The WORCS series is back after being off for the summer! My team and I have been busy getting my cars ready to be back in action after losing the motors in both cars at the last WORCS round.
We headed to Glen Helen Raceway on Friday to run practice. I took my production car because I hadn’t had the opportunity to run it with the new motor. I got checked in and ran my car through tech before heading to practice. When it was time, I went to the line and then ran a few practice laps. The car didn’t feel up to par, but I was able to get a good feel for the course.
On Saturday, we arrived at the track early, and we made a few changes with the car to try and improve the performance. When I was done with that, I coached a RZR170 racer during his race. He won and I was stoked! I couldn’t wait to get in my car to run in the Production 1000 class! I headed to the driver’s meeting and then got focused.
When it was time, I went to the line. I was in row one, and when the flag flew, we took off! I was in P2 off of the line as we rounded the Talladega turn and we headed out on to the course. I was able to stay close to P1 and tried a few times to make a pass. The course was tight and there wasn’t much opportunity. I held P2 for the first two laps, and then, after coming through the timing chute heading into lap three, I was able to make a pass on the inside corner and took off! Right after making the pass, I was hit hard twice from behind by the car in P2, but was able to quickly put some distance between us. I stayed in the lead for the next three laps. On the final lap of the race, my car lost power. I was still moving, but I could tell something was wrong. P2 caught me in the last straight-away and passed me. I crossed the finish line in 2nd place. After I got out of my car, I realized that the hit from behind early in the race had caused my exhaust to break. It eventually fell off in the final lap, which is why my car lost power. I was super bummed that I didn’t finish in first, but happy I was able to put my car on the box! I ended the day coaching a Youth 1000 racer through his race to a first place finish!
On Sunday, we arrived at the track and I ran my stock car through tech. We checked the tire pressure and fueled the car before heading to the line. I lined up on row one in the Stock 1000 class, and as the green flag flew, we took off! I got the hole shot and was in P1 as we rounded the first turn! I stayed on the gas and we headed out onto the course. P2 stayed on my bumper and I knew it was going to be a long race with no room for error. I focused and settled in. I knew the course well, so I picked up the pace where I could and put a little distance between my car and P2. I maintained P1 for 5 ½ laps. Then, in the last minute of the race as I was coming through a corner, there was contact with P2, almost causing me to roll. I saved my car from going over and was able to cross the finish line in 2nd place. I was bummed again that I didn’t get the win, but still stoked I was able to put my car on the box!
We are finishing up the prep on one of my cars to run at the Best in the Desert short course race on September 26th and 27th. I am looking forward to being back in the seat!oduction car becuase g my cars ready to be back in actio
Thanks so much to all of these amazing companies and people that support my program: Benchmark Performance, Candle Motorsports, Method Race Wheels, GBC Motorsports, Crow Enterprizes, Elka Suspension, Super ATV, Roll Design, Energy Coil Racing, Factory UTV, Baja Designs, Gates G-Force, PRP Seats, Rugged Radios, Maxima Racing Oils, Bikeman Performance, Tireblocks, JAMAR Performance, Race Team Sites, Crown Performance Products, Got Sand Performance, Oceanside Driveline, HOK9, Perrault Motorsports, Dirt Rider Designs, and my parents who make this possible for me! Thanks to WORCS for putting on the series and Harlen Foley for the amazing pictures! You can check out the Sims188 Racing team on Instagram @csims188, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/csims188/, or on my website at www.sims188racing.com.