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2009 WORCS
ATV Racing Season Preview
Pro ATV Racers, Series Sponsorship,
Factory Involvement, Contingency
Surprise, AZ (1/19/2009) - With
the ATV Racing Round 1 getting underway this coming
weekend, we look ahead to our 2009 season. The WORCS
ATV series will open up Jan. 25th at Speedworld
Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona. The 2008 season saw
Motoworks / Can-AM’s Josh Frederick capturing
his back to back ATV Pro championship and toping
new comers in 2008 ahead of Dustin Nelson &
Beau Baron. As we leave 2008 behind us, we look
ahead to 2009, with rider team changes, riders changing
brands, it’s sure to be a good one.
#1 Josh Frederick - "The Animal",
Josh Frederick is showing why he is the west coast
ATV champ. Josh is consistently showing domination
in this series, and no one has argued that over
the past two years. Patience, professionalism and
sportsmanship have contributed to a lot of his recent
success over the past two years. Look for the #1
plate holder to come out swinging at Phoenix.
#2 Dustin Nelson - "Mr.
ITP" Dustin, a former National caliber bike
motocross guy, and reigning 2008 Yamaha / ITP
Quadcross champ on the Factory Yamaha/Red Bull
ride came in with high hopes for the 2008 season
and that is right where it started. Dustin kept
close eye on Frederick all season, but a DNF at
Phoenix and a couple of off races was just enough
for Frederick to edge him out. This season just
could be the breakout ride for Nelson and his
first ever WORCS National ATV Championship. Nelson
will be strong in 2009 for sure.
#3 Beau Baron - "Cinderella
story" Beau Baron, another former National
caliber bike motocross racer, and current test
rider for Honda Motorcycles has made a move this
year and will be riding for the Mike Cafro’s
MCR Racing team out of southern California. Baron,
who had a win at Hollister this year, showed constant
consistency (say that 3x’s fast) and proved
to the ATV world that he can run with the boys
as well. I expect Baron to put in some good rides
for 2009.
#4 Brandon Smith- "Too
tall", unfortunately we won’t see Smith
this year. Brandon will be competing in the AMA
Pro ATV Motocross National tour back east with
Jeremy Lawson on the new Motoworks / Can-Am East
team. We wish Brandon the best of luck as he chases
the AMA Pro ATV Championship and will miss him
in the WORCS series.
#5 Doug Eichner - "Mr.
WORCS” need I say more? This man is by far
the all time winningest ATV WORCS rider, something
like 32 Pro wins to his credit and counting. Doug
will be the first to admit his 2008 season was
not his best, but don’t count him out. He
has his program back, the new Polaris is dialed
in and I would think Doug will give Josh a run
right out of the gate when Rd#1 comes around.
#6 Mike Machado - "Macho
Man", I’m still trying to come up with
a nickname for this guy. After an ugly get off
in Washougal 2 years ago, Mike made his return
last year on his Holz Racing Honda 450R, he was
one of two riders that completed the whole season
without a DNF, DNS or DNQ and finished strong
enough to grab the #6 plate. Good luck this year
Machado.
#7 Robbie Mitchell - "Mr.
Quiet/Holeshot". Robbie will return to the
DATS Kawasaki ATV Racing Team, Robbie is a strong
starter and charges quick, if he can pick up his
pace for the full new 2 hour race time, he could
just see a few podiums if not wins as well. Robbie
still looking for that first win and he has the
potential to do it. Look for the DATS / Kawasaki
/ Maxxis rider to launch off the pad at Phoenix.
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