Destry Abbott and Russell Pearson both give a play-by-play of their Best in the Desert Laughlin Hare Scrambles race experience. From the GNCC Series, Shane Watts and Glenn Kearney also give race reports from the recent first rounds of the GNCC Series. See the same race through different eyes as the pros each tell their stories.
Glenn Kearney Press Release
I had probably my best GNCC race to date, with a third place start and a strong ride to finish second. I kept the gap from Juha back to myself at around 30 40 seconds...
Shane Watts Race Report
Round 1 in the sands of Florida proved a difficult race for Watts, who was one of the pre-race favourites to contest for the victory. After a great start Watts soon settled into second position...
Destry's Laughlin and Big 6 Race Story
Best in the Desert - Laughlin, Nevada
March 4, 2006
After having last week off and having a lot of fun spending it with the family, it was time to focus on winning races again. We drove up early Thursday morning to meet up with Nathan Woods (my teammate), his mechanic Andy Smith, Jason Smigel, and Craig Adams. Jonny just finished building us a brand new KX450F for this weekend. The bike looked really good, and after Nathan and I finished breaking it in today, she's ready to go. I thought it was going to be wet, but after today it looks like it's going to be a dry and a dusty race. This is the first time Nathan has raced here in Laughlin and I was telling him it's a great race to do. I really feel like we have a good shot at winning on Saturday. We're going to go riding one more time in the morning, and then have Jonny and Andy do a race prep on the bike.
After getting up early this morning (Friday) we drove out to do a little more riding. We made a couple of small changes to the suspension clickers and now everything seems perfect. We had a good time riding today but it was super windy. It actually helped out when we were following each other though. For the race we'll be the 6th Open Pro bike off. It looks like we're going to have to do a lot of passing to win the race. Nathan and I are going to be switching riders every half a loop. Each loop is about 40-miles, but at the halfway point it comes back into the pits and that's when we'll be gassing again and switching riders. I'm not sure who's going to be starting, but either way it should be a fun day of racing. Time to go get some grub.
At 6:00 we were driving out to the start just outside of Laughlin. When we got there, there wasn't any wind and it looked like it was going to be a tough day of passing. We decided that Nathan would start and I would ride the second half of the loop. The first half of the loop was 19-miles and my side was 21-miles. Nathan was the 6th bike to take off. When he came into the pits he was running 4th overall, right behind David Pearson who started right in front of him. Nathan really put in a good ride and passed Johnny Campbell and another Honda team. On adjusted time we were just about tied for first overall with the Yamaha team of Ty Davis and Russell Pearson.
When I took off, I felt really good and got right on David and made the pass about 5-miles into my loop. The two other Honda teams were still in front of me (Nick Pearson and Robby Bell) and (Steve Hengeveld and Kendall Norman). When I left the pits they had two minutes on us, but we were beating them on time. After getting by David, I was really pushing it to see if I could catch them. With around 5-miles left on my loop I started to see them in front of me in the hills. I had a great ride going and was able to real them in. I passed Steve with a mile to go and was right on Robby coming into the pits. When we were going into the pits, I passed Robby while he was pitting and wanted to give the bike to Nathan as quick as I could to see if we could get out before them. Their team beat us out, but we were still right behind them and now leading on adjusted time by 40 seconds over the Yamaha team.
When Nathan went out, he put in another great ride and passed Nick to get us in the physical lead too. This really helped us out with the dust issue, but we were starting to get into lappers. Nathan brought the bike back to me, in the lead, and now it was my turn to go back to work. I had a pretty uneventful loop besides a few close calls . I didn't feel like I rode as well as I did on my first lap, but this time we were dealing with a lot of lappers. I did what I wanted to do and didn't make any mistakes and put more time on everyone (over a minute on the Yamaha guys on adjusted time). Nathan went out on his last loop and I felt pretty confident this was going to be a good day for us. Our main competition at this time was the Yamaha team, but after the race I heard they had a weird problem and got a DNF. This was a big bummer, because we all had a great race going.
Nathan brought the bike back to me and now it was up to me to bring it to the finish. I still didn't know the Yamaha guys had a problem and how far they were behind us. So when I took off I was still thinking this might be a close race. I pushed it and really put in a good loop. I rode a really clean ride and when I was coming into the finish I felt pretty confident we had won the race. At the finish they told me the Yamaha team broke and then I knew we won, since all the other fast teams started in front of us. The Honda team of Steve and Kendall finished a little over 5-minutes behind us. Then it was a close battle with the KTM team of (Matt Gosnell and Mike Corder) and (Nick Pearson and Robby Bell). I heard the KTM team beat the Honda team by 16 seconds. It really feels good to finally get this win. Now we're driving over to California (Glen Helen) for a Big 6 G.P. race.
