Burson Wins Big at Tri-State Challenge

| May 6, 2009

Zip Ty Racing’s Nick Burson charged hard when it counted and took the win in the Inaugural Tri-State Challenge, hosted by District 37’s Big Six Off-Road Series. The Tri-State Challenge, located at Buffalo Bills Primm resort, brings together the fastest off road racers in California, Nevada, and Arizona. A semi-pro purse was the attractive part to many, but the event itself played out to be one of the most enjoyable of the Big Six’s career.

An early lead by Kawasaki’s Jamie Lanza seemed almost untouchable as Husqvarna’s Nick Burson and the rest of the field struggled to keep up in his dust. The 90 minute race meant that racers would top the 10 lap mark, and with that many rotations around the track, anything could happen. Joining the guys up front, were Big Six aces Ryan Reina and Brad Goolsby. Additionally KTM racers Justin Imhof and Kevin O’Donnell pushed with hopes of taking home their share of the $6000 purse.

Burson and Lanza got out to an early lead, but half way around the CORR truck track section of the course, the Monster Energy KX450F of Lanza was pulling on Burson. After one lap it was Lanza by about 18 seconds but Burson was not ready to give up.

Every lap there after, Burson seemed to make up a second or so, until Jaime made a mistake that would cost him the race. Attempting to go six laps without gassing would prove to be one too many. Spectators watched as Lanza was literally sprinting down the pavement with his bike at his side trying to make it to the pits. Lanza dropped about three minutes, but Jamie hit the road like a rocketship, and picked up where he left off (only now in seventh place).

The absence of Lanza opened the door for Burson who, only hours earlier, was thinking his weekend was over. “I blew a head gasket on my 450 this morning,” Burson said. “I was riding and it was just getting hotter and hotter. Eventually it melted part of my radiator, so my dad and I spent about three hours prepping the 510. The bike is big and heavy, but I was able to get it going and actually felt that I rode really well.”

Despite a rear flat on the last lap, Burson held on to beat the Kawasaki of Ryan Reina by about 30 seconds. Closely behind the two was Brad Goolsby who was congratulated by his brother and “pit crew,” Robbie.

On the podium Burson scored a check for $2300, the largest of his career. Standing to his right, Reina took home a check for $1100, while Goolsby earned $700.

“It was exciting to get such a big win,” Burson said. “I was happy to be in second for a while there, knowing how much the payout was, but once I got around Jaime I knew I could bring it home in the lead.”

By Freelance