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Lake Havasu, AZ (March 26, 2018) – Defending series champion and RM Army off-road racer Gary Sutherlin finished 5th overall after an impressive charge through the pack after a mid-race wheel change aboard his Hatch Racing/Thor/Wayside Lumber/Yoshimura/Suzuki at the third round of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS).

From a dead engine start Sutherlin piloted his bike to a 3rd place result as the riders rounded the first corner. At the start of lap two Sutherlin made a pass for 2nd on Justin Seeds. Sutherlin continued to charge forward in the hot and rough Havasu conditions pulling a small gap on the 3rd place rider. Shortly before the halfway point, Sutherlin’s brakes went out. He slowed down to signal his team losing the 3rd place position. When he came in for fuel the team decided not to change the brakes as he would lose too much time. Unfortunately, as he rode off, it was pointed out that his rear wheel had lost many spokes and would need to be replaced.

The team brought Sutherlin in on the next lap where he changed his rear wheel losing approximately two and half minute’s time. Still without brakes he returned to the track in 11th place. For the remaining laps he was able to earn the fastest time each lap as he worked through the field. He averaged around one rider per lap as the race continued eventually moving up to 5th place on the final lap just a few seconds shy of 4th.

“It’s really unfortunate we had the mechanical issues we had today as I felt great on this course,” commented Sutherlin after the race. “Although it’s not the result I wanted, I’m happy I was able to salvage some points and am still in the chase just 7 points back.”

Next Round: WORCS Round 4 – Hurricane, UT – April 28, 2018