WORCS FINAL RACE REPORT
Author: Megan Blackburn	Features | Monday, 26 October 2009 14:41

WORCS Final Recap

 

A perfectly clear sky, 80 degree warmth and an absolutely immaculate off-road/motocross track was just what the doctor ordered for a racing grand finale. October 25th marked the final day of the WORCS racing series for the 2009 season at Mesquite Motocross Park and it was truly an unforgettable race. Coming into the weekend rumors were flying and championships were neck and neck. Few Pro riders traveled from the Denver, Colorado Endurocross on Sunday morning to make the main event, Ricky Dietrich was said to have foot complications from a previous injury,  Corey Floyd and Ryan Abbatoye were 3 points away for the Amateur Championship, Kyle Summers was absent due to a spider bite, the Pro championship was separated by less than 30 points and aside from the WORCS race, there was a Hare and Hound and Endurocross race which would ultimately take away from the gate line up for the Pro main event.

The track layout was defiently a rider favorite! Three days of watering the off-road section helped to keep the imfamous Mesquite dust down, the super steep downhill was pretty sketchy with the kicker that launched the riders in the air and down the hill, the pint sized Talladega was one of the fastest sections on the motocross track and spectators lined the visable off-road sections. Friday afternoon brought in riders from all over the west coast and although the rider count wasn't the highest it's been in the past, championships were on the line. As the parking lot of the track began to get packed and practice went on, the rider count for the event was exceeding 600+.

Saturday's agenda had the qualifiers for Sunday's Pro 2 Main Event. Justin Seeds, Cody Schafer, Jonathan Davis, Ian Blythe, the Goolsby brothers, Ryan Abbatoye, Corey Floyd, Jason Parsons, Corey Dry, Blake Savage and 13 others qualified and the tension between Ryan Abbatoye and Corey Floyd was tight with the championship so close together. Pro practice as usual was a crowd-pleaser, WORCS provided a new team race available to all who wanted to participate on Saturday evening for a cool down, good-time, family fun event.

On Sunday, the Pro race was scheduled for 1pm so the Endurocross racers could get to the track in time, leaving everyone a little bit of time to take a moment and enjoy the final round of the series. Twelve thirty hit the clock and all A and Pro riders took their place in  staging. The Pro podium was going to be a surprise for all. Hay and water created a perfectly staged start and once the Parade Lap was over, the national anthem played and a prayer was said. The 30 Second board dropped and the battle began for the Championship. The hot pits and downhill were packed with spectators and it was Taylor Roberts who came around the first lap, don't be surprised, the kid has some serious speed. Valli Motorsports's Bobby Garrison and KTM's Justin Soule rounded out the top 3 on the first lap. As I skimmed the pits I noticed riders were dropping due to bike problems caused by the sandy-silty off-road section. It was a challenge to say the least

 

Two hours was closing in and Roberts kept the lead after a few switchbacks. Gazing on top of the hill you could see the dusty trails that ran through fields in the distance. The white flag was out and Taylor Roberts, Bobby Garrison and Nick Brozovich officially came through  on the next lap to take the checkered flag, respectively. Amateur riders Jonathan Davis, Corey Floyd and Robbie Goolsby claimed their top 3 places on the podium and concluded the weekend's racing.

Although Mike Brown finished out of the top 5, he comfortably took the Pro Championship and was crowned the 2009 World Off-Road Championship Series Champion! He strategically raced and kept on the gas enough to finish for a successful series finish. Congratulations to Mike Brown (Pro Champ), Corey Floyd (Pro 2 Champ) and Timmy Weigand (Western Hare Scramble Champ) on their championships for the 2009 season.