Granlund Continues His Win Streak at the WORCS SXS World Finals
- Updated: February 1, 2017
Coming off his winning performance in Parker Arizona two weeks earlier, Nic was ready to debut his new Yamaha YXZ1000R at Round 1 and 2 of the WORCS SXS World Finals. This was a unique event combining stadium short course racing on Saturday and WORCS style off-road racing on Sunday. The driver with the lowest combined score would be crowned champion.
With qualifying cancelled on Friday due to inclement weather, the start was determined in a draw. Nic drew number 13 placing him in row 5 for Saturday’s race. Saturday morning the sun was shining. The track continued to have some muddy sections however the WORCS crew did an incredible job preparing the track for race day.
Nic’s Yamaha YXZ1000R prepared by STV Motorsports had a good start off the line quickly advancing several positions going into turn one. For the next few laps Nic quickly moved up the field and after a close call in the whoops, Nic had to remake a few passes. The leader had moved into first place straight off the start leaving the other racers well and truly behind. By lap 4 Nic moved into 2nd place making moves to close the gap. Thanks to the competition yellow on lap 5, the field was re-stacked anxiously awaiting the restart.
When the green flag dropped, Nic jumped onto the leader’s rear bumper and for the next several laps was pressuring for the lead. The track still had spots of mud and having used all his tear-offs, his vision was challenged. Yet, Nic continued to push on. Entering the last lap, Nic was mere inches away from the leader and not wanting to cause a collision, Nic backed off allowing the leader to gain a few car lengths. With less than a lap to go, the battle between first and second was hard fought. Nic crossed the finish line ½ a second behind the leader.
On Sunday the skies had opened up with torrential downpour just before midnight making the day’s race a cold, muddy and wet event. Nic prepared his YXZ for the off-road track and muddy conditions by choosing GBC Dirt Commanders mounted on DWT Sector Wheels and readjusted his Fox Shox. When the green flag dropped, Nic battled for position going into turn 1 coming out in 3rd. As the front runners tangled, causing 2nd place to fly off the track, Nic advanced. For the next eight miles, Nic pushed hard behind the leader attempting to make several passes. Nic used 7 tear-offs and a full roll-off cartridge before the start of the second lap. Nic continued the pressure and just after the start of lap 2, Nic made a pass for the lead. Despite rainy conditions and low visibility, Nic had a clear track ahead of him and widened the gap. For the next two laps, Nic kept a competitive pace until once again visibility became an issue.
Leading into the final lap, visibility continued to be a challenge for everyone and Nic slowed down to accommodate the treacherous conditions. Despite taking the checkered flag first, another competitor in the second row took the top place finish on corrected time.
Nic’s two 2nd place finishes put him ahead in points to achieve the overall top podium claiming the SXS World Finals Pro Stock Champion.
Considering that this was the first time out on his new Yamaha XYZ1000R Nic was happy with the performance of his SXS. Nic’s success would not be possible without the support of all his great sponsors; Yamaha, STV Motorsports for their superior roll cage, billet steering components and assistance in preparing the YXZ, LoneStar Racing for long travel A-arm kit, Fox Shox for superior suspension, Torco Advanced Lubricants for keeping my car running smoothly, GBC tires for the best traction, DWT Wheels for the lightest and strongest wheels on the market,RevUp graphics for the beautiful wrap, Weller Racing for their exhaust and engine performance products, Double E Racing for the best sway-bar, Hess Motorsports for the quick-steer and cool running radiator, Rugged Radios for top notch comms, NRG racing seats, CryoHeat metal performance services, TireBlocks inserts, IMG B flaps, GalferUsa, Summers Brothers axels, GotTools Racing and Nic G Motorsports.
