This is the rough text>>>
WORCS in 2006 - The West Coast's Premier Off-Road Series
Touring the pits of the World Off Road Championship Series in 2006 is a much different experience than it was just two years ago. The west coast's premier off-road national series has been growing, attracting a lot of race talent and more factory support. Rigs now line the pits where only box vans did before.
And a recent trip to the Victorville WORCS over Easter weekend was living proof.
The pits in the WORCS are starting to look more and more factory; rigs now line the pits instead of box vans. Part of what makes the WORCS series fun is that the factory support and big names are growing, but the environment is still casual and friendly.
The Suzuki team gets the award for the blingin'-est bikes in the series. Check out some of the trick, factory parts on Ryan Hughes' and Mike Kiedrowski's bikes.
The FMF Factory 4.1 dual exhaust system is exclusive to the FMF Suzuki team, but is almost ready to go into production. According to Hughes, the exhaust system gives a very balanced feel and smooth power to the RM-Z450. The full system will also come with a cut away airbox that will allow room for the dual pipe crossover. Look for it in shelves in about six months.
Another trick part on the factory FMF Suzukis is the carbon-fiber oversize tank. Don't look for those on shelves any time soon. You can't have one.
The Team Green WORCS bikes, as tested in the Dirt Rider 24-hour Torture Test, also feature a slew of trick parts, one of which is the GPR Version 4 stabilizer. The unique feature of the latest GPR damper is it's small, out-of-the-way fit. Riders don't have to risk hitting their face on it since it fits cleanly below the bar. Find out all about the Team Green KX450F WORCS bikes in the 24-hour Torture Test in the June issue of Dirt Rider, on newsstands now.
Larry Roeseler is back in action working with Kawasaki in the Team Green off-road effort. He put in some impressive laps in the 40+ A class on Sunday morning.
It's going to take some getting used to seeing Johnny Campbell in his new role as team coordinator in the Honda pit. But he still throws a leg over once in a while. He entered the sportsman class at the recent Milford round where he finished [TKKK]. But in Adelanto, he was there to support riders Robby Bell and Kendall Norman.
Another rider receiving support under the Honda tent was this guy, Preston Campbell, who podiumed in the 50 class.
Due to their close proximity, a lot of racers came out to the Adelanto round just to spectate. KTM's Kurt Caselli, who is still out while rehabilitating a torn ACL, came out for the race. He's walking just fine, and has one month until he's riding again. His injury late last year threatened to jeapordize his 2006 ISDE effort, but Caselli plans to be ready in plenty of time.
Nathan Woods is another racer who has his eye fixed on contesting the Six Days this year. But it will no doubt be a highly competitive qualifier. Many top U.S. off-road racers plan to compete for a Trophy Team position for this year's Six Days taking place in New Zealand.
Mike and Tony Alessi also came out for the race. Many suspected the Alessi's would race this round, especially after taking such a huge victory in Havasu, and since they live 15 minutes away. But with the Dallas Supercross less than a week away, they didn't want to risk any damage to their hands, which was very likely given the course.
The off-road section outside the Racetown 395 track was soft, sandy desert. Which after two days of being beaten, was very rough and whooped out. The track didn't allow for much of a break, either. And to top it all off was a very technical Endurocross-type section of the course built with tractor tires, telephone poles, and for the pro race, filled with water. Hardly anyone got through the section clean all day, and the top riders were no exception. [Destry taking a digger]
"A little after the hour mark I took a high-speed digger in the back and it took me over seven minutes to get going again," Destry said, "I actually got lapped before I even got it started! I got going again and finished a very disappointing 15th. This was a race I definitely thought I should've been on the podium, but that's the way racing goes sometimes."
Abbott wasn't the only rider who had a rough day. KTM rider Bobby Bonds only lasted one lap after an impressive start. Ryan Hughes ended the race missing his left shroud, and Mike Kiedrowski finished without a front brake hose.