Roberts Repeats
A
pattern is beginning to
emerge in the desert and
Zane Roberts is at the center of
it. The factory Liqui Moly Beta
racer led from start to finish at
the Southern Nevada Jackrab-
bits Motorcycle Club's Wild West
National Hare & Hound over a
determined, ever-improving Dante
Oliveira of the FMF KTM Factory
Off-Road Racing Team, with Nor-
man Racing Husqvarna's Daemon
Woolslayer parlaying an excellent
start to his first podium appear-
ance of the young season.
As round two of the AMA Hare
& Hound National Champion-
ship Series, Presented by FMF,
the Wild West National marked
a return to the series of an event
last seen (as a National anyway)
since 1987 when it was a point-
to-point race from Moapa to Las
Vegas. Located midway between
Vegas and Mesquite (and con
-
veniently accessed off I-15), the
area features numerous trails
exploring some picturesque rocky
hills barely noticed by most travel-
ers cruising past on the freeway.
It was thus a very even play-
ing field, as none of the top
competitors had raced here and
even fewer had ridden the area.
Dust would be the telling fac
-
tor, though, making a good start
imperative. As Bridgestone/FMF/
Klim 480 RR-mounted Roberts
said, "Today, I knew it was all
about the start. I was kind of
almost struggling sleeping last
night. Fortunately, I pulled that
[start off perfectly]. I knew that as
long as I had a good start, I could
manage the race from there."
After the 35-mile-long first
loop, he enjoyed a 47-second
lead over Oliveira, who'd got
-
ten a good start in third. The
42-mile loop two saw him add
more time, taking the check
-
ers in an hour, 56 minutes and
30 seconds, Oliviera 1:45 back.
While his margin of victory didn't
WIND
IN THE
P44
Zane Roberts ruled round
two at the Wild West
National H&H. Dante
Oltiveira and Daemon
Woolslayer went 2-3.
PHOTOS: MARK KARIYA
