Pala, CA (7/19/2013)
-
Nic Granlund tops a field totaling over 50 UTV's at the WORCS Series Round 6 at Pala Raceway in Southern California to capture the #1 spot in Pro SxS. As the sun rose on a beautiful Friday morning for practice, daylight revealed to many WORCS competitors the toughest track of 2013 series. Pala brought to the field of competitors a truly Motocross inspired track. For Nic Granlund though, this looked like home.
 |
WORCS SxS / UTV Pro Production Podium (left to right)
Pablo Veglia (3rd), Nic Grandlund (1st), Ryan Picplic (2nd) |
Nic has nearly 30 years of Motocross racing under his belt starting with 2 wheels then transitioning to ATV's where Nic went on to earn many ATV racing National Championships. After this WORCS win, his recent win in The Dirt Series and with only 18 months competing in his UTV, it is clear that Nic is quickly adapting to Pro SxS racing.
 |
Nic Granlund earned his first win of the season in the WORCS SxS Pro Production Class at Pala Racway in his Polaris RZR XP 900 SxS / UTV |
The Pala track was basically 2 sections, one Motocross style & the other a Desert style section. Each section presented unique challenges that Granlund knew he would have to dial in. While working with the great team at Yoshimura, Granlund was able to fine tune the engine of his Polaris XP900. The Fox Shox Factory Trackside Support Team was on hand to help Granlund dial in the perfect settings on his Fox Podium 2.5 racing Shox.
While Granlund 's Pit Crew was dialing in the perfect air pressure for his STI 27" Roctane XD tires mounted on STI 14" HD Beadlock Wheels, Nic topped off the fluids on his XP900 with the right amount of Torco Racing Oil. The folks at Cognito Motorsports make such great suspension products, very little had to be done to prep Granlund’s Cognito A arms for the many double jumps and brutal Desert section the Pala track was sure to unleash.
Nic Granlund being a true racer at heart, could not resist racing his Yamaha YFZ450R Quad on this WORCS designed Pala Raceway track. Nic entered & won the Industry A Quad Class just 2 hours before strapping into the PRP Racing seat of his Polaris RZR XP 900 SxS to challenge 17 other Pro SxS UTV racers, many of whom enjoy full factory support. The Pro SxS class would start with 2 rows of 9, each one starting 1 minute apart. Granlund started in the 2nd row and immediately took the holeshot in the first turn. Nic held that position halfway through the first lap until he would slowly start to improve by passing many other Pro SxS that started on the 1st row.
After Lap 1 Granlund was heading back into the Motocross section and an intense series of 3 double jumps that Granlund used to pass another SxS. Granlund now found himself in 6th physically on the racecourse. Granlund settled in and comfortably gained more time in the motocross section. He did so by powering through obstacles like the rhythm section and massive Step Up jumps with an effortlessly confident style.
As the race continued the brutal course was wreaking havoc on other vehicles with many competitors broken on course or limping around with flat tires.
Granlund was not immune to the brutality of this racecourse and found himself pushing through almost 2 laps with a rear flat tire. As Granlund came into the Pit area, the close community of racers came together. The Pit Crews of other competitors rallied around Nic's RZR and pulled off a NASCAR style pit stop changing his tire in under 2 minutes. Unaware of all those that helped, Granlund would like to graciously thank those that stepped up...you know who you are!
As Granlund re-entered the track he had to pass back many competitors.
Granlund started to set a blazingly fast pace pushing his equipment to the limit to make up for the lost time of a unwanted pit stop. As the final laps were closing in, Granlund had to contend with several lappers. This presented another challenge to him by having to make multiple passes on course in an effort to focus on the shortest overall time he could.
As Granlund started his 6th & final lap, he found himself in 2nd place physically, but on corrected time it was anyone's guess whether Nic Granlund was in 2nd or 1st. Halfway through the last lap, the anxious crowd of spectators had Granlund about 60 seconds behind the 1st Pro SxS on course which started on the 1st row. This meant that it seemed to those watching as if only mere seconds separated 1st and 2nd place. When the checkered flag flew everyone was anxiously waiting for the final call by the WORCS Officials. Granlund sat at the finish with the other top 3 finishers and was very excited about what seemed be a 2nd place finish especially considering the 2 minute pit stop. Granlund was then made aware by his pit crew of the time difference between him & Ryan Piplic. Now Granlund joined the anxious crowd waiting for the final call.
After 15 minutes or so, WORCS Official Tim Shelman grabbed the microphone & Announced 3rd place, Pablo Veglia then pausing for effect knowing that we were all waiting the final call. Tim then announced that with a time difference of only 6 seconds, Ryan Piplic was in 2nd place thus letting the crowd & Granlund know that the top spot on the podium for Pro SxS was proudly in the hands of Nic Granlund. Also worth noting, Nic Granlund laid down the fastest lap times 4 out of 6 laps.
Of course the driving skills of Nic Granlund are key to finishing in the top spot of this or any race, it is also the hard work that takes place long before the race starts that gets any racer to the finish. At the heart of this hard work is the many people & companies that support this effort.
Nic Granlund would like to thank his family for the love and support they provide to Nic's passion for racing. Nic would also like to thank his main pit crew, Mike Geiger and Ted "shred" Kovacevich for the hours and days spent working, tweaking & building a top UTV SxS. The hours spent By Ted shooting and editing the videos and pictures as well Mike Geiger of "Got Tools Racing" for providing the best tools & knowledge anywhere.
Top equipment and support is key. Thanks to all of Nic's great sponsors: Fox Racing Shox, STI Tire and Wheel, Yoshimura Racing, Torco Advanced Lubricants, Cognito Motorsports, Got Tools Racing, Polaris, Motoactiv, Triumph Motorsports, PRP Seats, Summers Brothers Racing.
About WORCS:
WORCS RACING is always working towards bringing off road racing the fame and fortune it deserves. Our mission statement: "...to bring professionalism, integrity, quality, and most of all fun to each and every round, all the while staying true to the family oriented grass roots environment that off road racing is all about. "
www.WORCSRacing.com
