Race Report: 2015 NHHA Round 1 | Lucerne

January 25, 2015

NHHA round 1 | Lucerne Valley
Team Rider: Ricky Brabec | 2nd place

Ricky had to hop in a chase truck right after the San Felipe 250 ended Saturday and drive into the night to make it to Lucerne for Sunday’s H&H. | Photo credit: Mark Kariya

With the opening National Hare and Hound scheduled on the same weekend as San Felipe Ricky more or less crossed the finish line, did a couple interviews, hopped in a truck and headed for Lucerne. “My goal coming into the first H&H was to have a clean race and place in a better spot than last year [5th place]. I was so scatter brained from the week before, being in Baja, that I didn’t really have time to practice for the H&H. The riding is so different. But my start was actually ok all things considering.” Ricky had a four kick start, not the best, but he was able to charge his way down the bomb and work up to fourth by the time the course hit single file.

Desert MC race courses are always tough and Ricky said after the race that the second
loop “was mainly single track in some of the toughest, rockiest hills in Lucerne.”
Photo credit: Mark Kariya

Ricky then made a couple quick passes and found himself in second, right behind the leading Gary Sutherlin. “I battled with Gary almost the entire race. Maybe ten miles before the finish I felt it was my last chance to pass him for the lead and I decided to cut brush to try to get around him. I missed a down arrow as the course dropped into a ditch and last second I decided to ghost ride my bike to clear the ditch and not get hurt from the impact. Luckily I was ok [after the crash], but I had lost my chance to pass Gary.” Ricky ended up holding on to second place, a stellar ride considering the weekend he had, but Ricky’s still not satisfied. “I’m not sure why I’m kicking myself for getting second, it’s a great finish, but I feel like I could have pulled off the win. [All in all] I’m proud to say I ended up second and had a great day racing with my friends.”

Top Ten Results:

1st. Gary Sutherlin
2nd. Ricky Brabec
3rd. Ivan Ramirez
4th. Nick Burson
5th. David Kamo
6th. Skyler Howes
7th. Axel Pearson
8th. Dalton Shirey
9th. Brandon Prieto
10th. Colton Udall