Race Day:
I can’t believe the first three rounds have been wet and this one was by far wetter than any of them. The start had puddles everywhere, and I only ran the bomb three times before the race since I was soaked, cold and it was raining again. When the banner dropped I didn’t get a first kick start, but it started the next try. I was trying to pass guys, but was getting soaked by a ton of riders with all the standing water. A mile out I had already used all my tear-offs and knew right away I should’ve went with roll-offs. UGH! A few miles in I was around 10th and just was trying to play it smart and get a good feel for the ground, since it was so slippery. I kept picking guys off, but was having a tough time seeing out of my goggles. At this point I saw Jacob on the ground, and he gave me the thumbs up so I kept going. By now I had moved into 4th and had Gary Sutherlin right in front of me with David Pearson right in front of Gary. I knew Kendall was leading, but couldn’t see him. Just before the alternate pit (mile 21) I was able to get by Gary, and get right on David. I stopped for a splash and put roll-offs on. I left a little bit behind David, but was able to get right on him and then made the pass. I could now see Kendall and wanted to get on him so I could key off him. Around the 35-mile mark, I lost my front end over some really slicks hills and went down. I was soaked with mud and my gloves and left grip were really bad. I took off and was thinking this isn’t going to be good, but luckily I came up to a big water crossing and I slowed down to clean the mud off and then was back on the gas. After the first 59-mile loop was over, Kendall had about 2-minutes on me and David was about 45-seconds in front of me. I stopped for a quick splash and changed my gloves (which was really nice since it was still raining). Now I knew the second loop was where it was going to be won, but Kendall had a pretty good lead on us. I was pushing and was able to catch David about 10-miles into the last 37-mile loop. I passed him, and then once we got into the rocks I started to really feel comfortable and had a great pace going. However, David was able to stay on me since it was so much easier to key off the guy in front of you. The rain really played havoc on the arrows, and they folded up or fell off so it was super hard to follow the course (not the clubs fault). Halfway into the loop I could tell we had really closed the gap on Kendall, and were within a minute of him. David and I kept pushing each other and were going back and forth for quite a while. Next thing I knew we were within about 20-seconds of Kendall, and was looking forward to a three way battle for the win! David was ahead of me at this point, and I was following him down this really tight ravine that had two big drop offs that were filled with running water. Unfortunately David rolled off it and went flying over the bars. I sat there for a few seconds and I could tell he was struggling to pick it up so I figured I would try and jump over his front end, but it was going to be tight. I tried anyway and boy was it a bad call on my part! My front end slammed into his, and now we were both stuck in the deep puddle of water and neither one of us could do anything to get unstuck. He finally had to lay down his bike the opposite way we were going to get it unstuck, but there still wasn’t enough room to get by so I had to sit there and wait for him to try and get his bike flipped around. I knew we had just thrown away any shot we had at the win, since we were there for at least 2-minutes. Once we took off it was another epic battle and we kept going back and forth, but with about 3-miles to go he made a good pass on me. Right after that his bike came to a stop and I knew it was because of the huge wash we were trying to ride up that was flowing a few feet deep in areas. I was thinking I should be on a jet ski here instead of a dirt bike (it really was that deep for a good mile). I ended up finishing 2nd and a few minutes ahead of David who finally got his bike started. Kendall put in a great ride and got his first National H&H win.

Overall Summary:
Even though I finished 2nd I had a blast and felt really good on the bike again (my conditioning is getting better too). I really felt I could’ve been right there for the win, until the last mistake which was my fault. The conditions really made it fun, and challenging, and then to have some great battles just made it that much better. Definitely a fun day of racing for me!

Results (Overall):
1st Kendall Norman
2nd Destry Abbott
3rd David Pearson
4th Robert Underwood
5th David Kamo

Other Notes:
Here’s a short video clip from Beau. He wasn’t able to get a ton of coverage because of the weather, but it’s still pretty cool! http://www.promoto.tv/

It’s nice to be in the points lead, but I really want to be pulling off some wins again. I’ve been close, but just haven’t won one this year! Come on Idaho!

I would rate this H&H with one of the coolest ones I’ve done in years. The first loop was unbelievably slick and you had to ride smart. The second loop was awesome, and the weather conditions made it interesting and challenging. Even though I didn’t win I had a blast, and thought the club did a great job considering the conditions they had to deal with (all the rain). It definitely wasn’t easy and I think that’s what national events should be like, but the rain did help make it that way!

I’d like to give a big thanks to the Argubright’s for letting Jonny and I use their truck to help us stay dry. Jacob was putting in a great ride and was running 2nd early, but took a big digger and had to call it a day.

