Off-Road World Championships : George Wins Ultra Stock to Highlight Big Weekend

A weekend of milestones got off to a good start for Greg George of Colton Saturday with a victory in the Ultra Stock division at the 15th Stroh’s SCORE Off-Road World Championships, his third title in as many years. After not even making it past the first lap the previous six years, it appears that his fortunes have changed for good.

Two hours later, George was running well in defense of his Class 1 title. After that, he planned to attend his 10-year class reunion of Chaffey High School in Ontario. Today, he will celebrate his first wedding anniversary.

“The race comes first,” he said.

His elation was understandable, since the victory at Riverside International Raceway was due more to man than machine.

“I have to say I drove a good race,” said George, who also won Class 1 titles the last two years and was in second place Saturday before spinning. “The car wasn’t at peak performance. I used the car where it had the potential, and where there was rough stuff, I backed off and got the car through.

“I could pat myself on the back today. I made the car last. You had to baby the car where it needed it and then in the straightaway open it up.”

Dave Parsons, whose successes have come in the longer races such as the Baja 1,000 and the Mint 400 at Las Vegas, has watched these world championships every year since 1973--but only from the stands. His perspective was drastically different Saturday--the winner’s circle in the Class 5 race.

The most surprised person was Parsons, a first-timer in the event.

“It was probably more luck than skill,” he said.

“It (the Volkswagen) is basically a desert car. “It’s never run a short course before, and I’ve never run a short course before. I thought, let’s take it out and run it and see how it does.”

The Class 1, the final event of the day, was a race of attrition more than anything, especially from the seventh lap on. First, George, driving with three wheels on the ground and one dangling after an accident, spun while in second place. Moments later, Roger Mears Sr. had a comfortable lead on the last lap and flipped on one of the bumps, opening the door for Frank Arciero Jr. to win, although he blew a tire and finished riding on a rim.

“I went slow, but I guess it wasn’t slow enough,” said Mears, whose problems came from a cut brake line. “I was going way too fast.”

Said Arciero, who finished second to Mears in three other world championships: “When I came off the turn and saw that yellow car upside down, I couldn’t believe it.”

Three of the motorcycle winners also won titles last year, and the fourth, Brian Myerscough, is no stranger to Riverside, either. He grew up in Yucaipa and lives about seven miles away in Moreno Valley.

Myerscough, a former motocross rider, last raced in March, but no rust was apparent as he won the open motorcycle class. Brian Manley won the 250cc race for the third time to go with a past victory in the 500cc, giving him four titles in four years. Ken Ehlers (30-and-over age group) and Eric Hallgath (125 cc) won for the second straight time. Hallgath took the 250cc division in 1986.

The final day of the event begins today, with practice from 7-11 a.m. The first race is scheduled for noon.