"I just wanted to win really, re-
ally bad," he said. "I just wanted
to get as much distance on
everybody as I could."
Runner-up in the Kenda/SRT
AMA Hare & Hound National
Championship, Wasson reminded
everyone that he's more than just
a desert racer, saying, "I grew up
in Idaho, so I got to ride a lot in
the mountains, and I did a little bit
of moto and stuff growing up so it
transfers over and I work a lot on
the stuff I'm not very good at—tight
corners and trees and stuff. We
simulate real tight stuff in Arizona
through the cactus, and I've been
working a lot on my turning and
proper form and a lot [on] endur-
ance. I want it really bad."
"I learned some lessons this
year," he added. "Either way, I'm
happy with the outcome—I'm safe
and healthy, got another two-year
deal [with Beta] so I can't com-
plain at all."
Having wrapped up the Pro
250 championship earlier to earn
himself a promotion from sup-
port team to factory rider status,
Roberts entered the Open Pro
class still aboard his Sierra BMW
& Beta/Six Five Oh Racing/Klim
250 RR. Second off the start,
he remained there the rest of the
afternoon, unable to match Was-
son's pace but safely ahead of
everyone else.
"It was kind of a dress rehears-
al for next year, like a test run,"
he said. "This race was really
dependent on the start. Even
though I didn't get the holeshot,
I was happy to come out second
off the start right behind Joe. I
ended up staying there all race; I
made a few mistakes that first lap
and kind of lost touch with him,
but that was going to happen
with the dust anyways, probably.
VOLUME 56 ISSUE 47 NOVEMBER 26, 2019 P39
This was as close as
anyone came to Joe
Wasson (45), but
despite dominating
the race, he had to
settle for second in
the championship.
PHOTOS: MARK KARIYA
Cheered on by
part of the Beta
crew, Max Gerston
wheelies towards
his second—and
final—AMA WHS
championship.
