Cody Rahders recently experienced his first career LORORS race and is looking forward to experiencing a competitive season in the series.
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At seventeen years of age, Cody "Code" Rahders is likely no different from his peers in the fact that he shares all of the interests a teenager normally enjoys. Code also manages to find time to participate in the sport of racing. In fact, not only will he return to compete in the World Off-Road Racing Championship Series (WORCS) this season, but he will also embark upon a new endeavor as well. That said, the young driver recently experienced his first taste of driving in the SuperLight class of the Lucas Oil Regional Off-Road Series (LORORS) early on in 2012.
Although until a couple of weekends ago, Rahders had never manned a SuperLight vehicle, his first performance in the LORORS series was impressive, to say the least. Cody's previous time behind the wheel in the WORCS had evidently paid off, as he set the fastest lap every time out while competing at the Glen Helen Raceway, located north of San Bernardino, California. I fact, his lap times were top five from the last two national races held at Glen Helen.
Immediately upon the waving of the green flag of his heat, Rahders came out swinging. From the get-go, Cody and Ryan Hagy competed in a fierce battle and continued to challenge each other for the first place position throughout the entire race. Although finishing in second place at the heat's end, Cody Rahders had already proved that he could and would prove a contender in the series.
Seventeen year old, Cody Rahders will have a full schedule in 2012 as he plans to compete in both the WORCS and the LORORS.
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When the feature race was deemed underway, Rahders had no intentions of doing anything other than getting back out there and continuing his quest to finish in the front of the field. Again, the young driver found himself in a furious battle, and when the dust had settled had earned a third place position.
In many drivers' minds, experiencing an impressive start in the Lucas Oil Regional Off-Road Series 2012 season would be as much as they could expect, but the young Rahders recently made a showing in the WORCS as well, when he and his team traveled just across the California line to race in Primm, Nevada. Having finished fourth in an earlier series race at Glen Helen, the driver arrived in the neighboring state with anticipation of earning a spot on the podium.
Evidently many other drivers had the same intentions, as seventy vehicles showed up to race at Primm, a record number of competitors for a WORCS race at that particular venue. With this in mind, Rahders was aware that the track would get chewed up in a hurry, and on turn was certain that consistency would prove the key to his success. Racing in the Production 700 class, Cody went into the first turn in seventh place out of ten drivers, a position he pretty well held throughout the first lap.
Cody Rahders has anticipations of experiencing success in the WORCS in 2012.
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At the beginning of lap two, the driver began to muscle his way through a maze of competitors. Everything appeared to be going as planned, but at the drop of a hat, Rahders luck went south as he began working his way around two battling Rhinos. One of the UTV's suddenly shot directly in front of Cody just about the time his rig was airborne. Upon his tires reconnecting with the track, there was no alternative other than T-bone the off-road vehicle.
The damage to Cody's rig was substantial and as coolant poured from the radiator, it was inevitable that the engine would shut down. That said, the crash lent to a DNF. Although less than excited about the outcome of the race, Cody Rahders would simply take advantage of the opportunity to throw out their worst finish of the season, and started preparing for what they hoped would be a podium finish in round three.
When asked they key to success throughout the remainder of the season, Cody Rahders was quick to say, "Solid finishes." The driver is also very conscious that there are several other factors that will lead to a successful season as well. Referring to his team, the driver shared, "They're very important. We're small, so we have to work together. Dad handles fab, prep and transportation, and mom does all of the planning. I help prep, go to school and drive."
Rahders and his team are also quick to agree that maintenance is of utmost importance and are firm believers in K&N products. In fact, they have been using K&N air and oil filters for the past two years. "K&N makes the best filters out there," explained Rahders. "When I'm racing, K&N keeps my oil and air clean; that's two less things I have to worry about on race day."
When asked what he enjoys most about racing, Cody Rahders explained, "The endurance and victory at the end." In conclusion, he said, "Head down, move forward, and the gas is on the right."
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