Graffunder Dominates EX Action at Glen HelenMastin podiums at Sandlapper National Enduro
Corona, CA - March 5, 2012 - Husqvarna's Cory Graffunder rode his 2012 TC449 to a 1-1-1 victory at the Prairie Dogs Grand Prix Endurocross event Saturday night at Glen Helen Raceway. The third annual endurocross race drew crowds and racers alike and Graffunder put on a show.
"It was actually pretty interesting to race on the 449," Graffunder commented. "The bike was bigger and heavier then my normal endurocross bike so I really had to work to keep it moving. The event alternated between pro and amateur heats, so each and every time we were on the track the matrix and rock sections got tougher!"
As the first event on the newly designed Glen Helen endurocross course, Cory and the rest of the racers had to work for a finish. "The new course is great; it's a lot tougher and longer then we are used to," said Graffunder. "Your physical conditioning really played a part in how your night was going to end. I was definitely the strongest one out there tonight!"
The FAR Husqvarna team was back to action on the east coast in the AMA National Enduro circuit. A Saturday rainstorm meant that course conditions were at their best for the 2012 Sandlapper Enduro, and Jason Thomas was hoped to continue his streak with another top-10 finish.
In a warm-up for the rapidly approaching AMA EnduroCross season, Cory Graffunder topped the Prairie Dogs Big 6 EnduroCross race at Glen Helen with a three-moto sweep. Photo by Megan Blackburn
Things started well for Thomas with consistent scores on the first five tests, but a stall on the last test cost him a top-10 finish. Thomas would go on to finish 14th in the pro class.
FAR Husqvarna's Jason Thomas battles the Salley, South Carolina terrain of the Sandlapper National Enduro. Photo by Shan Moore
"I just struggled a bit today," Thomas admitted. "I felt like I couldn't get into the game. I want to thank the Fred Andrews Racing team for all of their hard work this season. Hopefully the GNCC in two weeks will be a chance to prove ourselves again!"
Filling in on Andrew Delong's minute was Wilmington Powersports Husqvarna support rider Robbie Norwood. With top-20 times all day, Robbie finished one spot behind Thomas, and first in the Open A class. "I had fun out there today," Norwood said. "My goal was to stay consistent, and that is exactly what I did."
Hall's Cycles Husqvarna rider Mandi Mastin had a solid performance yet again for her third straight podium of the season. At third overall in the Women's class, Mastin now leads the 2012 Championship with seven rounds remaining. Mastin has a 16-point margin and is the only female rider to land on the podium at all three of the 2012 events thus far.
Upcoming Races:
GNCC - March 13, 2012 - Westgate River Ranch, FL
National Enduro - April 22, 2012 - West Point, TN
For more information on the TC449 and 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.
For previous Husqvarna press releases click here
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. Husqvarna has continued to expand its professional race team to compete in AMA National Enduro, GNCC, EnduroCross, the AMA Western Hare Scrambles Series and WORCS championships. Husqvarna team riders are competing aboard 2012 Husqvarna TC250, TXC250, TXC310 and TXC511 off-road models.
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Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
371 Corporate Terrace Circle, Suite 102
Corona, CA 92879 USA
Corona, CA - March 5, 2012 - Husqvarna's Cory Graffunder rode his 2012 TC449 to a 1-1-1 victory at the Prairie Dogs Grand Prix Endurocross event Saturday night at Glen Helen Raceway. The third annual endurocross race drew crowds and racers alike and Graffunder put on a show.
"It was actually pretty interesting to race on the 449," Graffunder commented. "The bike was bigger and heavier then my normal endurocross bike so I really had to work to keep it moving. The event alternated between pro and amateur heats, so each and every time we were on the track the matrix and rock sections got tougher!"
As the first event on the newly designed Glen Helen endurocross course, Cory and the rest of the racers had to work for a finish. "The new course is great; it's a lot tougher and longer then we are used to," said Graffunder. "Your physical conditioning really played a part in how your night was going to end. I was definitely the strongest one out there tonight!"
The FAR Husqvarna team was back to action on the east coast in the AMA National Enduro circuit. A Saturday rainstorm meant that course conditions were at their best for the 2012 Sandlapper Enduro, and Jason Thomas was hoped to continue his streak with another top-10 finish.
In a warm-up for the rapidly approaching AMA EnduroCross season, Cory Graffunder topped the Prairie Dogs Big 6 EnduroCross race at Glen Helen with a three-moto sweep. Photo by Megan Blackburn
Things started well for Thomas with consistent scores on the first five tests, but a stall on the last test cost him a top-10 finish. Thomas would go on to finish 14th in the pro class.
FAR Husqvarna's Jason Thomas battles the Salley, South Carolina terrain of the Sandlapper National Enduro. Photo by Shan Moore
"I just struggled a bit today," Thomas admitted. "I felt like I couldn't get into the game. I want to thank the Fred Andrews Racing team for all of their hard work this season. Hopefully the GNCC in two weeks will be a chance to prove ourselves again!"
Filling in on Andrew Delong's minute was Wilmington Powersports Husqvarna support rider Robbie Norwood. With top-20 times all day, Robbie finished one spot behind Thomas, and first in the Open A class. "I had fun out there today," Norwood said. "My goal was to stay consistent, and that is exactly what I did."
Hall's Cycles Husqvarna rider Mandi Mastin had a solid performance yet again for her third straight podium of the season. At third overall in the Women's class, Mastin now leads the 2012 Championship with seven rounds remaining. Mastin has a 16-point margin and is the only female rider to land on the podium at all three of the 2012 events thus far.
Upcoming Races:
GNCC - March 13, 2012 - Westgate River Ranch, FL
National Enduro - April 22, 2012 - West Point, TN
For more information on the TC449 and 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.
For previous Husqvarna press releases click here
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. Husqvarna has continued to expand its professional race team to compete in AMA National Enduro, GNCC, EnduroCross, the AMA Western Hare Scrambles Series and WORCS championships. Husqvarna team riders are competing aboard 2012 Husqvarna TC250, TXC250, TXC310 and TXC511 off-road models.
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Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
371 Corporate Terrace Circle, Suite 102
Corona, CA 92879 USA
