Lorretta Lynn Area Qualifier
Three Palms MX
Sat | Feb 26, 2011
The road to Loretta's is paved with hard work and determination, and sometimes a little luck. This year's first south central area qualifier kicked off at three palms mx park and we have to give it up to the track crew for an awesome prep!
HP riders Stuart Harmon, Chris Morris, and Jimmy Taylor were in attendance to do battle, and battle they did!
Chris had some awesome rides in the 250 B stock class on his yz250, with great starts and solid laps. KTM's Krae Weldon chased him all second moto, nearly getting him with two turns to go but Chris managed to finish ahead for a 3-2 moto finishes for 2nd overall.
In the same moto Jimmy Taylor battled hard on his stock ktm 125! The B class is just for fun for Jimmy this year, as he is focused on the Schoolboy classes, but never the less he managed to slot himself solidly in the 6th overall finishing position.
Stuart Harmon came to three palms a little un prepared, as he took a lot of time off after last years Loretta's. This was also his first race on a big bike. Despite this, he came out swinging and still finished a very respectable 12th out of 24 entries.
In schoolboy 1, both Chris Morris and Jimmy Taylor lined up again, this time with Chris on his yz125. At the gate drop in first moto, Jimmy ripped a holeshot and never looked back, absolutely dominating. Chris rode hard to a 2nd place moto finish but just did not find his rhythm in the first moto. The second moto, however, was and epic no holds barred battle. Jimmy once again squirted out to a holeshot, followed hotly by Curren Thurman and Chris. The first two laps Jimmy rode smoothly out front with Curren nipping at his heels followed closely by Chris.
On the third lap, Jimmy went high in a bowl turn and Curren Came in hot and they slammed. The result with Curren going off track, and Jimmy getting some much needed breathing room, but the real winner was Chris, who gained some nice ground on them both!
Then suddenly Jimmy was no where to be seen and Curren and Chris were in a battle! In the contact it destroyed Jimmy's rear brake caliper - ending his via at a moto win. He did his best to finish 5th that moto. Chris could not quite run down Curren at the end - ending in 2-2 finishes for 1st overall. Jimmy went 1-5 for 4th.
In 450 B, Chris took his yz450f to some great rides yet again - finishing 3-2 for second overall. With Suzuki mounted Jeremy Martin winning, Chris tried his best to keep him honest, and in the second moto Jeremy has a small mechanical issue that allowed Chris to keep him in site. It was an awesome ride for Chris and a great overall result.
