Race Day:

When the banner dropped, my bike fired on the first kick and I was off and pinning it. I was just to the side of Kurt, but he was able to get there before me when we started to turn right after the bomb. At that point, I saw David was able to get right behind Kurt and that pushed me back another spot. Now I was in 3rd, riding in their dust, and as I started to slow down I saw Jacob go by. I pinned it off to the side, and then Jacob and I had a good battle going until I finally was able to get back into a solid third. The first loop was close to 60-miles, and it was really fast so it was going to be hard to pass. I was just outside of David’s dust and I saw he wasn’t far behind Kurt. Just before the alternate pit I made a few mistakes and wasn’t able to key off them anymore, but could still see their dust. I stopped for a quick splash and was then back in last gear. It was pretty uneventful for the next 30 or so miles, and then it was time to get another splash of gas in the main pits. Now we went into the dunes and I was actually having a really good time, but was bummed I didn’t have anyone to race with. Then finally on the back side of the dunes we got into some rocky sections, and I was able to see dust again. Unfortunately, I wasn’t really close enough to do much. Then there was this really cool rocky uphill that I just struggled on and went down right in front of someone filming (just my luck). I got up pretty quick and just pretty much tried to ride a good pace all the way to the finish. I felt good by the time I got the checkered flag, but just wasn’t able to close the gap.

Overall Summary:

Another solid podium finish which is nice, but I really need to be pulling off wins or at least seconds. I definitely could’ve been more aggressive today and I’ll have to work on that before the next H&H in two weeks (up in Idaho). My fitness and the bike are great so it’s just up to me to pin it!

Overall Results:

1st Kurt Caselli

2nd David Pearson

3rd Destry Abbott

4th Jacob Argubright

5th Justin Morrow

6th David Kamo

Other Notes:

Here’s Beau’s video from the race. http://www.promoto.tv/

Jonny did a great job this weekend with everything we had going on. It was pretty much wide open since the last week. Huge props to Jonny for everything he did this week.

I have next weekend off and then I’ll be up in Idaho for another H&H. The club always does a great job on promoting that race and it should be fun. Let’s hope for some rain or maybe snow!

Best Wishes,

www.destryabbott.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destry-Abbott/114746998547830?ref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/destryabbott450

2011 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, Shoei, Fox Racing Shox, Akrapovic exhaust, GoPro, 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, Tomac Bicycles, Matrix, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

Saturday Race:
This was one of the few WORCS races where we don’t have a starting gate, so it’s a dead engine start. I knew this was a huge bonus for me, since it’s the same as the H&H’s. When Homer raised the flag Taylor and I were dead even to the first corner, but I was able to tuck under him and get the hole-shot. He was able to get by me just after the mx section. My goal was to just ride smooth and ride my own race. I had a couple guys pass me and I was fine since I was still feeling lose and just getting into the flow. Then towards the end of the lap I was taken out and went down pretty good. I got up in around 12th and then just started to push it, but two laps later went down again and lost more spots. I was now outside the top15 and just wasn’t riding good at all. I was struggling with the set-up I chose and just couldn’t ever get into a flow again, but still was able to move up slowly to finish a really disappointing 12th for the hour plus one lap format.

Sunday Race:
This year the WORCS series is doing a 2 moto format, and in this case it was better for me since I got to change a couple things that were going to help me today. I still had a great start and was third behind Mike Brown and Taylor Robert. I could tell on the first lap my set-up was a lot better and I actually felt loose and more like myself. Just before the end of the first lap, I kicked up a rock that went in between the chain and sprocket and derailed it. It was actually pretty scary, because I almost went over the bars. I coasted off the track and was able to get it back on, but now I was once again outside the top 15. Luckily I was able to get back by quite a few guys to get into 10th or 11th, but with two laps to go my rear brake pin came out that holds the brake pads in. So, of course, I had no rear brake and it was so rough that it was super hard to try and hold guys off. I ended up having three guys pass me to finish another disappointing 13th for the day.

Overall Summary:
I was pretty bummed with the way things turned out for both days. I put myself in a great position and just didn’t have things go my way on the first laps. The worst part was the fact that I’ve been practicing a ton of sand and felt really good, but the results just don’t show it. I really have been feeling good on the bike and just need to keep doing what I’m doing and it will all work out! As far as the brakes falling out, that was just some bad luck and one of those fluke things.

