KTM’s Kurt Caselli Leads Series after Two Rounds

February 18, 2008, 10:01am

Mesquite, NV – Defending WORCS Champion Red Bull KTM rider, Kurt Caselli, retains the points lead after the second round of the WORCS Series at Mesquite MX Park.

The weather was perfect for Sunday’s Pro race as the riders lined the start for the second gate drop of the season. RPM KTM rider, Kyle Summers, grabbed the holeshot around the first turn. Factory Red Bull KTM rider, Caselli garnered a mid-pack start with his teammate Justin Soule further back around 25th.

Despite the rough track conditions and the sandy back section the top riders turned out quick lap times averaging 9 ½ minutes on the short loop. With lap one complete Summers was still in the lead with Bobby Garrison in tow. Caselli had moved into the top ten while Soule was also moving forward already into 14th.

A few laps later Caselli had moved into the top five and Soule had broken into the top ten. Just to play it safe on this sandy course that had already caused multiple DNF’s for his competitiors, Caselli received a quick air filter change when he came into refuel at the first pit stop. Due to KTM’s quick removal air box cover the change was quick and easy and he was back in action in no time.

By the halfway mark Soule was sitting in 5th place and Caselli had already moved into 2nd about 15 seconds off the leader. A crash on lap 10 caused the hard-charging Caselli to lose time on the current leader when he remounted and had to return to the pits to check over the bike. Once he was back on the course he had lost approximately one minute to the leader, Garrison.

Three laps after the last pit stop the race was over. Caselli finished a solid 2nd place overall to maintain and lengthen his series points lead. Soule finished an impressive 5th place after a near last place start. “Both riders are extremely quick and it shows. Despite mediocre starts they finished well. I was happy to see Kurt increase his points lead and I couldn’t be more impressed with Justin’s charge from last into the top five,” commented Red Bull KTM Factory Off-Road Team Manager Antti Kallonen after the race.

Round 3 of the WORCS Series will take place March 14-16, 2008 in Lake Havasu, AZ.

Overall Results Round 2:
1. B. Garrison
2. K. Caselli – KTM
3. R. Dietrich
4. K. Summers – KTM
5. J. Soule – KTM
6. T. Weigand
7. B. Bonds
8. S. Collier
9. M. Karlsen
10. J. Lanza

Overall Series Points:
1. K. Caselli – 55
2. B. Garrison – 44
3. K. Summers – 39
4. B. Bonds – 39
5. R. Dietrich - 33