WORCS Round 9 Report

Nathan Woods notched another win onto the fuselage of his Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F by winning Round 9 of the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) this weekend in Monticello, Utah. Woods beat points leader Kurt Caselli (Red Bull KTM) who took second and defending WORCS Champion Ricky Dietrich (Monster Energy Kawasaki) who took the third spot on the podium.

Nathan Woods took Round 9 of the WORCS series.

Ryan Hughes (Team FMF Suzuki Off Road) was not present in Monticello. Hughes, who led the first half of the WORCS season with three wins and two podiums, is out with nerve damage resulting from last year’s broken arm and aggravated by a get off in the eighth round in Washington just two weeks ago. Also missing from the line-up was Mike Kiedrowski (Team FMF Suzuki Off Road) who injured his wrist and thumb in Saturday practice. MK returned to California without racing in order to consult with his doctor on the coast.

The Monticello course was another of the WORCS Series exotic locations, set in the foothills of Utah near the famous Four Corners, the Monticello course sat at 7,000 feet and employed the large Bud Hallow Motocross course as well as the beautiful Utah landscape, which included the famous Bear Canyon. A family owned and operated motocross facility designed and built by Dirt Wurx, the Monticello WORCS event is a classic western region GP.

Dietrich got the holeshot and immediately pulled away from the field gaining more than a full minute lead early in the race. Bobby Garrison was second off the line, but would not stay there very long. Woods also started well and quickly moved into second while Caselli started out of the top ten, but moved through the field of pro riders and established himself in third before the end of the first lap.

The stage was set for a classic off road dogfight and the spectators were not disappointed. Dietrich maintained his lead past the first hour while Woods continued to push and close the gap. Caselli also put on a charge and both riders passed Dietrich at about the 1 hour 15 minute mark. Pit stops became a critical factor with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team getting both Woods and Dietrich in and out quickly as did the Red Bull KTM Team with Caselli.

Woods seemed to get stronger in the second hour, territory usually dominated by Caselli who is usually faster in the second ½ of a WORCS race. Woods would pull away and Caselli would close in and so on. Then Woods established a large gap and Caselli seemed to settle for second (the smart move with a 20 point lead in the Championship). Dietrich also settled into third. And that is how they finished with Woods taking his third win in a row with Caselli second (now with a 15 point lead in the series) and Dietrich third.

WORCS Round 9:
1. Bobby Garrison (Yam)
2. Matt Karlsen (Kaw)
3. Kyle Summers (Kaw)

2007 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC World Off Road Championship Series Standings (After 9 of 12 Rounds)
1. Kurt Caselli (171/1 win)
2. Ryan Hughes (157/3 wins)
3. Nathan Woods (151/3 wins)