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Nick Burson- 2016 CHAMPION!

By on April 26, 2017 in Race Recap

Justin Morgan Runs Away with the Win

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October 4, 2016: The penultimate round of the 2016 AMA KENDA/SRT West Hare Scrambles series visited the series’ most southern location at Superstition Mountain in California, just north of the U.S/Mexico border. Hosted by Roadrunners Off-Road Club of AMA District 38, an incredible course awaited all classes from Pee Wee to Pro. The forecast for the weekend included soaring temperatures of 100+ degrees, and by the end of Sunday afternoon, the wind speed were reaching upwards of 40mph.

Watch the official Pro recap by Jacob Michna by clicking below!

Amateur Recap Video

 

To start the day, the Pee Wee’s lined up for a 30-minute race across 2-miles of southern California terrain. Danny Alaca made his impressive 2016 WHS debut, leading the way from start to finish over Lucas Carter.

(Alaca leads Carter aboard his KTM 50 SX)
As soon as the Pee Wee’s were finished, the Big Wheel/Mini/Micro Mini/Jr. Mini/Girls class lined up for battle. But Mason Matthies had other plans for race two, quickly jumping off the first row as the green flag waved. Taking command of the race, Matthies focused on his own ride and ultimately gapped the competition by over 10-minutes! This left the 2nd and 3rd overall podium positions open, and the battle was left for Shane Heywood and Larry Collie. Collie held a solid grip on 2nd place, until Heywood made his pass on the second to last lap for second overall and 1st place Jr. Mini.

(Mason Matthies rips on his N1 Yamaha)

Overnight, temps slightly cooled and it became apparent a change in weather was on its way. With the rising sun, the Women/Masters/C/Beginner race lined up for two-hours of racing on the 17-mile course. Sprinting off the first row, Sharon Mowell and Kaitlyn Jacobs battled for the holeshot. Jacobs quickly moved into the lead with Mowell and Meg Argubright in tow. As the remaining rows shot into the desert at the drop of the green flag, the Masters and Open C classes focused on catching the the women. Over the next two hours, Open C rider Conner Nejedly moved into the overall lead position ahead of Master’s competitor Cordis Brooks and Open C’s Nathan Hamby, while Open C rider Jason Slater and Master class rider Robert Koch rounded off the top five. Showcasing some of the fastest women in off-road Sharon Mowell claimed the overall Women’s win ahead of Meg Argubright, Kaitlyn Jacobs and Heather Mowell.

 


(Kaitlyn Jacobs and Sharon Mowell into the first turn)

The final event of the weekend was reserved for the Pro/A/B ranks, and Nick Burson was the man to watch as he strategically outlined his play to obtaining the 2016 championship crown over District 36 rider Justin Bonita. At noon, the green flag waved and the AA/Pro row charged into the first corner. Local rider Justin Morgan made quick work of the pack and jumped into the lead with determination. Jumping into the mix for a weekend of fun in the desert, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jacob Argubright had some fun with the Precision Concepts rider and challenged him for the next two laps for the first overall position before losing 6th gear. Unfortunately for Argubright, he made the decision to return to the pits and leave the race up to Morgan.


(Precision Concepts backed Justin Morgan leading the overall from start to finish)

Putting forth an equally impressive ride was newly crowned WHS Open A champion Grant Stately who made his Pro debut at Roadrunners. Stately put himself into the right position in 3rd to catch Morgan, and pushed throughout the nearly 3-hour race to close the gap. Meanwhile, prospective champion Nick Burson played it cool in 3rd on his Purvines Beta ahead of Ricks’s Custom Shutters Yamaha backed Ryan Smith who came directly from the Big 6 Grand Prix the day prior. Smith himself stayed consistent lap by lap, putting a wedge between Burson and Bonita from start to finish. Outside his comfort zone in the barren dessert, Bonita impressed with a solid 5th overall finish.
(Justin Bonita charging in the top 5)


(Dante Olveira racing his way to the Pro 250 Championship)

With all the excitement going on, Dante Oliveira had a championship of his own to win- the 2016 250 Pro Championship! Enduring the nearly three-hour event, Oliveira effortlessly wrapped up the championship with a solid win. Over two-and-a-half hours later, the wind began blasting and the riders were beginning to show exhaustion. Although Morgan seemed to be amped on his success with just one lap to go, many riders were giving it their all to finish the last lap. Coming through as first Overall A, Austin Sherpa finished 6th overall behind Bonita, and two position ahead of Open A contenders James Shafer and Brad Millikan.

A BIG congratulations goes out to Nick Burson and the entire Purvines Beta Racing team for their accomplishment claiming the 2016 AMA KENDA/SRT West Hare Scrambles Championship!


(The official 2016 AMA West Hare Scrambles Champion Purvines Beta rider Nick Burson!)

 

The final round will take place in Logandale, Nevada hosted by Darkside MC on November 12th. While some titles have been claimed, there are till plenty of them to be decided! Don’t miss out on the perfect event to end the season! Stay tuned for full details or visit our site at www.westharescramble.com