Pearson Wins Blue Water Gran Prix

Mark Kariya | May 16, 2011

Two weeks after taking the overall victory at the chilly, high-speed Bilek Racing Silver State 300, Purvines Racing Honda’s David Pearson shifted gears and followed that up with the win at the Epic Racing Blue Water Gran Prix in Parker, Arizona, on a much tighter course with far warmer conditions.

Round four of Best in the Desert’s American Off-Road Racing Series on May 14, the Blue Water represents the prototypical western GP with hard-pack, sand, silt, a water hole, pavement and a variety of classes for bikes, ATVs and UTVs. And if you get too hot, the pits on the banks of the Colorado River provide the perfect place to take a dip when you’re not riding.

Though Pro teams are allowed two riders, most of the Open Pros opted to solo. Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna’s Nick Burson proved best at the straddle-the-front-wheel dead-engine start, but Pearson passed him about a mile into the race. From that point on, Pearson kept his CRF450R in front with little problem, Burson holding down second for the entire distance aboard his TXC 449 practice bike. THR Motorsports KX450F-mounted Shane Esposito rallied from a last-place start to claim third with Open Experts Justin Morrow/Trevor Ricci and Garrett Osteen/Tyler Renshaw fourth and fifth overall, respectively.