Just a week after both riders had to retire from an event due to illness and injury, the Crendon Fastrack Honda team of Tommy Searle and Jay Hague battled against the odds to race in round three of the ACU British motocross championship at the tough Canada Heights circuit in Kent. But both toughed it out in steamy, hot conditions which ended with Searle on the podium and keeping firm hold of the championship leader’s red plate and Hague scoring valuable championship points.
When the gate dropped for race one of the MX1 class, Searle moved straight into second position and kept the leader in sight. He was riding smart and at times it seemed like the win was within his grasp until a collision with another caused him to go down. He remounted and brought the Honda CRF450R home in fourth. Still not fully recovered from sickness and feeling drained of energy in the hot second moto, Searle rode wisely and went one better! He finish a determined third place, to take the final spot on the podium and keep hold of the red plate.
He said: “I was third overall, still have the red plate so I have to say it wasn’t a bad day at all. It’s not how I want to be in the races, taking fourth and a third, but I am still not feeling well. In the first one I had a little coming together but I didn’t mind that pass. It’s what anyone what have done.”
In the MX2 race, team rookie Jay Hague took a last-minute decision to race after spending five days in bed recovering from the nasty crash he had racing at Fatcats last Saturday. Despite still being in pain with injured ribs, he explained the pain he was feeling on the bike limited his movement. But he said once the gate dropped and adrenaline kicked in, he knew he’d give it his all. In the opening race he gated in the top three and held onto fourth for most of the race, until the pain set in and he brought the Honda CRF250R home tenth.
In the second race he mistimed the start and rounded lap one at the back of the field. But he put on a heroic charge to pull through to 18th and score some championship points.
He said: “It’s been a really tough week. I was literally in bed all week trying to heal up as I was determined to race here. On Thursday I still couldn’t get out of bed without help but by Friday I could move so I decided to race.
“My plan was just to stay on two wheels and get points in both motos, and that is just what I’ve done. Being a motocrosser, you have to go through the pain barrier. I’m so pleased I came and scored points. You don’t get any points sat on the sofa!”
Team manager, triple world 500 champion Dave Thorpe, said: “A week ago both riders were out and there’s no way I thought both would be racing at Canada Heights. But they both showed sheer determination and courage. For Tommy to end up on the podium and keep the red plate is testament to his professionalism, even though he wasn’t 100% today. And for Jay to ride and get points after such a big crash last week, it’s very impressive.”
The team’s other MX1 rider Jake Nicholls is following doctor’s orders to stay off the bike following a broken shoulder b;ade. He should be back in action soon.