Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1073388
IN THE WIND P44 WASSON TOPS PRAIRIE CITY WHS OPENER T he AMA Kenda/SRT West Hare Scramble Champion- ship, presented by MojoMoto- sport, made its way to Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California, January 19-20, for its 2019 season opener. This time of the year has always proven to produce challenging conditions in Prairie City, and this year proved no different, as wet weather resulted in a muddy racecourse. But Joe Wassen wouldn't have it any other way, as he claimed the overall win in the Pro class. But starting off the day and the season was the debut of a new class—Women Pro. With the dirt being continually watered down with rain, the start was crucial for this one. Sharon Mowell was last to take off of the starting line, but that didn't seem to discourage her one bit. Coming through the scoring chute off of the first lap, it was factory Beta's Morgan Tanke leading the way, but Mowell was on the move and had caught Tanke despite Mowell's bad start. Mowell stalked Tanke for a bit before making the pass on Tanke at her first opportunity. Not long after, Tanke went down in the mud, giving Mowell a large lead that all but sealed her victory. Mowell went on to take the win with Tanke taking second place. Shortly after, it was time to start the Pro race. The green flag waved and the racers flew off of the starting line with Brandon Magaan (Mojo Motosports) grabbing the holeshot. But it was not long before Austra- lian motocross racer Callum Norton had taken over the point. Following closely be- hind Norton, Northern California local Justin Bonita was charging for the lead and he eventually got around Magaan and caught up to Norton, who made a few mistakes in the mud. Bonita was able to gain the lead, while Norton struggled and dropped back to third behind Bonita and factory Beta's Joe Wasson, who had also gotten around Magaan. Another Beta rider, Max Ger- ston soon got in on the fun, as well, and was soon challenging for the lead. When the white flag came out, it was still anyone's race. Wasson fought his way into the lead and gave it his all to stay there ahead of Gerston, who was now running in second place. When the riders emerged back into the finish line area, Wasson was still leading and he held on to take his first-ever WHS Pro-class win over Gerston. The Aussie, Norton, battled through the chal- lenging conditions to take third. Michael Aranda was the 250 Pro-class winner after having a good battle with some of his classmates. Zane Roberts was the early leader but was forced to pit to work on his bike. He was in and out of the pits quickly but lost the lead. That's when Aranda got out in front just ahead of Lochlan Campbell. Roberts fought his way back up to the front and overtook Campbell for second but couldn't catch Aranda, who was long gone. Aranda went on to take the class win ahead of Roberts and Campbell. Kaeley Porter Joe Wasson won the opening round of the AMA West Hare Scrambles Series in Rancho Cordova, California. Sharon Mowell won the new Women's Pro class. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAELEY PORTER