Tommy Searle has his sights set on a Donington Park double in the penultimate round of the World Motocross Championship on Bank Holiday Sunday to keep him firmly on track for the runner-up spot in the final standings.
The Red Bull KTM rider, who makes his home in Tonge, the adjacent village to the Leicestershire circuit, has ridden bikes since he was a five year old and as he prepares for what will be his ‘home’ round of the 15 race MX2 series he had given the specially crafted course the ‘thumbs up.’
He faces two races on Sunday afternoon that could be crucial to his hopes – each race over the course with its yumps and high leaping sections runs for 35 gruelling minutes plus two laps and the opposition is the best, bringing the world’s elite riders, led by the champion elect Toni Cairoli, into action
Searle rode parts of the course, which has been built from some 50,000 tones of soil transported on to the infield section of the Grand Prix venue, during a press pre-view event: “It’s very good, will be a good test for everyone and should be really exciting to ride - it looks really good, real fun. I’m excited about it already.”
Now just turned 18, Searle has been working and training with another top hope of British glory, Billy Mackenzie, who rides in the MX1 category, at the home of Jamie Dobb, a former World Motocross Champion. For them both, this is a special race, as Searle explained.
“Home races mean a lot. Billy has been up at Dobby’s place with me and it’s been good to work ride and train together. I don’t feel under any particular pressure at a home GP. It’s just that you want to do better than ever because of all of the sponsors, friends and fans who are there. It’s a bit chaotic with so many people wanting to wish you well, but it’s all worth it when you do well.”
Searle has twice so far enjoyed the winner’s champagne, winning one of the two races in both Sweden and Belgium but at Donington Park he is keen to take that elusive double: “That would be good, and my season is going well with all of the podiums and the moto wins in Sweden and at Namur, but I really want an overall GP win, and where better to get that than in Britain?
“I am already sure of top three in the championship, and I am now aiming for second; if Pourcel keeps making mistakes, anything is possible. Next year I want to go for the title!”
He will be banking on the added factor of crowd power to speed him on his way: “You can’t put the value of the home fans in numbers, and I guess it depends on how you cope with it, but it does help. You can see them hanging over the fence, waving the flags and cheering you on.”
It is the first time the British Motocross Grand Prix has been held in the Midlands confirming Donington Park as the top motorsport venue in Great Britain. Practice will be held on Saturday August 25 with a full day of Championship racing on Sunday August 26.
Tickets are on sale – to book visit
www.donington-park.co.uk or call the hot-line on 08700 429 669.
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