David Haagsma Interview:
WORCS & Quad X Series Pro ATV Racer
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MCR
/ Maxxis' #422 David Haagsma |
Bakersfield,
CA (2/17/2011) – ATVRiders.com
was able to catch up with MCR/Maxxis' David Haagsma
following his season kick off in the 2011 WORCS
Racing series at Honolulu Hills. Here are 10 Questions
with Pro ATV Racer, David Haagsma.
ATVRiders.com:
What did you think about the WORCS track at
Taft for the first round?
David Haagsma:
The track was great. It was
very fast and the track stayed together like
it usually does. It was awesome having the first
race at my hometown track for sure.
ATVRiders.com:
Were you excited and do you feel you were ready
going into Round 1?
David Haagsma:
I felt ready and focused for
the first round. I rode a lot with Beau Baron
leading up to Taft and worked with my trainer
Vernie Ogden pretty hard non-stop
ATVRiders.com:
Your teammate Beau Baron had an issue on the
first lap. Were you aware he was having problems?
David Haagsma:
I actually passed him in the
beginning of the race and thought something
was wrong because he wasn't riding as hard as
he usually does. At that point there was nothing
I could do to help him, so I started pushing
my own pace to keep me up front.
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| The
2010 WORCS Pro-Am Champion, David Haagsma,
has made the jump to the Pro Class for
2011 & he will remain on the #422
MCR / Maxxis Honda Team for the WORCS
Series & he will also race in the
Quad X Series along with a few AMA ATV
MX Events |
ATVRiders.com:
Your mechanic, Allan told us you did a lot of
off season riding with Beau. Do you feel like
this has helped your program and will it continue
to help you throughout your season?
David Haagsma:
Yes. Beau is a great teammate.
He is a machine when it comes to fitness and
skill and he never stops and always motivates
me to keep going.
ATVRiders.com:
You ran down Dillon Zimmerman and were gaining
on Josh Row but were unable to make the pass.
Where do you see yourself at their level with
Dillon having one and Josh having two years
now under their belts in the Pro class?
David Haagsma:
Those guys are definitely fast
and I feel I'm close. If I could change one
thing about my program, it would be my starts.
It makes it a lot easier to run up front when
you have clean air and don't have to come through
the pack and race through a bunch of guys.
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| Monster
Energy's David Haagsma will ride a Honda
TRX 450R for all the races in 2011 instead
of switching to the Kawasaki KFX450R for
motocross as he did in 2010 |
ATVRiders.com:
Allan told us you were riding a 2005 Honda last
year and now are on the newer model with the
different transmission. Do you notice a difference
in the '08?
David Haagsma:
Yes, the newer Honda seems
to shift a lot smoother than the '05. I prefer
the transmission in the newer models. First
gear isn't too tall, so it doesn't really stall
in the technical sections. I'm very happy with
it.
ATVRiders.com:
We know you ride for MCR (Mike Cafro Racing)
in the WORCS series. Do you plan on attending
any ATV MX Nationals back east this year?
David Haagsma:
I plan on doing the entire Quad
X series this year with my own program through
H&M Motorsports and select AMA MX Nationals
back east. I will be riding the Honda TRX450R
in all three series and I think this will help
with my transition with switching back and forth
from Off-road to Motocross I want to eventually
get back there and continue my full efforts
in MX as well.
ATVRiders.com:
Everyone likes to hear what Pro's do in their
off time. What are some of you hobbies?
David Haagsma:
I have way too many hobbies.
I always like staying busy. My main hobbies
are RC cars and BMX. Right now, I mess with
the RC cars as BMX is a little risky during
the season.
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| Sparks
Racing's David Haagsma finished 8th at
the WORCS opening round & Round 2
of the WORCS Series is set for February
26-27th in Primm, NV |
ATVRiders.com:
Were you happy with your performance in only
your third Pro ATV event at Honolulu Hills,
and do you think you can better your round one
8th place finish in the upcoming rounds?
David Haagsma:
I wasn't happy with the 8th
place. I know I can do better and I hope that
was my worst of the year and I can throw it
away for points. I've worked really hard in
the off season and I know I can run up front
with those guys. I just need to stay focused
and continue to put in the hard work it takes
to be up there.
ATVRiders.com:
Thanks for doing this with us, who would you
like to thank?
David Haagsma:
First off, I have to thank my
Mom & Dad as they are huge backers of my
ATV program. Without their support, I would
not be where I am today. It takes an army of
people to have a successful racing program.
I would like to thank my mechanic/team manager
Allan McCostlin who puts in countless hours
at the shop and making this happen. Mike Cafro
for doing all the work on my Honda's and making
my WORCS program a success. Jason Reed with
JR Publications who handles all my sponsors,
gear, helmets and any other rep issues with
my career. Maxxis, HP Dairy, H&M Motorsports,
Monster Energy, Elka, O'Neal, Curtis Sparks
Racing, Roll Design, Rockwell Watches, Streamline
Brakes, Sunstar Sprockets, ATVRiders.com, Works
Connection, Hinson Clutches, FASST, ODI grips,
Personal Edge Fitness, Maxima Oils, Leatt, Quadtech
& Gaerne. Their all top notch and give me
100% support always.
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