After his toughest outing of the 250 Class season at the previous round, Rattray looked to bounce back at a track in which he was able to take the win one year ago.
While leading in the late stages of the first moto, Rattray experienced misfortune, stalling his engine and ultimately losing the lead and win to DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha's Gareth Swanepoel, of South Africa. In Moto 2, Rattray rebounded and took over the lead on Lap 4, gradually pulling away from the field (2-1).
"This track has been good to me," said Rattray. "I've ridden in the sand a lot in my career, so it means a little more to win here. I settled for second in the first moto and knew the track was going to be tough in the second moto, so I pressured myself to get a good start, which I did. I was able to get into the lead, and then I just put my head down."
Rattray's Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Dean Wilson, of Scotland, finished in the runner-up spot (2-3), to maintain his points lead, while Swanepoel garnered his first career podium in third (5-2).
Wilson now holds a 38-point advantage over Rattray in the 250 Class standings.
250 Class (Southwick Moto Finish)
1. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-1)
2. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (3-2)
3. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (1-5)
4. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (10-3)
5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (9-6)
6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (7-8)
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (5-12)
8. Gannon Audette, Minneapolis, Minn., Yamaha (4-16)
9. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (18-4)
10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda (8-13)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki - 438
2. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki - 400
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki - 398
4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha - 264
5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda - 246
6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha - 241
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki - 220
8. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda - 181
9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki - 175
10. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda - 170
