Mark Kariya | January 28, 2019
Jacob Argubright (Off-road Support/TBT Racing Kawasaki) came from behind to win the opening round–the Winter Classic–of the Kenda/SRT AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series in Lucerne Valley, California, January 27.
2019 Winter Classic Hare & Hound Results
The Desert Motorcycle Club’s 52nd running of the Winter Classic wasn’t decided until the final loop when the privateer racer, Argubright, found his way into the leading, taking full advantage of a mishap by then-leader Kendal Norman, who dropped all the way back to eighth at the finish. Argubright took command in the late stages of the race and held on to take the win, ahead of Ricky Brabec (JCR Honda) and Beta USA’s Joe Wasson.
Tyler Lynn (Yamaha) and Dalton Shirey (Husqvarna) rounded out the top five overall.
Wasson led the race at one point until Norman got around him. “I had her wide pretty much the whole first loop and led pretty much until five or 10 miles from the end, then Kendall [Norman] got by me—he was on fire, man!” said Wasson (Kenda/FMF/Fly Racing 430 RR Race Edition). “In the dust, I don’t know how he passed me like he did on a rocky road. I know he couldn’t see because as soon as he went by me, I couldn’t see!”
Two-time and defending series champ Norman seemed to find another gear after passing Wasson for the lead, but this wasn’t to be his day.
“I just knew I had to be smooth and smart,” the Chocolate Mountain Ranch/Pro Circuit/Alpinestars-backed Honda rider said. “I got through the pits and like seven miles out on the second loop, I lost the ribbon for a second, clipped a rock just right and ripped the chain guide off and de-railed the chain, and it was bound up [with the countershaft sprocket].”
With the aid of some tools that a spectator provided, Norman eventually got the chain free but not before losing a number of positions.
After soloing to the Parker 250 win two weeks ago, Argubright is enjoying probably the best start to his year ever despite being a privateer aboard his Motion Pro/Rev Designs/Fly Racing-backed KX450.
“It’s a lot of work being a privateer, but I can’t believe I’m starting the year of winning two races,” he said. “I can’t believe how good my bike worked.”
Kenda/SRT AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series
Lucerne Valley, California
RESULTS: January 27, 2019
OVERALL |
1. Jacob Argubright (Kaw) |
2. Ricky Brabec (Hon) |
3. Joe Wasson (Bet) |
4. Tyler Lynn (Yam) |
5. Dalton Shirey (Hus) |
6. Nick Burson (Yam) |
7. Axel Pearson (Yam) |
8. Kendall Norman (Hon) |
9. Chance Fullerton (Bet) |
10. Daemon Wooslayer (Yam) Pro 250 |