Kudla Captures U.S.D.R. Victory

Empire Technologies Final Round 11-15-2009 Red Mountain Ridgecrest, CA

By Dave Earll Photos by Tony Lamping: off-roadphotos.com

Saving the best for last, Ryan Kudla pulled out all the stops as he completely dominated the U.S.D.R. Empire Technologies Finals. Leading from start to finish, the Kawasaki rider put in one of his most impressive performances ever as he scored his first win in almost two years.

For the final round of the 2009 series, U.S.D.R. racers were treated to very different conditions than the previous race, where 100 degree temperatures and a very technical track placed a premium on consistency and stamina. Today however, cool weather and a fast course would make winning all about one thing, speed!

Nick Burson

To go fast in the dust of a desert race, you have to get out front early, and that's just what Kudla did. As the green flag dropped, the Thousand Oaks Kawasaki rider pulled a rare holeshot as he led the Pro Class out onto the 13 mile course. Following quickly behind the pro's, all experts would be lined up on the same row for the first time in U.S.D.R. history, giving all the top classes an equal shot at scoring a podium finish. The new start system would make for some great battles as the day went on.

As the racers came through to complete lap one, it was Kudla who surprised the fans and spectators as he raced through the pits in the lead. On his tail, a flying Morgan Crawford was looking great and hoping for a repeat of his Round Three victory. These hopes were soon dashed however, as a broken crankshaft would bring an end the Blais Racing/KTM sponsored riders day in spectacular fashion right in front of pit row. Taking over second position, points leader and current champion Nick Burson needed only to finish to claim his third Pro Class title, now running a strong second, things were looking good for the Zip Ty Racing/Husqvarna rider, but half way through the second lap, things would take a turn for the worse.

“Things were going just as planned” said Burson, “then it just shut off.” A broken stator had sidelined the Husqvarna. Fortunately for the champ, all was not lost. “Because it is an issue, I carry a spare stator with me,” said the Zip Ty factory rider. So after a 15 minute delay and some trail side repairs, Burson was able to get the TC-510 back in the race and keep his championship hopes alive.

Up front, Kudla was unaware of the drama taking place behind him. “I kept hearing people back there,” said the Kawasaki rider, “I thought they were still right behind me.”

By this time though, there was no one “right behind” the leader as Kudla had now pulled out to one of the biggest leads of the year.

Ryan Kudla

A ways behind, but putting in his best ride of the series, Lites class champion Colton Sanders was leading the rest of the pack in second place. Following the 16 year old KTM rider, Danny Modica was also having one of the best races of his carrier and looking extremely fast in the process. Determined not to let the youngsters have all the fun, 42 year old senior expert Robert Laughlin had taken full advantage of the one row expert start and put his YZ450F solidly into fourth.

At the checkered flag, an ecstatic Kudla knew he had won the race, but did he win the number one plate? No. Word came quickly that Burson was able to finish the race and in the process claim yet another U.S.D.R. championship. Moving up to second, Modica was able to make the pass on Sanders as a flat tire would slow down the KTM rider leaving him a still impressive third. By keeping the pace going, Laughlin had maintained fourth just ahead of the open expert class battle of Erek Kudla and Travis Livingston, another championship that was decided here at the last round, in favor of Livingston. “It’s my first number one plate,” said the newly crowned Open Class champion, “it feels great!”

While it wouldn’t decide any championships, Sunday mornings Race #1 would see Senior-2 racer John Sides claim his first ever U.S.D.R. win, as he was able to keep his Pro Action sponsored Honda 450 well ahead of his fellow 50 year old competitor James Ditson.

Next Race: 2-07-2010 Red Mountain, CA