RK Excel America

El Centro, CA – FMF/KTM rider David Pearson finished 3rd overall at the end of the most challenging Hare & Hound of the season at the third round of the series.

Nobody could have predicted the storm that would pass through El Centro during round three of the series. “It was warm and sunny on Saturday as we were prepping for the race. Nobody was prepared for the storms that passed through on Sunday completely soaking the desert course,” commented David Pearson.

Pearson got a great start sitting in 4th position at the end of the bomb behind Kendall Norman, Jacob Argubright and Destry Abbott. Argubright went over the bars early in the race, losing a position and helping Abbott and Pearson to move into the top three. Abbott and Pearson remained close and battled for a good portion of the race. Pearson was able to pass for 2nd position and held that spot until he got stuck in a mud hole and had trouble starting the bike. After he recovered, he was down 2 minutes. He eventually charged forward to pick up 3rd place and finish on the podium.

Pearson’s teammate, David Kamo, also had a good start off the line. Shortly into the race he got water in his goggles and struggled with poor visibility through the remainder of the race. When the checkered flag flew Kamo had worked his way into 5th overall.

Next Round: March 21, 2010 – Murphy, ID – Round 4

Overall Results –
1) Kendall Norman
2) Destry Abbott
3) David Pearson – KTM
4) Robert Underwood
5) David Kamo – KTM

Overall Points –
1) Destry Abbott – 71
2) Kendall Norman – 64
3) David Pearson – 64
4) David Kamo – 62
5) Jacob Argubright – 34

AMA H&H
Round 3
March 7, 2010
Superstition Mountain, Ca.

Race Day:
I can’t believe the first three rounds have been wet and this one was by far wetter than any of them. The start had puddles everywhere, and I only ran the bomb three times before the race since I was soaked, cold and it was raining again. When the banner dropped I didn’t get a first kick start, but it started the next try. I was trying to pass guys, but was getting soaked by a ton of riders with all the standing water. A mile out I had already used all my tear-offs and knew right away I should’ve went with roll-offs. UGH! A few miles in I was around 10th and just was trying to play it smart and get a good feel for the ground, since it was so slippery. I kept picking guys off, but was having a tough time seeing out of my goggles. At this point I saw Jacob on the ground, and he gave me the thumbs up so I kept going. By now I had moved into 4th and had Gary Sutherlin right in front of me with David Pearson right in front of Gary. I knew Kendall was leading, but couldn’t see him. Just before the alternate pit (mile 21) I was able to get by Gary, and get right on David. I stopped for a splash and put roll-offs on. I left a little bit behind David, but was able to get right on him and then made the pass. I could now see Kendall and wanted to get on him so I could key off him. Around the 35-mile mark, I lost my front end over some really slicks hills and went down. I was soaked with mud and my gloves and left grip were really bad. I took off and was thinking this isn’t going to be good, but luckily I came up to a big water crossing and I slowed down to clean the mud off and then was back on the gas. After the first 59-mile loop was over, Kendall had about 2-minutes on me and David was about 45-seconds in front of me. I stopped for a quick splash and changed my gloves (which was really nice since it was still raining). Now I knew the second loop was where it was going to be won, but Kendall had a pretty good lead on us. I was pushing and was able to catch David about 10-miles into the last 37-mile loop. I passed him, and then once we got into the rocks I started to really feel comfortable and had a great pace going. However, David was able to stay on me since it was so much easier to key off the guy in front of you. The rain really played havoc on the arrows, and they folded up or fell off so it was super hard to follow the course (not the clubs fault). Halfway into the loop I could tell we had really closed the gap on Kendall, and were within a minute of him. David and I kept pushing each other and were going back and forth for quite a while. Next thing I knew we were within about 20-seconds of Kendall, and was looking forward to a three way battle for the win! David was ahead of me at this point, and I was following him down this really tight ravine that had two big drop offs that were filled with running water. Unfortunately David rolled off it and went flying over the bars. I sat there for a few seconds and I could tell he was struggling to pick it up so I figured I would try and jump over his front end, but it was going to be tight. I tried anyway and boy was it a bad call on my part! My front end slammed into his, and now we were both stuck in the deep puddle of water and neither one of us could do anything to get unstuck. He finally had to lay down his bike the opposite way we were going to get it unstuck, but there still wasn’t enough room to get by so I had to sit there and wait for him to try and get his bike flipped around. I knew we had just thrown away any shot we had at the win, since we were there for at least 2-minutes. Once we took off it was another epic battle and we kept going back and forth, but with about 3-miles to go he made a good pass on me. Right after that his bike came to a stop and I knew it was because of the huge wash we were trying to ride up that was flowing a few feet deep in areas. I was thinking I should be on a jet ski here instead of a dirt bike (it really was that deep for a good mile). I ended up finishing 2nd and a few minutes ahead of David who finally got his bike started. Kendall put in a great ride and got his first National H&H win.