Results Overall:
1st Destry Abbott and Nathan Woods
2nd Steve Hengeveld and Kendall Norman
3rd Matt Gosnell and Mike Corder
4th Nick Pearson and Robby Bell
5th Kellon Walch and Brent Harden
My dad teamed up in the 50+ Expert class with Gene Brown (Brian Brown's dad) and Rob Beggs. They had a great race going but on the second loop my dad went down and smashed the bike up pretty good. They didn't finish the race.
I didn't want to write this part before the race and jinks myself. I've won just about all the major West coast off-road races, besides this one. I've been trying for 8 or 9 years and have had a lot of close calls, but have never won this race. The closest race I had was the race where Ty and I battled at the finish, but we ended up crashing and he took the win. The crash video is on my site. (www.DestryAbbott.com)
I can't tell you how much fun I had on the 450. I know I've said it before, but this bike is so easy to ride and it makes racing a lot more fun when I'm on it. Last year Lance Smail and I raced a KX250 that was good, but it still doesn't come close to the 450.
Tonight Nathan is flying out to Florida for the opening round of the GNCCs. I was thinking about going back there, but I'd rather focus on the H&H's and WORCS races.
It was really great to see all the Arizona teams that showed up and raced. I know we had a lot of other teams win too. Congrats!
I'd like to give a big thanks to Jonny for building us a great bike. Nathan was a huge part of winning this race and I want to thank him for teaming up with me. I was super lucky to have a great rider to team with, and he's a pretty good guy too . Also Jason Smigel, Craig Adams, and Nathan's mechanic (Andy Smith) for all their help.
Big 6 G. P. - Glen Helen, Ca.
March 5, 2006
There really isn't a whole lot to talk about since we just left the Laughlin race. We actually decided to drive to Glen Helen tonight and sign-up so we don't have to do it tomorrow. I signed up for three races (unclassified, 250 Vet, and 250F) Tonight they had a pro team race, but since we don't have any lights we won't be doing that. Jonny and I hung out and had dinner with the Abbatoye's. They did this huge barbeque with chicken, shrimp, burgers, ribs, etc. By the time I left I had already gained a good 3 pounds, but it was worth it. Tomorrow should be really good because they had a lot of rain here on Friday.
Unclassified:
My first race was the unclassified race. I wanted to see how the track was before the vet race, right after the unclassified. I figured I'd go out there and see how I felt and then decide if I would try and win it. After we took off I was around 6th and the leaders were right in front of me. I only brought my 250F to this race and it was taking a little bit to get used to it after yesterday's race. By the end of the first lap, I took the lead and then really started to have fun. It would take us around 13:00 lap time (I think). By the end of the race I had a pretty good lead and won the race.
1st Destry Abbott
250 Vet:
The next race was the vet race and it was right after the unclassified race. I went back to the truck and filled up the 250F and took a quick break and went back up to the start. This race I was starting on the second row, with the open vets on the front row. The first row had about 25 guys in it and then 35 seconds later we took off. I got a second place start, but took the lead pretty quick. I was having a really good time trying to pass the open riders. Since it was barely dusty, you could key off the guys in front of you. By the end of the first lap I made it up to 5th overall and had a good lead on my class. After the second lap I made it up to 3rd overall and had a comfortable lead on my class. Then on the third lap I could see Revell Harrison in front of me and wanted to try and make the pass, but I had to stop for gas on the third lap. I was just running a stock tank so we didn't have that quick of a pit stop. After I took off, we still had two laps left. On the last lap I caught back up to Revell and made the pass just before the finish. I finished about 35 seconds behind Gordan Ward, but he started on the front row and didn't have to stop for gas. I won my class and that was my goal, so it was a good race.
1st Destry Abbott
250F:
I was starting to feel the effects of the race yesterday and the two today. Before I even took off my hands were a little sore, but I knew this was the last race for the weekend. This time they had the 250F's start on the same row as the open riders, which was nice. The only problem is the fact that we had about 50 riders on the front row. I was hoping for a good start, but it was pretty fast here at Glen Helen. When we took of I had a good jump and was around 7th after the first corner. I think I was first or second in the 250F class. After the first lap I made it up to 4th overall and was leading the 250F class. On the third lap I got right behind a Honda rider (not sure who it was) but had to make a pit stop for fuel. On the next lap I caught back up to him and made the pass. Now I was in 3rd overall, with Mark Tilley and Bobby Garrison battling for the lead. They were too far in front of me to try and catch, so I settled down into a good pace for the next two laps and finished 3rd overall. I think they said Bobby won the race with Mark in second. I was happy with the way I rode this weekend and I'm glad we made the trip to the Big 6 race. The 250F worked great, but it's about time I give it some love and make sure the motor is still meeting it's specs. I haven't touched the thing since it was new.
1st Destry Abbott
The Pro team race, that was put on at night, was won by Bobby Garrison and Mark Tilley. Hopefully here soon we can try and get some lights for our bike and give them a run for their money.
Jonny raced two races (unclassified and 250F intermediate). In both races he had someone crash hard in front of him, so he gave up his races to stop and stay with the downed riders. I'm giving him the good samaritan award for the weekend. What a great guy to have for a mechanic!
