now, I just collect and work on them, he adds. “But that passion keeps growing, and someday I want to open a one-stop custom shop—performance, body kits, wheels, everything."

The Red Brotherhood rolls on

Family. Focus. Passion. Performance. For Hunter Lawrence, wearing that red Honda HRC jersey isn’t just about fulfilling a contract—it’s a way of life. A commitment to pushing limits, embracing growth, and building something that lasts.

With Jett by his side and momentum behind him, Hunter’s story is far from finished. Together, the Lawrence brothers continue to raise the bar, redefining professional motocross every time they line up.

Their names are already etched into the sport’s history. The only question now is: how many more chapters will they write?

Stay tuned for Episode 2, where we bring you an interview with Team Manager Lars Lindstrom from the Spring Creek Pro Motocross outdoor national.