Cycle News Staff | December 1, 2016
Purvines DA8 Racing Announces 2017 Team: Purvines and DA8 Racing have teamed and announced an all-new off-road racing team for the 2017 season. The collaboration will see a revamped team that is also switching motorcycle brands. For 2017, the Purvines/DA8 Racing Team will be on Yamahas.
Purvines DA8 Racing Announces 2017 Team
Meet the new Purvines DA8 Racing Team.
Team Release:
Purvines DA8 Racing is pleased to announce their changes for 2017. A brand new manufacturer, a new team, and a 10x National Champion helping to aid the racers is sure to make 2017 a big one. Owned by Ron Purvines, the team added Off-Road Legend Destry Abbott, owner of DA8 Training, for rider development and team training. Collin Woolsey will be returning as team manager and head mechanic for the 2017 season.
Returning to the Purvines DA8 race team will be 2017 AMA Western Hare Scrambles Champion, Nick Burson. Burson will be defending his title at the Western Hare Scrambles Series for 2017. He’ll also contest for the National Hare & Hound Championship where he podiumed twice last year.
New to the Purvines DA8 race team is the working man of Gary Sutherlin. With a WORCS Championship already under his belt he’ll be back for revenge in the 2017 season. Along with WORCS, Sutherlin will be racing the National Hare & Hound series alongside teammates Burson and Pearson.
Axel Pearson will be racing alongside his teammate Nick Burson in the Western Hare Scrambles where he sat on top of the podium at 2 rounds. He will also be racing National Hare & Hound series. Finishing 6th last year in H&H and 3rd in the Hare Scrambles Championship, Axel is ready to prove himself even further in the 2017 season.
Purvines DA8 signed young gun and up and coming Endurocross star Cooper Abbott. Winning the 2014 Amateur National Championship, Cooper is being groomed for big things in 2017. Along with Endurocross, Cooper is signed to race other various off-road events throughout the year.
Destry Abbott: “I’m super excited to be part of the Purvines DA8 Team and I know we’ve all been working hard to put this together. I’ve always wanted to have a team, or help run one, and when Ron Purvines came to me about teaming up with him it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I know the team, and myself, are excited to make the switch to Yamaha’s for 2017 and as everyone knows they’re already a proven bike the guys can win on. I’ve already spent a lot of time with Gary, Nick, Axel, and Cooper so I know what they’re capable of and have high expectations for all of them. Looking forward to 2017!”
Collin Woolsey: “We have made so many positive changes going into 2017 it is hard to say which is the most exciting. I would like to thank all our sponsors for their support and we look forward to working with a few new one’s next year. I am very happy to have Nick and Axel back on board with us and with the addition of Gary Sutherlin & Cooper Abbott I am hopeful that we have some more championships waiting for us in 17. It is going to be great working with Destry Abbott this year as well as Kelsey Abbott. Both have been a tremendous help already and we are only getting started. It’s going to be a busy and exciting year. I can’t wait for it to get started.”
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