Despite a change in weather patterns across southern California, Red Bull/KTM’s David Pearson was still as hot as ever in upper desert, as he repeated his earlier January hare and hound performance with another win. Round two of the FMF/AMA National Hare & Hound Series took place in Red Mountain, California, February 10, and would put riders to the test with a nearly 100-mile course. And it was Pearson who passed the test with flying colors.
Off the start, it was Pearson and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott getting the jump on the pack. Kawasaki rider Nick Burson was also there and made a strong showing. He ran third for the entire first loop. As the leaders charged into the pits for the first time, the top few were less then a minute apart, as Destry tried to reel-in Pearson.
Coming back after a first-round crash was Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Josh Morros who was running fourth overall after loop one.
Bad luck, however, would strike Burson on the second loop, as multiple flat tires would keep him from finishing the race. Morros took over third, where he would remain for the rest of the race.
Up front, nearly an hour later, the leaders were again back into the pits before heading out on their third and final loop. Again, it was Pearson followed by Abbott, who was now only seconds behind.
“I got out to a good start, but unfortunately spent the whole day in his dust,” Abbott said. “I would get to within 10 seconds and we’d turn and the wind would be right in my face again, and I’d have to totally shut off again and drink some water.”
On the third loop, Abbott caught a glimpse of open air, but when he overshot a turn in a sand wash, it was enough to put an end to his charge. From that point on, Pearson held the point to the finish.
“I was riding good all day, and every time I would look back, Destry was right on my tail!” Pearson said. “I’d get to the top of a hill and look back, and he was right there!”
Morrow finished third, while Red Bull/KTM’s David Kamo finished fourth, keeping him third in the overall standings. Thousand Oaks Kawasaki Ryan Kudla, riding a KX450F, rounded out the top five.
