National Hare & Hound Round 9 Overview:
Location: Lucerne Valley, CA
Beta Factory Race Team Results:
-Beta Support rider Zane Roberts finished out the season with a win after sustaining a broken scapula only a few races prior to the event. Roberts ended the season 11 points behind the Pro 250 leader in 2nd place.
-Joe Wasson also finished out the season on the podium with a 2nd place Overall finish. Wasson battled the entire season for the lead while finishing just 15 points behind the OA leader.
-Chance Fullerton had a great performance at the final round finishing just shy of the Overall podium in 4th place. Fullerton's ability to adapt to the bigger Beta 430 RR Race Edition throughout the season, and his determination, showed in his results as he finished in 4th place Overall.
-Morgan Tanke had some bad luck in the final round resulting in a DNF. However, Tanke had a strong season with one win in the Women's Pro class and five 2nd place podiums resulting in a 2nd place finish for the 2019 National Hare & Hound series.
ZANE ROBERTS
Bike: 250 RR
"I was finally able to get things back on track this weekend at the final round of the National Hare & Hound series. I had some bad luck the past few races, so I was very happy to take a convincing win and end the season on a high note! I can't thank the whole Beta USA crew enough for helping make this a great season, and I'm excited for next year!"
JOE WASSON
Bike: 430 RR
"Round 9 was an awesome race! I knew going into it some miracles were going to have to happen for me to get the championship, but I still had a positive mindset! I got lined up on the start line and when the banner dropped we were off. 44 miles of virgin single track, rocks, and sand washes made for an awesome course. I was running third and made the pass for 2nd in the second loop. I could see the leaders dust, but I would have had to hang it all out there to get the win. It wasn't worth it because I still wouldn't have won the championship seeing how the points leader would have still been second, so I rode a smart race and had a blast!!!"
CHANCE FULLERTON
Bike: 430 RR
"The final round of National Hare & Hound went pretty well! After a horrible start, I charged to the front and ran 4th all day. I just couldn't make it to the lead group, but for my first year on a big bike I'll take it. I ended up only a couple points shy of 3rd in the championship! All in all I'm impressed with my overall riding. I can't wait to see how much more I have to improve. Thank you to everyone for the 2019 series!"
MORGAN TANKE
Bike: 250 RR
"Sunday was a tough day for me. I got off to a good start and was riding well. The course was very rocky and technical which I liked. I passed for second early into the first loop and held it going into loop 2. The technical sections of loop 2 gave me some breathing room between myself and the 3rd place rider and I was feeling good. Unfortunately my good day made a turn for the worse with about a mile to go. My motor seized up and I was dead in my tracks. After pushing my bike through the sand for a bit another racer came to the rescue and towed me to the finish, which unknowingly disqualified me due to a technicality. I'm extremely bummed that it ended up that way, but lucky I still managed a 2nd place in the championship for the team and I. I'm disappointed that my season ended this way, but I'm happy with how my first full season of desert racing went. I'm proud of what I've learned and accomplished and am excited for next year."
GNCC Round 12 Overview:
Location: Beckley, WV
Beta Factory Race Team Results:
-Mike Witkowski battled for the XC2 class lead for most of the day and ended taking home a 2nd place finish. Witkowski is currently in 3rd place for the series points standings 4 points behind 2nd place.
-Rachel Gutish finished just shy of the WXC podium in 4th place and is currently in 9th place for the series points standings.
MIKE WITKOWSKI
Bike: 250 RR
"The Mountaineer GNCC terrain was very rocky and hilly. The week prior I had rode at my local sand track getting my fitness up to par, but I didn't exactly have rocks to practice so I just went at it the best I could with a good mindset toward the race. My Beta 250 RR got off to a great start. I went into the woods in second, but quickly passed for first and tried to check out. Unfortunately, I didn't have all the hot lines picked out and was quickly passed. I sat back and learned from the leader taking in all the good lines. About three laps in, I found myself in contention for the win again. I took a pit stop on lap three and the leader didn't gas, so I had about 30 seconds to make up. I had a really good lap and kept the gap manageable until a lapped rider cleaned me out on a downhill. Ultimately it was a bad lap that caused the leader to break away even more. I settled for 2nd place and 9th overall for the day's end result. I think without that major crash, and a few mistakes, I could have cleaned up and would have been in the hunt for a win. We have one more race at the Ironman GNCC to make it happen!"
RACHEL GUTISH
Bike: 200 RR
"I got off to an excellent start at my last round of GNCC this season. I entered the woods in about fourth place, and by a few miles in had moved up into second. About three miles from the barrels I passed for the lead, and maintained it for several miles before dropping back into second. Lappers are a thing I have always struggled with, and as soon as we got into the thick of them on the third lap, I started to have quite a few problems. I dropped down into fourth place and was unable to make up any of the time I lost. With that being said, this is still the most competitive I have felt at a GNCC since I was injured. I have high hopes for next season! I am also looking forward to the rest of the EnduroCross series, where I am still in contention for the series title."
Photo by Kato