RACE REPORT: 2016 WHS #1 | Prairie City

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC, PRECISION CONCEPTS, MAXXIS RACING’S JUSTIN MORGAN GETS OFF TO SOLID START AT WHS OPENER.

Prairie City, CA (January 17th, 2016) –

Mother Nature had her way at the opening round of the 2016 West Hare Scrambles as continuous rains left the racecourse a muddy quagmire for the pro race on Sunday afternoon. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Precision Concepts, Maxxis Racing’s Justin Morgan was impressed with the course, despite the conditions, “The course was really good, [the promoters] did a great job of marking it, obviously the weather was a huge factor.” The start was always going to be critical in wet and muddy conditions, as vision would be at a premium, and with over forty riders on the first line Justin got off to a decent start, slotting inside the top ten. “My bike fired first kick and I actually got a decent start once it all sorted out. I was somewhere between fifth and tenth. There were definitely a lot of people behind me, I haven’t started on a line that stacked in a long time with a dead engine start.”

After the start the real craziness began as the riders flirted with the line between control and chaos in the challenging conditions. “I think everyone fell at least once on that opening lap,” said Justin, “Some guys did well and some struggled as it all got sorted out.” Justin was running inside the top eight for most of the race, battling with the likes of Nick Burson, Ivan Ramirez and Travis Coy. “It was really close, I could see the leaders pretty much the whole time. It was interesting how close everyone stayed; the mud was definitely the great equalizer.”

Justin headed out on the last lap just inside the top ten with ambitions of moving up a position or two, but his race took a major set-back after the white flag came out. “On the last lap I hit a mud hole and apparently there was something in there that I didn’t see and I ended up cartwheeling.” Justin got up quick, but the bike was running hot and was tough to get started. “The bike just would not start. Finally, when it cooled down a little I got it to go, but it definitely cost me some time.” Justin lost over the minutes on that last lap, dropping him to fourteenth in the Pro/AA class, but he still enjoyed the experience of his first West Hare Scramble event. “It was awesome! I can’t wait to go to the next one. Everyone out there was having a good time and had a great attitude.”

Up next for Justin is the opening round of the National Hare and Hound Championship in Lucerne Valley, CA and he’s very much looking forward to showing his potential. “I feel great, I feel healthy, the bike is unbelievable, so I’m ready to go!”

Results

Gallery

courtesy of Cindi Fears