NTS KTM’s Gary Sutherlin kicks off the 2014 WORCS Season Opener in Taft, California, with a Pro win.
The following is from the Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series:
Taft, CA – The 2014 Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series presented by Motoworks and Dirt Bike Magazine season kicked off at Honolulu Hills in Taft, California, January 18-19, with NTS KTM rider Gary Sutherlin taking home the first Pro class win of the season on Sunday. RPM KTM’s Justin Jones finished second, and defending 2013 WORCS champion, Precision Concept’s Robby Bell, finished third.
RPM KTM’s Eric Yorba grabbed the lead with Jones and Bell slotting into second and third respectively when the gate dropped for the start of Sunday’s Pro race. Yorba’s lead was short-lived, as his teammate Jones took over for several laps..
But Sutherlin got off to a great start and soon made his way to second, behind Jones, within the first couple of laps before slowing his pace.
“I had a good first lap and felt really good, but then I pumped up really bad,” Sutherlin said. “The first half of the race, I was tight and couldn’t hit my lines and just not riding very good. Finally, after I pitted, I calmed down and everything started to come together.”
Sutherlin really came on strong in the last four laps of the race, charging from fourth place with four laps remaining to pass Bobby Bonds on the last lap after Bonds suffered a flat rear tire.
“Unfortunately, Bonds had a little tire issue, which was too bad because he was riding great today, but I am just happy to be up here on the box,” Sutherlin said. “Times are tough and to be up here with a win and make some money is great, and hopefully we can just keep building off of this for the rest of the year.”
Jones ‘s runner-up finish was the best of his Pro career, He finished third five times in 2013.
“The pace was super-fast right from the start,” Jones said. “It was by far one of the fastest races I’ve been in for two hours, and it was so demanding. I am stoked to break my third-place streak with a second, and I’m ready to build on that.”
Like Sutherlin, Bell suffered with arm pump early in the race, and he slipped from third to fourth in the early going.
“I just struggled with arm pump right off the bat,” Bell said. “These guys were riding really fast, and I just couldn’t match the pace, but right around the midway point, I started to loosen up. I felt really good and the bike was working really well. I started catching those guys and making a passes.”
It appeared Bell was going to challenge Bonds for the lead after moving into the second spot with three laps to go, but Bell lost his rear brakes, which forced him to slow his charge for the lead, although he was still able to hold onto the final podium spot.
“It’s frustrating you know,” Bell said. “I wanted to come out and make a statement for the new sponsors, the new team, and the new number. I’m just really happy to make it up on the podium. Congrats to the other guys though as they rode really well. I’m planning on coming out on fire at Primm.”
Round two of the WORCS Series will be held in Primm, Nevada at Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino, February 8-9.
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