Burson is Back!

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

Round 4: Red Mountain. CA, 09/27/2009

Looking for redemption from a disappointing loss at the previous U.S.D.R. event, Husqvarna’s Nick Burson put it all together at Round Four as he used experience and consistency to come from behind and prove once again, that the weather isn’t the only thing hot in the southern California desert.

Summer may be over, but it sure didn’t seem like it to the competitors at Round 4 of the U.S.D.R. Desert Race Series. 100 degree temperatures greeted the racers when they lined up for what would be one of the most challenging events in the series’ three year history, as technical trails, rocks, sand washes and plenty of single track would give the racers something very different from the usual U.S.D.R. event. While everyone loved the tighter, less “wide open” course, passing would be difficult. Getting a good start would be on everyone’s priority list this day.

Nick Burson

For Burson, the course would be the least of his worries. Keeping focused for the day’s race would be difficult after suffering a DNF the day before at the National Hare and Hound 100’s of miles away in Utah. A collision with another rider just a mile or two from the start, would leave the Zip-Ty Racing rider with a sore shoulder and a broken motorcycle. “It feels good to get back home,” said the 2008 series champion, “I’m disappointed about yesterday, but eager to get back to U.S.D.R.”

With the drop of the green flag Burson would pull the early lead. It was to be short lived however, as a slight hesitation would cost him. Having missed the practice lap on Saturday, Burson was a little unsure as the course headed up the first small hill. Taking advantage of the situation was first time U.S.D.R. racer Kevin O’Donnell as he was able to make his move placing his Blais Racing Services KTM in front of the Husqvarna and into the lead.

Completing the first lap, O’Donnell was expanding his lead and flying! Second was Burson followed by Ryan Kudla who was having a tough day as a bad start put him a ways back in the pack. “Dylan Murdock got by me early, and with the tight course and dust, it took almost an entire lap to get around him,” said the T.O. Kawasaki/FMF sponsored rider. Following the lead pack, KTM’s Justin Imhof was looking great in fifth with open class points leader Travis Livingston close behind for now, but fading fast as a front suspension problem would ultimately put him a lap down by the end of the day.

Lap two on the 13 mile course would see the running order remain pretty much the same with O’Donnell leading, followed a little closer now by Burson and Kudla. Imhof was still looking good as he was able to make the pass on Murdock and move his Malcolm Smith/Paul Krause Racing 250XC into fourth.

RYAN KUDLA

As the race past the half way point, the action and the weather, were really heating up! As anticipated by Burson, O’Donnell’s pace was beginning to slow. “The first two laps were awesome!” Said the KTM rider, “after that, it was a real struggle to find smooth lines and keep the pace.” Now right on the leader’s tail, it was time for Burson to make his move. “I knew he was going to head into the pits,” said the series champ, “my dad motioned for me to stay out for one more lap and that’s what put me in the lead.” Trouble re-starting his bike added to O’Donnell’s problems and allowed Kudla to move within seconds of second place.

At the checkered flag, it was Burson back in the winners circle! “It feels great to win another U.S.D.R. event,” said the Zip-Ty Racing/Moose sponsored rider, “it was a difficult weekend with the traveling and the heat, but it turned out great!” Moving up to second, Kudla was able to stay alive in the points chase with a mathematical chance of winning the title. A tired but determined O’Donnell would bring his KTM home in third followed by Open Expert class winner Imhof, the Kawasaki of Murdock and Vet Expert champion Don Campbell.

Race one in the morning was once again dominated by Senior 2 Expert Class racer Bernard Unhassobiscay who led from start to finish on his Fly Racing sponsored Yam 250. Finishing second, Steve Williams would clinch the 2009 S-2 championship as well as the S-1 championship making him the first rider in U.S.D.R. history to win two number one plates in the same season.

Kevin O'donell

Quad Racers at Round four also had their chance to shine as they had their own race for the first time on a course designed just for them. The six lap race on a five mile course was won by Jeremy Gray on his Suzuki Quad, followed By first time U.S.D.R. racer Bill Markel.

Next race: Nov 14th – 15th | Red Mountain, ca.