Race Reports

This weekend was round #1 of the AMA National Hare and Hound series. I was really looking forward to this race because at the end of last year I had my best finish in the series. I wanted to start off with another great result. My Dad and I left Saturday to go out and ride the bomb and get signed up. We stopped by Mat “Hendo” Henderson’s house to pick him up so he could do the same. The bomb was really long and pretty smooth. They usually use the same start every year. I rode it a couple times and had an idea where I wanted to be and called it a day. We stayed at Mat’s house that night and worked on bikes and went out to dinner. Sunday we left Apple Valley about 6:30am and headed for beautiful Lucerne valley. I was really surprised when we got there to see Lucerne finally had got some rain. With all the storms going around on Saturday Lucerne was still dusty but today was a different story. The Dirt looked perfect!!! We stopped at the start while Mat’s dad went up to the pits to get set up. Put my bike on the line and waited around. It was finally time to go. They had a Banner roll up for some fellow D37 members that had passed away and then it was time. The banner was up and I was ready. It dropped and I was gone. I was surprised at how fast my bike jumped out. I was almost to the end of the 3-5 mile bomb and thought I might actually lead this one. But my trail ended up in some rocks and whoops and I noticed a lot of the faster riders on the outside trails blowing by. By the time we got on a main trail I was 6th overall. I made a quick pass on Nick Blais and chased after Steve Hengeveld. I made the pass in a rough sand wash and was trying to make it stick. He pushed me for about 5 miles but never got back by. I felt myself start to pull away and I tried to chase the leaders ahead of me. I started to see David Kamo up ahead so I charged harder. I must have been charging too hard because I crashed pretty good going down a steep downhill. I thought for sure I was going to be passed by lots of riders cause it took me a while to get my bearings and get going again. Luckily no one passed me and my bike wasn’t too bent up. I started going again and just tried to ride smooth. I came into the pits 4th overall and about 1 minute behind 3rd. I set out on the 2nd loop to try and catch the leaders but their pace was too much for me. The 2nd loop went smooth with no problems but I did not make any time up on the leaders. I finished 4th overall for the day and it is my best finish so far in this series. I was happy with my finish but I want to be on the podium soon. I just want to thank the Henderson’s for letting my dad and I stay at their house and giving us a place to prep the bike. Nick#657

2008 USDR Round #1 This weekend was the first round of the US. Desert Racing series. I was pumped because last year I won the championship and I was looking forward to running my number 1 plate. Saturday was the awards banquet and the practice for the Sunday race. The practice went smooth. I rode hard to see how my bike was going to handle and to see how the course was going to be. I really liked the course and was ready for Sunday. After practice I had to draw for starting position. I drew and picked out #1. I was stoked now I was starting first and was ready for the challenge. After this my buddies and I went for a ride to Invaders hill and had some fun climbing around on it. Then it was time for the awards banquet. I was really surprised to see a giant picture of myself!!! Dave had a good turn out and we all hung out and picked up our awards and I want to congragalate all the champions and everyone who finished the series. Then it was time to go home prep the bike and get some rest. Sunday morning we got there about the same time as the first race started. Watched the first race and got ready for mine. I was first off the line and was glad to see 8 pro’s signed up. My first lap was pretty good. I rode a little tight cause I’ve never started first out in red mountain before. After the first lap I found some better lines and felt really good. I just kept putting in consistent laps. Around the third lap the lappers got pretty bad but they were all really good about holding their line and letting us make the passes. I came in to pit after 4 laps and my dad told me I had a 2 minute lead. I was happy to hear that because I could take it a little easy the last two laps. I rode a little conservative the last two laps and brought home the victory. All in all it was a good day nothing too spectacular just 6 solid laps. I was happy to see that my buddy Murdock was ok I noticed his bike in the pits when I pitted but didn’t know what happened. He is a little dingy but I think that’s normal for him. Cant wait to see everyone at the next round! 1. Nick Burson 2. Ryan Kudla 3. Matt Henderson 4. Colby Begin I just want to thank my Dad and Mom for helping me with everything and the rest of my family and friends. And all my sponsors; Victorville Motorcycle Center, BRP, Menace Clothing, Factory Backing, Murdock Racing, Scott goggles, Scott performance, Precision concepts, Maxima, SDG, AXO, www.off-roadphotos.com, Kicker, and Hayman Chiropractic.

Jack Rabbit’s Hare & Hound This was the first race of my 2008 race season. Mainly just a warm up race but it meant a lot to me. I wanted to see where I stood against my competition, and also work out the bugs of my new bikes. I went out Saturday to take care of sign up and practice the bomb. I rode the bomb a lot but couldn’t seem to find a great line so I just started right on the marked trail. Rode around a little in the rocks to get used to my new suspension and called it a day. Sunday I went out about 9:00am. The start was around 10:30am. My dad and I checked over my bike and got our pit ready. I headed to the start around 10:15. Lined up right next to Paul Krause and had a good talk with him for a while. Finally the banner was up and I was ready. I got a one kick start but Paul and his electric start bike got a better jump then I did. I pushed hard up the trail and quickly got by him. I was around 3rd to the end of the bomb and passed Nick Blais right after. Now I was in 2nd and feeling good riding behind Kudla. The roost from his bike started to get real bad so I decided to make my move. I passed him off the trail a couple miles after the start. From here I had clean air and wanted to push to see how my bike was going to handle to get ready for the next weekends race. I felt great the whole first loop and in the rocks felt even better then before. I had a quick pit stop wit gas, goggles and water. I was on my way to finish the 2nd loop. I just tried to ride smooth and consistent and not make too many mistakes. The 2nd loop went by pretty fast. I finished 1st overall. I was really pleased to start the year off with a win and with confidence. 1. Nick Burson 2. Brett Saunders 3. Ryan Kudla Thanks to all the people cheering us on out on the course and thanks to all of my sponsors.