Near perfect Utah conditions set the stage for a Kawasaki showdown at round six of the 2008 FMF/AMA National Hare & Hound Series in Delta, Utah, Saturday, May 17. The Sugarloafers hosted its annual Cheery Creek race of the hare and hound series, but provided a course that was unlike any other this season. A bomb run with literally no trails meant that it could be anyone’s race. And Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott was determined to make it his own.
Starting just a couple feet from Abbott was the KTM of David Pearson. Across the way was the Kawasaki of Josh Morros and KTM of David Kamo. Both riders were looking to take their first overall and were hoping to grab the holeshot in what looked to be one of the slowest starts of the year.
Through the banners first and taking a lead that he would never give up was Abbott and his KLX450F. Morros followed closely behind and Pearson was nowhere to be found. As the Kawasakis checked out down the road and onto the course, Pearson emerged from the dust somewhere around 20th overall, and had a look of determination as he picked off riders.
Somewhere around mile 30, Pearson was able to take over second place, passing Morros in the dust. Morros was determined to catch the champ and show the crowd that he could run up front.
“I stayed close to him [Pearson] and waited for a chance to pass,” Morros said. “Then I saw him hit something and cartwheel about six times. He had to be going about 90, it was really scary!”
Morros described of the crash that would ultimately take the champ out of the race. Pearson would pull off suffering a hurt thumb, but happy that it didn’t end up any worse.
Into the pits it was Abbott followed by Morros about 30 seconds behind. After stopping to inform KTM of Pearson’s get off, Morros was in and out, and in pursuit of his teammate Abbott. About three minutes later, David Kamo emerged in the third overall position. After Kamo was the local favorite and first two-stroke, TJ Hannifin.
Nearly one hour later, finishing amidst a group of nearly 300 spectators, Abbott and his Kawasaki/Thor/Dunlop-backed KLX crossed the finish line, taking his third victory of the season. About a minute back the newly turned WORCS Pro, Morros, matched his best ever podium finish of the prior round with a second overall.
Finishing nearly five minutes back of the Morros was the KTM 450 of David Kamo. Kamo still holds on to second overall in the points chase, leading Morros by only four points.
Rounding out the top five was Utah local Hannifin, who took first place in the 250 class, and Matt Henderson, who took first in the Open Expert class riding a Victorville Cycle Center backed KX450.
After the race, and while signing posters for the large abundance of young riders, Destry said, “It was another great day of racing for me! The last two hare and hounds I won wire-to-wire, and I’m starting to think I should try and do that more often. I didn’t have to eat any dust. Things are starting to really good for the overall picture that I’m working towards [another national championship].”
With another DNF David Pearson is out of the championship race for 2008