Overall Summary:
Even though I finished 2nd I had a blast and felt really good on the bike again (my conditioning is getting better too). I really felt I could’ve been right there for the win, until the last mistake which was my fault. The conditions really made it fun, and challenging, and then to have some great battles just made it that much better. Definitely a fun day of racing for me!

Results (Overall):
1st Kendall Norman
2nd Destry Abbott
3rd David Pearson
4th Robert Underwood
5th David Kamo

Other Notes:

Here’s a short video clip from Beau. He wasn’t able to get a ton of coverage because of the weather, but it’s still pretty cool! http://www.promoto.tv/

It’s nice to be in the points lead, but I really want to be pulling off some wins again. I’ve been close, but just haven’t won one this year! Come on Idaho!

I would rate this H&H with one of the coolest ones I’ve done in years. The first loop was unbelievably slick and you had to ride smart. The second loop was awesome, and the weather conditions made it interesting and challenging. Even though I didn’t win I had a blast, and thought the club did a great job considering the conditions they had to deal with (all the rain). It definitely wasn’t easy and I think that’s what national events should be like, but the rain did help make it that way!

I’d like to give a big thanks to the Argubright’s for letting Jonny and I use their truck to help us stay dry. Jacob was putting in a great ride and was running 2nd early, but took a big digger and had to call it a day.

Yesterday Gary Sutherlin teamed up with Justin Soule to win the Laughlin Hare Scramble and then showed up late last night to race the H&H. He had a solid 4th place until he bent his sprocket really bad, 20-miles from the finish, and ended up with a DNF.

I have this weekend off and then have a long drive up to Idaho the following week for round four of the H&H series.

Here’s a little video clip that me and my teammates did to plug Kawasaki’s new Facebook page. It was kind of funny! http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_news/Article.aspx?id=1360

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Best Wishes,
Destry
www.destryabbott.com
2010 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stablilzers, Shoei, Akrapovic exhaust, Stephen Gall Training, SIDI, IMS, Zip-Ty, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, BRP, Braking, Works Connection, Concept2, CTI2, Maxima, Kicker, O’GIO, Traxxas, Renthal, Hinson, Jonre Multimedia, dragonfireracing.com, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

Jericho, UT – Shock Doctor/KTM rider David Kamo earned 3rd overall at the seventh round of the Hare and Hound Series while KTM rider Russ Pearson took the overall.

Russ Pearson grabbed the early lead followed by Destry Abbott, Kamo and his Shock Doctor/KTM teammate David Pearson. Unfortunately, David Pearson ran out of gas on the first loop and decided to pull out of the race after he dropped nearly fifty positions. The top three continued on and pulled from the pack.

At the end of the race the top three remained in their starting positions with Russ Pearson taking the win aboard his KTM while Abbott finished 2nd, and Kamo rounded out the top three.

Next Event: Lucerne, CA – October 25, 2009

Overall Results –
1) Russ Pearson – KTM
2) Destry Abbott
3) David Kamo – KTM

AMA H&H

Jericho, Utah

October 3, 2009

Race Day:

Today’s race started about 3/4 of a mile before the sand dunes and the bomb run ended at the dunes. I had a great jump and was first to the end of the bomb, but I took a bad line and hit the face of one of the dunes and lost all my momentum. Russ passed me there and I was able to jump in behind him. It was actually cool to be in the dunes since it’s not that dusty, but as soon as we jumped back into the open I got dusted out and had to back off. For the first five or so miles, I was just outside of his dust and then we came to this main road crossing that wasn’t marked. I looked over and saw a guy on a quad trying to wave me down. I stopped, and he told me we had both went the wrong way. I looked up and saw Russ coming back too. So I waved to him that we had to go back. I believe the top 5 or 6 guys did the same thing. After we headed back I was the first one to find the course, and since Russ was leading before we got lost I slowed down and waited for him to go by (I waved him around). I didn’t think it would be fair to take the lead like that. Unfortunately I had to let him go, because it was so dusty again. The first part of the loop had some fast stuff, but then we started to get up in the hills which was really fun. As soon as we would get into the slower stuff I would get close, but it was just to dusty to try and get close enough to make a pass. I had a tough time in a few sections where I kept losing the course, and then I would find it again. Finally we had the alternate pit halfway into the first loop (60-miles). I was right on Russ and passed him while he was pitting, but then when I pitted he got right back by. For the next half of the loop, I pretty much did the same thing as before. I would close in and then have to back off when we got on the faster sections. I was about 15-seconds back heading in to the main pit. Jonny and my dad did a great job pitting me and I was back out. The second loop was around 41-miles and I thought it would be in the trees, but we stayed in the lower stuff for a while (where it was really silty). I lost quite a bit of time, and then halfway into this loop we got back into the good stuff (the trees). The bike was working really good and I started to close in again. It’s just so tough to get within 10-seconds and not be able to do anything besides ride in the dust. I felt good, but just wasn’t having much luck getting close enough to make a pass again. I saw we only had a few miles left and I was riding like it was an ISDE special test. I pushed it, but the closer I kept getting the worse I could see. I ended up finishing 10-seconds back for second again!

Overall Summary:

This was like deja-vu from last weekends H&H. I felt better this week and had a really good set-up, but I had the same problem with dust. It’s just frustrating to not be able to do anything! The one good thing is the fact that I felt really good and didn’t go down today. Just another frustrating day though!!!

Results:

1st Russ Pearson

2nd Destry Abbott

3rd David Kamo

Other Notes:

My championship hopes are getting slimmer this year (with one round left). I really needed that win today! Now even if I win the last round, Russ just needs to finish top 5 (I think). I also have David Kamo right behind me in points too.

A big congrats goes out to our USA Des Nations Team! I got up early Sunday morning to watch the last moto on the internet. There were a lot of people that doubted our team this year, but they still were able to pull it off (in Italy). It looks like it’s the ISDE teams turn to go out there and see what we can do.

I really enjoy racing the Utah H&H’s, but like I’ve said before this place can get really dusty. The club (Sage Riders) did a great job on running us on some newer stuff, but hopefully we’ll have tighter stuff next year. I do have to say the Utah riders and spectators are some of the nicest people anywhere I go to.

By the time you’re reading this I’ll be on my way to Portugal for the ISDE. It starts on October 12th and goes to the 17th.

If you want some great links to the event be sure to check out my message board. http://destryabbott.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=1906 I’ll also be doing updates while I’m over there to give you some insight on what’s going on! Go team USA! Thanks again for everyone’s support!

A big thanks goes out to Jonny (my mechanic). He’s been doing a great job and is always there to try and motivate me when things aren’t going as well as I would like. I’m sure he’s going to be tired of me by the time our Portugal trip is over though.

Best Wishes,
Destry
www.destryabbott.com
2009 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, Shoei, Pro Circuit, Stephen Gall Training, SIDI, IMS, Zip-Ty, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, BRP, Braking, Works Connection, Concept2, CTI2, Maxima, Kicker, OGIO, Dragonfireracing.com, Steahly, RK/Excel, Renthal, Bent, Hinson, Jonre Multimedia, Steahly, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Acerbis, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

AMA H&H

Wendover, Nevada

September, 26, 2009

Race:

