Things were looking good coming into this race. Taylor was on the mend from his finger injury and Robby and Jamie were healthy and ready to go. September is usually hot in Southern California, and this day was no exception. A big turn out made the course one of the roughest of the year. 36 Pros signed up to do battle.
Off the start, Jamie had a good jump and ran top 3. Taylor was next in 8th with Robby around 15th. About a half lap in, A bottle neck formed. The top 3 riders made it through clean, then it was all stop. Taylor and Robby were not so lucky as they were stopped so long, that most of the riders turned their motors off to wait. Then the Pro 2’s came and they along with a few Pros cut off this section. All was not well.
When the leaders came through at the end of the first lap, there was a huge gap from the top few back, and several Pro 2 riders that by passed the bottle neck were way up. Jamie was looking good in third only a few seconds off the lead. Then coming into the Worcs X section, the two riders in front of him got hung up on the tires. Jamie tried to squeeze past, but couldn’t and went down. It took him almost 2 minutes to get off the tires, and get turned around and make another run and get over them.
Meanwhile Robby and Taylor were back moving, and having to pass alot of Pro 2’s. They were just outside the top 10. There were so many riders in the Worcs X section crashed and stuck, they both struggled to get through. Taylor made the cleanest atempt and jumped up to 8th. Robby took a little longer and was in 11th.
As the race progressed, Taylor was on the move. Charging toward the top 5, he was suddenly slowed by a rear flat. Apparently tire balls can go flat. A quick change and he was off. Jamie was struggling trying to get back his early race form after expending so much energy in the Worcs X crash. Robby was up to 10th, and looking strong, closing in on the riders in front.
Taylors wheel change only lasted one lap and it was flat number 2. Another quick wheel change, and he was off again. Robby was charging and moved into 8th. His pace was pushing him toward the top 5. Jamie took another bad crash, and came into the pits for repairs.
In the last 30 minutes, the heat and rough track began to take it’s toll. Several riders dropped out or slowed considerably. Taylor was back on pace, and once again was charging in 7th spot. Robby was begining to feel the effects of a bad infection earlier in the week, and began to slow.
At the finish, Taylor pushed his way into 6th. Robby struggled, but kept moving to take 11th. Jamie came through in 13th. Many riders retired from injuries, crashes or fatiuge, including Bobby Bonds, Ricky Deitrich, and Jimmy Albertson. It was a tough one.
The next Worcs race is the round 10 finale. It is in Mesquite, NV. on October 25th. We hope to finish out the year strong and we could get all of our riders in the top 10 in points. Everyone was pretty disappointed at Glen Helen, from flats, to the bottle neck, etc.
On another note, Jamie will be in Columbus, OH. this weekend at the Enduro Cross. Then next week he’s off to Portugal for the ISDE. We all wish him the best of luck, have a safe trip, and bring home the Gold.
We will be at local events, the Ridgecrest Big 6 GP, and are putting together plans for the 24 hours of Glen Helen.
Thanks again for all the support. This being our first year with a new team, we have learned alot, and know with your support, we will have greater sucess in the future.
Bob Bell
Team Coordinator
