WORCS SXS Pro Race Report • Round 4 • The Orleans
Wittmann, AZ (4/19/2019) – Pro Motorsports’ driver Matt Hancock came into the WORCS racing weekend at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas with two goals: finish both races and save some points. He did both on WORCS’ shortest track and kept himself well in contention for both the Pro and Pro Stock SXS championships, finishing eighth in both races.
Matt elected to run Polaris’ single seat RZR RS1 in both classes due to the short lap times, narrow track, and the oddball nature of the course. While admitting this wasn’t his favorite venue, he accomplished what he set out to do and now sits second in Pro Stock points and a close fourth in the Pro title chase.
“I knew this track didn’t suit my driving style, so I just went out there to try to save some points,” said Hancock. “I struggled, but I still made it through. It’s kind of frustrating, but we’re going to be ready for Mesquite, get back any points I lost, and make some headway. Everything is so close right now.”
Both races were held back to back. Despite the punishment dished out by the logs, rocks, and tires, as well as the big jumps inside the arena, the Polaris RZR RS1 performed perfectly.
“We ran both classes back to back and didn’t have to change a thing between races,” said Hancock. “The car took quite a punishment so it’s cool to see it stand up to two Pro races right in a row. The car offered a great advantage for me.”
Hancock elected to run Maxxis Ceros tires for the event. He made no changes on his Elka suspension. The combination worked great on the course. The tires gripped well on the combination dirt and pavement surface and the car handled well.
“The Maxxis tires worked great,” said Hancock. “They were ripping on both the dirt and the pavement. We didn’t have a lot of time to make too many changes to the Elka suspension before the race so we elected to run with what we had and worked out great. I just didn’t have the best weekend.”
Hancock is looking forward to getting back to a more traditional venue when the series heads east of Las Vegas to Mesquite MX. The track features a motocross course, along with sand whoops and technical off-road sections Hancock thrives on.
“I’m looking forward to Mesquite,” said Hancock. “A lot of people have issues there, but I’m ready to get back to the off-road track I’m used to. It’s just a matter of going out there and doing it.”
Hancock will be back in action May 17-19 when WORCS holds its fifth round of competition in Mesquite, NV.