TRIALS GREAT
ULF KARLSON
DIES
I
t is with great sadness that the Repsol Honda
Team announces the news of the passing of
Ulf Karlson in Alvangen, Sweden, March 6,
1952, after an illness.
Ulf Karlson was the first world champion with
Montesa (1980) as well as achieving fifteen
victories in the top category of the competi-
tion and a total of 40 podiums. Karlson also
eight times Swedish champion and triumphed
in three Scandinavia championships all with
Montesa.
Repsol Honda Team, the official team of
Montesa-Honda would like to express their
deepest sympathy for the loss of Ulf Karlson
and wish to offer their condolences to the fam-
ily in this difficult moment.
Miquel Cirera, Repsol Honda Trials Team
Manager said, "Today, all the Montesa family
are in mourning. We have lost a great friend,
an athlete and a great world champion. We
are really sorry for the loss of Ulf Karlson, who
had a long-lasting professional relationship and
friendship with us for many years. We send our
deepest condolences to the family and all the
friends in the world of trial. Rest in peace." CN
VOL. 55 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 13, 2018 P37
Blake Wharton will start his comeback
in the 250SX East Championship but
not until round two in Florida.
Trials master Ulf Karlson passed away in Sweden.
PHOTO
COURTESY
HONDA
HRC
BLAKE WHARTON
PLANNING
COMEBACK
A
fter a three-year hiatus from his racing ca-
reer, Blake Wharton is returning to super-
cross and will compete in the 2018 Monster
Energy 250SX East series. Wharton will con-
tend aboard a Munn Racing Husqvarna FC
250 with additional support from KSRWheels,
HAAN Hubs, O'Neal Racing, VP Fuels Racing,
Factory Connection, Free The Peeps, Seat
Concepts and TORC1 Racing.
"My intention just two weeks ago was to
be on the line at the season opener for the
East series February 17 in Arlington, but we've
been pushed back a round or two because I
had practice crash that's put me behind a bit,"
Wharton said. Wharton says he's hoping to be
ready for the second round in Tampa, Febru-
ary 24, but he may not be 100 percent until
the third round in Atlanta, March 3. CN
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
STEVE
COX
