Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Dietrich Rolls on with His Third-Straight Win

June 19, 2008 6:35am

Irvine, Calif. (June 18, 2008) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich led a majority of the race to come across the finish with his third win in a row during the sixth round of the WORCS series at Hangtown MX in Sacramento, Calif. Kawasaki’s presence was also felt in the Pro 2 class as Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider Taylor Robert took his third win of the season and regained the points lead. In both the Pro and Pro 2 class, Kawasaki held six of the top-10 finishing positions.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under The Tent

Extending His Lead
Getting off to a top-five start, Dietrich made his way to the front before the pit stop and held that spot for the rest of the race. His third consecutive win has helped him extend his points lead to 15 over fellow Kawasaki rider Bobby Bonds.

“Bobby (Bonds) has really kept me honest the past few races,” said Dietrich. “I’ll take the lead and get a gap only to see him getting closer and closer. It was really cool being able to ride a part of the track that the AMA Motocross Series rides, but the off-road sections were pretty fast. Now I get to take a little break from WORCS and ride EnduroCross here in the next few weeks.”

Great Finish
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott has had his ups and downs in the WORCS series, but in Sacramento he tied for his best finish this season, inside the top-10. Even with blistered and hurting hands, Abbott pushed through the pack on Kawasaki KX™450F to finish eighth.

“I was actually pretty happy with the way I rode today and still felt good towards the end,” said Abbott. “I still feel like I have a great shot running in the top five and I know if I can stay up front early, I’ll be doing it. The next WORCS race is back up in Washington and I really like riding there.”

Blisters Are NOT Fun
Before the halfway point of the race, Abbott developed blisters on his hand that opened up right away and started to bleed through his glove. Just as any true racer would do, he toughed it out and even pushed harder to get inside the top-10.

A Little Bit of a Pile Up
Getting a great jump off the line, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Damon Huffman was trying to round turn one when he got hit from behind, sending him down. When he got up, he realized he had no rear brakes and was forced to pull into the pits after just one lap. He made a hard charge for the front and was able to still pull out a 14th-place finish.

“I believe when I left the pits, the leaders were only about a minute behind me,” said Huffman. “I was really trying to push it so I could get some points. I feel like I rode really well. I’m really excited and looking forward to EnduroCross that’s coming up.”

High Temperatures
It’s not uncommon for an off-road rider to race in extreme heat and in Sacramento, temperatures were nearing 100 degrees. Riders did what they could to stay cool before the race including staying under shade until the gate dropped.

One Down
The Monster Energy Kawasaki pits were without their newest pro rider at the Hangtown race. Josh Morros went down last week while practicing and was in the hospital with several injuries. He was released on Saturday and is expected to return at the next race in August.

Retaking the Lead
With the exception of one race he was forced to sit out due to a dislocated hip, Robert has not finished outside the top-two positions. With three wins and two runner-up finishes, he has regained the points lead in the Pro 2 class.

“It was nice to lead from start to finish and regain the points lead,” said Robert. “I was really hoping to come back strong after having to sit out the Washington round so I’m definitely happy. I’m looking forward to riding the next track in Washington since I missed the last round up there.”

Make A Donation, Get A T-Shirt
Abbott has been selected to be apart of the 2008 International Six Day Enduro team that will take place in Greece this September. In order to get there, he will have to cover most of the expenses. To help cover the costs, Abbott has started selling shirts to help the cause. If interested, visit www.destryabbott.com and follow the t-shirt link.

For all the pictures, videos and most recent Kawasaki racing action, visit www.kawasaki.com/racing

World Off Road Championship Series
Hangtown MX – Sacramento, Calif.
June 15, 2007

Pro Class Results
1. RICKY DIETRICH, WINCHESTER, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. BOBBY BONDS, MARICOPA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
3. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM
4. Tim Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda
5. Justin Soule, Reno, Nev., KTM
6. SEAN COLLIER, SAUGUS, CALIF., KAWASAKI
7. Nathan Woods, Paso Robles, Calif., Suzuki
8. DESTRY ABBOTT, PEORIA, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
9. JAMIE LANZA, BEAUMONT, CALIF., KAWASAKI
10. GARY SUTHERLAND, PHOENIX, ARIZ., KAWASAKI
11. RUSSELL PEARSON, HENERSON, NEV., KAWASAKI
14. DAMON HUFFMAN, VALENCIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI

Pro 2 Class Results
1. TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
2. Nick Brozovich, Bayfield, Colo., Suzuki
3. BRAD GOOLSBY, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
4. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
5. KALE STATELY, CASA GRANDE, ARIZ., KAWASAKI
6. ROBBIE GOOLSBY, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
7. BRETT SAUNDERS, AUGORA HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI
8. Justin Seeds, Phelan, Calif., Honda
9. CJ Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda
10. Ross Neely, Chester, Calif., KTM

Pro Class Points
1. RICKY DIETRICH, WINCHESTER, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 147
2. BOBBY BONDS, MARICOPA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 132
3. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM, 114
4. Bobby Garrison, Hesperia, Calif., Yamaha, 105
5. Kyle Summers, Colorado Springs, Calif., KTM, 83
6. DAMON HUFFMAN, VALENCIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 79
7. Tim Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda, 69
8. Justin Soule, Reno, Nev., KTM, 67
9. JAMIE LANZA, BEAUMONT, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 60
10. SEAN COLLIER, SAUGUS, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 55
15. DESTRY ABBOTT, PEORIA, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 41

Pro 2 Class Points
1. TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN, 140
2. Nick Brozovich, Bayfield, Colo., Suzuki, 136
3. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN, 103
4. JOSH MORROS, SPARKS, NEV., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN, 90
5. Corey Floyd, Snohomish, Wash., Yamaha, 87
6. Jonathan Davis, Martinez, Calif., Suzuki, 69
7. KALE STATELY, CASA GRANDE, ARIZ., KAWASAKI, 65
8. BRETT SAUNDERS, AGOURA HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 49
9. Justin Seeds, Phelan, Calif., Honda, 46
10. Brodie Humphries, St. George, Utah, Suzuki, 44