Russ Pearson Tops Vikings Hare & Hound

Mark Kariya | April 27, 2009

KTM rider Russell Pearson became the first repeat winner in this year’s AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship Series when he took first-place honors at the Vikings MC’s Virgin Voyage race at Lucerne Valley, California, April 26.

Johnny Campbell Racing Honda’s Kendall Norman grabbed the lead and stayed there practically all of the first 48-mile loop, but Pearson was only a couple seconds back as they exited the main pit and headed out for the more technical 38-mile second loop. The two riders traded the lead a couple of times, while Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott found his groove and got to within striking distance of the lead duo.

Abbott actually led for a moment when Norman and Pearson got lost a few miles from the finish, then Abbott got lost as well, handing the lead back to his rivals, with Pearson getting back to the course first and pinning it to the finish line, with Norman following him a few seconds behind. Defending champ Abbott ended up third.

“We went back and forth; we had a good day of racing,” Pearson said. “I’m happy.”

Shock Doctor KTM’s David Kamo and David Pearson finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Kamo, however, retains the series points lead with 91, Abbott moves up to second with 84, and the two Pearsons have 81 points apiece.

Blais Racing KTM-mounted Morgan Crawford, Dicks Racing KTM’s Jordan Brandt and Zip-Ty Racing Husvarna’s Nick Burson were next to the finish, with Ryan Kudla and 250cc winner Justin Imhof rounding out the top 10.