BLAIS RACING SERVICES / FASST CO RACE REPORT!
AMA/NHHA Round 8, Silver State Trailblazers
Panaca, NV
8/23/14
By: Skyler Howes, Pro Class
I’m always a big fan of the MRAN and southern Nevada races. I’ve been so stoked ever since Silver State Trailblazers started hosting some Hare and Hounds because I know how dedicated and enthusiastic they are and how much hard work they put in. Thanks guys for an awesome race!
Skyler just before the finish. Photo by Michael Knight
Friday afternoon was the spaghetti dinner and autograph signing. The Nevada crowd is so awesome when it comes to racing and making everyone feel right at home! Right after the signing, Sammy and myself doubled up on his dual sport and headed over to walk the bomb. We had some really limited time so it actually turned into a jogging session! We picked our lines and ran the entire bomb run.
Race day! Up early to some 50cc’s being warmed up (for the kids event). I got some food in and waited for the 11 o clock start. We had the riders meeting in the main pits and were escorted out the 5 mile dirt road to the start. I made sure to make my way up to the front to ensure my start spot. I knew that there was going to be quite a few people going for that same line. I got there just in time to pick my spot right in between Ricky Brabec and Jacob Argubright. There was a short run into the single track line. With the dust and limited space to take a B-line, I knew that I had to get the jump. The banner went up and the butterflies set in!
As the banner dropped, my Blais Racing KTM 300XC fired right up and I took to the trail. I held it wide open, over the ditches and bushes and started rounding my way to the banner. I could see a Beta to my left creeping in but I had the inside. I dropped into the wash in 1st and grabbed the Speedfreak holeshot!! I had no idea that we were all so close. Ricky had taken the exact same line that I did only about 2 inches away from my rear tire. As we railed through the wash, Ricky took a high line and took the lead! We turned out and on to a trail where I bush whacked for a second to try and get back around him but it just wasn’t enough. Once I caught a dust cloud and had to chop the throttle it was done, Ricky checked out quick! The dust was thick and once I dropped back enough to let it settle I found my pace and kept her pinned.
Skyler Howes pulls the Holeshot at NHHA Round 8 on his Blais Racing/ Fasstco KTM 300XC! Photo by Michael Knight
The course was so rad, flowing through the trees and trails. The washes though, you could keep it 4th-5th pinned and hardly ever let off! I made my way to the Alternate gas check where I got a quick splash of AMSOil mixed fuel from Mitch and headed back out on the trail. Through some tight trees and out on to a open section, I took a glance back at a corner to see Axel Pearson coming in hot. We hit a few more rocky trails and washes where I was able to open up a nice gap! Almost back in to the pits, I hear a 4 stroke closing in. I peaked back to see Jacob Argubright right on my tail. As we came through the pit, he wasn’t even close. It turns out he ran out of fuel just shortly before the pits and it set him back quite a bit.
Skyler Howes coming into the finish! Photo by Michael Knight
Bundy Inc. came out to pit and I’m still stoked about it. He got me filled up with fuel, some fresh Xbrand Goggles and a drink of water in 8 seconds. I motored around the pit area and pinned it back out on to loop 2. This loop was a little more technical. I had one track ahead of me, Ricky’s and he was taking some pretty interesting lines! I followed a couple and it allowed Axel to close in really tight in the technical rocky wash. We hooked back out on to a trail and I opened the gap back up, which was good because I slid out! I came in really hot on this flat corner and just had to lay her down or end up in a tree. It worked out quite well, I hit the e start and was back rolling in no time! However, Axel got really close again and stayed there! I used the dust to my advantage. I could tell that his bike would pull on me in the soft sand washes but I never let off. I kept those Kenda tires spinning and hooking up the whole time. We crested a hill and came to Alternate gas 2. I couldn’t see my pit there and just motored on through. Then came the whoops! The next wash was nothing but deep sand whoops and it took a lot to push hard in them!
We finally came out onto a road where I could re group. As we came around some more hills I caught a glimpse of town and knew we were getting close to the finish. I kept it pinned but rode smart, making no mistakes. I rounded through the final corral and into the finish shoot with nothing but joy, it even makes me smile typing this. I had just put my Blais Racing KTM 300 2-stroke on the podium of a National Hare and Hound, in SECOND PLACE! I’m still so pumped. I was greeted and congratulated by multiple people. I got to change up before the podium, went over and sprayed Ricky right in the face with some champagne. That is definitely a moment I wont forget.
Chris Blais, Patty Blais, and Skyler Howes
Thank you so much for everyone who has supported me. To all my sponsors: Mom and Dad, Blais Racing Services, Fasst Company, KTM, Rebellious Status Clothing, ESR suspension, Race Tech, RAD Mfg, Freegun, DVS, AMS OIL, Alpinestars, Kenda, Pro Moto Billet, Fastway, FMF, Rekluse, HBD Motografx, Regina, TLD, BRP, Bullet Proof, DirtTricks, REEL Cameras, Eline, IMS, No Toil, Acerbis, Muscle Milk, Xbrand Goggles, A’ME Grips, RMOR FX and Bike Week Radio.
Ricky Brabec 1st, Skyler Howes 2nd, Axel Pearson 3rd
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