Sutherlin Takes National Hare & Hound Opener
Cycle News Staff | January 26, 2015
KTM support rider Gary Sutherlin took his first National Hare & Hound win at the 2015 season opener in Johnson Valley. Photography by Mark Kariya.
The Kenda/SRT AMA National Hare & Hound Championship Series kicked off in exciting style over the weekend, serving up its first winner of the season after a race-long battle between training partners. Reigning WORCS Champion Gary Sutherlin put his factory-support FMF KTM out front duking it out side-by-side with THR Motorsports/Precision Concepts rider Ricky Brabec. Sutherlin, a newcomer to the series, ended the day with his first National Hare & Hound win with defending champion Brabec finishing second at the Desert MC’s 48th Annual Winter Classic.
Factory KTM’s Ivan Ramirez pulled off an impressive podium finish after getting out to a dead-last start. Ramirez bumped another rider off the start, which resulted in his foot getting caught between the rear wheel and the subframe of his Factory FMF KTM 450 XC-F. Ramirez only got going after his mechanic helped him get untangled from his bike, and from there he faced a long battle through the pack on the two 40-mile loops.
Sutherlin and Brabec went back and forth throughout most of the race, trading the lead multiple times.
“Ricky and I had an awesome battle,” Sutherlin said. “He wrecked, I wrecked—it was good. It’s going to be a long, fun season. Me and Ricky are buddies. We kept the racing clean.”
Brabec had his work cut out for him after having raced the San Felipe 250 the day before, and battling its infamous big sand whoops for the team.
“We had a long day down there in Baja,” Brabec said. “I felt good, but the body’s still fatigued from San Felipe.
“My start [today] could have been a heck of a lot better. I came off a four-kick start so I pushed through dust a little bit and caught Gary a few times. We were back and forth. I’m happy to be out here with Gary. I’m stoked for him winning.”
Nick Burson and David Kamo rounded out the top five overall.
Results:
1. Gary Sutherlin (KTM)
2. Ricky Brabec (Kaw)
3. Ivan Ramirez (KTM)
4. Nick Burson (Bet)
5. David Kamo (KTM)
6. Skyler Howes (KTM)
7. Axel Pearson (Bet)
8. Dalton Shirey (Hus)
9. Brandon Prieto (KTM)
10. Colton Udall (Hon)
