MORGAN KEEPS THE CONSISTENCY ROLLING

Riverside, CA (September 20, 2016) –

Red Mountain, CA – the location of the sixth round of the 2016 National Hare and Hound Championship – is notorious for having rocky and dusty conditions, a combination that makes event the most hardened desert racers think twice about hanging it out on the edge. The conditions also made overtaking feel like a game of Russian Roulette, as moving out of the main line meant taking your chances of hitting hidden rocks off on the edges of the trail. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Precision Concepts, Maxxis Racing’s Justin Morgan made the comment after the race, “I think Red Mountain is the sketchiest place to race a Hare and Hound if you’re not in the lead. The rain ruts are insane this time of year and there’ll be a five-foot tall rock out there and you’ll barely be able to see it coming across the valleys [the way the dirt blends].”

A start would be paramount, and while Justin didn’t have the worst start, it wasn’t what he needed to get up front early on, meaning he had his work cut out to make it inside the top fifteen by the close of the first of four loops. From there, Justin methodically worked his way through riders, making passes where possible, and was able to move into the top ten on the final lap, bringing his Yamaha home in ninth place overall, seventh Open Pro. Morgan mentioned post-race that this was the most sore he’s been, which had to do with the rocky conditions, adding, “Off the start I was off the main trail for so long. I was fully rolling the dice, holding on so tight, just waiting to hit something hard.”

While the ninth place finish keeps Justin just five points outside of the top five in the overall standings, he’s adamant that he expects more from himself, stating, “I’m a little disappointed. I don’t want to be back in ninth, I want to be top five and I know that I am capable of being there. It’s so frustrating [not being up front early], definitely going to have to make some changes to get some good starts, but I came away safe and it’s another solid finish with no crashes, so that’s good.”

Justin will travel to Ocotillo Wells, CA in two weeks time for the seventh round of the West Hare Scrambles series on October 2nd.

Results

Justin Morgan – 9th overall (7th Open Pro)

Gallery