5 Minutes with WORCS Pro Champion Beau Baron

Photos by Jamie Johnson

Name: Beau Baron
Age:  29
Home Town: Atascadero, CA
ATV: HONDA TRX 450
Sponsors:  Maxxis, Motoworks, Ricky Stator, Roll Design, Elka, DWT, Streamline, K&N, Fasst Co., John Burr Cycles, Alpine star, Eks Brand Goggles, Golden West, Hinson, IMS, Tsubaki, Tire Balls, Precision, PWR, Maier, Pro Honda, Quad Tech, Works Connection, IMS-Roll, Moto Pro Training, O’Neal, Zing, Extreme and Bolt.

We’re just past the half way mark of the season, how are things going for you so far?
It’s going pretty well and I’m happy with most of my results.  We are still working things out in our program and learning ways to improve all the time, but things are good right now.

Compare this year to last.
I was in the points lead by this time last year, but Josh Frederick was out a round on injury, so this year it has been a bigger battle.  Even though I am a couple points behind him right now, I think I have really stepped it up this year compared to last.  The competition is tougher so I knew I needed to either stepped things up or settle for something other than a championship.

 

Have you started figuring out the points race yet? Do you know where you have to finish to win the championship again.
Nothing is certain. There are so many different scenarios that could throw wrenches into my success, so I try to take things one race at a time and not get too caught up in all the math.  Basically, if you’re going to win a championship you’re going to have to win races, so that’s what I try to do at every race.

Last year’s championship came down to the last race. Are you looking forward to another exciting finish like this, or would you rather have a comfortable lead?
It would be a lie if I said I didn’t want a comfortable lead, but that is not the case right now and I actually have to play catch up.  Last year, a lot of people thought I had it “in the bag” at the last round and that is a perfect example of why you can’t assume it is over before it really is. Unless someone has the points lead by more than 25 points going into the last round anything is possible, and I don’t see that being the case this year.   It would be sweet to win when it has been such a close call all season.

How do you like the WORCS tracks this year compared to last?
The new track this year was Cahuilla and it was not my favorite. It was too dessert-like for my style.  It feels like the whole WORCS series is going more towards the dessert style racing. I really like the tracks WORCS took off the circuit over the last few years like Hollister, Taft, and Riverdale in WA.  I like the technical tracks like Honeylake, but I have heard rumor that track is going to be out next year as well.

It seems like a lot of your teammates are nipping at your heals. Is that due to having you as a teammate? Are you working with some of the younger racers one on one?
I don’t take credit for any of their results, they are all talented riders.  We try to ride together as much as possible and that helps all of us, myself included.

Are you training harder now that you’re protecting your 2009 title?
For sure.  There is a lot more at stake and I know I have to be 100% dedicated to win it again.

Any chance we might see you on A bike at future WORCS events?
Good question.  I would like to race my dirt bike more often, but it is kind of a risk and Mike [Cafro] is not very comfortable when I’m out there on a bike.

What does it take to be as consistent as you have been?
A lot of double-checking the quad [laughing].   I try to keep my training as consistent as I can.  Staying healthy and in shape is important, but out on the track I try not only ride fast but ride as smart as I possibly can.

Thanks for talking with us. Who are you thanking?
Well thank you for wanting to talk with me. I would like to thank MCR, Maxxis, Motoworks, Ricky Stator, Roll Design, Elka, DWT, Streamline, K&N, Fasst Co., John Burr Cycles, Golden West, Hinson, IMS, Tsubaki, Tire Balls, Precision, PWR, Maier, Pro Honda, Quad Tech, Works Connection, IMS-Roll, Moto Pro Training, O’Neal, Zing, Extreme and Bolt.

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