FMF/
KTM rider David Pearson won his first AMA National Hare & Hound event, at the second round of the series, since his return to racing from a broken femur in 2008.
After a two-year hiatus from racing, David Pearson took the win over Round 2 of the AMA National Hare & Hound series.
Pearson has a new outlook on the 2010 racing season, switching both his training program and bike. Pearson has already lost 20 lbs as a result of his new training schedule and switched to the KTM 450 XC-F after years of racing the KTM 530 XC-F. "I definitely felt like I haven't been 100% since injuring my femur and with my new workout and riding routines I feel more confident. I also feel that the 450 is a more suitable bike for my racing style and I am really excited to race this bike for the 2010 Hare & Hound season," remarked Pearson.
The day started out and ended well for the 26 year-old Nevada resident as he pulled the holeshot and led the first loop of the race. "The first loop was fast, whooped out and rocky, having a good start definitely worked to my advantage as I didn't have to fight through the dust," stated Pearson. His teammate, David Kamo, had a great start as well staying within 10 seconds of Pearson as they came into the first gas stop.
During the second, more technical loop, the top five riders got turned around due to poor course markers which allowed the racers to close in on one another. "We had to look to each other to try to figure out the course so by the end of the second loop we were all within seconds of one another," said Kamo.
Entering the third and final loop, Pearson battled with Kamo and Destry Abbott for the lead position. Kamo held the lead for a moment before hitting neutral on a steep uphill and allowing Pearson and Abbott to get around. "I made the pass on Abbott for the lead with approximately ten miles to go. It was a very close race today and I am excited to land on the top of the podium," stated Pearson. Abbott finished in 2nd place 14 seconds behind Pearson while Kamo was an additional 49 seconds behind Abbott in 3rd.
Next Race: Round 3 - El Centro, CA - March 7, 2010
Overall Results
1. David Pearson - KTM
2. Destry Abbott -
Kawasaki
3. David Kamo - KTM
4. Jacob Argubright - Kawasaki
5. Kendall Norman -
Honda
6. Gary Sutherlin - Kawasaki
7. Ryan Abbatoye - Kawasaki
8. Nick Burson -
Husaberg
9. Justin Imhof - KTM
10. Justin Morrow - Kawasaki
Courtesy of National Hare and Hound
Valentine's Day in the desert was everything that Sarah Pearson wanted. Her husband, David Pearson, won 1st Place Overall at Round 2 of the AMA / KENDA National Hare & Hound Championship Series in the Spangler Hills OHV area near RedMountain.
With almost perfect conditions, over 370 racers converged across the desert with Pearson, Destry Abbott, David Kamo, Jacob Argubright, and Kendall Norman all within seconds of each other, vying for the front position. Over the next 3 laps the lead would change several times between Pearson, Kamo and Abbott. At the end of the 97 mile 3-loop race, Pearson would capture his first 1st Place Finish of the series.
Multi-time champion racer from Australia, Shane Watts, was also racing. Watts is better known for his tight tree riding, but is no stranger to the desert either. He raced a 2-stroke KTM 150 and finished an impressive 11th Overall.
Round 2 Video courtesy of Beau Cottington:
www.promoto.tv/.
Courtesy of Kawasaki
Destry Abbott collected his second runner-up spot of the 2010 season on his Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F.
Monster Energy
Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott finished with his second-consecutive podium after an intense battle for the top-five spots throughout the majority of the race at the second round of the AMA National Hare and Hound Series in Ridgecrest, Calif. Although Abbott, who was getting over flu, wasn’t 100 percent physically, he gave extraordinary effort to finish 10 seconds behind the winner for second. Abbott was one of five Kawasaki
KX450F riders who filled out the top-10, including Jacob Argubright, Gary Sutherlin, Ryan Abbatoye, and Justin Morrow.
Desert Racing’s Tight Battle
While desert racing normally sees larger gaps between its competitors, the race on Sunday was as close as Abbott had seen in a long time. At one point, the race had turned into a six-way battle, with all of the racers pitting at the same time before going out for the final loop. Abbott used his skills in the tight terrain to make up time and finish second.
“It was hard to remember how it all went down since there were so many lead changes throughout the race,” said Abbott. “Once we got into the more challenging terrain, I was able to close up on the front three guys. By the final loop, David (Pearson) and I were able to pull away from the group. We went back and forth for the lead, but in the end I finished second.”
Getting Over The Flu
The last month has been a constant battle of Abbott versus the flu and even with a lack of energy on Sunday, he still managed to finish second.
“Coming into this race I wasn’t really sure how I was going to do and I just wanted to get as many points as I could,” said Abbott. “I felt like I was doing better after the last national, but then it came back again. The last week and a half has been torture. I don’t remember the last time I was ever this sick. I’ve lost close to 10 pounds. Hopefully it’s behind me and I can get my energy back for Round 3.”
Taking The Lead With Time to Recuperate
With three weeks before the next round in El Centro, Calif., Abbott will have some extra time to get over what has been ailing him this past month. Even with two rounds of feeling under the weather, Abbott finds himself tied for the championship lead with seven rounds remaining.
“This year there are no throw-aways so consistency will play a huge part of being in competition for the championship,” said Abbott. “Considering how I have felt the past two races, I am really happy to be in this position with the point standings. If I can get out of this rut with the flu, I think I could be in good contention for the win next round.”
