Ricky Dietrich took over the lead on the second lap of the third round of the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) on March 22 and proceeded to ride the tough Lake Havasu course like it was a freeway, gapping the field and winning his second race in three tries this season.
Dietrich’s victory netted him 30 championship points and moved him to second in the title chase, just six behind point leader Mike Brown.
Close behind Dietrich for much of the race was the surprising Taylor Robert. Robert, who dominated the Pro 2 class last season, was racing as Pro 1 for only the third time in his career. Robert finished a strong second for his second podium finish in three tries.
Brown came into round three with the points lead after decisively winning the second round, but the best he could do in this one was third and had to overcome a poor start to get to the podium.
Fourth place fell again to Tim Weigand, who has finished fourth in every single WORCS race so far this season. Defending WORCS Champion Bobby Bonds had an off day. Riding in pain from a broken “throttle thumb,” Bonds hit the ground often before charging back through the field for a 10th-place finish. Former WORCS Champion Nathan Woods, who came to Havasu second in points, hit the ground at the end of the first hour and was knocked out. Woods remounted and motored into the pits, groggy and in pain, unable to finish the race.