Overall Results (top 20):
1st Bobby Garrison
2nd Taylor Robert
3rd Kurt Caselli
4th Justin Soule
5th Kyle Summers
6th Gary Sutherlin
7th Brenden Ritzman
8th Robby Bell
9th Coltan Udall
10th Destry Abbott
11th Mike Brown
12th Michael Sleeter
13th Mark Samuels
14th Ryan Reina
15th Ryan Abbatoye
16th Dennis Stapleton
17th Bobby Bonds
18th Arik Swan
19th Dylan Schmoke
20th Sean Kranyak

Other Notes:
This last weekend Charlotte and I went over to California to Nathan Woods’ service. There were thousands of people that showed up and it was really cool! Then on Wednesday, they had a ride day at Glen Helen where a ton of people showed up too. Here’s a cool video from that-

I’ve been riding a lot of our sand tracks with Gary Sutherlin (who rode great) and Taylor Robert the last few weeks. I know it really helped us all out. Taylor was really close to the win both days! Bobby G was just on his game this weekend. It was good to see him get a win again (back on the green bike)

James from Thor brought me some cool gear this weekend and made me feel like a super-star!! Thanks for cheering me on too!

I attached some photos from Mike and Amber Farmer along with some from Kelsey (my daughter.) Thanks!

My next race is this weekend for the third round of the H&H series in California (El Centro). Looking forward to it!

Best Wishes,
www.destryabbott.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destry-Abbot…98547830?ref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/destryabbott450

2011 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, Shoei, Fox Racing Shox, Akrapovic exhaust, GoPro, 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, Tomac Bicycles, Matrix, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

But the former 2-time WORCS Champion was not on the line with his friends and competitors, having passed away on Friday from injuries resulting from a crash in Pro Practice. A memorial parade lap in Nathan’s honor was held on Saturday in place of the Pro race and Promoter Sean Reddish awarded the victory for the whole weekend of Pro racing to Woods giving him the points lead in the 2011 WORCS Championship one more time in his career. Nathan’s wife Amanda Woods and his oldest son rode the parade lap wearing Nathan’s #54 jerseys, the young Woods riding with his father’s good friend Kurt Caselli. The entire WORCS family of amateur riders, Pros, and fans came to the starting line to pay tribute and remember the great Champion and good man that was Nathan Woods.

The Pro class lined up on Sunday with the former Champion on their minds. “Nathan loved to race, and would want us to keep racing,” was a common sentiment. The rain started pouring in just before the gate dropped, causing many to smile, “Nathan was a good mud rider, he would’ve loved this.”

Defending WORCS Champion Kurt Caselli dedicated the race and the rest of the season to Nathan and drove home the point by getting a massive holeshot and running away with the win. Caselli and his KTM were virtually uncatchable as he extended his lead lap after lap to take the win by more than a full minute. The battle for second place was a mêlée that included Kyle Summers, Mike Brown, Bobby Bonds, Taylor Robert, Justin Soule, Kevin Rookstool, and Bobby Garrison. Summers eventually pulled out ahead of the pack and earned the second slot on the podium. Third fell to Garrison after he battled for the entire hour with Brown, Bonds, Robert and Soule.

Robert came from way back to take fourth with Brown in fifth and Rookstool in sixth. Bonds, riding a Zip-Ty Husky and still recovering from shoulder surgery took seventh with Robby Bell eighth, Destry Abbott ninth and Brenden Ritzman 10th.

Caselli came to the podium with Nathan Wood’s #54 plate in his hand, and again dedicated the victory and the season to Nathan. “This is a tough weekend for everybody,” said Caselli. “We lost one of our greatest riders in this sport on Friday. Nathan was a close friend of mine; we went to the ISDE together and got to be good friends. He was a down-to-earth, awesome guy, a great competitor, so tough, so strong. Today I was riding for him. Nathan and I shared a pure enjoyment of the sport and always wanting to win. I think everybody rode today for Nathan Woods. I’m going to miss him, he taught me a lot. He was winning WORCS Championships when I was coming up into the Pro ranks and I learned by watching him. He was one of my idols. I want to thank all of my sponsors, my KTM is awesome, but this race is for Nathan and his family. My heart goes out to all of them.”

WORCS round 1 Results:

1. Nathan Woods (KTM)

1. Kurt Caselli (KTM)

2. Kyle Summers (Yam)

3. Bobby Garrison (Kaw)

4. Taylor Robert (Kaw)

5. Mike Brown (KTM)

6. Kevin Rookstool (KTM)

7. Bobby Bonds (HSQ)

8. Robby Bell (Kaw)

9. Destry Abbott (Kaw)

10. Brenden Ritzman (Kaw)

Story by- Joe Colombero

Other Notes:

Saturday’s noon pro race was cancelled and turned into a memorial ride where all of us did a parade lap after we had a moment of silence and prayer. The most amazing part was Amanda rode on the back of Charles’s (one of his old mechanics) bike while one of Nathan’s sons (Braxton) rode with Kurt Caselli. It was really a tough moment to see. Everyone at the race showed up to the start to be part of this.

