2021 AMA Hare & Hound Round 9 Results

Cycle News Staff | October 25, 2021

Anyone could see that Beta’s Zane Roberts was fast enough to win a Hare & Hound National overall. It was simply a matter of putting it all together.

Zane Roberts at AMA Hare & Hound Rnd 9 — **New suspension settings and a good start paid big dividends for Zane Roberts at the series finale where he notched his first career overall victory.**

And Roberts finally did so at the ninth and final round of the AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series, Presented by FMF. From the start, Roberts controlled most of the race aboard his Kenda/Motul/Klim-sponsored 480 RR followed by Johnny Campbell Racing (JCR) Honda’s Preston Campbell and Off-Road Support/Team Green rider Jacob Argubright.

Hosted by the 100s Motorcycle Club, the 54th Annual Fast Times at Johnson Valley National Hare & Hound featured two loops of 40 then 30 miles based out of North Anderson Dry Lake in the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area.

From his chosen position on the far left of the start, Argubright rocketed down the bomb run, his TBT Racing/FMF/Fly Racing-backed KX450X followed closely by Campbell on his Kenda/Pro Circuit/Fly Racing CRF450X.

Corbin McPherson at AMA Hare & Hound Rnd 9 — **Corbin McPherson was more than satisfied with third Pro 250 and sixth overall, which clinched the title for him.**

Unfortunately for round-eight winner Dalton Shirey, he crashed hard on the bomb run, prematurely putting an end to his day.

Roberts wasted little time before slipping past both Campbell and Argubright, and once out front, he disappeared.

“I really wanted to end [the season] on a high note. I’ve been chasing [that first win] all year,” Roberts said. “I podiumed all but one round, but I still hadn’t won a race. I wanted to do it with [teammate] Joe [Wasson] and Dalton both in it, but Joe was riding a 125 and Dalton unfortunately went down off the start.

“That’s why I was going—I thought Dalton was coming. We made some bike changes that I think made a huge difference for me. I was just really comfortable on the bike today.”

For Campbell, his runner-up finish matched his career-best from round six, his excellent start a major factor, of course. He said, “I stayed behind Jake all the way up the bomb, just getting roosted. I guess I was a little slow to pass him and it took me 25 miles. Zane got around both of us right after the end of the bomb. We kind of separated from there and I just rode the rest of the race by myself pretty much after I got around Jake.”

Having ridden only a handful of races this year while shifting focus to rallies, Argubright proved his 2019 championship was no fluke, his speed in the early going more than competitive.

“I’m on my practice bike which has a lot of hours on it, but she pulled through—it was awesome!” he exclaimed before admitting, “I had no expectations. I haven’t been training and I’m going to a rally [in Abu Dhabi] next Thursday. Honestly, I just wanted seat time. I knew I would drop the anchor and I did, but I felt really good. It was good for my soul. I’m happy where I’m at.”

Mikey Hill and Jordan Graham at AMA Hare & Hound Rnd 9 — **It doesn’t get much closer than this! Mikey Hill managed to hold off Jordan Graham for 40 miles to win the Hooligan class for the first time, though Graham claimed the class championship.**

Fourth out of the pits, round eight’s Pro 250 winner Carter Klein wasn’t able to make it two in a row after crashing on the more technical second loop which explored an area that was recently reopened.

Instead, it was KTM of Aspen Husqvarna-mounted Clayton Gerstner who battled from ninth at the pit to fourth overall and the Pro 250 triumph in a last-ditch effort to claim the title. He had to win while class points leader Corbin McPherson would have to finish fifth or worse.

But Garrett Off-road Racing Husqvarna rider McPherson did what he needed to do and rode a measured race behind Gerstner and S.W. Roberts Construction GasGas-mounted Clayton Roberts to claim the crown over Gerstner, 200-194, with Roberts third in final points at 174.

Seventh overall and fourth Open Pro went to 3 Bros./Hatch Racing Husqvarna’s Ryan Smith followed by Wasson. Having wrapped up the championship at round eight, Wasson and Beta decided to have a little fun by entering on an FMF/DP Brakes/Kimes Ranches 125 RR—the first time he’d raced a 125 since 2005 when he quit dirt bikes to ride snowmobiles.

“I definitely had to put my ego in check and accept it for what it was, but I had more fun today on the 125 and just come to the races and enjoy it with no pressure,” Wasson said. “To be able to finish top 10 on the 125 was a riot.”

“That thing’s fast!” said Gerstner who followed Wasson for a while before getting past.

Wasson ended the year with 232 points to the 209 of Roberts, Campbell third with 178.

Klein remounted for ninth with P.B.C. Recreation Tire Husqvarna rider Otto Pearson rounding out the top 10 overall and claiming fifth Pro 250.

Pro Women saw Beta’s Morgan Tanke-Colon switch gears from EnduroCross in Prescott, Arizona, the night before (where she finished third) to the higher speeds of Lucerne the next morning.

Britney Gallegos at AMA Hare & Hound Rnd 9 — **Second to Morgan Tanke-Colon was more than enough for Britney Gallegos to defend her Pro Women title.**

After a relatively slow start, she made big gains—not surprisingly—in the more technical sections of loop two and garnered her second win of the season.

But second place was more than enough for Britney Gallegos to successfully defend her Pro Women Championship, especially after title rival and early leader Rachel Stout fell ill and had to drop out. Let’s Ride KTM rider Ashlee Gage claimed third for the second race in a row. CN