Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Dean Ferris earned his best overall of the season in eighth with a 6-9 score at Round 3 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
The season has been one of learning and adjusting for Ferris, but he has also been eager to put his talent to the test. In the opening moto, he nearly grabbed the holeshot and was in the mix for over half of the race running in fourth. Near the end he fell back to sixth, but that still gave Ferris his best moto finish of the season. In Moto 2, it was more of an uphill battle as he pushed inside the top 10. Ferris would eventually make it up to ninth, giving him a 6-9 score for eighth overall.
“Big improvements for me today,” said Ferris. “I got two reasonably good starts and kind of got pulled along with the big group. We made improvements with the bike. I’m somewhat comfortable now and feel like we’re getting the train on the tracks now for the rest of the season. The conditions were demanding, the track was really rutted and rough as usual, but I liked it. I’m definitely really happy about the improvements we made and the result this weekend. It’s something to build on.”
Todd Waters recorded a pair of 14th place finishes to aboard his Husqvarna FC450. Waters reflects on his results from the weeek; “Friday evening we watched the track guys rip the track deep and fluff up the top layer. The chocolate cake consistency was bound to form nothing but deep ruts and multiple lines. True to the tracks name (Thunder Valley) right before our race a vicious thunderstorm rolled through. Once it passed the day continued with a pretty slippery surface for the first part of the moto. Let down by my starts (especially on an uphill, high altitude start straight) I fought my hardest to come through the pack. Mid moto I dropped it in a corner with both wheels slipping out of a rut. Losing several positions, I rode back to 14th place.
Race 2 – “With the sun shining, we lined up for our final race in the AMA Outdoor Championship for 2019. After another frustrating mid pack start, I tried my hardest to work forward. Closing the gap to Seely in the final laps of the moto, I stalled in a corner and was passed by fellow charging privateer Noren putting me back to 14th.
I’m disappointed with my starts. With good qualifying speed I was hoping my results would have been within the top 10. I’m really happy with the intensity of the racing and how it has pushed my ability. Most of all I’m stoked with the bike and our setup. To make it through 6 races with one bike and no mechanical issues is credit to Husqvarna and my top mechanics (Dad & Jason).”
