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/1547449
WIND IN THE P48 Roberts Romps; Oliveira Defends H&H Title A t the 100s Motorcycle Club's Tommy Russell Memorial Hare & Hound National, while some might say it was too little, too late, Liqui Moly Beta's Zane Roberts sees it as a step toward next year. "It" is finishing the 40th sea- son of the AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series, presented by FMF, in Lucerne Valley, California, on Novem- ber 1, by winning the final two rounds of the seven-race series. That left him 15 points shy of the 200 tallied by FMF KTM Factory Racing Off-Road Team's Dante Oliveira, who went 1-1-1-1- 1-2-2 over the season to defend the championship he claimed in his debut season last year. With overnight rain giving the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area a nice soaking and a stiff wind quickly carrying away any hint of dust, close racing was guaranteed over the 37-mile first and 40-mile second loops. The start saw Oliveira get out front early aboard his Brandon "Banjo" Malone-prepared Red Bull/Dunlop/Alpinestars-backed 450 XC-F after hitting the main trail a few feet ahead of Roberts and the rest of the Pro row. "I stayed on him the whole first loop," Roberts said. "I knew with how much wind there was last night in the storm, a lot of the course markings would prob- ably be down so it was kind of better to just sit on him and let him make the navigation mis- takes and stuff." Early in the second loop, Roberts's prediction paid off, as Oliveira made a wrong turn, and Roberts, almost reluctantly, took the lead with his Bridgestone/ FMF/Moose Racing 480 RR. Their private battle carried them away from the pack, so they didn't forfeit position after apparently being directed the wrong way at a road crossing. Upon realizing that, however, both turned around and got back on course, with Oliveira demon- strating laudable sportsmanship by allowing Roberts to keep his slim lead as they backtracked and saved the racing for when they were back on course. Zane Roberts (pictured) shadowed early leader Dante Oliveira, waiting for a mistake. That happened on the second loop, and Roberts snuck past and took the 100s Motorcycle Club's Tommy Russell Memorial Hare & Hound National win. PHOTOS: MARK KARIYA