News
Kawasaki Sweeps the Podium at the Hare & Hound in Utah
posted May 9, 2012Tags: General News, Racing All Article Tags
Irvine, Calif. – Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Jacob Argubright captured his first professional AMA Hare & Hound win on Saturday in Jericho, Utah at Round 5 of the series. Argubright led a train of Kawasakis across the finish line with Justin Morrow taking second and T.J. Hannifin in third. Kawasaki riders swept the top five positions in the overall.
Turning Things Around
Argubright’s weekend did not start the way he would have liked. On Friday, he competed in the opening round of the 2012 EnduroCross series in Las Vegas, Nev., but came just short of making the main event. Disappointed, he packed up at 11 p.m. and started driving north to Jericho, Utah. Driving through the night, he did not arrive until 7 a.m. the next morning. Argubright was ready to turn things and was determined to get a better finish in the Hare & Hound. The course at Little Sahara Dunes OHV consisted of two 60-mile loops, the first of which was mostly sand. Argubright started around fourth and half way through the first loop began making his way towards the front, moving the lead.
“My KX™450F was awesome,” said Argubright. “I ran a Dunlop sand tire instead of a hard-packed tire and that made all the difference. Once I got into second, I saw the leader down and started to tighten up a bit. I have led before, but never won, so I tried to push and get away before the second loop.”
“My KX™450F was awesome,” said Argubright. “I ran a Dunlop sand tire instead of a hard-packed tire and that made all the difference. Once I got into second, I saw the leader down and started to tighten up a bit. I have led before, but never won, so I tried to push and get away before the second loop.”
Focused to the End
After a successful pit stop, Argubright headed into the second loop which featured multiple twisting trails through cedar trees. Holding the lead started to weigh on him as they got closer to the finish, but Argubright was able to stay focused and consistent to ride through and take his first professional Hare & Hound win. After getting injured at Round 1, Argubright now has two podiums in the last two rounds and is more determined than ever to keep the wins coming.
“I always have a problem with trees,” said Argubright. “Because I’m tall, my neck always cramps up in tree sections. Second place started to catch me towards the end, but once I saw him, there was only about 15 miles left. I just put it in overdrive and pinned it to the finish. The next round is in Utah again, so I feel like I have a good drive and can carry this momentum through the rest of the season.”
“I always have a problem with trees,” said Argubright. “Because I’m tall, my neck always cramps up in tree sections. Second place started to catch me towards the end, but once I saw him, there was only about 15 miles left. I just put it in overdrive and pinned it to the finish. The next round is in Utah again, so I feel like I have a good drive and can carry this momentum through the rest of the season.”
Results
AMA National Hare & Hound Championship Series – Round 5
Jericho, Utah
May 5, 2012
Overall Results
1. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, NORTHRIDGE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. JUSTIN MORROW, PINON HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI
3. T.J. HANNIFIN, EUREKA, UTAH, KAWASAKI
4. DAVID PEARSON, PANACA, NEV., KAWASAKI
5. NICHOLAS BURSON, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI
Overall Championship Points Standings
1. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM, 120
2. DAVID PEARSON, PANACA, NEV., KAWASAKI, 114
3. JUSTIN MORROW, PINON HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 90
4. NICHOLAS BURSON, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 76
5. David Kamo, New Plymouth, Idaho, Honda, 61
6. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, NORTHRIDGE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 51
Jericho, Utah
May 5, 2012
Overall Results
1. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, NORTHRIDGE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. JUSTIN MORROW, PINON HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI
3. T.J. HANNIFIN, EUREKA, UTAH, KAWASAKI
4. DAVID PEARSON, PANACA, NEV., KAWASAKI
5. NICHOLAS BURSON, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI
Overall Championship Points Standings
1. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM, 120
2. DAVID PEARSON, PANACA, NEV., KAWASAKI, 114
3. JUSTIN MORROW, PINON HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 90
4. NICHOLAS BURSON, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 76
5. David Kamo, New Plymouth, Idaho, Honda, 61
6. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, NORTHRIDGE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 51
