FMF/RPM/KTM- WORCS Round 5 Report

This past weekend the team headed south for round 5 of WORCS at Speedworld
MX, and we walked away with great success. "I really can't say enough great things about our team and how lucky I am to have such a well-functioning program. The 2012 season has already been such a pleasure for myself and the riders as we begin to head into the second half of the racing season." Says team-owner Mike Hurlbert.

Our Pro racer, Josh Strang, was a team player this weekend traveling with us to help out and cheer on the team. Strang hopped on the bike for Unclassified to get some seat time in, but found himself mentally prepared to race. On Saturday we prepped the bike, geared up and prepared his gate for the Pro race. To no surprise, he scored an excellent start and kept a fair pace, testing his speed and fitness. " I just went out to help and hang out. I went out to practice and we figured I might as well start somewhere getting back into the program. I got a great start on Saturday and felt like I had good speed, but my fitness wasn't there 100% yet. It's so much fun being able to race again!" Exclaimed Strang.

Strang went on to finish 9th overall on his Scott Christensen-prepared KTM on Saturday and played it safe on Sunday while finishing the last weeks of healing and rehabilitation. "We are sure glad to have Josh back. He loves this sport like all of us on the team do. I am confident Josh will get back to winning this year," explained Mike Hurlbert. 

In what is was one of the hottest weekends yet, Martinez was forced to battle extremely high temps, ranging from 95-105 degrees all weekend. Martinez lined up with the end goal in mind. Off the start Martinez moved into 2nd place behind fellow KTM rider Elizibeth Bash, and was on the move. By lap two, Martinez had a 3-second lead, and as she came around, she made it clear she needed to pit to cool her body down. She slowed down her pace to survive the heat, and it turned out the competition from behind was doing the same thing; allowing her to win her first WORCS Women's Pro race of the year.  "I'm so proud of Kacy. She is working very hard to win her 4th championship in a row. It's a delicate balance to stay consistent and win a championship, versus taking a little risk to win. Kacy has the wisdom to do what it takes." said Mike Hurlbert.

I'm very happy about my win! I can't believe how long it took, but I finally got it done. I want to thank FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis and all our sponsors as well as my boyfriend Travis Coy, and my mom and dad for all their support. And of course a special thanks to Rodney and Lori Smith." Martinez went on to say after her finish.

Martinez now sits 12 points ahead of Tatum Sik in the chase for the championship.

Travis Coy was able to kick off Saturday's racing with ease as he took 3rd in the 450 A class behind Justin Seeds and Cooper Hall. Ivan Ramirez didn't find the same luck in 450A as Coy, but instead lined up for Open A and swept the class for the overall win, moving on to Sunday's Pro 2 race.

Sunday the temperatures rose and racers in all ranks experienced their hydration deplete. Both Coy and Ramirez prepared themselves best they could and began to battle the heat off the start. Coy had a great start coming around the first lap in 3rd. Over the next roughly two hours, Coy put forth a top 5 performance and currently sits 4th in points just behind Justin Seeds.

Ivan Ramirez spent much of his energy in Pro 2 working his way up from a mid-pack start. Surviving the heat and the course, Ramirez was able to garner a solid 5th place. Now the pressure is on from Husqvarna rider Cory Graffunder as he sits just one point away from Ramirez in the Pro 2 standings.