THE WEEKLY FEED: JOHN DESOTO OSSA MOUNTED • DESERT RACING • VIDEO STUNNERS

BLAST FROM THE PAST: JOHN DESOTO ‘OSSA’

John “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Desoto was an early pioneer of American motocross and a favorite of the blossoming dirt bike world. He came to Southern California from Hawaii and worked his way from shop rides to full factory support. He raced for CZ through the early ’70s and was always battling for Top American in the Trans-AMA and Inter-AM motocross series. He represented the United States in the Motocross des Nations along with Mike Hartwig and Jim Pomeroy in 1973. John raced early Kawasaki prototypes, helping to develop the KX line and was a factory Suzuki racer for a brief period. DeSoto retired from professional motocross racing in 1975. This photo comes from Mark Kiel’s awesome collection and shows John racing an Ossa Phantom at the 1974 Saddleback Trans-Am.

NATIONAL H&H: TEXAS HOLDS THE LONE STAR

The AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series traveled to Texas for the Lone Star National put on by the Lubbock Trail Riders. Beta’s Joe Wasson and Zane Roberts went one-two in the event, a race where 3 Bros./Hatch Racing’s Dalton Shirey crashed out of contention on the start. One of the heroes of the day was Russell Bobbitt, a five-time National Enduro champ who was racing his first ever H&H National.

Photos by Mark Kariya

Joe Wasson, coming off of shoulder surgery put in a strong ride to take the victory.

Round one winner Dalton Shirey DNF’d after a crash on the start.

Zane Roberts took his Beta to second overall, fighting back after a slow start.

Russell Bobbitt is highly decorated in the enduro world and his debut in H&H racing had him battling up front, finishing third overall.

NEWS

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Mitas TERRA FORCE-R selected for the 2021 KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S

Mitas, part of the Trelleborg Group, has announced a partnership with KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH to fit the 2021 KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S with its TERRA FORCE-R tires. This is the second Mitas original equipment fitment approved by KTM, following the Mitas E-07 on the 2019 KTM 690 ENDURO R model for which Mitas was honored with the KTM Supplier Excellence Award 2019.

www.mitas-moto.com

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https://powersports.kendatire.comwww.kenda

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SOCIAL DISTANCING

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VIDEO JUKEBOX

GEAR BAG

KLIM’S NEW ‘EDGE’ GOGGLE

The Edge is an exciting addition to KLIM’s lineup of dirt bike goggles, loaded with premium features including a huge field of view, great comfort, and magnetic + quick release lens replacement.

To achieve maximum field of view, the Edge uses a fameless design where low profile magnets guide the lens into place while a slide lock secures it – this makes the lens area as broad as possible while fitting inside a helmet. Further, the injection-molded lens is almost perfectly optically correct, avoiding distortions found in other lens types. Anti-fog coating, perimeter frame vents and the large internal air volume all combat fogging, which is great for extreme enduro riders and warm, humid conditions.

With an ANSI Z87.1 impact safety rating, the anti-scratch Edge lens also stands up to trail debris and roost on the track far better than “sheet” type lenses found in other goggles. The magnetic + slide lock retention system makes for quick lens swaps in changing light conditions.

Price: $139.99

www.klim.com

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www.fastway.zone

WOLF: BACK IN THE DAY

This was the end of my first ISDE event. My DRZ 350 Suzuki expired on the last special test on day 5 at the 1990 Swedish event- within walking distance of the finish. My good friend Randy Hawkins also had a rare DNF and helped me load my bike into our rental car and take it back to Parc Ferme. I had to wash it, and crate it up and get send it back to the states. Ironically I licensed the bike when I got home and dual sported it for a number of years.

OVER AND OUT