Page 94 - Issue34

TOMMY HAHN
450 SX / AZ
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> The series has made its move a tad further east, although not much. A change of time zone has indicated the ocean breeze of California has faded into the distance. The relaxing vibe that put the series at ease, knowing that if you were a victim of mistake, it can be rebounded in the later rounds, has pretty much been deleted. There’s no further time to figure out settings, hit the clickers, adjust the chassis, as it’s time to go and move on, putting your best foot forward, now.
This feeling is all too well for “Big Air Tom” as he’s been here many times before, knowing in order to capture a championship, further his points standing, or gain monetary bonus, he must move now before it’s too late.
3,2,1, and the gates cement themselves into the Arizona marble that lines the Phoenix floor, the field of 450’s yelping down the start stretch.
It’s a virtual popcorn machine throughout the opening rhythm lanes, the usual KTM squad raring its head in the front, with Tomac, and Seely joining, all in differ- ent sequences.
His pop into the lane after the right-handed bowl turn was precise; a harsh seat hop to go three in, and launching off the base of the table top to triple, and finish out strong.
Flaring off of the consecutive two triples, it allowed his fatigue to be relinquished for just a few short seconds, as the cupped out whoop section was quickly ap- proaching.
Hovering inside the teen positions for the majority of the race, his battles were fierce, but he knew had worked to do in order to hold on to a spot that would reward points; his memo gleaming off the pit board. As the referee flung that oh so precious white and black flag for the final time, his night in Phoenix would be capped off with the 17th place finish.
94 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 29, 2017