Youth racers play big role as WORCS racing returns to town
By Bridget Lewison
WORCS ATV and motorcycle racing is back in Lake Havasu City for back-to-back weekends this month at Crazy Horse Campgrounds. Since 2001, the World Off Road Championship Series has grown into the nation’s largest off-road motorcycle and ATV racing series, providing challenging courses for riders of all levels and ages, from 4 and up. More than 11,000 racers are expected to compete in the 2012 Series, with events in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. WORCS’ first two races this year – Devore, CA, and Primm, NV – were “right at record numbers,” said Sean Reddish, WORCS director of operations. Those numbers could be even more impressive this month. “Havasu is one of our bigger rounds of the year,” he said, adding that WORCS has added an Expo for the ATV event, from March 16-18.
More than 550 ATV and side-by-side racers are expected to compete March 17-18. A lot of WORCS’ growth has come from its youth events. “It’s a really huge component of our entire program,” Reddish said. “The ATVs are always big on the youth side; it’s almost half of our competitors.” Reddish said the side-by-side races are “huge,” with WORCS setting a national record at Primm with 70 entries. In Lake Havasu City, the side-by-side runs start at 3:30 p.m. March 17 and “are going to be an absolutely phenomenal show.” With more than 900 racers of all ages, youth riders will also be a big part of the motorcycle event March 24-25.
The top pros include veteran rider Mike Brown, of Bluff City, Tenn., the current points leader. Riding for Team FMF/KTM, Brown won last month’s Primm race on his new KTM 450 SX-F. Brown, who came in third at last year’s Lake Havasu race, finished second overall in the 2011 WORCS behind Kurt Caselli, of Palmdale, CA. Caselli also won the 2010 series; Brown won in 2009. Brown’s successful career also includes the 2001 AMA 125 Pro Motocross title. Taylor Robert, of Scottsdale, AZ, is second in the points, having won the season-opening race in Devore. Taylor also won at Havasu last year, and finished second overall in 2011. Robert’s Monster Enegy/Kawasaki teammates Justin Soule’, of Victorville, CA, and Bobby Garrison, of Hesperia, CA, are third and fifth overall, respectively. Soule’ took second at Primm last month, and Garrison was second at last year’s race in Lake Havasu. In fourth for 2012 is Kyle Summers, of Florissant, CO, riding for Rockstar/Valley Yamaha.
Pro racers will be available to sign autographs at this month’s race, plus vendors will be on hand offering spectators plenty of food, merchandise and parts from which to choose.
Side By Side Race At WORCS
On March 17th, the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) is hosting a UTV/ Side by Side Expo. All this will happen at Crazyhorse Campgrounds, on the waters edge of Lake Havasu. This event will provide free vendor spots to Side by Side companies that want to show off all of their innovative products. Then on Saturday, the largest gathering of racing side by sides anywhere in the country go at it! Over 70 racing side by sides are expected to attend. The factory teams from Kawasaki, Can Am and Polaris, will be on hand to compete in the craziest and most exciting racing ever seen. All spectators to the event will have open access to the vendors row and the racing action. This will be a great opportunity for the public to come and see the latest innovations in side by side aftermarket parts plus incredible racing. This is an open invitation for side by side vendors to display this great expo on the shores of Lake Havasu. All you have to do is get your application from worcsracing.com and turn it in so your space can be saved.
Hey Dirt Slingers! Whether you’re into rock-hopping or just dig hooking up with the granny gear, the Sidewinders Club of Lake Havasu has the event for you! It’s their 13th Annual Desert Run March 15th thru the 18th! This action packed event is being staged out of the Aquatic Center and is sure to attract riders from all across the desert land making for a great combination of four wheeling, eating, drinking, and socializing—all under the brilliant night sky of the Mohave Desert! Entering their 13th year as the premier four-wheeling group in Lake Havasu City, the Sidewinders 4-Wheel Club expects to exceed last year’s Desert Run that included over 200 attendees from a three-state area! Geared towards family-friendly four wheeling, the group welcomes all types of off-road vehicles. Monthly off-road tours include classic trails in the surrounding desert and mountains taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in the southwest. While fun, responsible off-roading describes the group, they also participate in off-roading education and clean-ups. The annual desert run raises funds for groups like the Blue Ribbon Coalition—an organization that helps keep trails open to the public. Registration for this event begins at the Aquatic Center on Thursday March 15th featuring various participating vendors with booths that will be open for viewing! Friday morning breakfast starts at 6am at the Aquatic Center with the first trail run departing at 8am. Registration continues through Friday afternoon for runs throughout the weekend for riders of all levels. Friday night welcomes newcomers as well as longtime members with a party of free hot dogs, beer and soda included with your registration. Saturday boasts more of the same plus social hour at the Aquatic Center at 5pm with dinner hosted by Havasu Springs Resort followed by a raffle.
This year’s dinner is themed “New Orleans Racin” with a Louisiana Bayou Menu! Sunday again has breakfast and more trail runs! With the majority of riders being from the Lake Havasu and Parker area, a wide range of area expertise guarantees off-road adventure — from the scenic to the extreme — from novice to expert. Trail rides are organized for Friday-Sunday Even if you’re not a member of the Sidewinders, you don’t want to miss this event!