South African Tyla Rattray finished 2-1 in Texas to claim the overall win at Freestone MX National for Round 2 of the Lucas Oil AMA MX National Championship. Photo courtesy of Pro Circuit Racing.It was “Africa Hot” in Texas according to Tyla Rattray the 250 cc overall winner of the Lucas Oil AMA MX National at the Freestone MX track. And hot it was. In the opening Moto, Rattray’s teammate Dean Wilson quickly proved to the Texas crowd that last year’s performance was no fluke. Wilson inherited the lead after Justin Barcia’s Honda flipped directly into the path of Red Bull KTM rider Marvin Musquin. The Frenchman staggered off the track after being struck in the head by Barcia’s rear wheel. The incident not only ended Musquin’s day but a badly broken thumb put an end to the rising star’s outdoor motocross season.
For the rest of the first heat, Wilson showed the same blazing speed that had almost landed the young Scottish motocrosser the overall victory at last season’s Freestone National. South Africa’s Rattray continued his hard charge to the checkers but would have to settle for a runner-up finish. Local favorite, Kyle Cunningham, managed the deep Texas sand and the rising temperature to claim the third spot on the podium for Yamaha’s DNA Shred Stix Star Racing team. Last week’s winner at the Hangtown MX Classic, Blake Baggett, finished seventh after crashing and giving up the early lead to Wilson.
Justin Barcia would again pull the holeshot in Moto Two followed closely by the Kawasaki of Dean Wilson. During their brief career in the Lites class, Barcia and Wilson have already had numerous on-track battles and today’s race just set the stage for a classic duel to the finish line. However, the Pro Circuit rider lost control of his Green Machine when he tried to make an aggressive pass on Barcia entering a tight right hander. Rattray began his charge to the front of the field passing Texan Kyle Cunningham for second and setting his sights on the leader. Wilson had recovered from his crash and was running in fourth.
As the track conditions continued to deteriorate, Rattray began to reel in the GEICO Honda of Barcia and would pass the Georgia rider late in the moto to take the win. Wilson would catch and pass Cunningham for third in the heat race but had to settle for a second place in Moto Two behind teammate Rattray who claimed his third overall class win. The riders and teams have a week off to regroup before traveling east to the famed High Point MX National just south of Pittsburg, PA. Join E3 motocross fans for the third round of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA MX National Championship and feel the heat.E3 motorcycle spark plugs are “Born to Burn”.
