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24th Tecate Hare Scrambles Da"is PHOTOS BY BILL BERROTH TECATE, B.C. MEXICO, JAN. 21 y Davis got his 2001 season off to a great start by taking the overall victory at the 24th Annual Tecate Hare Scrambles, hosted by the Los Ancianos Motorcycle Club. Davis was true to form as he pulled away to take the win with over two minutes to spare. While Davis and his Montclair Yamaha were blazing out in front, second place was not secured until near the end of the grueling threehour event. Russell Pearson battled with three-time AMA/FMF National Enduro Champion and factory KTM rider Michael Lafferty. eventually securing the position as the raceclock ticked down. Tecate is always a race that attracts many of off-road's most elite riders, and this year's event was no exception. Besides Davis, Pearson and Lafferty, the cool weather and wet dirt attracted five-time Tecate winner Larry Roeseler, multi-time Baja Champion Scot Harden, National Hare & Hound Champion Destry Abbott, former National Hare & Hound Champion Brian Brown, Baja class winner Tim Morton, IS DE vets Matt Stavish and Patrick Garrahan, Factory TM rider Luca Trussardi and many more local and National stars. The Pro class was highlighted by 36 FEBRAURY 7.2001 • c u e • _ T Tecate (Above) Ty Davis scored an Impressive win at the Tecate Hare SCrambles. the Acerbis Challenge Award, which saw the overall winner take home a check in excess of $1000. The Los Ancianos Club put together a weekend of activities for all the riders in conjunction with its event sponsors. Riders had a great practice loop to sort their bikes out on Saturday afternoon. As the sun set, the aprons were put on and the SWAG came out, as Team Green Kawasaki hosted the annual barbeque, and the Los Ancianos group passed out the hundreds of contingency prizes donated by the race sponsors. There was literally something for everyone at the evening party. What Tecate is realiy known for, however, is its challenging course this year laid out by Jim Tripp and his KTM 200 that had entrants wondering how tight he really made the circuit. While the amateur riders and the industry classes had an eight-mile course to traverse in their two-hour morning race, the Pros had a fresh 12-mile course for their afternoon three-hour race. With the weather cool and breezy, and with rain the week before, both events were blessed with course conditions that Thor's Bob Maynard called, "Absolute n __ 50 (Top) Larry Roeseler 14) leads Mike Lafferty early In the race. IAbove) Destry Abbott 111) and Davis get the jump on the pack at the start of the race. Abbott, however, bailed shortly after this photo was taken. lLeft) Lafferty chases Russ Pearson late in the race. hood ornament,' behind multi-time Tecate winner Roeseler and his flying KX125. By the end of the first lap, Davis had solidified his lead, with Russell Pearson in second, Lafferty in third and a hard-charging Abbott up in traction, no dust, water in the riverbeds ...just perfect." Riders started the event straddling their bikes. When the flag dropped for the Pro event, Davis and Kawasaki's Destry Abbott got the drop on the field, followed by Russell . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . Pearson. However, while Davis was flying down the Neji sand wash in the lead, Abbott was not so lucky, hitting a water bar while tapped in high gear. This resulted in a spectacular get off in front of the crowd. Abbott was unhurt and got up, but not before all the other Pros had ridden past him. (Below) Team Full Monty competed on Meanwhile, Lafferty found himself trials bikes and actually did quite well. in sixth after "almost making Destry a