K&N-sponsored Davi Haagsma Wins Two Consecutive Rounds in WORCS Pro SxS

Mar 28, 2017

Davi Haagsma on the podium in Taft, California

Davi Haagsma (center) claims SxS win in Taft, California

Competitors had better hope David Haagsma pulls a hamstring climbing WORCS podiums in 2017. That may be the only way to slow his championship run. Haagsma has finished on the podium in each of the first four rounds of the racing series. In the last two rounds, the K&N-sponsored racer claimed the checkered flag and has amassed a commanding series lead.

In round three of the Rocky Mountain World Off-Road Championship Series, Haagsma picked up his first win of the season. It was also his first Pro class win in Taft, California. The victory was especially sweet since Honolulu Hills, in Taft, is Haagsma’s home track.

Haagsma kept his winning ways rolling in round four in Lake Havasu, Arizona, with another surgical drive. He made some great on-track decisions in the race and had a very fast final lap to hold off Matthew Hancock for the victory. The win in Lake Havasu’s brutal conditions expanded Haagsma’s series lead to 19 points over Cody Bradbury. Hancock moved into the third spot in the points standings.

Haagsma started the season with consistent racing in Primm, Nevada

The big dilemma for Haagsma and the H&M Motorsports team all season has been whether to stick with the reliable, tried-and-true naturally aspirated SxS or make the move to the more powerful turbo. The debate started in the Primm, Nevada, rounds of the WORCS schedule when Haagsma drove strong but felt somewhat under-powered compared to the teams running turbos.

However, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” seems to be the mantra on which Haagsma is rolling. While he has a forced induction SxS in the works, Haagsma again opted to for the non-turbo Polaris RZR in Lake Havasu. “We have a turbo car built, but the more I run the non-turbo, it’s pretty competitive because it doesn’t break.”

It’s hard to argue with the logic. With a nice streak of podium finishes and a solid series lead, Haagsma has found the early-season balance between speed and keeping the race machine intact.

Davi Haagsma jumping in Lake Havasu, Arizona

Haagsma is flying high with two straight WORCS wins

“Everyone with turbos is having issues,” said Haagsma. “The overall dependability of the non-turbo seems to be the way to go.”

H&M Motorsports mechanic Theo Lasardi credits Haagsma’s clean racing technique and the race team’s use of reliable performance products like K&N intakes for the early-season success.

“We’re fortunate to have good products on our car and Davi drives so smooth,” said Lasardi. “With the track like this, you have to have a little luck and not break stuff.”

The next round of the WORCS schedule is a special indoor/outdoor race at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Haagsma will look to add to his points lead in Sin City.