Mark Kariya | April 8, 2019
Three weeks ago, Beta USA’s Joe Wasson had yet to overall a round of the Kenda/SRT AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series, Presented by FMF. After round three in Murphy, Idaho, he joined that elite crowd of overall winners. And now, at round four—the 59th Cherry Creek Hare & Hound, hosted by the Sugarloafers Motorcycle Club at the Little Sahara Off-Highway Vehicle Area near Jericho, Utah—he backed that initial triumph with a second consecutive victory, April 9.
Beta’s Joe Wasson Makes It Two Wins In A Row
In doing so, he moved into a tie at the top of the points table with Off-Road Support/TBT Racing Kawasaki privateer Jacob Argubright, 106-106, with 3 Bros./SRT Husqvarna’s Dalton Shirey splitting them in second place for the day. Wasson’s record through the first four rounds is 3-2-1-1, while Argubright has gone 1-1-2-3.
“I’m ecstatic right now, so excited!” Wasson said. After a pretty good start, the Motul/GPR Stabilizers/Fly Racing-backed 430 RR rider continued, “I think I came out about fourth [at the bomb]. I was able to get past [Purvines Racing Yamaha rider Nick] Burson, and I think [Garrett Off-road Racing KTM’s] Kadin Guard was in front of me maybe.
“So I was able to [hold] second, and we had a pretty quick pit [at the end of the 25-mile first loop]. As Dalton pulled in for gas, I was able to sneak by him right there and I just kind of put it in overdrive and set the cruise control and went for it.”
Shirey had pulled the holeshot on his FMF/Zip-Ty Racing/Troy Lee Designs-sponsored FX 450, and though he led the first loop, he confessed he struggled. “I was leading the whole first loop, but I was riding super-tight—I had arm pump and stuff,” he said.
After getting passed while pitting the first time, it got worse, Shirey said.
“When I was stuck in Joe’s dust, Jacob snuck by me, and I sat in their dust. Towards the end of the second loop (also 25 miles long but more technical up in the trees), I was starting to catch back up to Jacob. I got rid of my arm pump.
“We hit the valley [on the 45-mile-long third loop], and these Huskys have the six-speed that’s super-nice, so I just clicked it in sixth and went right by him like he wasn’t even there.”
Richards Tops Women’s Pro Class
At the finish of the 95 miles, Wasson came in after two hours, 17 minutes and eight seconds with Shirey second at 2:18:36 and Argubright settling for third in 2:19:28.
“Thanks to [the injured] Ryan Smith and his line [advice], I killed it on the start,” Argubright said. “Best start I’ve had all year.”
Though Argubright got into second for a while and could see Wasson, he found himself unable to match their speed later in the race. “Joe dropped me in the trees, and I just didn’t have it today,” the Kawasaki of Simi Valley/Motion Pro/Fly Racing KX450 rider admitted.
On losing his points lead, Argubright said, “The season’s still young, and a lot can happen. I’m going to come back and take it.”
Chance Fullerton made it a Beta 1-4, the 2018 Pro 250 champ looking forward to his first overall podium as he continues to adjust to his Rekluse/Acerbis/Fasthouse 430 RR.
Beta support rider Zane Roberts didn’t match his third overall from round three, but fifth was more than enough for his second Pro 250-class victory on his Six Five O Racing/DDC/Klim 250 RR.
Purvines Racing Yamaha’s Axel Pearson had been ahead of Roberts until he took a huge digger a mile or so from the finish. Though momentarily knocked out, he managed to remount and salvage sixth overall followed by teammate Nick Burson (who was sick), Economy Floor Yamaha’s Daemon Woolslayer (the Pro 250 runner-up), Johnny Campbell Racing (JCR) Honda’s Preston Campbell (third Pro 250) and MotoXperts Suzuki rider Taran Taylor.
JCR Honda’s Ricky Brabec and defending series champ Kendall Norman didn’t make the trip to Utah, both nursing injuries from the previous round.
In Pro Women, Colorado Recycling/Motorex/Fly Racing KTM’s Brandy Richards picked up her third win of the season after missing round three due to a schedule conflict. That put her back into the points lead, 90-89, as Beta’s Morgan Tanke (the points leader going in after winning round three) had a bad day and finished fourth behind Richards, Stout Racing KTM’s Rachel Stout and Colorado Recycling KTM’s Britney Gallegos.
Mark Kariya
2019 Kenda/SRT AMA Hare & Hound National Championship
Round 4
Jericho, Utah
RESULTS: April 7, 2019
OVERALL
- Joe Wasson (Bet)
- Dalton Shirey (Hus)
- Jacob Argubright (Kaw)
- Chance Fullerton (Bet)
- Zane Roberts (Bet)
- Axel Pearson (Yam)
- Nick Burson (Yam)
- Daemon Woolslayer (Yam)
- Preston Campbell (Hon)
- Taran Taylor (Suz)