Axel Pearson romped almost unchallenged to his first win of the period and the second of his career in his hometown of Panaca, The state of nevada, at the Silver State Trailblazers’ Sawmill Run, Presented by Purvines Race, round five of the Kenda/SRT AMA West Hare Scrambles Regional Tournament Series.
That’s “almost” because he didn’t direct the entire race. In fact , Pearson and Purvines Racing Beta teammate Nick Burson were probably close to last when their 480 RRs proved reluctant to start when the green flag waved.
Instead, another Pearson grabbed the glory, Axel’s brother Tuffy rocketing away from the first turn with a clear lead and leaving the rest of the package in a cloud of thick, white-colored dust as he blasted into the a ditch and up the first silty hill.
Tuffy is no stranger to racing, naturally , but it’s been a couple years since he’s lined up at an event of this caliber. He took a rest from riding and racing on the first part of 2013 in order to carry on a two-year mission for their church and returned from that a couple months ago.
Aboard the same TM EN 300 he’d last raced in 2013, Tuffy led the whole 15-mile first lap, eliciting regards from the locals spectating along the training course.
Yet Tuffy knew there was no way he’d be able to stay in front. For one thing, he or she only had a small tank in the bike so he’d have to pit each lap for fuel. 2 laps would be pushing it.
Photograph by Mark Kariya
Pearson pulls the holeshot—Tuffy Pearson, that is. Away from two wheels for the past two years while on his church mission, Tuffy showed he’s lost almost none of the speed he’d developed prior to that obligation, though his hands aren’t to the abuse yet. He eventually completed ninth.
A bigger aspect was his lack of seat period over the past few years and it eventually showed.
“I need to ride more and get some saddle time, ” he agreed right after finishing ninth. “It was a enjoyable race being able to lead the first lap and have Axel really close. It was fun and I was riding good. The second lap I rode a little worse—started getting a little more tired—but I got right into a good groove and kind of rode a pace. Once my hands blistered, I just completely went into survival mode and tried to not create any mistakes. I lost placements, but I just wanted to finish at that point. ”
Amazingly, Axel managed to banzai his way through the dust and past everyone but Tuffy as they completed the first lap, Axel about 12 mere seconds behind his brother.
However , with Tuffy needing a splash of gasoline and Axel able to go two laps before pitting, the Beta rider sped past the pit plus into first place to stay despite later on momentarily stopping for downed rider and then worrying about a hole that developed in his exhaust, reducing power somewhat.
“I grew up here so I’ve ridden all these trails, ” Axel said, “and I honestly haven’t had the best of luck here, really, so it’s good to get out front early for once! I am aware I’m pretty fast here; I am aware if I can get out front, the speed’s right there with anybody, so it’s good to get out front and ride my own race onc. It’s taken a few years, but I’m finally able to make it happen. ”
Right after his poor start, crashing within the dust and watching SRT KTM’s Cory Graffunder run over his bike when it suddenly appeared in that dust, Burson also managed to slice with the pack and into third by the end of the first lap, though this individual didn’t know if he’d be able to get any more spots.
“The Pearson boys were gone [at that point]; there was not really dust in sight, ” Burson mentioned. “I put my head down and caught the dust and wasn’t too far behind them, I think. I captured Tuffy and passed him, [but] Axel’s dust had been just gone.
Photo by Mark Kariya
Axel Pearson treads gingerly as he laps eventual fourth-place Senior B Curry Smythe. After taking the lead at the start of lap 2, Pearson went unchallenged for his first win of the season and the second of his career (that one the season finale last year at Laughlin).
“I tried to push the third lap and it has been getting really silty so I ceased for gas again just for [safety], points-wise. Axel made it along with maybe a cup of gas left so it was probably a good call because I usually burn more gasoline than him so I probably wouldn’t have made it. ”
He added, “I could’ve pushed harder and proceeded to go for the win, but it wasn’t worthwhile in the long run. ”
That’s called thinking about the tournament. Since Burson’s leading the points chase, he knew that the 25 points he’d get for second on the day would give him a bit more cushion over defending champ Graffunder, who earned 21 for third location. The points now find Burson leading with 106 and Graffunder in second at 92 right after finishing third for the day.
Ryan Smith rallied from eighth at the white flag to pick off four on that final circuit for a best-to-date fourth aboard his Rick’s Custom Shutter and Blinds Yamaha, just 7 seconds behind Graffunder. Round-two winner Ian Blythe finished fifth followed by Maxxis/FMF/RPM Racing KTM’s Travis Coy, who’d given Graffunder fits in the first half.
Rocky Mountain ATV-MC/Precision Concepts Yamaha rider Justin Morgan enjoyed his best result of the season to date simply by claiming seventh followed by round-four champion Justin Bonita, Tuffy Pearson and SRT KTM’s Steven Godman.
After tailing SRT Husqvarna rider J. Big t. Baker closely all afternoon, Maxxis/FMF/RPM Racing KTM’s Dante Oliveira found a way past late on the final lap to notch his third-straight FMF Pro 250 triumph plus finish 11th overall. Baker retrieved for second in class plus 12th overall.
Photo by Indicate Kariya
Dante Oliveira tailed competitor J. T. Baker for most of the afternoon before finding a way past to win the FMF Pro 250 division for the third time in a row. Baker settled to get second for the second round within a row.
Photo by Mark Kariya
Not to be outdone by her older brother, Sophia Oliveira rolled with the EnduroCross portion of the course to winning Women A for the fourth consecutive round.