HUSQVARNA CONTINUES WINNING WAYS
Thomas Takes Ironman GNCC, Kearney Battles Back!
November 1, 2010 - Woodcliff Lake, NJ - Tough terrain is the
hallmark of the aptly named Ironman Grand National Cross Country in
Crawfordsville, Indiana, but Team Husqvarna riders were able to
overcome the challenging conditions and poor starts in the 13th and
final round of the 2010 GNCC series. Jason Thomas charged to his third
win of the season, this time aboard a Husqvarna TXC250 in the XC2
class, while Glenn Kearney just missed putting his TE310 on the podium,
finishing 4th in the premiere XC1 class.
Although Thomas won the battle, he just missed winning the national
championship war by one point to archrival Kailub Russell (313 to 312
points). "I did everything I could to win, but I sure didn't make it
easy on myself," admits the Monster Energy FAR Husqvarna rider. "I was
dead last off the start, but I rode smart and was able to work my way
to the front." Easier said than done, though as drought-like conditions
in Indiana made dust a real factor in this year's Ironman.
A mid-season switch from Yamaha to his new Husqvarna saw Thomas go on a
tear, ultimately never finishing off the podium and winning three GNCC
rounds this season. "We barely changed anything on the bike other than
put my Renthal bars on it and a Pro Circuit pipe," says Thomas. Pro
Circuit also revalved the forks and added a Power Commander ignition,
but the engine remained bone stock.
The reason for the mid-season switch? "Team Fred Andrews Racing was
looking for a manufacturer that wanted to help support us," explains
team boss Fred Andrews. "Husqvarna is hungry to get back on top of the
off-road market in the U.S. and Monster Energy FAR Husqvarna wants to
help make this happen... plus the posted contingency is second to
none," notes the veteran racer Andrews.
Jason Thomas won the battle at the Ironman GNCC finale, but missed the National Championship by one point.
"The Husqvarna is a bike I know I can win on... the Yamaha is a
motocross bike that needs a lot of work and takes a lot of work to race
in the woods for three hours," Thomas explains. "The Husqvarna is a
woods bike that works very well right out of the crate," Jason adds. "I
don’t believe I can be beat on the Husky as long as we don’t have any
problems!"
Speaking of problems, Glenn Kearney also suffered a bad start in XC1,
something you really didn't want to do in the dusty conditions, "I was
about 10th going into the woods," recollects Team Husqvarna's Aussie
export. Despite the dust, there were also some mud holes hidden in the
woods... as Glenn found out the hard way! "It was tough to see being so
far back, but we got to a muddy place and I thought I might be able to
make some passes... I ended up crashing instead." Muddy gloves and
dusty goggles didn’t deter his charge up through the pack. "I struggled
a bit early on trying to get things sorted, but I started rolling
pretty good after that." Kearney's fourth place finish in XC1 was good
enough to cement sixth place over all for the season.
"Husqvarna is very proud of it woods racing heritage, and guys like
Jason and Glenn are keeping this winning tradition alive," says new
National Marketing Manager Corey Eastman. "Husqvarna's history in
America has always been tied to racing - our newest products are
designed and built with this in mind. A victory in the demanding XC2
class at the final GNCC of the season is just a glimpse of things to
come from Husqvarna!" Closing out the GNCC season in fine fashion and
just missing the national championship by one point is the first step
toward the future, according to Corey.
Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007,
are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of
competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships.
Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been
designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC is part of BMW (US) Holding Corp.,
the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America
is located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Throughout 2010, Husqvarna will
continue to expand its professional race team to compete in AMA Enduro,
GNCC, EnduroCross, National Hare & Hound, the AMA Hare Scrambles
Series, and WORCS competition. Husqvarna team riders will compete in
the premier classes of each series aboard 2010 Husqvarna TXC 450, TXC
510, and WR 300 off-road models.
11/1/2010 2:47pm
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