Tommy Searle signs to Team Floride Kawasaki Monster Energy Pro Circuit to race MX1 in 2013 – let the rider shuffling begin!
Tommy actually signed the deal on the Saturday night ahead of recording his 13th career GP last Sunday at Matterley Basin. A win which put him third most successful British GP rider of all time, headed only by the legendary Jeff Smith and Dave Thorpe.
Since returning to MXGP after two years Stateside Tommy picked up where he left off as a leading contender for the MX2 world title. Winning no less than thirteen motos and seven GPs, including five this season, it’s fair to say he’s a hot cookie just now. Hell we think so – take a look at our September issue cover!
No stranger to the 450, Searle rode one at the MX of Nations in France last year and showed everyone he’s capable of making one tick. The MXofN hits the Lommel sand at the end of next month and Searle will again lead Team GB on a KX450F-SR Kawasaki, which will also act as his first preparation for the 2013 season.
The two year deal to move to the MX1 is with Searle’s current Floride Kawasaki Monster Energy Pro Circuit team alongside the MX2 riders, all wof which is based in the Netherlands under the guidance of team owner Jean Jacques Luisetti and race technician Harry Nolte.
Tommy Searle: “I’m really happy to continue racing with Kawasaki. I spent a lot of my amateur career with them and we have been together again for two years. I really like the KX450F-SR and it was a big decision for me. I’ve been stressed during the last couple of days as it was an important decision in my career. I like the team, but for sure we need to continue to advance as the battle will be even tougher in the MX1 class but I trust everyone in the team and for sure we will get great results. I expect to be fighting for the win every weekend. It will be my first experience in the class but we’ll have all winter to work hard and be ready for the first GP.”
European Race Manager, Steve Guttridge, wouldn’t be drawn on the figures involved but no doubt Tom has taken a decent chunk of dough to stop him leaving Team Green. It’s no secret that Searle was courted by many of the top MX1 teams, even testing the factory Honda, but Gutteridge claims: “Tommy told us he’d tested the Honda but he also rode a standard 2013 Kawasaki and he said he preferred the Kawasaki, even in standard set-up. He said it was enjoyable to ride and he looked fast and happy on it which is a great combination and rewarding for a lot of hard development work at Kawasaki.
“Keeping Tommy with Kawasaki as he moves up into the MX1 class next season and for the longer term on the new KX450F has always been our clear ambition. After growing up with Kawasaki racing for our Team Green squad, we introduced him to MX GP and brought him back from the US with our Floride team to fight for the MX2 title over the past two seasons and we have developed a good chemistry. Kawasaki likes Tommy and Tommy likes Kawasaki!
“He has respect for the team and their efforts to put him on the top and overall he loves riding his KX bikes. He’s grown into a great professional who gives 100% effort every time he races. Kawasaki is fully motivated to be the best in motocross and dreams of winning the MX1 title. Just watching Tommy ride the KX450F I’m sure our dreams will come true really soon!”
