Robby Bell wasted no time in defending his championship in the first race of 2016, taking the Pro victory at WORCS Round 1. The series’ season kick-off was held January 8 in Taft, California. 

Bell’s victory was also the first of the year for the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC/Precision Concepts/Maxxis Tires Race Team. After taking the holeshot, he held the lead until a quick stop for fuel, and retook the front spot soon after rejoining the race. Another fuel stop then forced another drive to the front, but Bell maintained this lead through to the finish line, posting a total time of 2:00:54.953. “After an off-season that seemed, for me, to be quite short and oddly protracted all at the same time, it was great to finally get back to racing. To kick the year off with a win is just icing, and I’m looking forward to keeping this momentum going as we start a pretty busy stretch that lasts through March,” he said. Bell’s new teammate Justin Seeds, who took second place overall in the Big 6 last season, took fourth place in WORCS’ Pro class at Round 1. In addition to WORCS, both Bell and Seeds will compete in the Big 6 in 2016. 

Another Maxxis-sponsored team claimed a victory during the weekend when Dante Oliveira topped the Pro Lights podium. The FMF/RPM/Maxxis rider finished in 2:12:43.412, more than a minute ahead of the next racer. The win was the team’s first of the season. 

The next WORCS race is scheduled for January 29-31 in Primm, Nevada. Maxxis congratulates Robby Bell and Dante Oliveira on their victories and thanks all of its riders for their fine performances at WORCS’ opening round.