Holeshots, blood & frustration for Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki at Canada Heights MXGB round
The Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki team travelled to the iconic Canada Heights circuit in Kent on Sunday for Round 2 of the 2024 Dirt Store British Motocross Championship.
Qualifying started, and Charlie Cole had to settle for 19th in MX2 after a couple of mistakes, resulting in crashes that hindered his progress. Carlton Husband got an impressive eighth place, giving him a good gate pick for the races.
MX2 Race One: Charlie gated mid-pack and started to drive forward, but on lap two, disaster struck when a rock hit Charlie in the face. Blood was everywhere; add in a large amount of pain and no goggles, and it was all about survival. Charlie came home in fourteenth position at the flag.
MX1 Race One: Carlton started well in eighth position, but lap one disaster struck with an unfortunate accident that would result in Carlton retiring at the end of lap three.
It was a frustrating first race for both riders and the team.
MX2 Race Two: Charlie started better by following the leading pack until a small mistake cost him. Luckily, only a few positions were lost, and Charlie would finish the race just outside the top 10 with an eleventh at the flag. Charlie would secure eleventh overall on the day and seventeen championship points.
MX1 Race Two: Carlton took the holeshot and led race two, dropping only a few positions in the lap. By the end of lap two, Carlton was in fifth position, only being passed by some of the MXGP regulars. However, a mistake on lap three would force Carlton into an early retirement for the second time. It was a frustrating day after showing so much speed.
Barry Moore – Team Owner
“It was a frustrating day for Charlie and Carlton in Kent. Carltons starts were fantastic all day and an unfortunate accident in race one forced him to retire. In race two, Carlton was leading the field, but mistakes put paid to getting the result his speed delivered. Charlie took a large stone to the face in race one but soldiered on with blood in his eyes. Race two was a strong start, but an error cost him, finishing eleventh at the flag. It was a frustrating day, but I am happy with the effort everyone is putting in.”
Carlton Husband – MX1
“It was a weekend to forget for me, apart from the starts—they were mega! Just some bad luck in both cost me what could have been a really good day. We know the speed is there, so we must put it together. One thing is for sure: it’s coming!”
Charlie Cole – MX2
“I ruined my qualifying with a few crashes early on, making my day harder than it needed to be. A rock to the face in race one at the start resulted in blood everywhere and no goggles. Struggling to progress, it was just survival mode for the points. Moto two, I went with the front group until a small tip-over around the halfway mark. I’ll take away the positives! from a difficult day.”
