OFF ROAD
AMA/SRT HARE & HOUND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
ROUND 7/MAY 17, 2014
CALIENTE, NEVADA
P88
While still third in points, un-
officially, the young man from
Ensenada has significantly
sliced the points deficit to the
two in front of him: race runner-
up Ricky Brabec and third-place
Nick Burson. The unofficial tally
now reads Burson with 165, Bra-
bec on 163 and Ramirez at 155.
Coincidentally, the trio finished in
the same order at round six.
Ramirez nabbed the all-impor-
tant holeshot in the 2.5-mile-long
bomb run up a deep, dusty sand
wash littered with plenty of large
rocks that bit a few riders. But
being out front from the start al-
lowed Ramirez the luxury of dic-
tating the pace on his Motorex/
Dunlop/Bonanza Plumbing 450
XC-F, which was fast enough to
keep the rest of the field at bay.
"It's not easy," Ramirez said.
"These guys were right behind
me. You've got to ride smart and
keep it on two wheels and not
make any mistakes or anything.
At first, the course was kind of
open then the second loop went
up into the trees. I enjoy going
slow where it's tight and techni-
cal."
"Today was actually a good
day," THR Motorsports/Monster
Energy/Precision Concepts Ka-
wasaki's Brabec said. "I actually
got a good start! It was a good
course; it was real fast, what I
like. It reminded me of Best in the
Desert. The trees aren't my style
of riding. I struggled a little bit in
the trees. I caught up to Ivan and
I was pretty close to him, but I just
(Above) Nick Burson remains the
only rider to podium every round so
far; this was his fourth straight third-
place finish and he remains atop the
points standings — barely.
(Right) For the first time, Steven Kirk
won 250cc Expert at a National in
ninth overall.
