The Dirt Store Kawasaki team boasted a two-rider lineup of Tommy Searle and Joel Rizzi in the MX2 class for their recent trip to Brookthorpe, Gloucester for the fourth round of the Fastest 40 MX Championship.
Typically, we were treated to some classic British summer weather, with rain showers before and throughout the day’s racing. The schedule was condensed to work around the weather, making for an action-packed afternoon, with races starting back-to-back.
Conditions looked slippery as the riders lined up for MX2 Race 1. Tommy and Joel both got a solid start up the hill, with the pair in P2 and P5 at the end of the opening lap. Sadly, a mistake from Rizzi on lap 2 cost the young Welshman 2 positions. He chased Ben Franklin and Glenn McCormick in P7 for the next 10 laps, but was unable to make a move on the very wet track. Another mistake on the final lap cost Rizzi time, but he was still able to bring his Kawasaki machine home for P7. Teammate Tommy had a much less eventful first race, slotting into second behind Dylan Walsh on lap 2. He put in consistent laps but was unable to keep pace with Walsh. Searle secured P2 in Race 1, in front of Josh Coleman, ready for another battle in Race 2.
A break in rain allowed some time for the track to start drying for Race 2. Tommy repeated his good start from Race 1, holding P3 through the first corner. Unfortunately, a slip on the metal start grate from Rizzi gave him a lot of work to do and left him in 10th place at the end of the opening lap. However, the drying track allowed more passing opportunities and he worked up to P7 in 6 laps. In the second half of the race, Joel cut down a 4 second gap to Howard Wainwright, passing him and Coleman in the closing stages for P5.
The good weather also played into the hands of Searle. After moving into 2nd on lap 2, Tommy also closed down a 4 second gap to leader Walsh. This made for an exciting chase in Race 2, with the gap tightening every lap. Just 0.5 seconds separated Searle and Walsh over the finish as Tommy narrowly missed out on the top spot.
2-2 results gave Tommy Searle a 2nd place overall. The British motocross icon continues his podium streak and will look to continue his good form going into next week’s MXGB at Foxhill. Rizzi’s 5-7 results meant a 7th place overall. Tricky conditions for all the team, but a good opportunity to test settings and get more race time under the belt.
Thank you to the track team and organisers for making the best of the weather and prepping the track for the day’s racing. We would also like to thank our partners and sponsors for their continued help and effort. Fingers crossed for the return of the sunshine before next weekend.
Words and Images by Dirt Store Kawasaki
