WORCS ROUND 4 & 5 | GLEN HELEN

SEPT 18-20

Round 4 & 5 of WORCS at Glen Helen was a true test to our team. The double header weekend demanded a lot from our mechanics and riders. With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, it made for a weekend of survival on all accounts. Intensity filled the pits of anxiousness and stress for what the return of WORCS would bring.  

Saturday was intense as Tyler and Mason would both have to qualify into their pro races and race the pro race in the same day. Both riders chose to conserve in the qualifier and use it as a good practice to see how the track would develop. Tyler and Mason would earn themselves a spot for the pro race. Essentially it was a direct repeat for the Sunday program as well. Tyler of course put on a dominant performance both days and mason would also show shear grit and strength both days. Mason finished a lot stronger for round 5 of racing pushing through some unexpected adversity most of the weekend. 

Justin Seeds has really been finding his mental again and is enjoying the process a bit more than usual. This has allowed him to ride more like the Justin we know he is. He looked great in practice all day and when we got to the pro race it was evident he had the speed again, but didn't get the chess pieces in place to be at the front. Sunday, however, he came back with a vengeance and put it together a bit better to gain one more position up than Saturday. 

Sharon Mowell struggled to adapt to the high speed track that the WORCS crew put together for both rounds. Being her first year in GP, she is still learning the ropes with finding comfort at the high speeds that this track demanded from the riders. She showed consistency no doubt, but found herself in the back of the pack all weekend. 

TYLER LYNN

1-1

PRO 2 LITES

Tyler took the bull by the horns and pushed through the drama we had before the summer break and came out on top with a 1-1 finish for round 4 and 5. A total domination to the class and proved a point as to why he is supposed to be leading the championship. 

 In his words- "Saturday, Pro race I got off to another great start that put me in a really good position right off the bat. I made a pass before the off-road section that would put me right behind the leader. I didn’t rush anything and waited for the pass to come to me. Shortly after the opportunity presented itself and with the leader taking an outside line and I charged the inside and was able to pinch him off and make a clean pass. After that I just tried hitting my marks and riding a smooth consistent race.

Sunday, Pro Race I quickly put in a charge to stay with that top group so when the time came I could make the passes I needed too. Coming into the pro section the first lap was very hectic. There was pro 2 riders stuck everywhere. I took a risky move that would either pay off greatly or bite me hard. Ended up getting the tail end of that deal and it put me back into 8th pro 2 lights the first lap. I was able to make some ground up pretty quickly and caught that lead group again. Coming into the pro section on lap 3 I was put on the same situation as lap 1. This time I was able to make it work on my favor and came out of it in the lead. After that I struggled to find a flow once again, but was still able to bring home the round 5 win in Pro 2 lights. I was able to gain some very valuable points back for the championship. 

MASON OTTERSBERG

5-3

PRO 2

Mason suffered the same drama before the summer break as Tyler and we know he carried some aggression into this round to prove a point. We could tell he was eager to get on top again to fight for the championship he was leading. This weekend he fought through some adversity with a loss of rear brakes and pushed to a podium nearly racing 95% of the race with front brakes only.

In his words- "Coming into this round I had some nerves. I really wanted to bring home some wins and fight for my championship I had lost the lead to at round 3. For some reason I just was off on Saturday and couldn't seem to figure it out and settled for 5th. I felt like my lines and speed just weren't on par with what I was used to.

Sunday I woke up feeling much better about the day. I was beat from Saturday, but seemed to have a lot more energy and excitement. I came out hard and fought for 2nd after getting help up in the pro section on the first lap. A few laps later I lost rear breaks and couldn't hold my pace. Once I learned how to race the bike that way my pace came back and rode to a 3rd place just second of the 2nd place guy." 

CAITLYN KURTZ 3-2

WOMEN'S A

Caitlyn Kurtz is one of our next rising riders. She has been on the podium nearly every round this year. Each round showing more talent than the last. Her drive and mindset is pure with determination to get better. We are proud of her effort and look forward to promoting her progression as the year goes on.

In her words- "For Saturday's round 4 race, I was up for the first race of the day in the Women's A class.  I got a decent start settling into 2nd.  On the 2nd lap I got passed by Lecksi Rising for 3rd.  I kept the pressure on and stayed right with her in a great battle for 2nd.  On the next to last lap I got right on her back tire and felt that I had enough time to make a pass.  On the last lap before I had a chance to charge for the pass we came up on a huge bottleneck at the entrance of a narrow canyon with no way to get around.  We were at a full stop and we even had a little conversation before we were able to get going again.  Once we took back off, Lecksi got a good jump on me and I just wasn't able to get the momentum going to get in position for a pass so I ended up finishing 3rd on the day.  It was a really good race and the battle between Lecksi and I for 2nd made the race that much more fun.

On Sunday I lined up again for the 1st race of the day for round 5 Women A.  Once again I got off to a good start settling into 2nd by the 2nd turn.  Once again, on the 2nd lap I got passed for 3rd, this time by Rylee Bryan.  We battled hard for about a lap before I was able to make a solid charge and pass her back.  Once I got back into 2nd I just put my head down and put in a sprint lap to make some distance between Rylee and me.  After that I just focused on staying smooth and not make any mistakes.  Again, Round 5 was a blast and the battle this race with Rylee kept it fun as well.  I still have my struggles but I feel I am making improvements every race so I am happy with how I am progressing!"

JUSTIN SEEDS

7-6

PRO

Justin is making good strides again in his program. He has focused a lot on taking the unnecessary pressure off his shoulders. It has allowed him to rider looser and flow more on the bike than he has in a while. He still has a ways to go, but we look forward to helping him finish the year strong.  

In his words: " Round 4 Didn’t start off very well off the gate getting pitched off. After that I tried to put my head down and move forward.  The track was fast and I just couldn’t find a good pace and had to settle for 7th.

Round 5 I was able to get a better start but coming in to the second corner I hooked a edge and went off the track and had to come from the back. After a few mistakes in the pro section I was able to move my way up to 6th. And stay there for the rest of the race. unfortunately didn’t have the pace for the front guys and hoping to get some training in before the next race and improve my finishes."

SHARON MOWELL 

6-6

WOMEN'S PRO 

Sharon Mowell is still learning the GP style and used these two rounds as some builders. Finishing 6-6 on the weekend wasn't ideal, but necessary for her growth as an up-incoming Women's GP pro. 

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