KTM privateer Gary Sutherlin gets back on the victory train with a WORCS win in the Washington State woods.
After having a couple of shaky rounds, KTM-mounted Gary Sutherlin returned to the top of the victory podium during round seven of the 2014 Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) presented by Motoworks and Dirt Bike Magazine at Straddleline ORV Park in Straddleline, Washington, Sunday. Ricky Russell finished second on a Yamaha, and Rory Sullivan finished third on a KTM.
The Washington round is a real departure from the WORCS Series’ usual high-speed tracks in the desert southwest. The Pacific Northwest is all about trees, and the course featured tight and technical single-track sections along with plenty of rocks and roots to test the competitors. In addition, the endurocross section was perhaps the most challenging of the year, with a mix of tires, logs, concert blocks and pot holes.
John Burr Cycles-backed Justin Seeds grabbed the holeshot in the Pro race, but he would slip to fourth place before suffering bike issues that ended his day early. Sutherlin and Russell then built a lead of nearly 30 seconds by the end of lap one as they battled each other for the lead and pulled away from the rest of the pack. Sutherlin was able to make a last-lap pass on Russell just before the checkered flag to steal away the victory.
Sutherlin’s win extended his points lead to 18 points over reigning WORCS Champion Robby Bell, heading into the final two rounds of the season. Bell finished fourth.
RPM KTM’s Travis Coy claimed his fifth straight Pro 2 class win after battling with Husqvarna-mounted Justin Morgan for most of the race. Coy was able to pull away from Morgan late in the running to secure not only the win but also finish third overall.
In the Pro 2 Lites class, Yamaha/Verasty’s Michael Del Fante claimed his third straight win, but it didn’t come easily with Zachary Burrell closing the gap on Del Fante late in the race. Del Fante held Burrell off for the win and is now within two points of clinching the class championship.
Round eight of the WORCS series is schedule to take place at Glen Helen Raceway in Devore, California, September 12-14. Just two rounds of racing remain on the 2014 schedule.
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