David Haagsma Captures an Impressive Second in the SXS World Finals

8 feb 2017

David Haagsma with the SXS World Finals check

Consistency and talent earned Haagsma a podium finish in Primm, Nevada

To a guy so used to finishing first, you’d think David Haagsma would be a bit disappointed with a second place finish in the WORCS season opener that doubled as the SXS World Finals. After all, Haagsma is the defending WORCS Pro Production Champion. However, it takes wisdom to see the positive when overcoming seemingly stacked odds.

The Primm, Nevada, event was run in a two-day format with a short course race on Saturday and a traditional off-road race on Sunday. These two events were combined to determine final finishing position.

Rain threw a monkey wrench in the weekend schedule as the Friday qualifying runs were rained out. However, K&N-sponsored Haagsma drew the number one position for the short course race on Saturday.

David Haagsma sliding at the SXS World Finals

The variable track conditions in Primm required complete focus at the SxS World Finals

This is where the stacked odds come in. Haagsma was running a non-turbo Polaris RZR, while the vast majority of his competitors were running turbos. Despite a solid and consistent short course race, Haagsma’s non-turbo SXS could not keep pace on the stretches when the throttles were pinned. He finished third in the short course.

Haagsma was running the same set-up as last season but he is optimistic that they can dial things in to stay competitive. He said that the naturally aspirated machines are a bit more reliable, so that was a factor in his impressive finish. However, he said that he may well be running a turbo in the next WORCS round.

In the longer Sunday race, Haagsma’s talent and experience were on full display. He ran a smart and surgical race to secure a runner-up finish. That second podium finish of the weekend earned Haagsma a second place finish overall in the SXS World Finals. Cody Bradbury took the overall win.

The next round of the WORCS SXS off road series will be staged at Honolulu Hills Raceway in Taft, California on February 17-19. We will have to see what race machine David Haagsma rolls out of the trailer in Taft.

Remaining WORCS SXS Schedule: