Factory FMF/KTM’s Taylor Robert wins again at round eight of the World Off-Road Championship Series at Glen Helen Raceway.
Factory FMF/KTM’s Taylor Robert doesn’t race every round of the Rocky Mountain MX World Off-Road Championship Series, but when he does, and when that round is at Glen Helen Raceway, Robert is very hard to beat.
Robert scored his fourth consecutive Glen Helen WORCS win Sunday, during round eight of the series presented by Motoworks and Dirt Bike Magazine, at the fabled Southern California venue that is also home to a round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
Heat was a major factor in the Glen Helen event as race-time temperatures reached a sweltering 111 degrees Farenheit. Naturally, the heat made the course extremely dusty, which made visibility and passing all the more difficult. Props are due the Glen Helen track staff, which rolled the water truck constantly in an effort to keep the dust to a minimum.
Robert was up to the challenge of the tough racing conditions. Getting off the start second, behind RPM/KTM’s Justin Jones, Robert hung behind Jones on the opening laps before making a bid for the lead on lap two, where Robert posted the fastest time of the race and began building his lead. Jones was looking good until he snapped a chain, which ruined his chances for a podium finish.
Robert held the lead to the finish to secure his fourth straight win at Glen Helen. Moreover, he has won every WORCS race in which he has competed over the last two years.
Reigning WORCS champion Robby Bell gained some valuable points with a runner-up finish aboard his Monster Energy/THR Motorsports/Precision Concepts Kawasaki at Glen Helen. Bell charged his way past Jones for second place on lap four but was not able to challenge Robert for the win. The runner-up finish marked Bell’s sixth podium finish of the 2014 WORCS season.
NTS KTM rider and series points leader Gary Sutherlin finished third to keep his 2014 WORCS Championship hopes right on schedule. Sutherlin is still recovering from a broken his collarbone, which he had plated, and was suffering from the effects of a cold during the Glen Helen race weekend.
Sutherlin had a tough row to hoe, as he tangled with former JCR Honda Baja star Tim Weigand and dropped to the rear of the field on the opening lap. However, he quickly charged back through the pack and into the top five by the end of the first lap. Sutherlin would make his way to third place before the checkered flag. For the second time this year the 2013 BAJA 1000 Champion, Colton Udall, finished fourth in a WORCS event. Precision Concept’s Justin Seeds completed the top five.
RPM/KTM’s Travis Coy clinched the Pro 2 Championship, and Maxxis’ Michael Del Fante clinched the Pro 2 Lites Championship at Glen Helen, although neither man won his class. Husqvarna’s Justin Morgan claimed his first Pro 2 win of the season after taking over the lead on the second lap. Blayne Thompson secured his third Pro 2 Lites win of the season as took over the lead in lap one and held it to the checkered flag for the win.
The 2014 Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series Presented by Motoworks and Dirt Bike heads to Buffalo Bill’s Casino and Resort in Primm, Nevada, for the season finale October 17-19.
Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series Presented by Motoworks and Dirt Bike
Glen Helen Raceway
San Bernardino, California
Results: September 14, 2014 (Round 8 of 9)
Pro
1. Taylor Robert-KTM
2. Robby Bell-Kaw
3. Gary Sutherlin-KTM
4. Colton Udall-Hon
5. Justin Seeds-Kaw
Rocky Mountain MC World Off-Road Championship Series Pro Points Standings (After 8 of 9 rounds)
1. Gary Sutherlin-181/5 wins
2. Robby Bell-164/1 win
3. Justin Jones-136
4. Justin Seeds-121
5. Eric Yorba-109
Pro 2
1. Justin Morgan-Hus
2. Travis Coy-KTM*
3. David Broderick-KTM
4. Starr Savage-KTM
5. Erik King-Kaw
*Clinched 2014 class championship
Pro 2 Lites
1. Blayne Thompson-Hon
2. Michael Del Fante-Yam*
3. Noah Kepple-KTM
4. Schuyler Schoonmaker
5. Travis Damon-Hon
*Clinched 2014 class championship
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