Husqvarna North America Racing Updates
HUSKY'S KEARNEY TAKES THE FIFTH AT GNCC-5
Aussie's road to recovery is wrought with success.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - Still healing from the leg injury that's hampered him this season, Team Husqvarna's Glenn Kearney scored a 5th place XC1 Pro class finish at last weekend's GNCC Round 5 at Loretta Lynn's, TN. The tough-as-nails 4-time Australian national enduro champion posted an inspiring ride aboard his Husqvarna WR300 2-stroke in wet and muddy conditions that proved ruinous for some of the top series pros. Kearney's fifth place represents his best finish so far this season and it has created a bit of nervous tension amongst his competitors who now wonder how Kearney will perform when he's 100% fit.
"It's true that I'm not quite healed yet but when I'm racing my Husqvarna WR300 I forget about the injury," said Kearney. "This weekend's foul weather and muddy course had my full attention so I was more focused on dealing with the conditions than I was worrying about my leg. I'm very happy with a 5th place finish and moving up into 9th overall in the season points standings."
Increased confidence in the machine he's racing this season, the Husqvarna WR300, has lead to Kearney's success in environments where he's struggled in the past, such as the down-and-out mudder that GNCC Round 5 proved to be. He finds the light and nimble 2-stroke very easy to ride and a bike that suits his riding style to a tee. That coupled with the sage guidance and expert tuning served up by Husqvarna race technician Wyatt Seals, Kearney and his WR300 have become a GNCC tour de force with a podium finish now clearly on the horizon.
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Next event: GNCC Round 6, May 2-3, Lafayette, Tennessee
Meanwhile out West: WORCS series Rd. 4 at Hollister, California
WEST COAST WEEKEND IN REVIEW
"We had high expectations for the weekend but we're still getting all the kinks ironed out," reflected Zip-Ty Racing team owner/rider Ty Davis. "We knew Hollister would be a challenge and it was a tough one."
During pre-race testing and practice Zip-Ty rider Kevin Rookstool exhibited speed and finesse as one of the three fastest riders. He was in excellent spirits and the setup on his Husky TC450 was just right, but once the race was underway a mechanical issue sidelined him and put his hopes for a podium off until the next WORCS race.
Rookstool's Zip-Ty Racing teammate Kevin Urquardt's charged hard for 11 laps and when all was said and done he crossed the line with a 22nd place finish.
The silver lining for Husky's heroes came in the form of a 2nd place Vet Pro class finish for Ty Davis and a 4th place in the 40+ A class for part-time Zip-Ty team rider Andy Jefferson. It wasn't quite the win Davis had set his sights on, but second was some solace to an otherwise dismal weekend.
"Despite the challenges we faced at Hollister we really believe that we're starting to figure it all out," Davis said referring to his team's new relationship with Husqvarna. "Husky has a great bike and every week we're learning more about them and finding ways to become more competitive."
DESERT HEATS UP WITH ANOTHER BURSON VICTORY
AMA District 37 Hare Scrambles
Nick Burson is developing a nice habit of taking Husqvarna motorcycles to the winners' circle and last Saturday the Zip-Ty Racing team rider did it again with an AMA District 37 Hare Scrambles win. The fast Southern California desert resident is a frequent frontrunner and as he continues to do this season, Burson wasted no time moving his TXC510 into the lead and staying their all the way to checkered flag. This win further solidifies his run for season #1 plate in District 37 competition.
Coming events for Zip-Ty Racing...
- AMA National Hare & Hound at Lucerne Valley - California
- Virginia City Grand Prix - Nevada
- Blue Water Best in the Desert - Nevada
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 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.