Next week I have off, but after that I have 7 or 8 weeks in a row of major races. I'm going to enjoy my weekend off.
2006 Sponsors: Kawasaki Team Green, Thor, Dunlop, Pro Circuit, Scott Goggles, SIDI, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, Pro Clean 1000, BRP, Works Connection, Shoei, CTI2, Maxima, Acerbis, Wiseco, Steahly, Trick Fuel, DP Pads, RK/Excel, Renthal, Bent, Hinson, American Racing Wheels, IMS, Jonre Multimedia, Twisten Wrenches, Cyto Sport, N-Style, GPR Stabilizers, Zip-Ty, Tire-Balls, Team Hawgracing.com, and ZLT.
Russell Pearson Race Report
This past weekend marked the notorious BITD Laughlin US Hare Scrambles. A brutal team race that goes through treacherous choya cactus fields, gnarly ups and downs and rocks and rarely getting out of 2nd gear. It is definitely one of the most-fun races of the year in my opinion. A Pearson has won it I think 7 out of 8 times the last 8 years and I was hoping to keep that streak alive teaming up with Ty Davis on a YZ450F.
Nick (my brother) teamed with Robby Bell on a Honda and my cousin David's partner bailed out the last minute and so he teamed with Joey Lanza. All the other top riders were there also. We (Ty and I) got our bike all dialed in on Friday and did a couple last minute things and then to Tech Inspection and Rider's Meeting.
I was starting, so I got out a bit early for breakfast and then to walk the first little section. 7:30, race starts - one bike every 30 seconds. We started 8th, last in the Open pro division. There were two different 20-mile loops; I was doing the first and Ty, the second. Laughlin is pretty tight, so usually dust isn't too bad, but the wind was calm and the dust was sitting and not moving at all.
The light turned green and I was off. I felt good and ready, but just found myself going from pinning it to almost coming to a stop because of the dust. I pushed, but no luck. I never found an opening in the dust to make a go of anything. I remember going in like 2nd gear cruising on a road that was wide open for a bit because the dust was so bad, I was riding by brail. The dust sucked throughout the whole loop but I did get by Johnny Campbell, who had tipped it over, and then another rider who was not up to pace. I came in the pits right on the next rider and handed the bike over to Ty.
We were close on time, but I lost a bit to my brother, Nick, and the other Honda team. Ty came in off his loop right behind the KTM teams. We did a quick gas and rider change and I pinned it (sorry for the roost, pit crew). It worked as I barely got by another rider. One more down, but we were down a bit on time, so I pinned it. Our bike was feeling good and I slowly caught my cousin David and closed [in on him] and then wham! He stalled it or his bike died or something (I found out later he had a problem that put them out of the race). I had a lot of clear sailing and almost caught the Honda teams as I gave it back to Ty.
We had made up some time; cool. I had worked my butt off, but we were back in it. I got cooled off and some food for my belly and got ready for my last loop. The Kawi team was first, then a little gap and the two Hondas, and then there was Ty.
We got a quick gas-up and then I roosted out of the pits again (sorry pit crew!), but the Honda team was just ahead and the pits weren't dusty. I pinned it and there was a 100 ft silt section at the end of the pits with ruts and just gross. It was Nick (my brother) and he backed off a bit, like he should... and I should... but I couldn't. I wanted to stick with him because there was a fast whoop section right after and if I backed off, like I should, then I might as well have a Snickers because I would have to just cruise for a bit until the dust settled.
Well, it worked... kinda. I pinned it and came within probably 50 to 100 feet of him, just to where I could see a tiny bit. We were in whoops and nasty chop and going fastprobably 60mph or so. I did a couple of nice swappers, not so cool, but pulled a little closer. As it slowed to turn into some tighter stuff, Nick saw me and let me by. "Thanks Nick," as I pinned it harder.
Kendall Norman was just ahead, as he was next. I had to get by them both if we had a chance for the Overall. I caught up to Kendall and he kind of bobbled as he overshot a turn and wham, I got him. Yeehaa!
All eyes forward, as I had some time to make up on the Kawi team. I flat floored it and our Yamaha was working great. Well, unfortunately with about a mile left in my loop, the bike stopped and we were done, Dang-it. We just had a freak mechanical error, poopey.
I heard after the race that I had made up over a minute and we were only about 40 seconds back physically to the Kawi team and that would have put us 20 seconds in first (on time), but oh well, that's racing. I had fun and the course was great and Ty rode a great race too.
Results
1st Abbott/Woods
2nd Hengeveld/Norman
3rd Gosnell/Corder
4th Nick Pearson/Robby Bell
Well, I want to give a big thanks to all my supporters, my family and friends and all my sponsors for all the help. I have a WORCS race in Lake Havasu, AZ in 2 weeks so until then, I will be working my butt off so I can be atop that podium there. Thanks for all the support and have a good week