Norman storms to 1st Place, Caselli is Crowned 2011 Champion
Round 9 of the 2011 AMA/Kenda National Hare and Hound Championship Series, hosted by So Cal MC on Oct 9th 2011, offered every type of terrain imaginable for its racers as the course trekked all around the Johnson Valley OHV area of Southern California. Many championships were decided here with one round still remaining in the 2011 season!
The first 38-mile loop headed west towards Johnson Valley’s Cougar Butte area, then brought the racers east across Soggy Dry Lake and back towards pit row. Loop 2 headed towards Iron Ridge, and as far east as Galloway Dry Lake for this 49-mile loop, which included an alternate gas stop. Loop 3 was for the expert and amateur classes and headed into the Anderson Mountains for the last 14 miles of technical and challenging terrain.
From start to finish in the Pro class, the 2010 Hare and Hound Champ, JCR Honda’s Kendall Norman would lead the pack of some 225 racers, would come down pit row twice in the lead, and would take the overall win 
for the day after having a flawless race. Norman currently sits in 5th Place overall in the points standings after having to miss a few rounds this year. Hopefully we will see him in 2012 for the full season!
FMF/KTM’s Kurt Caselli went into this race with a good point’s cushion over 2nd Place for the championship spot, but he would still need to beat Purvines Racing’s David Pearson to lock it in. At the banner drop, Caselli and Monster/Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott would swap positions for the first few miles behind Norman, with Caselli settling into the 2nd overall position for most of this 3-Loop, 100 mile race and would cross the finish-line knowing the championship was his! “It was a fun race and it’s such a great feeling to win a National Hare and Hound Championship, which 
is something I have wanted for many, many years”. Caselli would give a touching speech on the podium, dedicating his race and championship to his mother Nancy who was in attendance, and to his father and best friend, Rich Caselli (RIP).
Long-time desert veteran and past National Hare and Hound Champ many times over, Monster/Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott would prove to be a hero in the desert once again, finishing his race in the 3rd overall position and finishing on the podium as he has done all season long. Abbott is a true legend with many years of off-road racing under his belt. Abbott currently sits in the 3rd overall spot for the season and is now running only 8 points behind the 2nd Place spot of Pearson. Pearson had a tough race on the day and finished in the 5th overall spot and is still sits in 2nd for season points with one round still to go. It will come down to the wire for both Pearson and Abbott.
Local District 37 racer, Off Road Support’s Jacob Argubright has proven this year that he can run with the top dogs, not only in the desert but also in the Endurocross series. Argubright has had a great racing season so far and he will continue to push himself for more podium finishes. Argubright had a great race on the day and would cross the finish-line in the 4th position. He currently sits in the 4th overall spot for season points and is 28 points behind Abbott.
In the Women’s Pro Class, Blais Racing Services/ KTM rider and Idaho native, Shayla Fulfer would come into this race with a large enough point’s cushion over Off-Road Support’s Sarah Kristch to have the championship within her reach, as long as she crossed the finish-line on her Kenda/TLD/Alpinestars KTM. Fulfer would lead the race from start to finish, crossing the finish-line many minutes ahead of Kritsch. These two ladies have had a great battle all season long. Fulfer has been spending weeks at a time in the California desert, training and riding with fellow racers. There were many more women racers at this event and hopefully we will see more women of the desert in the 2012 season!
In the Vet Pro Class, the battle for the championship this year has been intense. Purvines Racing’s David Fry and Reno KTM/WR1’s Dan Capparelli have had some great races this year, both vying for the championship title. Each of these two racers have won 3 rounds each going back and forth all season long. These two are separated by only 19 points and the championship will be determined after the last round in less than 2 weeks.
In the ATV Pro Class, DirtFirst/Duncan’s Andy Lagzdins, a former GNCC racer, has taken the California and Baja deserts by storm, winning every round this season in the NHHA series before he gets ready to take on another championship battle in November’s Baja 1000 race. Andy now lives on the west coast and will continue his desert racing career. The 2010 ATV Champ Kyle Penner has also had a great year trying to defend his title against Andy and winning many holeshot prizes along the way. Kyle currently sits in 2nd Place overall.
The holeshot winners were:
ATV row – Kyle Penner takes home a pair of Alpinestar Tech 8 boots.
Intermediate row – Andrew Delgado, also with a pair of Alpinstar Tech 8’s.
Novice row – Cody Longenecker will also be sporting a new pair of Tech 8’s.
Congrats guys!
The first 1-Loop finisher was Checker’s MC member Frank Brewer, who won a Leatt Neck Brace/Hydration System combo.
The first 2-Loop finisher was Checker’s MC member Kevin Hasten, who took home a free pair of Flexx Handlebars from Fasst Co.
$250 dollars worth of Kenda Kash was given away at the finish line along with several BRP coupons for free triple clamps and chain guides and over 150 other contingency discount coupons from all of our awesome sponsors were handed out over the weekend.
Pro Circuit along with Bullet Proof Designs sponsored Saturday’s kid’s race with many prizes, give-aways and grab bags for all the young desert racers. Great job to all the racers!
Thanks to ZEROGOO for the Fuel Injection System handouts for Round 9. Be sure to check out this cool new hydration product.
The Final Round will be hosted by the 100’s MC on Sunday, October 23rd, in the Johnson Valley OHV area known as North Anderson. This race will be a 4-Loop format and will bring the racers down pit row several times and totaling 95 miles. This round is always exciting and many more championships will be decided here. There will be more product give-aways and toss outs near the finish-line podium. See you there!
For more info on this series, go to www.NationalHareandHound.com
Round 9 Preliminary Results
Round 9 Video by Promoto.tv
Remember, all NHHA racers are eligible for Honda, Kawasaki, Husqvarna and KTM OEM contingency. Click on the Manufacturers bike you ride above for details or you can find all the details at: www.NationalHareandHound.com
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Category: Race Recap
