Later, the two turned over the business operations to Adam Cameron so they could focus on developing other ways to help racers. And in 2001, the World Off-Road Championship Series was born. Designed to be a safe venue in a closed-course format, the West Coast racing series was built for the racers with a goal of declaring the fastest racer in the nation. In '03, ATVs were added with only two classes and used the same course as the motorcycles. As the ATV entries increased, so did the classes.Ten classes were added by the second year.
By the third year the series had grown so much the ATVs were broken off from the motorcycles to a separate weekend at the same track but with an entirely different course layout. The series has now grown to be the largest ATV racing series on the West Coast and is still expanding.
The diverse locations challenge the racers to the fullest, requiring them to equally master the hot, dusty Arizona and Nevada deserts and the muddy, wooded country of Washington and Utah. The tracks are a combination of technical motocross, with a desert or cross-country style section adjoined. It's a basic grand-prix layout, but the course is usually shorter (an average of five miles). This makes for a more fan-friendly environment because the riders are regularly in sight.
Brandon Brown
The Hamels continued to run the series and watch it grow until 2004, when Dave sold off the series to current owner Sean Reddish. Coming from racing roots as well, Reddish was a solid candidate for the new ownership of such a hands-on race series. Running the multifaceted WORCS requires the promoter to spend a lot of time preparing for two genres within the series and then be out on the track early to ensure it is watered, groomed and race-ready. And the fun doesn't stop when the gate drops. There are riders to assist, and the innumerable small problems that always arise midway through the race that eventually requires the boss.
The Racers
Naturally, as the ATVs increased in numbers and impact, the pros were even more of a fixture on the series. It's been a one-man show with Team Duncan Racing's Doug Eichner dominating for the past three years. Eichner has been racing the series ever since its ATV inception, and before the WORCS, the seasoned professional raced the nationals on the eastern side of the country and even the Mickey Thompson Series back in the day. Now he is in the thick of the West Coast racing scene that has exploded in the past three years. There are rumors that '06 may be Eichner's last year before retiring, but even if that just ends up being wishful thinking by his competition, his Honda TRX is still the machine to beat.
Marc Spaeth
Hot on Eichner's heels are last year's number-two man and fellow TRX450R racer Brandon Brown and the number-three machine of Josh Frederick. Although Eichner holds the point lead, Frederick got his '06 season off to a good start after winning the first two races of the year and is close behind the defending champion. Behind Frederick sits Brown, and the duo is keeping the pressure on Eichner, so it is possible by the end of the year a new rider will own the number-one plate.
The best part is the new talent erupting on the circuit. These wild cards keep the pack from becoming monotonous and give observers a glimpse of the future. One of the young guns, Logan Holladay, has really emerged as a great racer to watch. Good start, bad start, it doesn't seem to matter. This kid is fast and can really hang up front with the best. Another up-and-coming rider is John Shafe, who has had some good showings, including a podium visit at round four.
The series, overall, has grown by leaps and bounds for ATVs, and it is a really great program-professionally run for racers by racers. The consensus among the racers is any of them with an issue can approach Reddish and address it. On top of his openness, the WORCS staff is very friendly and helpful. The bottom line is that the series is a great family atmosphere-perfect, whether you're a pro or just a Joe starting out racing. And with about 40 different ATV classes, there is something for everyone, maybe you, too.
For a race schedule, results and track profiles, check out www.worcsracing.com.