Race Report

ATV Racin' Extra

Media Group

Copyright 2008-2009 / ATVRE Media Group / www.atvre.com / All rights reserved

Beau Baron Takes Over WORCS

WORCS Round 5

June 5-7,  Toutle, WA

PRO

Having been involved with the WORCS series since 2004, I have traveled alot of miles, seen some really neat race facilities, and have taken in the scenery of  7 different states. I must say that the Riverdale Raceway facility situated at the base of the infamous Mt. Saint Helens, could be my favorite yet. Since the series visited the facility in 2007, it has undergone a complete reconstruction. The layout for round 5 was unique to say the least. The short start forced riders into a hard left hander, followed by a fast 100 foot rhythm section, then a short but fast motocross track layout. The riders would then head  into the first of two separate woods sections. After exiting the first tight GNCC style woods section, the track spilled out onto a newly constructed 1/8th mile asphalt drag strip. After making your 1/8th mile drag run, you headed into the second woods section, before returning to the MX track and doing it all over again!

The drama of round 5 began even before the gates would drop for the main. Series points leader and defending champion Josh Frederick, was sitting at home healing from a nasty crash he had taken at Glen Helen 2 weeks prior. Josh suffered a broken Fibia, Tibia, 6 ribs, and a punctured lung. While nobody was happy that a stand up guy like Frederick was injured, the MCR Racing Team,and there star rider Beau Baron knew they had to capitalize on the absence of Frederick. Baron stood 18 points down from Frederick with a possible 30 points up for grabs. Fredericks Can-Am Motoworks Team had other ideas however on how to protect their fallen riders vulnerable points lead. First they had the blazing fast Frenchman Jeremie Warnia on hand, as well as bringing out one of their ATVA MX riders Brandon Smith.

The holeshot would go to the Yamaha rider Dustin Nelson who looked as if he was surely headed to his first ever WORCS Pro win. Nelson rode a fast but smart first hour, with Baron just keeping him close enough to see him. Nelson’s luck would end entering hour 2, and clipped a tree allowing Baron into the lead. This wasn’t the last of the troubles for Nelson, as he would hit another tree shortly after, this time pinning him underneath his Yamaha. GNCC regular Jarrod McClure was fighting for a podium position, but in a show of great sportsmanship, stopped in the woods and removed the bike from atop the fallen rider. Very classy decision to say the least.

Baron got some pressure from the French rider Warnia, but not enough to make a serious push for the lead. Baron would hold on, and do what he and his team knew was imperative if he has any shot at the 2009 title. Warnia finished in second, but not enough to undo the damage to his fallen team mates point lead. McClure despite losing valuable time in the woods helping Nelson earned a hard fought 3rd, followed by rookie Josh Row in 4th, and veteran Mike Machado in 5th. Former Champion Doug Eichner got the hard charger award, after starting dead last, and working up to a respectable 6th place.

Well Baron takes over the points lead going into the summer break. He sits up by 12, with three rounds to go. I can guarantee you that the gritty Frederick will be back for round 6, and will have 3 rounds to attack the 12 point deficit. Mark my words………its not over yet!  Next up round 6 back up in the Pacific Northwest, in Olympia Washington August 14-16.

Photo: Beau Baron

Article by: Mark Williams

Photo by: Mark Williams

Pro/Am

The first 4 rounds of the series have had an identical ending with the Can-Am Motoworks rider Dillon Zimmerman getting the win, and Kawasaki’s David Haagsma getting the runner up spot. As I sat atop a big hill watching the 2 hour event, it looked as though I would be writing about the same scenario yet a fifth time. After a mishap by the Kawasaki Team with not signing their rider up in time for the main, Haagsma was forced to start in the second row, and dead last. This would certainly put him in a serious disadvantage to Zimmerman before the race ever begun. Haagsma didn’t whine about it or let it beat him down, he merely used it as motivation to run at a pace unlike we’ve seen him run all year. Haagsma’s new conditioning program certainly looks like its working, as he made his way through 16 riders, and was soon riding in second spot behind Zimmerman.

Haagsma has spent a lot of time riding behind Zimmerman this year, but this time looked different, as Haagsma looked to be the faster rider. Zimmerman eventually made a mistake late in the race, clipping a tree, and Haagsma pounced on him. Once in the lead Haagsma rode smart, fast, and mistake free to take his first ever WORCS Pro Am win! Zimmerman recovered from the tree mishap and ended up second and still first overall in points. Keith Johnson aboard his Honda machine secured his first podium of the year, followed by Cody Rich and Ron Heath.