I have to commend WORCS for everything they did during this tough time and I feel like they did the right thing. They also awarded Woody with the most points for the weekend. They retired #54 and I think that was a great tribute to Nathan and his family. He was the winningest Pro WORCS rider and we will all remember him as a great competitor and a huge ambassador to our sport!

God Bless,

Destry and family

When the banner dropped I got a great jump, but still had a tough time getting to the end of the banner first. I was around 7th, or so, and had to start slowly picking guys off. Close to the 5-mile marker I was able to put a good pass on Kendall Norman to get myself into the top 5, but not long after that I went down going up a hill. I hurried up and got going again before he could get back by me. When I got to the bottom I looked back and he was nowhere to be seen. I guess he crashed on the same hill and hit the ground pretty hard (I don’t believe he finished).

The first loop was pretty uneventful and I was in 4th, behind Justin Morrow, and really wasn’t able to do much. After the first 40-miles was over I was still in 4th and was told Kurt Caselli and David Pearson were already way ahead of us.

This last loop was around 50+ miles and I heard the last part was going to be really tough. I knew this was going to be my opportunity, and once we started to get into the really technical stuff I was able to get right on Justin and then later make the pass. I had to stop at the alternate (38-miles into this loop) and they told me the top 2-guys were a ways ahead so I knew there was no reason to hang it out.

After the alternate gas it was like I was riding some trails at Erzburg. They put us in some awesome stuff and I was totally surprised that we were racing through it, but pumped they actually put it in the race. I had a great time and just kept plugging away and trying to ride smart through it. Then there was a long valley into the finish and I figured I had a good solid 3rd, but with less than a mile to go I saw Kurt pushing his bike to the finish so I ended up finishing 2nd.

Overall Summary:

My goal coming into the opening round was to get on the podium, and since I pulled off a second I really wasn’t too disappointed. It’s a long series stacked with a ton of great riders, and I know if I stay on the podium I’ll be right there for my main goal (championship). I’m feeling good and fit so I just need to keep plugging away!

Overall Results (top 15):
1st David Pearson
2nd Destry Abbott
3rd Jacob Argubright
4th Justin Morrow
5th Kurt Caselli
6th Ryan Kudla
7th Brad Pace
8th Coltan Udall
9th Carl Maassberg
10th Ivan Ramirez
11th Jordan Brandt
12th Brett Saunders
13th Levi Hutchings
14th Morgan Crawford
15th Dan Capparelli

Other Notes:

I was super pumped to see DMC (the club that put this race on) put on a great national last loop! I’m sure they’re going to get a lot of people complaining, but it’s a national and that’s the stuff that separates the top guys! Great job on the last loop! It was like a tough national Enduro!

The H&H series is so stacked with great riders this year (as I was saying before). I can’t remember the last time there were so many great riders. A few of them started the year off on a bad foot. Kendal crashed out. Kamo had a stick go through his radiator, and Kurt who was going to pull off the win until he had bike issues right before the finish. Finishing consistently is going to be the key!

If you haven’t made it out to a National H&H you really should. This round had a huge turnout and they’re usually great races to do (and it doesn’t cost that much) or to watch.

Here’s a video Beau did from the race (pretty cool)! It shows how many people were starting at once and it has some awesome footage with a GoPro. http://promoto.tv/

Here’s a really cool video Kawasaki posted on their site of our off road race team (before our first WORCS race). http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_news/Article.aspx?id=1515

I had a lot of people ask why I was running #14. Since it’s my number for WORCS and the Endurocross series I figured I would just use the same number everywhere. It’s also my 14th year with Kawasaki, so I figured it was meant to be!

I started a Twitter page and if you want to check it out. http://twitter.com/#!/destryabbott450.

My next race is this weekend for the opening WORCS round in Taft, Ca.

(photos taken by Mark Kariya)

Best Wishes,

www.destryabbott.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destry-Abbott/114746998547830?ref=ts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/destryabbott450

2011 Sponsors: Monster Energy Kawasaki, Thor, Dunlop, GPR stabilizers, 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, Tomac Bicycles, Matrix, Scott, Cyto Sport, N-Style, UNI, Parkway Chiropractic, Tire-Balls, and ZLT.

