Press Release written by Mary Rinell
Photos provided by Mary Rinell (mjsmotophotos) and Mark (Kato) Kariya
Round one of the National Hare and Hound Association presented by FMF kicked off this weekend in Lucerne, California. The 2024 Winter Classic NH&H was hosted by Desert MC, co- sanctioned with the AMA District 37.
The season opener boasted a huge turn out, with nearly five hundred racers over the course of the two day event. The near pristine conditions undoubtably played a role in this massive showing, with an unexpected and somewhat unusual desert rain falling midday and in to the night day one, bringing just enough moisture to stifle the typically dusty conditions of day two.
Amongst the many competitors searching to earn their place on the podium this round was returning Pro three-time Champion Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing Team rider Dalton Shirey, who had spent his off-season recovering from a knee injury. This year he is joined under the Rockstar tent by his new to the series teammate Austin Walton, who is not unfamiliar to desert riding having grown up relatively close to Johnson Valley. Headed by Team manager Anthony DiBasilio, the duo proved to be quite the force, finishing an impressive first and third with Dalton on top and Walton rounding out the podium. Splitting the difference between the teammates was Factory Beta Racing Team rider Zane Roberts, who without skipping a beat from last year continues his push to consistently keep Shirey from easing up the throttle. Roberts would finish a mere eight seconds behind Shirey, after battling the eighty mile course in just over two hours race time. Walton came in just under two minutes later, with the fourth place finisher, JCR Honda Racing’s
Preston Campbell hot on his heels only four seconds behind him.
The Pro250 class saw some new faces mixed in with the usual subjects this round, with the most notable first-timer being Australian racer Sam Pretscherer. Having never ridden let alone raced high desert terrain prior to race week, it is safe to say the Aussie settled in quite quickly considering he not only won this weekend, he beat the times of nearly half of the Pro class. Following him on the Pro250 podium was Matthew Combs in second and Arizona native DJ Weber in third.
The Hare and Hound races showcase unbelievable talent in the Pro Women’s class each year. Returning two-time champion Rachel Stout came prepared to defend her number one plate aboard her KTM 350 XC-F sponsored by Innteck, well aware she would not be given any breaks with long-time competitor and Factory Beta supported racer Britney Gallegos twisting two-stroke throttle against her. Gallegos let her sweet pipes sing for two hours and fifty-two minutes, but in the end was no match for Stout, who topped the podium finishing an impressive eight minutes ahead of her. Nudged in between the two would be yet another returning Pro Women’s class racer Ty Woolslayer, who continues to amaze everyone with her consistency and skill at the very young age of eighteen. Ty kept Rachel honest all race this weekend, coming in just a minute and a half behind her.
Jason Gibbons raced his way to the top of the Pro Vet class this round, after some good battles with second place finisher Darrin Tuckett aboard his Yamaha. Rounding out the Pro Vet podium was NHHA regular Steve Roberts, who mentioned during podium interviews that he ran out of steam earlier in loop two, but knew he had to dig deep to make the podium, which is exactly what he did.
Overall the experience at this year’s National Hare and Hound season opener was one of great fun and excitement. Anyone who has been in the desert after a good rain knows the dirt is unlike any other place on earth. Absolutely primo. And when it’s time to go, you leave with the sweet smell of creosote and race gas still in your nostrils.. and secretly hope it will last forever.
Thank you to our sponsors FMF, Beta, KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles, GASGAS, Cricket Speaker, Zingg, PCI Radios, Sign Art, IWC Tire Pros, STACYC, Mojo Motosports, Klim, Unsworth Racing, Racer Decal, RAD Custom Graphics.
Round two of the AMA National Hare and Hound is March 23rd and 24th, in Murphy Idaho. We hope to see you there!
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