WORCS Round 4

March 24-25, 2012, 2012

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

2012 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC World Off Road Championship Series

Story and photos by

Joe Colombero

3/24-25/12: Crazy Horse OHV Park, Lake Havasu, Arizona:

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Taylor Robert (33) was clearly unstoppable at WORCS round 4 this weekend. Robert gated well in both races coming off the line in the top three on the dead engine starts. He cannoned his way to the front by the end of the first lap and started laying down faster and faster lap times. Though challenged by Mike Brown and Kyle Summers, neither rider could keep Robert in sight for very long. Robert’s performance on the fast, rough, sand and rock Havasu course was almost perfect and his 1-1 finish for round four places him securely at the top of the title chase.

“I like it here,” said Robert. “I went 1-1 at Havasu last year and I felt confident that I could do it again. This track is actually easier than my practice track at home so it was a fun weekend. I’m glad to be leading the points again because Brown just keeps getting tougher to beat and I’ve got to focus on each race and keep my eye on the WORCS Championship.”

Taking second was FMF/KTM’s Mike Brown (311) with a 3-2 performance. Brown (who just celebrated his 40th birthday last week) got the holeshot in Saturday’s race and led for a while before losing the battle with Robert and Summers for the race #1 win. Then he gated well again in race #2 on Sunday, riding most of the 1 ½ hours in third before reeling in Summers to take the second spot on the podium.

Taking third overall was Kyle Summers (394), who rode impressively to second in race #1, then led race #2 in a long battle with Robert. Summers set the fastest lap of any rider on the track with an amazing 5:40, but he couldn’t maintain that pace in the wind and heat on the tough Havasu track. Eventually, the burning heat wilted Summers charge and he lost touch with Robert and fell victim to Brown’s late race challenge.

Ryan Abbatoye had his best WORCS Pro performance this year taking fourth overall with a 5-4 finish. Abbatoye rode hard and consistent, letting the heat fell other riders as he rode past and kept on the gas. Bobby Garrison took fifth with Justin Soule sixth, Ross Nealy seventh, Gary Sutherlin finished eighth Colton Haacker ninth, and Cole Shondeck tenth.

Robert leads the WORCS Championship with 171/2 wins, ahead of Brown with 163/1 win and Summers with 157, Garrison 153/1 win, and Soule with 141.