Beta USA’s Justin Wallis scores his first career WORCS win along the Colorado River.
Beta USA’s Justin Wallis broke through to claim his first career WORCS win Sunday when round four of the Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series visited the Crazy Horse Campground in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, for what appears to be the final time in WORCS Series history; the sanction has announced that the Colorado River town will not be renewing the series’ permit.
The 26-year-old Wallis not only faced pressure from a tough Pro-class field, he also had to endure the conditions on the tire-tortured course, the Nevadan battling his way past 2014 WORCS Champion Gary Sutherlin and reigning WORCS Champion Robby Bell to claim the win.
Sutherlin, who was back in action at his first WORCS round of the year after suffering an injury during the off-season, appeared to be in fine form as he pulled the holeshot and led Bell and Wallis early in the two-hour Pro race. Sutherlin would lead through the first lap before Bell took over and tried to distance himself from the field. Bell then held the lead for most of race before fading due to the after-effects of a recent battle with the flu. That allowed Wallis, who had passed Sutherlin earlier in the race, to catch and pass Bell for the win.
Wallis credited his hours of practicing in sand as a contributing factor in the win.
“I practice in the sand a lot, so I just tried to stay consistent and put down some good lap times,” he said. “I tried to stick to my lines and charge. Toward the end, I was so drained, I pushed to get there. I’ve been working my butt of to get here. My Beta was running great today. This is huge. I remember coming to this race four years ago as a spectator. Just to be here is a dream come true. It’s surreal right now.”
Bell would also succumb to Travis Coy and Justin Jones, with Jones passing Coy on the final lap to claim the runner-up spot. Then came Coy, followed by Bell and Sutherlin.
Wallis’ win moved him to third place in the series standings, behind Bell and round three winner Blayne Thompson. Bell currently enjoys a 20-point lead over Thompson, 88-68.
Motocross racers Carlen Gardner and Josh Mosiman both made their WORCS debuts in the Pro 2 class. The two battled for the win after series points leader Logan Chambers crashed while leading the race. Gardner prevailed over Mosiman. Cody Shafer finished third.
“We’re hitting a few WORCS this year to do some training,” Gardner said. “We came out and had some fun. Logan was really holding it down for most of the race. Unfortunately, he went down. I just tried to stay consistent.”
Dante Oliveria won his fourth consecutive Pro 2 Lights race, with Austin Serpa and Clayton Hengeveld finishing second and third respectively. Oliveria nabbed the holeshot and was never seriously challenged after that. But for some quick work by tire sponsor Maxxis just before the start of the race, Oliveira’s chances for the win might have been over before they began.
“Maxxis saved the day,” Oliveria said. “I noticed I had a tire moose issue while going to the starting line and they took my tire off and changed it. They really looked out for me.”
The Rocky Mountain MC WORCS Series will take a two-week break before returning to action in Sand Hollow, Utah, April 15-17.
2016 World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS)
Crazy Horse Campground
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Results: March 27, 2016 (Round 4 of 9)
Pro
1. Justin Wallis-Bet
2. Justin Jones-Hon
3. Travis Coy-KTM
4. Robby Bell-Kaw
5. Gary Sutherlin-KTM
6. Blayne Thompson-Yam
7. Justin Seeds-Kaw
8. Colton Udall-Hon
9. Mark Samuels-Hon
10. Dalton Shirey-Hus
2016 World Off-Road Championship Series Points Standings (after 4 of 9 rounds)
1. Robby Bell-88/2 wins
2. Blayne Thompson-68/1 win
3. Justin Wallis-67/1 win
4. Justin Seeds-63
5. Justin Jones-62
6. Dalton Shirey-10
7. Colton Udall-58
8. Travis Coy-49
9. Michael Del Fante-44
10. Eric Yorba-38
Pro 2
1. Carlen Gardner-KTM
2. Josh Mosiman-Hus
3. Cody Schafer-Kaw
4. Logan Chambes-KTM
5. Travis Damon-Hon
6. Alex Morgan-Hon
7. Mitch Anderson-KTM
8. Zane Roberts-Hus
9. Alex Dorsey
10. Matt Maple-Hon
Pro 2 Lights
1. Dante Oliveira-KTM
2. Austin Serpa-KTM
3. Clayton Hengeveld-Kaw
4. Mason Ottersberg-Hus
5. Preston Campbell-Hon
6. Chance Fullerton-Hus
7. Riley Snow-Yam
8. Conner Flatau-Yam
9. Hayden Florez
10. Kyle Hutcheson
Women Pro
1. Tarah Geiger-Hon
2. Tatum Sik-Hon
3. Mica Diaz-Suz
4. Brandy Richards-KTM
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