FAR Husqvarna
Husqvarna
AA Class
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE.CONTACT: Corey Eastman Corey.Eastman@husqvarna-motorcyclesna.com phone 951-268-3607
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Text and image filesAndrew DeLong And FAR Husqvarna Score Big At The Big Buck GNCCCory Graffunder maintains the points lead in the West Hare Scrambles Championship
Corona, CA - April 16, 2012 - Proving that he is back up to racing form, Fred Andrews Racing (FAR) Husqvarna's Andrew DeLong mounted a come-from-behind charge to finish second in the XC2 class at round four of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series.
DeLong got out to a poor start, allowing the competition to have a three-turn lead by the time he got his TC250 off the line. "I was just really excited," DeLong explained. "I kicked and nothing happened then I kicked and kicked to no avail. When I realized that I just needed to relax, it lit right up and I went to work."
A lack of moisture in the area meant dusty conditions, but that didn't hold up DeLong as he worked his way through the field. By the end of the first lap Andrew had moved into fifth in the XC2 class. He pushed hard on the last lap, actually making up time on the leader, but ultimately settled for second on the day.
"We made some changes in the last week and it really helped," DeLong commented. "My TC250 ran flawlessly and I just felt great on the bike. I'm not 100 percent yet, but I am getting back to where I was before I got hurt. I've worked hard these last two weeks and it really paid off. I'm looking forward to the next GNCC!"
"We were really proud of how Andrew rode today," team manager Fred Andrews explained. "When he came into the pits, he wanted to know how far ahead the leader was. Then he told us he was having a lot of fun and took off in pursuit. It's a good thing to know that your rider is into it out on the track; the feeling of stress gets replaced with excitement."
DeLong wasn't the only Husky on the podium at the Big Buck GNCC. Husqvarna support rider Vance Earl took the overall win in the A.M. race, topping the 50+ class, as well. In his first GNCC event of the year, the South Carolina native put on a show and captured the overall win by over a minute.
Out west Cory Graffunder rode hard to retain his points lead in the AMA Western Hare Scrambles Championship series.
Overcoming early race contact with hare scrambles veteran Brian Garrahan, Graffunder remounted in the lead and wouldn't let up a position until the pits on the next lap. "I had a great ride going today." Cory explained. "I had to stop for gas early and that ultimately lost me a position or two, but the bike ran great and I was really comfortable out there."
FAR Husqvarna's Andrew DeLong charged from behind to score a second-place finish in XC2 (7th overall) at the Big Buck GNCC. Photo by Shan Moore
Unfortunately for Graffunder things wouldn't end as planned when a lapped rider crashed into a tree, taking Cory with him down the hillside. "The bike was really hammered from that crash," Graffunder said. "The pipe was bent into the tire, and the clutch was no longer working. We untangled the bikes and I did everything I could to limp it into the finish."
Though he lost several positions, sixth place was enough to keep him atop the championship points chase and he now holds a 10-point margin with two rounds remaining.
The FAR Husqvarna team will return to racing this weekend at the Rekluse National Enduro in West Point, Tennessee.
Graffunder will return to racing this weekend at SpeedWorld MX in Surprise, Arizona for the fifth round of the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) where he sits second in points in the PRO2 class.
For more information on the entire 2012 Husqvarna line-up, please go to www.husqvarna-motorcyclesna.com. Head to your nearest dealership to pick up a copy of the 2012 RiDE MORE Catalog, available now!
Be sure to follow Team Husqvarna on Facebook or via Twitter @HusqvarnaNA.
(...Root Beer for Craig!)