Bobby Garrison captured his first win of the year at the Pala round of the 2013 WORCS Series. Photography by Harlen Foley.
After a two-month-long break in the series, the 2013 Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS), presented by Motoworks and Dirt Bike Magazine, was back in action at Pala Raceway in Pala, California, July 13-14, and Moose Racing’s Bobby Garrison secured his first win of the year, followed by Precision Concept’s Robby Bell and RPM/KTM’s Justin Jones.
Garrison got off to a slow start after it took more than one kick to get his Kawasaki started, which had him leaving the line while most of the class was already battling for the lead in turn one. Garrison wasted no time working his way through the pack and, by the end of lap one, he had already caught leader Justin Jones. Early in lap two, Garrison took over the point, which he held to the checkered flag.
“Everything went pretty good for me today,” Garrison said. “I did not have that great of a start; I made quick work on the moto track. I caught up to Jones at the end of lap one and had a little battle with him on the moto track. I just tried to do my own thing. These guys rode really good today and pushed me to my limit. I wanted to back it down at times, but really couldn’t. I am pumped to get a win. I’ve been trying all year and finally got it.”
For Garrison, it couldn’t have come at a better time because this WORCS race will most likely be one of Garrison’s last events, because he and his wife are moving to Texas this month. “This is my last WORCS race for a while so I am really happy to be leaving with the win,” said Garrison.
Points leader Robby Bell, once again, struggled to get his Kawasaki to start, and he got off the line just over 10 seconds behind the rest of the class, but in true form, Bell charged his way through the field and into the fourth spot by the end of lap one, and he finally made the pass on Jones to take over the second spot in lap five, but he was never able to challenge Garrison for the lead.
“It was mayhem on the first lap,” Bell said. “The new sections were awesome, but everyone was crazy just trying to figure it out. Guys were going left and right; I even crashed a few times. Finally, around 40 minutes in, I was able to get into second. It was a good race with Bob; he was hauling butt today. I thought I was going to catch him and then he pinned it and laid down a few really fast laps. I tried to match it, but I couldn’t today. I crashed a few times and did as much as I could. Hats off to Bob and Justin. I am stoked on second. I really want to thank my team Precision Concepts, Alamo Alarms, IMS, FMF and everyone that helps me out,” said Bell.
Jones once again claimed the final spot on the podium after holding down the lead in lap one, but his third-place finish currently has Jones holding down the third spot in the points race and with Garrison moving to Texas, it opens for the door for Jones to take over the second spot at the next round at Glen Helen Raceway.
“I had a good start on my RPM KTM,” Jones said. “I tried to lay the pace down early; I ended up getting caught, but I was pretty stoked about all the off-road. It was a really good time. I definitely have to thank RPM KTM, Maxxis Tires, Spanaza Plumbing, FMF and my mechanic Robbie. Also all my friends and family that came out to support me! Look for me at the top of the box next time,” said Jones.
Justin Seeds made a run a Jones for the final podium spot, but ran out of time as he closed the gap. His fourth-place finish now has him just eight points behind Jones, which will make for an exciting points battle between Seeds and Jones in the final three rounds of the season.
All American KTM’s Starr Savage secures his first win of the year in the Pro 2 class, and he is also currently leading the points by a slim five points over Ty Tremaine, who finished in the second spot at Pala Raceway, followed by Brandon Prieto.
“Today started out rough,” Savage said. “I had arm pump and was off pace for the first half. I started to calm down and began to reel those guys in. Eric had issues and I caught and passed Ty and had the win from there. My All American KTM worked awesome today. My bike was prepped perfect and ran like a charm all day.”
Pro 2 Lites class leader, Steve Gibson was back in action at Pala, and he claimed his fifth win of the year after missing Honolulu Hills to attend his prom. Tallon Newman and Tristen Morris rounded out the Pro 2 Lites Podium.
Round seven of the WORCS Series will be held in Devore, California at Glen Helen, August 10-11.
RESULTS
PRO
1. Bobby Garrison (Kaw)
2. Robby Bell (Kaw)
3. Justin Jones (KTM)
4. Justin Seeds (Kaw)
5. Brandon Petersen (Kaw)
PRO 2
1. Starr Savage (KTM)
2. Ty Tremaine (KTM)
3. Brandon Prieto (KTM)
4. Jacob Thompson (Kaw)
5. Tristan Truax (Hon)
PRO 2 LITES
1. Steve Gibson (Kaw)
2. Tallon Newman (Yam)
3. Tristen Morris (Kaw)
4. Thor Amador (KTM)
5. Alex Morgan (Hon)
