Team Kawasaki Team Green’s Destry Abbott and Brian Brown are making this year’s National Hare & Hound Championships a two-man battle. They finished 1-2 in the first two rounds, alternating wins, and the trend continued at the third round yesterday in Lucerne, California. Abbott got the holeshot off the bomb run and never looked back, opening up a four-minute lead over Brown, who finished second. Third overall went to Montclair Yamaha’s Russ Pearson, who finished as the first 250cc bike. Fourth overall was Russ’ cousin, DH1 Racing/Michael’s Yamaha’s David Pearson, and rounding out the top five was Team Kawasaki/Price Racing’s Andy Grider. Ty Davis, who is usually expected to be a front-runner, had mechanical difficulties and was unable to finish the race.
Of his race win, the always-cordial Abbott commented, “My goal going into the race was to get a good start, try not to make any mistakes, and to keep charging. I was able to accomplish those goals today, and it paid off.”
When asked about the dominance Team Green has enjoyed over the past few seasons, Abbott remarked, ” Brian and I, as well as the Price Racing team of Esposito and Grider, are all good riders. However, none of us would be where we are without the support of Kawasaki. They are a notch above all the other factories in terms of support, which makes our job of winning championships that must easier.”
Going into the fourth round in Jericho, Utah, Abbott has a five-point lead over Brown – 85 to 80. Russ Pearson sits in third with 51, Grider is in fourth with 48, and Caselli is in fifth with 46.
Results: 1. Destry Abbott, Peoria, AZ (Kaw); 2. Brian Brown, Nampa, ID, (Kaw); 3. Russell Pearson, Las Vegas, NV (Yam); 4. David Pearson, Panaca, NV (Yam); 5. Andy Grider, Los Olivos, CA (Kaw); 6. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, CA (Yam); 7. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, CA (Hon); 8. Tim Staab, San Diego, CA (Hon); 9. Jeff Capt, Lakewood, CA (G-G); 10. David Ondas, Lake Forest, CA (Kaw).
Points: 1. Destry Abbott (85/2 wins); 2. Brian Brown (80/1 win); 3. Russell Pearson (51); 4. Andy Grider (48); 5. Kurt Caselli (46); 6. Shane Esposito (45); 7. Ty Davis (39); 8. Luca Trussardi (28); 9. David Pearson (27); 10. Steve Hengeveld (26).
