Precision Concepts/Northland Motorsports Race Report for WORCS round 1, Speedworld, AZ.
Riders:
Robby Bell PRO Kawasaki KX 450F
J P Davis PRO Kawasaki KX 450F
Justin Seeds A/Pro-2 Kawasaki KX 450F
Jack Achey A Kawasaki KX 250F/CR 125R
Mark Harstine B Kawasaki KX 450F
WORCS series round 1 returned to Speedworld just outside Phoenix, AZ. The Worcs crew did an amazing job of getting the course ready for the weekend. With the previous weeks rains, it looked to be a real muddy mess. Not so! The rains let up and the course was great. A combination of MX, sand washes, arena cross, lots of tight corners in the offroad, and the Worcs Cross section for the pros. The weather was beautiful, 72 degrees, and partly cloudy.
The start of the pro race could have gone better for Robby and JP. Both seemed to get tangled with other riders and rounded the first corner around 25th. They pushed hard on the first lap and came through the pits in 18th (JP) and 19th (Robby). Even though these are 2 hour races, the start is still important as the leaders can check out while you are slowed down, trying to pass your way through. Robby continued attacking moving to 15th, then 12th. JP was a short distance behind, moving through as well.
Lap four was disaster for JP. His radiator hose split from a rock hit and he was forced into the pits for repair. 2 1/2 minutes later he was out, but was now at the back of the pack. Robby continued to push forward and by the midway point was 10th.
In the second hour, Robby continued his charge. With a half hour to go, he moved into 8th, passing some of the fastest riders in Worcs. JP was also working his way forward, and was pushing into the top 20.
At the finish, Robby’s charge ended at 8th, He was only 58 seconds from 4th and closing. JP was able to get back up to 18th. This was his first Pro race. While this isn’t what either rider hoped for, The lap times could have put them in the top 5.
In the Pro-2 race, Justin was another victim of a bad start. He worked hard the whole race and was able to take 7th at the finish.
Jack rode 3 races on the weekend. In the 250F-A he took 14th. Then in the 125-A, he rebounded and took the win. His last race was the 15-29 sport-A. In a large field and riding a 250F against 450s, he took 6th.
Mark rode 2 races. In the 15-29 sport-B, he was running well when his rear brake suddenly jammed. Unable to free it up, he was forced to the pits and ended up with 31st. In the 450-B, he holeshot, then struggled for the first half. He then loosened up to put in a good ride and took 11th.
Overall, it was an okay start to the year. We all need to work really hard on our starts (except Mark). There was a really big turn out in many of the A and B classes. This is good to see for the series. Everyone has learned what they need to work on and we all feel confident that improvements will come quickly. Some of the lap times were right there with the leaders, again starts are needed.
Thanks for all the support. We will be doing team pictures at the next Worcs race in Primm, NV. on Feb. 27-28. Many of the riders are also racing weekly at other events. We will keep you updated on this.
Bob Bell
Team Coordinator