Irvine, Calif. (January 31, 2011) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s off-road racing team got the 2011 WORCS season underway this weekend at the Honolulu Hills MX in Taft, Calif. Leading into this weekend, the off-road racing community lost a friend and ambassador to the sport in former Kawasaki Team Green rider Nathan Woods during Friday’s practice session. The unexpected loss drained the excitement from the opening weekend and was felt throughout the paddock. Instead of racing Saturday, the event organizers hosted a memorial ceremony and parade lap, leaving Sunday for the final one-hour plus one-lap race. The weather for the race was erratic as Taylor Robert earned a fourth-place finish in his Monster Energy Kawasaki debut. Destry Abbott finished ninth and Justin Soule pushed his way to 21st.
Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent
Battling To the End
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s newest off-road team member Robert had a challenging start to Sunday’s race, but battled until the end attempting to reach the podium. After the first turn, he found himself in 12th position. Despite starting near the back he was able to push past most of the field and worked his way up to third place by the fifth lap. Only seconds behind, he tried to make a push several times, but the slippery track was not willing to accommodate him. Robert finished in fourth place, only seconds from the podium, but never stopped fighting for position.
“The torrential downpour played against everyone and you can only push so hard when the track gets that slick,” said Robert. “I was right behind third and tried to push past him but just slid out. I tried several times to make the pass but just ran out of time. I’m looking forward to next weekend in Argentina and racing on the sand especially since the next couple WORCS weekends will be also be sand races. I grew up racing in Arizona and sand is my specialty.”
Building Steam
Robert gained more ground than any other rider during the race, passing nine racers in the first five laps. He proved his mettle by posting the second fastest lap-time on the demanding course. Robert was gaining ground and looking like he would make the podium when he was passed during his pit stop. The clock ended up being his worst enemy, but it was still a good start to a long season.
Soldiering On
Abbott knows to expect the unexpected when it comes to off-road racing. After losing a friend and former teammate, he was left in a mental state even this veteran was not prepared for. He walked the course with his teammates both Friday and Saturday trying to find the best lines and strategize a plan of attack. When race day came, Mother Nature threw her fury and made the track more technical than anyone would have expected. Abbott battled the elements to finish in ninth place.
“My goal was top five and I rode hard, but wasn’t as aggressive as I should have been,” said Abbott. “It was a pretty tough weekend with the loss of Nathan. I wanted to ride hard, but I had a few close calls and knowing I have a whole season ahead of me, I didn’t push as much as I should have. Today the weather was crazy and kept the dynamic of the track constantly changing. We didn’t start out how we wanted, but I feel confident we have a strong team and I’m looking forward to our next race in the desert.”
Race To Finish, Finish To Win
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Soule lives by the motto, “Race to finish, finish to win.” He is a consistent rider who knows what it takes to get through an entire grueling off-road season. Despite the erratic weather, he kept his riding smooth and steady. In sixth position and closing in on three racers just ahead of him, he had his sights on a potential podium finish when he ran out of gas. Out of gas, but not out of heart, Soule trudged two miles through the mud back to cross the finish line in 21st place.
“The bike was performing great, the suspension was sucking up all the bumps, and I was able to fly through sections where others couldn’t,” said Soule. “Each lap the weather would change making the course totally unpredictable, there weren’t really any consistent lines. On lap five I was feeling good and had the next three racers ahead in my crosshairs, but then I just ran out of gas about two miles from the finish. That’s off-road racing, ever changing, and I’m happy our team all finished safely.”
From Argentina to California
Next week Abbott will be racing in Ridgecrest, Calif. for Round 2 of the 2011 AMA Hare and Hound series. In two weeks, Soule and Robert will be heading to the southern hemisphere to compete in the Enduro Del Verano in Argentina.
Race Results
World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS)
Honolulu Hills MX - Taft, Calif.
January 30, 2011
Pro Class Results (Sunday)
1.Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM
2.Kyle Summers, Discovery Bay, Calif., Yamaha
3.BOBBY GARRISON, HESPERIA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
4.TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
5.Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn., KTM
6.Kevin Rookstool, Klamath Falls, Ore., KTM
7.Bobby Bonds, Maricopa, Calif., Husqvarna
8.ROBBY BELL, SUN CITY, CALIF., KAWASAKI
9.DESTRY ABBOTT, PEORIA, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
10.BRENDEN RITZMAN, PORT ORCHARD, WASH., KAWASAKI
21.JUSTIN SOULE, VICTORVILLE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
