Beau Baron Interview: 2008 WORCS Series Pro ATV Racer

#549 Beau Baron - 10 Quick Facts Age: 27 Weight: 190lbs Height: 6'0" Hometown: Atascadero, CA ATV: Suzuki LT-R450 Occupation: Test Rider First ATV: Suzuki LT-R450 Started Racing: 13 Years Old First Year Pro: 2007 Favorite Track: Southwick

Beau Baron is a name that everyone knows that has been following the 2008 WORCS ATV Series, but this wasn’t the case at the beginning of the 2008 season. Beau Baron racing career began as a pro bike racer, but in November of 2007, Beau borrowed a friend’s Suzuki LT-R450 to race at the final round of the WORCS Series at Taft and amazingly, Beau nearly scored a Podium finish in the Pro ATV Class with a 4th place finish.

Over the winter, Beau decided to put his Pro motorcycle career on hold for a year and explore racing a full year in the WORCS Pro ATV Class on a Suzuki LT-R450, which was a hard decision for Beau considering he has spent the past ten years of his life focused on racing motorcycles.

With the final round of the 2008 WORCS Series just one week away, it appears that Beau Baron has made the right decision because he is now running 3rd in the points and with in striking distance of claiming the 2nd spot to end out the year in rookie year, and along the way Beau has scored several podium finishes including a career first win at the Hollister Hills

ATVriders.com: Congratulations on your incredible success in your first full year of racing ATVs in the WORCS ATV Series, and how has the transition been from racing motorcycles to ATVs been? Also, any strong or weak points?
Beau Baron: Getting into the ATV scene was a little overwhelming at first because I had no idea what to expect about any of it. Nor did I have a clue which quad to buy let alone where to start to make a stock quad “race ready” My very first race in Taft was on a bone stock LTR450 and when I got my own quad I only had FOX suspension and a steering stabilizer for my first few races. I am still learning and I usually add something new to my quad each time I race.

I think the fact that I didn’t know what to expect actually helped me. I guess because I was not expecting anything at all. I was relaxed and doing it for fun, No pressure. I did well early on and now I have more confidence than I have had about racing in a long time. It is good.

Getting support has been the hardest part about switching to ATV’s. I am slowly acquiring sponsor support, but for the most part, I am doing this all on my own, BUYING all my own quads and parts, borrowing a trailer and relying on my parents for a motorhome to get me to and sleep in at the races.

I guess I just have to stay focused on doing well and giving it my best until someone helps me out. It is getting kind of discouraging because I know I could be a big asset to any of the manufacturers but I am running out of money which makes it hard to keep going on my own.

Beau Baron raced a nearly stock 2007 Suzuki LT-R450 for most of the season with only some minor mods. Beau added Fox Racing shocks front and rear, Maxxis tires & Hiper Wheels, Fasst Flexx Bars, and required nerf bars, kill switch. Beau didn't even have an aftermarkert exhaust till several rounds in to the season when Dr. D provided him with an exhaust system, but otherwise Beau's engine is stock and his A-Arms, swingarm, steering stem, axle, and etc.. are all stock. The only other change Beau made was switch to a 2008 LTR450 half way through the season because it has more power and many upgrades over the 2007 model year.

ATVriders.com: Have you ever raced in the WORCS series when you raced bikes, and what do you think of the WORCS Series this year on an ATV?
Beau Baron: I raced WORCS on a dirt bike and I was alright, but I was never in competition for the title. This year’s series is good. I like the race schedule with about one race per month and the tracks have been great. The WORCS team does a great job putting on the events and I just like the series.

Beau Baron earned his 1st WORCS Pro ATV Class win at Hollister Hills

ATVriders.com: Tell us a little bit about your first win in the WORCS series this year at Hollister Hills?
Beau Baron: I couldn’t be happier with the fact that I won. In every one of these races I just try to keep going and ride strong for the whole race and whatever happens to everyone else happens and hopefully I will be in the right spot to capitalize on whatever opportunity presents itself. That day was a perfect example of how my hard work and determination came together in the best possible way.

ATVriders.com: You made history this year at the WORCS series 1st ever ATV WORCS X-cross taking the win ,how did you like that event?
Beau Baron: That event was a lot of fun. The X-cross track style is really challenging so it kind of “evens out the playing-field” when it comes to the differences in equipment of the riders Because it is so technical, doing well depends more on the rider not making any mistakes than on what kind of power their bike has. I would do it again for sure.

Beau Baron conquered the WORCS X Cross track at Straddeline ORV Park to claim the win over 2008 WORCS Pro ATV Champion, Josh Frederick