EICHNER
Edges Up!
WORCS Rd. 3
March 21-23, 2008
Photo by Mark Williams
Copyright 2008 - ATV Racin' Extra / www.atvproracing.com - All rights reserved
(WORCS Round 3 / Lake Havasu, AZ / March 21-23) It was a record setting weekend for the World Off Road Championship Series, as the famous Lake Havasu spring break round brought in just under 700 entrants representing 11 different states. The temps hovered around 90 degrees all weekend, and the town was hot full of party-going college students, (and a couple of party going racers).
The 3.5 mile track layout winds itself through an island, and makes its way along the banks of the lake. The course was quite short, which made for fast lap times, and lots of spectating opportunities.
24 Pro riders were set to battle the 90 degree temps, and whooped out track conditions, for a grueling 1.5 hour torture test. Doug Eichners Yoshimura powered Polaris Outlaw launched out of the start like a guided missile intent on destroying the competition. Teammate #4 John Schafe kept the boss in sight, and made it look like a Polaris 1-2 finish was shaping up. Schafe unfortunately was battling a cold, and began to lose steam, falling back several positions. Series points leader #1 Josh Frederick was working on reeling Eichner in, and moved up to second, when his Can-Am’s motor succumbed to the desert heat. The second Can-am rider #70 Brandon Smith took over for Frederick, moving up to second, but never put much pressure on the charging Eichner. #549 Beau Baron a recently converted two wheel star was intent on making a name for himself, and ran up front all day long.
At the checkered it was the king looking to regain his kingdom #2 Doug Eichner going flag to flag for his first 08 win. Can-Am’s Brandon Smith secured his first ever WORCS podium in second, as well as a strong first podium finish for the privateer Beau Baron, somebody better give this guy a ride soon, as he is on his way to becoming a real talent. #94 Yamaha's Dustin Nelson managed a fourth after crashing early on.
With Series leader Frederick DNF’ing, the points chase is once again anyone's game. Frederick currently holds a slim 11 point advantage over Tim “TPQ” Shelman.
Article by: Mark Williams
Photos by: Paparazzi-Films
