Doug Eichner Brings Home WORCS UTV National Championship and Commanding ATV Performance for the Polaris / Lone Star / Eichner Racing Team
Honolulu Hills, ironically named for the desert type terrain of Taft, California, was home to the final round of the World Off-Road Championship Series, held October 23 - 25.
Eichner had his sights on two things - top performances on both the Polaris Outlaw and Polaris RANGER RZR.
Saturday morning marked the start of an outstanding day when Eichner took his first Pro win aboard the Outlaw 450 MXR with a full gate in the Pro Production Class. With a hole shot start, fast lap times and a flawless ride, Eichner took a commanding win and looked to be strong for Sunday's Pro Main event.
Later Saturday afternoon, Eichner faced the challenge of securing the World Off-Road Championship Series UTV Champion. Eichner took the hole shot and never looked back. Eichner brought his Polaris RANGER RZR across the checkers clinching the WORCS 2008 UTV National Championship. Doug's first year behind the wheel racing a UTV was nothing less than fantastic and showcased both the natural driving ability of Eichner and prowess the RANGER RZR has on the racetrack.
Sunday morning's ATV Pro Main Event had all the racers ready early as race time had moved to an early morning start time due to festivities planned for later in the day. Eichner was ready for business, but missed the holeshot he was gunning for and had to make his way through a few riders to get some clean air. Eichner fought hard for second place making a spectacular pass through a log and tire section that had earlier caused at least a 10-bike pile up. Eichner closed the gap and was on the bumper plate of the leader and then lead the event for a lap and a half. The need for a pit stop unfortunately changed the positions of the top riders and Eichner fell to third. Making up 19 seconds in a lap was still not enough to get to the checkers in time for the win, but did put the Outlaw 450 MXR on the Pro Podium for a third place finish for the ATV Pro Main and a fourth Overall in the WORCS Series for 2008.
The WORCS awards banquet held Sunday evening, Eichner was presented with five globe awards to signify his five years of WORCS Championship titles. Guests enjoyed an Eichner Trivia Game with questions such as "how many pro wins has Eichner earned in the WORCS Series?" Eichner himself didn't know the answer of 45!
Eichner thanked his team sponsors, crew, friends and support of his family. Doug also congratulated the 2008 WORCS Champion and added, "We learned a lot this year and I am excited to fight for the WORCS crown in 2009!"
“Polaris Racing is very excited about Eichner’s first UTV National Championship and effort with the Outlaw 450 MXR,” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris. “This is our first full season with the Outlaw 450 MXR in the WORCS series. We learned a lot this season and funneled that information back to our R&D departments to make improvements for 2009 season. Next season, Eichner will be piloting our new 2009 Outlaw 450 MXR and battling for another championship.”
In other WORCS news, Angela Butler, secured the Women's A Championship at round 7 of the WORCS Series in Milford, CA with a dominating performance on the track and a flawless mechanical year in 2008 at WORCS aboard the Outlaw 450 MXR.
Eichner's year is not finished yet, as the Polaris/Lone Star/Eichner Racing Team are gunning for the ITP QuadCross Open Pro Crown aboard the Outlaw 525 S. Eichner currently holds a 12-point lead with the final QuadCross Round scheduled for November 30, at Speedworld Raceway, in San Bernadino, Calif.