The start for this race was going to be super important, because it’s extremely dusty and one of the faster H&H’s (and hard to pass). The bomb was also really fast, and short, with only a little over 1/4 mile before it made a left on top of a small hill. The banner dropped around 11:30 and I was off after a first kick start. There were quite a few of us together when we were going up the hill, and I didn’t shut off like most people did. I was right there when it started to make a left. Unfortunately Russ Pearson and I came together and hit each other pretty hard (it would’ve been really bad if we went down). I was able to get onto the trail first, but not far after that Russ was able to get by me. I wanted the lead pretty bad, so I bonzaid it over the next hill. We were both drag racing at this point, and were back to rubbing against each other (in last gear). I finally got back in the lead, but as soon as I did the course made a left and I blew the corner. He was able to get back by, and this time I had to let him go since the dust was so bad. About 5-miles into it, I went down when my front end washed out. As I was getting up I saw David Kamo was running third, but luckily I was able to get going before he could get by. The first loop was pretty fast and I was struggling in the washes. When we came into the first pit I was still second, but was somewhere around 40-seconds back from the lead. The second loop we got into some pretty cool tree sections, and I finally started to pick it up. By the end of this loop I was right on Russ, and about 10-seconds back (eating his dust). I felt really good, and was hoping for the right moment to make a pass. I had another quick gas stop and was off. We went back into a few good tree sections, but most of it was in the washes or jeep trails. As soon as we got into the trees I would be within a few seconds of the lead, but just couldn’t make a pass. I kept blowing corners or going into trees (like I was saying the dust was really bad)! Then I made another mistake and went down. I lost some time again, but before the next pit I was back within 10-seconds. This was an alternate and I didn’t have to stop for gas. Now we only had about 20-miles to go (110-mile race) and all I could do was sit back and hope some luck would come my way. With about 5-miles to go, I was still riding in his dust and then had a huge close call with the ground. It was one of those really scary ones and I’m not sure how I saved it. At this point I decided to not ride in the dust anymore, and just settled for a disappointing second.

Overall Summary:

I was really bummed at the finish since I wanted this win, unfortunately the dust was a huge factor today. I love desert racing, but it’s just not fun when the start is so crucial in a race like this (unless your leading). I felt good today, however I just didn’t want to get off the main line since there’s so many rocks inbedded in the ground. I felt I had the speed to win today, but that’s the way racing goes!

Results (overall):

1st Russ Pearson

2nd Destry Abbott

3rd David Kamo

4th Robert Underwood

5th Morgan Crawford

6th Brett Saunders

Other Notes:

I was a little nervous going into the race, because it’s the same place Josh Morros had his big crash last year. The rocks blend into the ground and they’re really hard to see. I thought the club did a better job on putting us in the trees, but I would love to see even more of that. It’s just so hard to pass, or make up time, on the fast roads.

Josh Morros did make it out to the event and actually signed up and road. His plan was to just go out there and finish (which he did). I heard he had one get off, but was ok. I’m happy he rode smart since I was a little nervous for him.

I guess in the same spot where Russ and I hit, the same thing happened to David Pearson and Nick Burson. But they both went down and David wasn’t able to continue (not sure if he broke anything). Later Nick pulled out, but not sure if it was because of the crash.

Here’s a video Ignition3 did for the upcoming ISDE. I talked to them about the upcoming ISDE in Portugal. We did the video last week when I was over at Glen Helen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxUNp_2FY0Q&feature=youtube_gdata

I have another H&H this Saturday, up in Utah, and it should be a fun one!

Best Wishes,
Destry
www.destryabbott.com
2009 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, Shoei, Pro Circuit, Stephen Gall Training, SIDI, IMS, Zip-Ty, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, BRP, Braking, Works Connection, Concept2, CTI2, Maxima, Kicker, OGIO, Dragonfireracing.com, Steahly, RK/Excel, Renthal, Bent, Hinson, Jonre Multimedia, Steahly, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Acerbis, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

Wendover, NV – Shock Doctor/KTM rider David Kamo earned 3rd overall at the sixth round of the Hare & Hound Series.

Kamo started his bike the first kick and got a great start down the bomb run. He went over the first hill in 3rd and was able to maintain that position throughout the race. Kamo stayed close to the front two runners, KTM rider Russ Pearson and Kawasaki rider Destry Abbott. “I followed closely behind Destry for a while but the dust was so thick I had to back off,” remarked Kamo.

Once the dust settled and Kamo had a clear path in front of him, he accidentally made a few wrong turns that in one case led a mile up a hill in the wrong direction. “There were quite a few areas where the trail was not marked so well and I ended up getting turned around in the wrong direction about three times throughout the day,” stated Kamo.

Luckily, Kamo was able to make up the time he lost and finished on the podium in 3rd position. With six rounds down, Kamo still holds the overall championship points lead.

Kamo’s teammate, David Pearson, had a rough day after an early crash caused him to not finish the race. Pearson plans to return for the next event.

Next Round: Jericho, UT – October 3, 2009