Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich took his first holeshot in four years and then checked out on the rest of the field for the next two hours in Lake Havasu, round three of the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS). After setting the fastest lap on Saturday, Dietrich earned the first gate pick for the dead engine start and topped his fast qualifying lap with a series of even faster laps to pull away from the field and win by over a minute by the checkered flag.
“I don’t remember ever having a race go this well from start to finish,” said Dietrich. “My last holeshot was when I was still a teenager; I was more surprised than anyone when my bike lit up on the first kick. I had clean air and a great track and a perfect day.”
Taking second was the defending WORCS Champion, Mike Brown. The KTM/FMF rider rode magnificently from a poor start through the field and up into second during the second hour. He put on a charge to try to catch Dietrich, but it was too late and “Ricky D” was too far ahead to close the gap in the remaining time.
“This was a fun, tough race for sure,” said Brown. “Everyone was riding hard and it was a great course. I chose the 250F because I wanted a lighter machine under me during the second hour in the sand whoops. I think it paid off.”
Third place fell to last round’s winner Kurt Caselli. Caselli, who was also on a KTM 250F for Havasu, was off to a decent start but crashed and lost nearly a minute trying to get his bike to fire. He spent the majority of the two-hour race slicing through the pack to reach the podium. He was closing in on Brown when the final flag flew and stopped his charge.
“I feel great,” said Caselli. “I wanted another 2-3 laps and I might’ve caught my teammate. But I’m happy to stay consistently on the podium and keep my eye on the championship. That’s the way to get the #1 plate in this series: stay consistent, finish every race and win when you can.”
Valli Motorsports’ Kyle Summers battled his way into fourth after a fierce three-way game of swing-arm tag between himself, Brown, Gary Sutherlin and Robby Bell at the mid-point of the race. Fifth went to Kawasaki’s Justin Soule, who also fought his way into the top five after an off-track excursion left him to ride most of the race with an injured knee.
Caselli’s focus is working so far, he has finished 3-1-3 in the first three rounds to lead the points chase with 65 points over Dietrich who holds a 5-3-1 record and 61 points. His Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Justin Soule sits third with 49 points ahead of defending champion Mike Brown with 45 points.
Havasu WORCS Results:
1. Ricky Dietrich (Kaw)
2. Mike Brown (KTM)
3. Kurt Caselli (KTM)
4. Kyle Summers (Yam)
5. Justin Soule (Kaw)
6. Robby Bell (Kaw)
7. Gary Sutherlin (Kaw)
8. Colton Udall (Hon)
9. Nathan Woods (Hbg)
10. Chris Johnson (Suz)
