| May 3, 2022
3-Bros. Hatch Husqvarna Racing’s Dalton Shirey claimed his first NHHA victory of the 2022 season, and with it, moved into the points lead at round four of the AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series, Presented by FMF, in Jericho, Utah, April 30.
Shirey began his day playing cat-and-mouse with Red Bull KTM’s Taylor Robert for the first several miles, until Robert vanished after a big crash sent him over the bars, resulting in a DNF and a trip to the hospital.
The Pro Podium. Photos: MJS MotoPhotos
The iconic Sage Riders bomb-run start led the racers directly to a very large sand dune, giving them several choices on which direction to get through the deep, silty, unforgiving sand. Taylor had the lead through the sandy bomb, but a few miles in, Dalton made a pass, only to get passed back a few miles later. They played this game for a bit until Robert mistakenly went straight on a trail that turned right, and Dalton took the lead that he would hold to take the win over Beta teammates Joe Wasson and Zane Roberts, who completed the pro podium in second and third, respectively.
“I was trying to put a good charge on, and every time I looked back he [Robert] was there,” said Shirey. “But eventually I turned and looked back after the alternate gas, and he wasn’t there anymore, but the whole time I was like, ‘he can always sneak up on me,’ so I just kept a good charge the whole race.”
Joe Wasson in action en route to second.
Roberts also crashed on the same ravine that ended Robert’s day. “I didn’t see Taylor down until I crashed, and then I got up and see Taylor riding away. They took us down a road and there was a 90° to another road, and a ravine right there, and you know typical H&H you usually cut the corner a bit, and it was full of tumbleweeds, so riding up I just didn’t even see it … like I didn’t even know it was coming, because you just see flat, basically. But I was going pretty slow to make the turn, so I just nosed in to it and then flipped over, and then I get up and see Taylor was limping away so, I’m assuming that’s where [Robert’s crash] happened.”
Corbin McPherson won the 250 Pro class and finished fourth overall.
Robert’s injuries were significant. “Taylor sustained abdominal trauma that required surgery, as well as a fractured foot,” Robert’s wife, Stephanie, later reported. “Doctors were able to repair everything internally. He will remain in the hospital for several days but is recovering.”
It was an exciting race for the Women’s pro class. Red Bull GoPro JCR Honda racer Tarah Gieger made a surprise visit in what was only her fifth-ever NHHA. Gieger has been enjoying family time after having a baby a year ago but decided to not only come out, but to race, as well. She finished second just 22 seconds behind Britney Gallegos, who pushed hard on her Husqvarna FC 250 for the win, and a mere six seconds ahead of third-place finisher Ava Silvestri, aboard her 3 Bros./Kilmartin charged GasGas. When the dust had settled just 28 seconds separated these three Pro-class women.
Britney Gallegos won the Women’s Pro division.
In the 250 Pro class, a fired-up Corbin McPherson finished an impressive fourth overall aboard his Husqvarna FC 250, coming in nearly two minutes ahead of second-place finisher Carter Klein. Rounding the 250 Pro podium was DC Yamaha racing’s Robby Schott, who was thrilled to see his first podium of the 2022 season.
Mary Rinell
OVERALL RESULTS
- Dalton Shirey (Hus)
- Joe Wasson (Bet)
- Zane Roberts (Bet)
- Corbin McPherson (Hus)
- Preston Campbell (Hon)
- Jacob Argubright (Hus)
- Carter Klein (KTM)
- Cooper Ashton (Kaw)
- Robby Schott (Yam)
- Clayton Roberts (GG)
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