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AMA National Championship Hare & Hound Series Round S: Wild Rockies Cactus Pete's .Jackpot 100 STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG KARCHER JACKPOT,NV,SEPT.22 ITS) uss Pearson rode his Yamaha ~ YZ250 to the overall win over Destry Abbott in a Pro Circuit sweep outside Jackpot, Nevada. It was the first time this year, and only the second time since 1999, that any brand but Kawasaki has taken the overall win - cause for celebration in the Pearson camp. Still, the mood over at Team Green's area of Pit Row wasn't exactly somber, since Destry Abbott's close runner-up finish gave him enough points to resecure the National title. "I'm really stoked about winning the championship," Abbott said. "I'd like to thank all my sponsors, Bones [Bacon] and the guys from Pro Circuit, and [tuner] John Braasch. To make this a two-time championship is a huge thing." The event marked a return to desert racing following a lengthy summer break, and as is the case for more and more off-road events these days, the start, finish and pits were situated on private land (see Briefly... ). A relatively short bomb' run was set on a freshly mowed hay field that unfortunately lacked access for spectators or crews. They did, however, get a look at the riders when the course doubled back through the pit area before heading out on the rest of the 33·mile first loop. Price Racing's Shane Esposito appeared to have the holeshot as the first wave of riders charged down the field. The end of the bomb run was also the first of several creek crossings, and although the water was relatively low, there was really only one good place to cross (if you wanted to be in the front of the pack). Abbott went straight for that spot, with Pear· son just off to his left. Esposito ran 50 OCTOBER 10, 2001 • CUD slightly wide to the left, losing his lead, and everyone else just went wherever they could find an opening. The whole scene was quickly enveloped in dust, as the courseworkers and photographers ran for safety. When the leaders emerged from the water [and dust], it was Abbott in the lead. He had two or three bike lengths on Pearson and appeared to be pulling away as they headed up the hillside beyond the water. Behind them, Esposito and Wes McMillan (both on 500cc Kawasakis) and YZ250-mounted Kurt Caselli were about even. From there back, it was impossible to see through the dust who was where. As the course headed back toward the pits to give spectators a chance to see the riders (and get some dust), Abbott blew a turn (a mistake that probably cost him the race), and Pearson took over the lead. By the time they completed the short fourmile loop and returned to cross the creek again, Pearson was solidly in front. Knowing that his only chance of winning was staying in front of the dust, the 250cc pilot put his head down and pinned the throttle. High speeds and extremely dusty conditions meant few opportunities to pass, and Abbott was forced to hang back - at times 100 yards or more for much of the race. Knowing that he probably couldn't beat Abbott in a drag race, Pearson saw that his only chance was to stay in front and use the dust as a shield. Abbott knew that a second-place finish would wrap up the title and that the dusty conditions spelled danger. Still, he was not willing to sit back and let someone else (Top) And they're off: The Pros blast down the bomb run on the start, which was held on private land. The day'S win went to Russ Pearson peft), who rode a 250, but the title once again went to DestJy Abbott (right). The two had a classic batUe through much of the race. take home the overall win without a fight. "I had a good start," Abbott said. "Russ got by me; I got back by him, and then I overshot a corner. From that point on, I just rode in his dust there was really nothing I could do." With speeds averaging 55 mph, the top six or seven bikes spread out in the dust, and the order didn't change much if at all for the remainder of the first loop. Behind the leaders, a group of 20 or more bikes got lost, quickly getting four or five miles off the course before realizing their mistake. "We went about four miles out of the way," said David Pearson, who can normally be found dicing with the leaders. "All of a sudden I just saw guys turning around, so I started heading back." Though he was in the lead group, Team Green's Brian Brown had more than just the dust to worry about. Suffering a flat very early in the race, he rode the rest of the first loop before getting a tire change at the first pit. With few exceptions, the race became a matter of survival for many of the riders. "I got a three-kick start and was probably 20th at the first creek crossing," said Brown, who had worked his way up to around 10th when he launched into the second water crossing alongside Esposito. "That's where I think I got my flat. I lost a couple places in the pits changing a tire. After that, I just went back out and tried to pick up places on the second loop." Riding a KTM 125, Clay Hawks was another of those who got lost: "I was about 14th at the start, and then