Husqvarna Teams Ride High in Desert Openers
January 14, 2009, 12:59pm
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - While not evident to casual race watchers the wheels of history were turning in Arizona last Saturday morning when a two motorcycle team headed by desert ace Ty Davis rolled toward the starting line of the Parker 250. With little fanfare the flag dropped at 7:24am and Davis clicked into gear his Malcolm Smith supported Zip-Ty Racing #N05 Husqvarna 510 TXC. The move solidified Husqvarna's first major desert race entry and opened yet another chapter in Husqvarna's historic racing legacy.
Starting from the back of the Open Class grid Davis fought a blinding combination of dust and bright morning sun, but wasted no time advancing his and co-rider Gary Sutherland's #N05 Husky to the front of the pack. The pair rode flawlessly and other than regretting his choice in gearing rider/manager Davis was delighted with his teams 2nd Open Pro [3rd Overall], and 7th Open Pro [9th overall] finishes.
"I'm very pleased with the result. We basically came over here to shake down the bikes to see where we stand. We didn't even finish working on them until midnight Thursday," said Davis. "We were a little under-geared which really hurt us in the fast sections but to get both bikes to the finish line with no mechanicals speaks well for these Husqvarna's and the riders."
Harden posted a flawless ride with his co-rider Nick Burson and together they ended their day with a 9th overall, 7th in class finish. An excellent showing for the pair's first competitive attempt aboard the powerful #N04 Husqvarna 510 TXC.
"We haven't had much of a chance to test this new Husky but our preparation and race strategy paid off," said Harden. "I'm always glad to get the racing season underway and I'm pleased that Nick and I had a smooth ride and a top 10 finish."
Nick Burson: 1st Overall in Season Opening AMA District 37 Hare & Hound
Most racers who'd logged a 9th place overall finish in the Parker 250 would probably be happy to kick back with a cool drink and think ahead to the next race, assuming of course that "next" meant "next week" or "next month". Not so for Nick Burson who upon immediately crossing the finish line in Parker climbed off the Husqvarna 510 TXC he shared with Brent Harden and headed off to enter another Husky into the AMA District 37 Jackrabbits Hare & Hound. Fueled by adrenaline and inspired by his earlier performance, Burson rocketed off the line, took the smoke bomb in 3rd, passed the race leader within 2-miles, and quickly established a comfortable lead that took him all the way to the finish line.
"I really started to feel comfortable on the bike as the race wore on," said Burson, whose District 37 overall race win harkened back to the day when Huskys' were frequent visitors to the winner's podium in desert races throughout the Southwest. To win was an amazing feat in itself, to win in his first ride out truly sends a message. Nick's performance as well as those of his fellow Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna riders at the Parker 250 portends greatly to a lot of good Husqvarna racing in the future. Husky has returned to the desert with a vengeance! Look for more good things to come from Zip-Ty Racing and Husqvarna in 2009.
Starting from the back of the Open Class grid Davis fought a blinding combination of dust and bright morning sun, but wasted no time advancing his and co-rider Gary Sutherland's #N05 Husky to the front of the pack. The pair rode flawlessly and other than regretting his choice in gearing rider/manager Davis was delighted with his teams 2nd Open Pro [3rd Overall], and 7th Open Pro [9th overall] finishes.
"I'm very pleased with the result. We basically came over here to shake down the bikes to see where we stand. We didn't even finish working on them until midnight Thursday," said Davis. "We were a little under-geared which really hurt us in the fast sections but to get both bikes to the finish line with no mechanicals speaks well for these Husqvarna's and the riders."
Harden posted a flawless ride with his co-rider Nick Burson and together they ended their day with a 9th overall, 7th in class finish. An excellent showing for the pair's first competitive attempt aboard the powerful #N04 Husqvarna 510 TXC.
"We haven't had much of a chance to test this new Husky but our preparation and race strategy paid off," said Harden. "I'm always glad to get the racing season underway and I'm pleased that Nick and I had a smooth ride and a top 10 finish."
Nick Burson: 1st Overall in Season Opening AMA District 37 Hare & Hound
Most racers who'd logged a 9th place overall finish in the Parker 250 would probably be happy to kick back with a cool drink and think ahead to the next race, assuming of course that "next" meant "next week" or "next month". Not so for Nick Burson who upon immediately crossing the finish line in Parker climbed off the Husqvarna 510 TXC he shared with Brent Harden and headed off to enter another Husky into the AMA District 37 Jackrabbits Hare & Hound. Fueled by adrenaline and inspired by his earlier performance, Burson rocketed off the line, took the smoke bomb in 3rd, passed the race leader within 2-miles, and quickly established a comfortable lead that took him all the way to the finish line.
"I really started to feel comfortable on the bike as the race wore on," said Burson, whose District 37 overall race win harkened back to the day when Huskys' were frequent visitors to the winner's podium in desert races throughout the Southwest. To win was an amazing feat in itself, to win in his first ride out truly sends a message. Nick's performance as well as those of his fellow Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna riders at the Parker 250 portends greatly to a lot of good Husqvarna racing in the future. Husky has returned to the desert with a vengeance! Look for more good things to come from Zip-Ty Racing and Husqvarna in 2009.
Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007, are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007, are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC is part of BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America is located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC returned to off-road racing competition in 2008 and during 2009 Husqvarna will expand its professional race team to compete in AMA GNCC, Endurocross, National Hare & Hound, the AMA Hare Scrambles Series, and WORCS competition. Husqvarna team riders will compete in the premier classes of each series aboard 2009 Husqvarna TXC 450, TXC 510, and WR 300 off-road models.
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC is part of BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America is located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC returned to off-road racing competition in 2008 and during 2009 Husqvarna will expand its professional race team to compete in AMA GNCC, Endurocross, National Hare & Hound, the AMA Hare Scrambles Series, and WORCS competition. Husqvarna team riders will compete in the premier classes of each series aboard 2009 Husqvarna TXC 450, TXC 510, and WR 300 off-road models.