Yesterday Gary Sutherlin teamed up with Justin Soule to win the Laughlin Hare Scramble and then showed up late last night to race the H&H. He had a solid 4th place until he bent his sprocket really bad, 20-miles from the finish, and ended up with a DNF.

I have this weekend off and then have a long drive up to Idaho the following week for round four of the H&H series.

Here’s a little video clip that me and my teammates did to plug Kawasaki’s new Facebook page. It was kind of funny! http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_news/Article.aspx?id=1360

Best Wishes,
Destry
www.destryabbott.com

2010 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stablilzers, Shoei, Akrapovic exhaust, Stephen Gall Training, SIDI, IMS, Zip-Ty, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, BRP, Braking, Works Connection, Concept2, CTI2, Maxima, Kicker, O’GIO, Traxxas, Renthal, Hinson, Jonre Multimedia, dragonfireracing.com, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

Chase Ungerman’s Inspirational Memorial

Two years ago Chase Ungerman was killed in an automobile accident. Thanks to his passion for motocross, and the way it shaped his life, his spirit lives on.

Each spring the Montana motocross community honors Chase Ungerman’s life by awarding a prize to an aspiring racer. This prize isn’t based on speed or skill. It’s awarded to someone who has used personality traits he or she has gained through racing to make the world a better place.

While the prize itself is limited to Montana racing residents, Chase’s story–and the annual award its inspired–is global and motocross and off-road racers young and old can appreciate its power. 

Below is Chase’s story and what a grateful family of racers is doing to honor him. Have a great weekend and see you on the track/trail

-Jesse

Who was Chase Ungerman? How did he inspire us to create the Chase Ungerman Memorial Fund?

Chase Ungerman was a Montana motocross racer from 2004-2007. As a member of High Country Motocross Association (HCMA) he raced open beginner and then both 250 and Open Junior. In his final year of racing he placed in several events in the 250 and Open Junior class. But racing and winning were only part of the story.

Since the day he twisted the throttle of his first mini-bike Chase had been an active dirt-biker. Motocross racing demands great physical and even greater mental skills. Like any rider, he had to learn body positioning, cornering, jumping, passing and the secrets of the holeshot. Since he didn’t want to be an average racer, Chase had to devote many hours of practice, lap by lap, to perfect the techniques. Doing that helped him develop patience, endurance and self-discipline. Not only did that make him a better rider, it made him a better person. 

Chase discovered that perhaps the most challenging part of motocross is the mental part. Over many months he practiced analyzing, visualizing and creating attitudes that would help him win. The results of his work became evident as he began to win more races. His career and life outside of racing also benefited from the new mental skills that he learned.

To Chase, motocross was not just about bikes and tracks; motocross events were like family reunions. He made friends with many riders of all classes. He was not above spending time with the younger riders, becoming a mentor and role model for some of them. He made friends with moms and dads as easily as he did other motocross riders. Motocross taught him to help others, to serve them and make them smile. With these social skills he made the world a better place. 

Chase was killed in an automobile accident in December of 2007. Nearly 800 people attended his funeral, many of them were people directly influenced by the physical, mental and social skills that he developed through motocross. The Chase Ungerman Memorial Fund was created to honor Chase and the traits that he developed. The fund was established to encourage motocross riders to develop successful traits–traits that make a person successful beyond the events of a race day.

Do you know an inspiring motocross racer who lives in Montana? Help them win a set of 2010 Fly Racing gear and helmet (a combined value of $500 retail).

We all know and understand that racing motocross is one of the toughest sports on earth. It naturally develops a competitive spirit, physical endurance and mental toughness not matched in any other sport. 

But we believe and embrace the fact that motocross also develops life-long personality traits that help us to get through life’s problems and maybe even make the world a better place. With this belief in mind in March 2010 we will pick a winning entry who’s story shows this best. On May 2nd in Anaconda they will receive a set of 2010 Fly Racing gear and helmet in the winner’s choice of color and size.

This year the rules to win have changed. We are asking you to nominate someone other than yourself. Nominate someone who has gained, through racing, some personality trait that has helped them to make it through life, or helped the lives of others or has given in some way to make this a better world.
To be eligible you must:

1) Submit an entry form (500 words or less) about the person who you would like to win and explain what they have done, or why you believe they should win.

2) Nominate someone other than yourself.

3) Nominated must be a Montana resident.

4) Person nominated must have raced a minimum of 6 HCMA point events in 2009.

5) Submit entry no latter than March 15, 2010.
Winning entry will be notified no later than March 30, 2010.

The Chase Ungerman Memorial Foundation Give-Away is sponsored by: