The kid's Ride-Along with the Pros went great and everyone came home a winner as awards and sponsor product was provided to each individual youngster. Desert Vet, Destry Abbott, led the way as his son Cooper, and father Boyd, joined in on the fun. In all, it was a learning experience and 2011 should bring for two to three Pro-rider Ride-Alongs, depending on the regional limitations. After a morning of fun, the racers got down to business and picked up where they had left off just two weeks prior!
Proving that the momentum gaining freight-train that is Kendall Norman is not completely unstoppable, David Pearson went to work hanging it out for the entire 4-loop, 90-mile event. With the lead out of the pits and another seventy miles of racing ahead of him, Kendall was uneasy with the proximity of past Hare and Hound Champion David Pearson, as they headed out onto loop two. Two loops later and a trip throughout Johnson Valley that included some of the most difficult trails that the desert has to offer, Pearson found himself in a position to make a pass that he could not pass up. Taking the lead with just ten miles to go, David Pearson made it count and physically led through the checkered flag with only seconds separating him and the newly crowned champion. "This is just a great way to end such a turnaround season for me. I have been working harder than ever, and my FMF/KTM has been one of the best bikes I have ever ridden. Next year is going to be a battle, because with Kurt (Caselli) in the mix, I'm sure that we'll have an orange bike on the podium at a few of these rounds."
The victory was bittersweet, however, as Norman still left the desert with a #1 plate to add to his collection, as the 2010 Champion, Kendall Norman, brings the championship to JCR Racing and American Honda for the first time in decades! Looking ahead to 2011, Norman had the following to say, "It has been a great year, definitely the best weather-wise that we have ever had out here. The NHHA has done a lot in a little amount of time, and I am excited to see what will happen for all of us next year. This championship will be one that I hang on to for a long time, because for most of the year, it was really anyone's game. I am just glad that I was the one to finish on top."
It wasn't all about the big guys at Round 9, as the woman had their own shot at an overall win, and with it the possibility of a new class champion. Sarah Kritsch and Shayla Fulfer went at it again as they had done at Round 8, but this time things didn't go quite as smoothly for Sarah K. Leading for most of the three loop woman's race, Kritsch went down on one of the last uphills, opening the door for Fulfer to capitalize. Taking the lead with a little over five miles to go, Kritsch was forced to play catch up and just ran out of time into the finish. Fulfer, from Idaho, took her first win in California and her fourth win of the series earning her a ride on the Blais Racing Services/ KTM team for 2011. The woman sat on the podium spraying the crowd with champagne as they waited for the arrival of Joanna Kaczmarek, who could win the title for her second year in a row with only a finish needed at Round 9.
Consistency became the name of the game as Kaczmarek crossed the line in fifth place, which was good enough for the #N1L plate. As the only rider to physically finish every round that she attended, Joanna stood on the podium beside race emcee, George Antill, and her wrench (and boyfriend), a past Hare and Hound Champion, Cameron Brewer, as she proudly described the end to her season. "This year has been great. We have seen a little bit of everything, and the organization of the NHHA has been the icing on the cake as far as this series has gone. Let's bring it in 2011!" With that, the stage was set for the implementation of the Woman's Pro Support Class to the NHHA line-up, and as the number one plate was awarded, there was even a commitment from past Hare and Hound Women's Champ, Anna Cody, who is signed up to make a run at the 2011 title once again.
On the vet side of things, it was Luke Dodson who took the win over local number one rider Craig Roberts. Luke on board his KX450 held off a late charge by Roberts to take top honors in the 30+ Class. With another solid ride to end out the season, Luke looks to be a favorite for the Vet Pro Support Class in 2011.
One spot ahead of Dodson, at 12th overall, was the Senior phenom of Paul Krause. Paul taking top honors in the 40+ class, also physically beat out everyone else in the age classified divisions, and will also make a run for the Vet Pro Support Class in 2011.
Finally, and equally exciting, the four-wheeled ATV class came down to the last 100 yards as Andy Lagzdins took first place overall honors for the first time in 2010. Andy is the current OMA Nationals Champ and also races GNCC Pro ATV. Beating out the crowd favorite, and reigning NHHA Champion Kyle Penner, the battle came down to the last stretch where Penner just didn't have enough for a last second pass and win.
Either way, Penner takes home a piece of the pot and will again, for the second year in a row, have the honors of running the #N1Q plate where he will lead the charge in the Quad Pro Support Class.
Lastly, Holeshot winners were awarded on the podium with sets of Dirt Tricks Ironman Sprockets as the top riders in the "B", "C", and "D" classes all took home a prize for being first bike through the banners for the Holeshot. Look to Nationalhareandhound.com for details on the above mentioned "Pro Support Classes" for 2011, as well as detailed info on earned numbers in the "A" class.
NEW FOR 2011!!!
WE HAVE ADDED A 10th Round! That's right, a 10th Round has been added to this series, and it will take place in the Reno, NV area at or around the weekend of May 7th. Details to follow, but pending BLM review the season will be 10 Rounds for 2011!
NEW CONTINGENCIES FOR ALL!
Keep your eyes peeled to the NationalHareandHound.com website for details on the new contingency programs for 2011. Rumor has it that the NHHA will be awarding ALPINESTAR BOOTS as well as FMF Exhaust Systems throughout the 10 rounds of the series. Those are in addition to everything that was awarded in 2010 including Flexx Bars, TBT Suspension, SCOTT Goggles, and discount coupons for several off-road products.
NEW PRO SUPPORT CLASSES FOR 2011!
That's right, If you haven't heard (or understood) from above, the NHHA will be featuring three additional Pro Support classes for 2011 and beyond. These will be run separately as a "class within the riders class" and will award and NHHA championship at the conclusion of the 2011 season. The Pro Support classes will not affect a rider's ability to enter their regular AMA classes, and will only be tallied by the NHHA for support class purposes. Look to http://www.nationalhareandhound.com/ for details.
Round 9 Official Results
2010 AMA/NHHA Official Class Points Standings
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