Irvine, Calif. (March 18, 2008) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich and Damon Huffman made it an impressive 2-3 finish during the third round of the WORCS series in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Dietrich finished the day with his second-consecutive podium in second, while teammate Huffman earned his first-career WORCS podium with a third. In the Pro 2 class, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green riders filled up the top-five with Josh Morros earning his first win of the season.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under The Tent

Proving Grounds
Coming off a second-place finish at the Le Tourquet in Argentina, Dietrich, the former WORCS champion, got out front early to claim his second podium finish this year.

“All in all, I had a really good race,” said Dietrich. “I ended up losing my brakes about halfway through so I just rode a comfortable speed to maintain second place. I’m very excited for the next race because it’s not very far from where I grew up. I’m ready to win a race and I feel pretty good about my chances at the next track.”

A Happy Huffman
Huffman might not have gotten the start he wanted but he definitely was happy with the finish. Coming through on the first lap in 15th, Huffman made his way through the group of riders, eventually passing for third on the 15th lap and staying there till the checkers fell.

“I was really happy finishing with my first podium,” said Huffman. “I always seem to take a little bit to get going but I definitely ride my strongest during the second half of the race. Next race is going to be interesting because there will be lots of trees and a good endurocross section. I’ll definitely be drawing my experience at the GNCC.”

“It’s About Time”
After Morros showed great speed during the previous two rounds, the third round was his turn to come out on top.
 
“Yeah, it’s about time, “said Morros. “I got a good start and was able to take over the lead. After going back and forth with Taylor (Roberts), I finally made it stick.”

Feeling Good and Staying Hydrated
Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider Ryan Abbatoye knows how important it is to stay hydrated during a two hour race. He rode strong after a mid-pack start and worked his way up to finish just off the podium in fourth.

“The conditions were a little better this year compared to last year,” said Abbatoye. “The track was still pretty rough but I felt really good during the race. I had fun and was happy to make it up to fourth after getting a bad start.”

Still On Top
With his consistent second-place finish in Havasu, Team Green’s Taylor Roberts remained at the top of the point’s standings in the Pro 2 class.

Damon’s Focus
Preparing for an endurance type race is slightly different than preparing for a supercross. The former supercross champion has shown he can make the necessary changes to do well in a different form of competition.

“There are some similarities,” said Huffman. “Obviously I want to go out there and get the holeshot. But getting motivated for two hours of racing versus a shorter supercross is just different. Knowing what I need to work on and preparing myself for that is important.”

Good Showing
In his first year as a pro, Lanza has been able to be consistent and pull out top-10 finishes. He made an impressive charge to the front during Sunday’s race to finish ninth and sits eighth in the point’s standings.

“My race went pretty good,” said Lanza, who celebrated his 20th birthday on St. Patrick’s Day. “I didn’t crash or anything but I didn’t ride very well in the first few laps. Once I got into a groove I was able to catch back up to the front but overall had a good day.”

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World Off Road Championship Series
Crazy Horse GP Park – Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
March 16, 2007

Pro Class Results
1. Bobby Garrison, Hesperia, Calif., Yamaha
2. RICKY DIETRICH, WINCHESTER, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
3. DAMON HUFFMAN, VALENCIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
4. BOBBY BONDS, MARICOPA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
5. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM
6. Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif., Honda
7. SEAN COLLIER, SAUGUS, CALIF., KAWASAKI
8. Tim Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda
9. JAMIE LANZA, BEAUMONT, CALIF., KAWASAKI
10. Kyle Lewis, Lancaster, Calif., Honda

Pro 2 Class Results
1. JOSH MORROS, SPARKS, NEV., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
2. TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
3. Nick Brozovich, Bayfield, Colo., Suzuki
4. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
5. Jason Parsons, Ridgecrest, Calif., Honda
6. ALEX SMITH, BOULDER CITY, NEV., KAWASAKI
7. Brodie Humphries, St. George, Utah, Suzuki
8. Dillon Kuntz, Victorville, Calif., Honda
9. Justin Jones, Norco, Calif., Honda
10. KALE STATELY, CASA GRANDE, ARIZ., KAWASAKI

Pro Class Points
1. Bobby Garrison, Hesperia, Calif., Yamaha, 74
2. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM, 71
3. RICKY DIETRICH, WINCHESTER, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 57
4. BOBBY BONDS, MARICOPA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 57
5. Kyle Summers, Colorado Springs, Calif., KTM, 49
6. DAMON HUFFMAN, VALENCIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 40
7. Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 37
8. JAMIE LANZA, BEAUMONT, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 31
9. Tim Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda, 31
10. SEAN COLLIER, SAUGUS, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 28

Pro 2 Class Points
1. TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN, 85
2. Nick Brozovich, Bayfield, Colo., Suzuki, 71
3. JOSH MORROS, SPARKS, NEV., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN, 60
4. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN, 50
5. Brodie Humphries, St. George, Utah, Suzuki, 44
6. Corey Floyd, Snohomish, Wash., Yamaha, 36
7. Jonathan Davis, Martinez, Calif., Suzuki, 32
8. KALE STATELY, CASA GRANDE, ARIZ., KAWASAKI, 26
9. BRETT SAUNDERS, AGOURA HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 25
10. Ian Blythe, Sedalia, Colo., Yamaha, 24