Beta rider Nick Burson is trying to establish himself as the Alpha-Dog in the AMA/SRT Hare & Hound National Championship Series.
Purvines Racing Beta-backed Nick Burson earned his first victory at round two of the 10-round series on his home turf in Ridgecrest, California, last month, prompting critics to dismiss the performance as a fluke since it came on his home turf near Ridgecrest, California.
But at round three, Burson proved that he is more than just a flash in the pan by scoring a second consecutive series victory in the Rabbit Creek 100, hosted by Dirt Inc., near Murphy, Idaho.
“The last one was in my home town so some people, I think, kind of thought it wasn’t that big a deal so to get [a win] out of [the area], that’s what I really wanted to do,” Burson said. “I knew I could win there, but now I wanted to prove to myself I could win other places. The out-of-state races have never been my strong suit—I’ve kind of struggled.”
But not this time. Burson rode a nearly flawless race and led the field for almost the entire 100-mile race, which consisted of two loops worth of Idaho sand washes, sage brush, silt and creek crossings.
Before the start of the race, Burson was second in the series points standings, behind round-one winner and FMF/KTM Factory Off-Road Racing Team star Ivan Ramirez, but he emerged from Idaho as the new series points leader after Ramirez finished down in the order. Burson is on top with 81 points while Ramirtez drops to second with 66 points. Round-one winner Ramirez spent the day trying to break through copious amounts of dust after his bike balked at the start, leaving him in the middle of the pack. He would recover only enough ground to finish 10th.
Bel-Ray/FMF/Moose Racing Husqvarna’s Jacob Argubright had an excellent day in Idaho. After suffering DNFs at the first two rounds, Argubright not only finished the Rabbit Creek 100, he came away with an excellent second-place finish, behind Burson.
“First is always better, but I’m happy with it,” Argubright said. “I guess third time is the charm! Hopefully, I can win the next one and keep going.”
Like Ramirez, series contender and THR Motorsports/Monster Energy/Precision Concepts Kawasaki rider Ricky Brabec got a horrible start after requiring assistance get his KX450F bump-started well after the rest of the first wave was underway. Brabec was not dissuaded, however, and he put his head down and went to work, weaving his way through the sage and around other riders. When he arrived at the main pit at the end of the 60-mile first loop, he was up to sixth overall. Brabec continued to charge and eventually secured third place at the finish.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, but this year is going so good!” Brabec said. “I’m having fun and doing good.”
Burson’s Purvines Racing Beta teammates, Justin Morrow and Axel Pearson, battled each other for much of the race to finish fourth and fifth, respectively, while local favorite David Kamo returned to the series after almost a year away—and fresh from a visit to Japan where he raced in their national off-road series—to finish sixth aboard his girlfriend’s KTM 450 XC-F (although he’ll probably trade her the 300 XC that used to belong to his dad).
Former JCR Honda rider Colton Udall, who has partnered with Mark Samuels to form his own Honda team, is another rider who’s been absent from the National Hare & Hound scene for a long time. Udall made it to Idaho and finished seventh followed by Skyler Howes, 250cc Expert winner Ryan Smith and Ramirez.
Rabbit
AMA/SRT Hare & Hound National Championship Series
Dirt Inc., Rabbit Creek 100
Murphy, Idaho
Results: March 23, 2014 (Round 3 of 10)
Overall
1. Nick Burson-Bet
2. Jacob Argubright-Hus
3. Ricky Brabec-Kaw
4. Justin Morrow-Bet
5. Axel Pearson-Bet
6. David Kamo-KTM
7. Colton Udall-Hon
8. Skyler Howes-KTM
9. Ryan Smith-Yam (250 winner)
10. Ivan Ramirez-KTM
AMA/SRT Hare & Hound National Championship Series Points Standings (After 3 of 10 rounds)
1. Nick Burson-81/2 wins
2. Ivan Ramirez-66/1 win
3. Justin Morrow-61
4. Ricky Brabec-58
5. Axel Pearson-50
6. Skyler Howes-42
7. Ryan Smith-39
8. Morgan Crawford-29
9. Jacob Argubright-25
10. Brandon Prieto-25
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