Russ Pearson is one of the hardest working riders on the off-road racing circuit today. We had a chance to sit down with Pearson to discuss the 2007 season so far, his plans for the future and more.

uss Pearson is one of those off-road racers whose name you recognize, but whom you probably know little about. You know his name from the win column and because he’s one of the guys who other off-road racers always mention as being “tough to beat.” But Pearson doesn’t usually race in the highly publicized, televised, glamour off-road series, but instead focuses on the AMA Hare & Hound Nationals (where he won the Championship in 2003 & 2005) against hardcore desert experts like Destry Abbott and his own cousin David Pearson (who just clinched the 2007 Hare & Hound title.) Russ hasn’t had his best season so far in 2007, but he’s won some big races, is healing up from an injury, and is prepping his equipment for a new assault on American off-road racing for the rest of the year. We had a chance to sit down with one of the hardest working riders in off-road for a talk about the season, career, and the future.

Parts Magazine: Tell us about your off-road season so far, we know you’ve had some ups and downs?
Russ Pearson: “It’s definitely been an interesting season. I did some smaller prep races and had a win, win, win season going. It was good and my confidence was way high. Then I went to the first AMA National Hare & Hound. I came home with a win with almost five minutes to spare over second place, yee-haw. Went home, did my homework and everything as planned to get ready for the next round. At round two, I headed out on the second loop feeling strong and then poof! I had a freakish mechanical error that could not be fixed on the trail and came home with a DNF. For the last seven or so years, I think I have had one DNF at the Hare & Hounds, so I was very frustrated. The next round I was battling with my cousin David for the lead all day and the second loop I was left on the side of the trail with another DNF. I guess that’s why it’s called off-road racing, because at these desert races, they throw so much gnarly terrain at you, and therefore a lot of stuff can and does happen. Well, the next round, I got the holeshot and about a mile or two out I was making a turn on the course and wham! I got taken out something awful, and after limping my bike in and fixing it, I came home with a finish, but back a ways and not first. That’s kind of how the season has been so far, kind of frustrating to say the least. This summer I had surgery on my ankle for an old injury, but I have been testing a bunch of stuff that has me excited for racing the rest of the year. So, it has been and interesting season…going from winning the first AMA National Hare & Hound by almost five minutes to some very frustrating DNF’s and getting taken out something awful in another round. I just started testing some new stuff for this fall that has me very excited for the rest of the year and seasons to come.”

PM: What does your record look like now? Championships, titles, wins?
RP: “My record? Well, I actually just got a letter in the mail saying I have a warrant out as of last week for some parking ticket in ‘04. But, I am getting that taken care of. But if you mean my ‘Greatest Racing Accomplishments,’ I’m a 2-time AMA National Hare & Hound Champion (2003 & 2005), 4-time ISDE Gold Medalist (Australia, Portugal, Spain, France), 2-time ISDE Top American, 5-time MRAN (Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada) #1 plate holder, several AMA National Enduro Overall wins, WORCS (World Off-Road Championship Series) race Overall winner, 4th Overall at GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) race, several Best in the Desert Overall wins, and the 2001 Motorcycle Barrel Race Champion at a local rodeo.”

PM: How did you choose off-road for a racing career?
RP: “Off-road racing as a career kind of chose me. As a kid, I would go out with my dad and brothers and ride for fun on weekends and ride off-road races in the local MRAN (Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada) series. It was a lot of fun and as we got older and faster we started working and focusing a lot on racing. My older brother Nick won his first AMA National Hare & Hound at 16 and got a factory ride with KTM. A couple of years later I got a ride with KTM and in 2000 switched to Yamaha and have been with them ever since.”

PM: Who are the toughest guys to beat in the Hare & Hound Series?
RP: “The toughest guy to beat at racing is myself. There are a lot of good factory riders from all the manufacturers, but I just need to do my thing and focus on my program.”

PM: What other series do you compete in along with the Hare & Hound Nationals?
RP: “This year I have tried to focus on the Hare & Hounds, but mix it up with some BITD (Best in the Desert) and WORCS (World Off-Road Championship Series) events along with other series also. My object is to keep focused on winning, yet have a little fun that will help me win.”

PM: What are your goals for the rest of the year?
RP: “My goals for the rest of the 2007 racing season are to finish some of the projects I’ve been testing and come out this fall and win every race I enter. And try to keep it fun. Winning is always fun.”

PM: What are your long term goals as a racer?
RP: “My long-term goals as a racer are to 1) win some more championships, 2) find something that I can help out younger kids who enjoy racing, and 3) help out fellow racers, particularly off-road racers. I am working on a facility here in the Las Vegas area and have just gotten some land in Utah and have some exciting stuff going on with that.”

PM: Do you want to give your sponsors some props?
RP: “All my sponsors have been tremendous through the years in helping me achieve my goals and being able to choose off-road racing as a career, so a big thanks to all. The biggest thanks would have to be to my dad and family for all their support, along with friends and fans for all the great support. My current sponsors for 2007 are: Yamaha, Montclair Yamaha, Moose Racing, Pro Circuit, GPR Stabilizers, Yamalube, ARAI Helmets, Scott Goggles, Acerbis, BRP, RK/Excel, Pro Taper, CTI2 Braces, Sprocket Specialist, Number Tech, Boyesen, Hinson, IMS. I hope I am not leaving anyone out.”

PM: Anything you always wanted to say in an interview?
RP: “I’d just like everyone to know that anyone at the races or at home can find me in the pits or on russpearsonracing.com and feel free to stop by anytime and say “Hi” to me or my cowdog Piper and ask any questions. And my advice to kids wanting to race is to keep focused, have fun, and stay smooth, the speed will come.”

PM: Thanks Russ, good luck to you for the rest of the season!