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Yamaha's
#94 Dustin Nelson
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Cypress, CA (1/24/2011) - Aboard
his MotoWorks GYTR YFZ450R, Dustin Nelson rocketed
to second place in the opening round of the 2011
WORCS ATV Pro series in Taft, Calif. on Sunday,
Jan. 23. Utilizing a six-mile long course that
combined a variety of off-road elements and the
local Honolulu Hills Raceway motocross course,
the 90-minute Pro race was a test of both riders
and their machines. Now in his fourth year riding
the WORCS seris for Yamaha Racing, Nelson was
up to the challenge, holding onto second place
behind eventual winner Jeremie Warnia for most
of the afternoon event.
Nelson was fourth fastest in Saturday practice,
with new teammate Josh Row just behind in fifth.
At the start of the Pro race on Sunday, Nelson
launched to the first turn in third place behind
rivals Josh Creamer and John Shafe, and then
quickly launched his YFZ into second over a
tabletop jump leading to turn three. Partway
through the first off-road loop, however, Nelson
slid wide in a turn and Warnia slipped past.
With Creamer and Warnia now setting a blistering
pace out front, Nelson decided to run a fast
but sustainable pace of his own, and observe
whether his rivals could sustain the pounding.
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Yamaha's
Dustin Nelson aboard his MotoWorks GYTR
YFZ450R
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The strategy paid off for Nelson as Creamer
faded on the third lap, allowing the Yamaha
rider to power back into second. From there,
securing the podium finish required holding
off a charge by Josh Frederick on the last lap,
when Nelson’s front wheel snagged a banner
and rope. The 10 seconds Dustin needed to loosen
it was all Frederick needed to catch up, and
Nelson had to ride like the wind to open up
a five-second gap at the flag. “I definitely
feel like our GYTR engine package is the strongest
we’ve ever had for WORCS,” he said.
“I’m definitely happy with the power
of the bike – it’s running really
good. This is also probably the best first round
we’ve had in several years. I’m
stroked to get second and it’s a good
start to the season.” Yamaha ATV racing
manager Donnie Luce added, “Dustin and
his entire team are committed to adding a WORCS
ATV championship to the YFZ450R's racing resume
in 2011, and this was a good start to the season.”
About Yamaha Motor
Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a
leader in the motorsports market, makes the
toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and
Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding
product offerings also include motorcycles,
outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles,
boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines,
accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products
are sold through a nationwide network of dealers
in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress,
Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha
also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia,
as well as factory operations in Tennessee and
Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit
www.yamaha-motor.com.
