---

AMA: Destry Abbott clinches AMA National Hare & Hound title

30 September 2000

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- After two years of narrow championship losses, Team 
Kawasaki's Destry Abbott dominated the 2000 AMA National Hare & Hound 
Series and clinched the overall title Sept. 23 in Wells, Nev. -- with two 
rounds remaining in the series.

"This year's title was worth the wait," said Abbott. "I set high 
expectations, but I didn't expect to dominate like I did. There are a lot 
of good riders in the series."

In '98, Abbott finished second to Ty Davis, and last year he finished only 
4 points behind teammate Brian Brown. This year, Abbott changed all that 
by dominating the series from the start, winning five of six races, 
including the Sept. 23 event. His closest competition in the points 
standings is Brown, who even with the series two worst scores not being 
counted, cannot overcome Abbott.

This is the third straight year Abbott has been on a Kawasaki, but he made 
a major change to his race program this year by training much harder.
"I was lacking in fitness in the past," he said. "I needed to be stronger 
at the end of races. This year I passed guys at the end of races because 
of my fitness."

Abbott, 28, of Glendale, Ariz., is happy to have clinched early because it 
gives him more time to prepare for his "favorite event of the year," the 
International Six Days Enduro, set for Oct. 31-Nov. 5 in Granada, Spain. 
Mechanical problems last year cost him a gold medal, but he plans on 
better results this year.

"I feel that if I ride like I'm capable, I can be the top American 
finisher," he said. "But I'd give up a personal medal to see Team USA on 
the podium." Last year's U.S. Trophy Team finished sixth.

The AMA National Hare & Hound Series continues Oct. 8 in Lucerne Valley, 
Calif., and concludes at the same location Oct. 22. Brown is second in 
points with 146, followed by Ty Davis with 128, Russell Pearson with 87 
and Shane Esposito with 79 points.