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WORCS Pro Race Coverage - Round 3
by Mark Williams
March 16-18, Lake Havasu City, AZ- After two rounds in the WORCS Pro class, former champions Josh Frederick and Beau Baron would tackle the roughest track on the circuit in a tie for the points lead. With a win a piece under their belts, the treacherous Havasu GP course would bring a winner and new points leader. The course is set on an island bordering the famous Lake Havasu. The track while short by WORCS standards, makes up for its length with nasty whoops, rocks, and a make or break lagoon jump. While jumping the lagoon is not mandatory, choosing to skip it, forces you the long way around. Coming up short on the jump is not an option either, as several riders would find out.
The start for this round is traditionally dead engine, minimizing the carnage into an entirely too sketchy first turn. Veteran racer Mike Cafro was able to fire his Honda 450 and grab the holeshot cash. Cafro’s lead would go away nearly as quick as it came, as his former team rider Beau Baron would pass his old boss, and push away from the pack. Yamaha mounted Dustin Nelson went down around turn 3, effectively ending his chances for victory early. #8 Robbie Mitchell appeared hungry for his first win, and was running strong in the lead pack. Moto-works Can-am’s Josh Frederick was killing time in 4th looking for an opportunity to pounce on the leaders. Baron’s hard charge would come to quick end, as he crashed his H&M Motosports Honda, all but killing his chances for victory.
Baron’s young team-mate David Haagsma would take his turn leading the race, and appeared that he may finally pick up his first pro win.
Unfortunately the veteran Frederick had been conserving his energy for his patented late race charge, and Haagsma was unable to hold him off. Fredericks ability to pace himself, and plow through whoops has been his trademark in recent years. The Frederick style is starting to rub off on his younger team-mate Dillon Zimmerman as well. The fellow Moto-works Can am pilot started from well back in the back, and finished with a well deserved 3rd place podium spot.
Frederick took the win, and was virtually unchallenged the final 30 minutes, as 2nd place finisher David Haagsma was busy trying to fend off the hard charging Dillon Zimmerman. Beau Baron despite the nasty crash, put his head down and performed damage control. He managed a 4th place finish, which isn’t what he was looking for, but definitely salvaged some crucial championship points. Robbie Mitchell would round out the top 5.ning well into the pro riders ranks.
