The Phoenix Even Strokes Team returned for the second time in as many weeks to the demanding circuit of Oakhanger. The team will be racing the Bridgestone Championship in 2024 as it offers them Sunday racing. With the current British MX1 Champion racing and some of the fastest riders in the UK, it would be another challenging weekend, but a little more difficult for Charlie Cole as the MX1 and MX2 riders were combined.
Qualifying went well for the team, with Carlton Husband in fine form. On lap two, Carlton posted the second fastest time and ended up in third when Conrad Mewse went top on the last lap. Charlie Cole on the MX2 machine posted the sixteenth fastest time, leaving both riders with decent gate picks.
Carlton started in fifth position on lap one and demonstrated an excellent early race pace and running with the top four. Conversely, Charlie gated in ninth and worked his way through the pack against the 450’s. Carlton put in excellent laps early on and worked up to fourth position at the end of the race. An excellent result given his lack of race time on the bike in his rookie year. Charlie worked hard throughout the race and finished in a respectible thirteenth at the finish after passing sixteen MX1 and MX2 riders. Race two started well with the Kawasaki 450 of Carlton Husband taking the holeshot. Carlton would be struck though with a freak mechanical whilst in fourth on lap seven and came in to the pits to get the bike checked over. Charlie had a much better start in race two, gating in seventh on the Kawasaki 250 against the 450’s and battled throughout the race to retain seventh in the end and second overall on the day for MX2.
Barry Moore – Team Owner
“Big improvements from both Carlton and Charlie since their first race two weeks ago at the same venue. Oakhanger is such a great addition to UK tracks and not one to be underestimated, tough and technically challenging. Charlie coming home in second position in MX2 and Carlton missing a top four due to a small technical issue in race two. Now we focus on round one of the British Championship in three weeks.”
Carlton Husband – MX1
“It was great to get behind the gate at the weekend with the team. Qualifying went well I managed to get a fast lap in early so was happy with that, grabbing third. Race one was a bit of a struggle with some arm pump at the start of the race but the last ten minutes I managed to push and finish fourth. Race two I got a holeshot and felt way better on the bike but unfortunately we had a freak mechanical so I pulled out. I’m looking forward to the first round of British, big thanks as always to Barry, Chris and all the sponsors for making everything possible.”
Words and Image by Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki
