THR Motorsports ace David Pearson kicked off the AMA Racing/Kenda National Hare & Hound Championship Series with a strong runner-up finish to defending series champ Kurt Caselli after a fast, dusty 45th Winter Classic hosted by the Desert Motorcycle Club in Lucerne Valley, California.

“Getting second overall at the first round behind Caselli [means you’re] pretty consistent and you’ve got to be consistent all year to have a chance at winning the championship,” Pearson pointed out.

Pearson was second off the start behind Caselli, but Destry Abbott snuck past Pearson in the early going, the five-time series champ putting in an inspired ride until brake issues popped up.

“I came into the pits [and] I was right behind [Abbott]; Caselli was probably 25 seconds ahead of him or whatever,” Pearson explained. “I went out on the second [loop] and put my head down and caught up and passed Destry. He didn’t have any brakes; I’m not sure when he lost them. I took a different trail than him and was able to pass him.

“From there, I just rode solid.”

Pearson praised the performance of his THR Motorsports/Monster Energy/Precision Concepts KX450F prepared by Bob Bell, despite having very little time to test after its arrival. THR Motorsports is also backed by Hoosier Precision Machining, Bonanza Plumbing, Dunlop, FMF, IMS, KLeN and ZLT.

Round two of the 10-round series takes place on February 12 outside of Ridgecrest, California, at the Four Aces M.C. event.

AMA H&H Results

1. Kurt Caselli (KTM 450 SX-F)

2. David Pearson (THR Motorsports Kawasaki KX450F)

3. David Kamo (Honda CRF450X)

4. Destry Abbott (Kawasaki KX450F)

5. Justin Morrow (Kawasaki KX450F)

For more information and updates on the THR Motorsports Team, visit the THR Motorsports Web site at www.thrmotorsports.com.