9/21/2010
MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI’S DIETRICH PUTS IN IMPRESSIVE RIDE AT GLEN HELEN WORCS
Irvine, Calif. – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich finished on the podium and kept his championship hopes alive during a hot and demanding WORCS race at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif. Teammate Justin Soulè also put in a good ride to finish with a solid fourth, while Destry Abbott’s day ended early with a mechanical issue. Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Ryan Abbatoye ran away with the Pro 2 win and sealed up his first career championship in the class.
Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent
Podium Finish
Dietrich put in a great ride, pushing his way up from ninth on the first lap to within 15 seconds of the leader with 30 minutes left. Unfortunately, just as he had the leader in sight, he was involved in a crash with the third place rider. He got up and was still able to finish third for the day.
“The crash pretty much took the wind out of my sails,” said Dietrich. “I knew I hit my head pretty good so I didn’t want to do anything stupid and just bring it home in third. I felt like the crash was pretty deliberate, but I got up quickly to make sure I didn’t lose any more positions.”
Still In The Mix
Even though Dietrich’s day didn’t go as he had hoped, he is still in the mix for the championship with one round left.
“For me, this last round is for all or nothing,” said Dietrich. “I really don’t have anything to lose at this point and I’m going to be training my butt off over the next month to make sure I have done everything I needed to do for the win.”
Keeping Up The Good Showing
With only one result outside the top-five, Soulè continued to prove he could put in consistent finishes. He got a great start and was in fifth after the first lap, eventually settling into fourth with no one immediately in front or behind him.
“It was a pretty boring race for me since I didn’t have any one right behind me and I couldn’t see the pack in front of me,” said Soulè. “I did get a little dehydrated toward the end, but my lead over fifth was good enough that I could back down my pace and finish fourth.”
Early Day
Abbott’s day didn’t go as planned and had to retire early with a mechanical issue.
“I finally feel a lot better after everything that I have been through, but I wasn’t able to show it off today,” said Abbott. “It was one of those weird things where everything was fine all day Saturday and on the parade lap, but something went wrong during the race. That’s racing. Hopefully I can put together a good race for the final in Mesquite.”
The Pro 2 Champ
With one round still left this year, Abbatoye was able to lock up his first-career Pro 2 championship with a dominating win in the class. He sat patiently in second until he took over the lead on the third lap.
“It feels really good to finally get the championship,” said Abbatoye. “I’ve been working hard and feel like I deserve it. I have had ups and downs this year with my wrist injury. It’s a little bit of a relief to get it early too. Now I get to move up to Pro for the final race.”
Since 2004
When Dietrich earned the Pro 2 championship in 2004, Kawasaki’s Team Green program began a stranglehold on the title. Abbatoye became the seventh consecutive Team Green rider to win the Pro 2 championship.
Mesquite MX Park
The final race of the year brings the series to Mesquite MX Park in Mesquite, Nev., just an hour north of Las Vegas. The course offers a short motocross track and good portions of off-road that will challenge the riders desert racing abilities.
“The track is actually pretty fun,” said Abbatoye. “It has a little bit of everything like sand whoops, rocks, hard pack, soft stuff. I’m looking forward to it because it will be my first pro race.”
Results
World Off Road Championship Series
Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, Calif.
September 19, 2010
Pro Results
1. Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn., KTM
2. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM
3. RICKY DIETRICH, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
4. JUSTIN SOULE, RENO, NEV., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
5. Bobby Garrison, Hesperia, Calif., Husqvarna
6. Colton Udall, San Clemente, Calif., Honda
7. Brenden Ritzman, Port Orchard, Wash., KTM
8. Kevin Rookstool, Klamath Falls, Ore., KTM
9. Nathan Woods, Paso Robles, Calif., Husaberg
10. GARY SUTHERLIN, SUN CITY, ARIZ., KAWASAKI
Pro Standings
1. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM, 201
2. RICKY DIETRICH, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 195
3. Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn., KTM, 171
4. JUSTIN SOULE, RENO, NEV., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 159
5. Colton Udall, San Clemente, Calif., Honda, 115
6. Bobby Garrison, Hesperia, Calif., Husqvarna, 112
7. GARY SUTHERLIN, SUN CITY, ARIZ., KAWASAKI, 106
8. Nathan Woods, Paso Robles, Calif., Husaberg, 95
9. ROBBY BELL, SUN CITY, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 84
10. JONATHAN DAVIS, MARTINEZ, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 78
News Courtesy of Kawasaki.com
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