WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY CONNOR MOORE
J
ust one week into the new
year, and the Rocky Moun-
tain ATV-MC WORCS
Championship is already
underway. The series returned
to Honolulu Hills for round one.
A stark contrast from the final
round here last year, racers
were greeted by cold weather
and a sprinkling of rain that
kept the dust down and the dirt
tacky, yielding some amazing
lap times. When all was said
and done, Dare Demartile,
aboard the Liqui Moly Beta
Factory 480 RR, began his
season on the right foot after
claiming his first career 450cc
Pro WORCS victory. Last year,
Demartile had four starts with
two third-place finishes, one
fourth and one second, result
-
ing in an eighth place in the
final 450cc Pro-class Champi-
onship. He's obviously aiming
higher for 2024.
In the 250cc Pro class,
motocrosser and newcomer
to the series Brock Bennett
showcased his versatility by
taking the win.
In the 450 Pro race, the top
five were battling, and there
were multiple lead changes
during the two-hour moto on
what was a cold and breezy
Sunday afternoon. Ryan Sur
-
ratt (Honda) shot out of the
gate, grabbing the holeshot
in front of Trevor Stewart and
Tyler Lynn.
Stewart, aboard his Purvines
Racing Yamaha, got ahead of
Surratt, who was struggling
with arm pump and a com
-
plaining shoulder from a past
injury. Surratt would hold on
but ultimately had to settle for
fourth place.
Demartile, meanwhile, had a
rough start, as he was left be-
hind in fifth place, but it didn't
faze him a bit, as he started
to charge through the field.
He and his Beta made quick
work of the field, getting behind
Stewart at the halfway point,
which seemed to come quickly.
Stewart and Demartile went
into the pits for fuel nearly
nose-to-tail, but an ultra-quick
refill by his new mechanic (his
father) pushed Demartile into
first as they left the pits nearly
side by side.
ROUND 1 / JANUARY 6-7, 2024
HONOLULU HILLS / TAFT, CALIFORNIA
OFF-ROAD I ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV-MC WORCS CHAMPIONSHIP
P78
LIQUI MOLY
BETA'S DARE
DEMARTILE
SCORES MAIDEN
WIN AT WORCS
OPENER
DEMARTILE
BREAKS THROUGH
