Nathan Woods

Nathan Woods died today from injuries sustained in a practice crash at Honolulu Hills Raceway in Taft, California where he was preparing for the opening round of the World Off-Road Championship Series this weekend. Woods was set to compete in the 2011 WORCS Pro 1 series with the Carbon Raptor Stillwell Performance racing team aboard the #54 KTM. Reports indicate that he was airlifted to a hospital and pronounced dead after crashing on the motocross portion of the track.

Woods has been riding professionally for nine years and has enjoyed two wheels since the age of seven. The 32-year-old from Paso Robles, CA racked up two WORCS championships (2004-05) and had amassed the most wins in series history in addition to a gold medal at the ISDE and competing regularly at EnduroCross. His career saw him ride for factory Kawasaki, Suzuki and Husaberg as well as Zip-Ty Racing Yamaha before signing his KTM contract this year. Nathan leaves behind his wife, Amanda, and sons, Nate and Braxton.

“Today off-road racing lost one of the greatest off-road champions ever to throw a leg over a dirtbike,” said the WORCS website. “He will be missed, our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Woods, his two sons, Little Nate and Braxton, and the entire Woods family. God speed #54.”