Sponsored by FMF RACING

Race against Kurt Caselli and other Pro Racers

By limiting itself to a 350 cc capacity, KTM intends to transfer the sensational success of the 350 SX-F in the Motocross World Championship to the Enduro segment. The basic tenet of combining the low weight of a 250 with the power of a 450 will give the 350 EXC-F the edge. Combining massive performance with awesome agility makes for efficient, energy-saving rideability, which is at least as important in Enduro competitions as it is in Motocross races.
The power of a 450, the agility of a 250
Due to its sophisticated design with an electronic fuel injection and state-of-theart engine management, the 350 EXC-F Factory’s DOHC single has nearly the same output as a 450 cc power pack. At the same time though, it is as compact as a four stroke 250 and has the low weight and dynamic response of the smaller capacity. To make it even easier for the rider to fully exploit the advantages of this innovative engine, the brand new factory bike also joins the fray in the 2011 Enduro WC with newly designed bodywork and a completely new chassis.

First the World Championship, then serial production
Entering racing competitions well ahead of mass production is a proven tradition with KTM. Only after the best off-road riders in the world have gone through with a merciless testing regimen on all kinds of tracks and in any weather, and given their approval, the KTM off-road competition models are good enough for the Enduro enthusiasts of the world. Experience from Enduro sports and feedback from the most successful offroad factory team take a direct influence on KTM’s serial production. There is a reason KTM chose the slogan „Ready to Race“ for their bikes. And it is also no accident that by now, about half of all active Enduro racers in the world trust the bikes from Austria.

Ready for action, hungry for success
A comprehensive development centre with staff as competent as they are passionate, as well as an unprecedented treasure of experience from decades of racing success – these are the cornerstones of KTM’s enduring success. A tireless drive and unquenchable thirst for success are our motivations. Despite clearly dominating Enduro racing on a worldwide level, the company is therefore focused to 100% on methodically developing existing as well as new products and implementing new concepts. The 350 EXC-F Factory is the best example.

“With 350 cc in Motocross and Enduro racing, KTM continues to lead by innovation”

Wiley Watson put together a great little video that has all the action from the final round of the 2010 WORCS series in Mesquite, Nevada.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For full story check out CycleNews.com

When it was over, however, the winner hadn’t changed, with AmPro/FMF Yamaha’s Paul Whibley recording his sixth consecutive series victory to march one step closer to a third straight series championship. JG Off-road/GEICO Powersports/Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Scott Watkins gave chase all afternoon but couldn’t run him down, settling for second place and staying alive mathematically for his first series title. Husaberg’s Nick Fahringer rounded out the podium with his third overall, the third time this year he’s accomplished that despite having to stop a couple times late in the race to clean off the radiators when his bike started overheating.

Whibley appeared to have the start in the bag, but drifting just a bit wide and setting up for the turn into the woods allowed RM250-mounted privateer Shane Klimek to banzai past and steal the $200 K&N Filters Holeshot Award. Immediately after that, however, Klimek went tumbling while Whibley and several others motored by, but Klimek was stoked to grab the loot.

From that point on, however, the race belonged to Whibley. “We were all sort of bunched up on the first lap. After the end of the first lap, I got a bit of a gap when Scotty stopped for goggles. Once no one was [close] behind me, I started to ride my own race and started to pick it up a little bit [and] pulled a little bit of a lead.”

Once he’d lost contact with Whibley, Watkins couldn’t close the gap, though no one came up from behind to threaten either and he easily held second, finishing about two minutes behind the winner.

Fahringer had a somewhat slow start, picked off a few people, then lost ground and had to re-pass them back. His hopes of catching Watkins faded when his bike began overheating, leading him to stop a few times to clean debris from the radiators. Still, he finished about two and a half minutes up on K’s Motorsports KX450F-mounted Adam Bonneur who spent most of the afternoon chasing Klimek, finally finding an opening on the final lap to secure fourth.

Zach Klamfoth would win Open A and finish sixth overall aboard his Sport Cycles Racing YZ250, the final rider to complete four laps of the very challenging course. Watkins’ teammate Jimmy Jarrett, Open A runner-up Jake Fiddler, Lite A winner Daniel Janus and Kirk Foster rounded out the top 10.

The 10th and final round of the series takes place next month in Illinois at the Moose Run. But before that, the second annual Parts Unlimited OMA Winter Nationals kicks off in Hanging Limb, Tennessee, on October 2-3.

story and photography by Mark Kariya