Cypress, CA (3/19/2012)
- Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is growing its support
of the AMA ATV Motocross series with an expanded
trackside support program and additional team
rider for 2012.
Yamaha has grown its AMA trackside support
program to include the ATV Motocross series
events this year. Pro Motorsports from Mt. Pleasant,
Iowa, will lead this effort providing all Yamaha
mounted racers with onsite technical assistance
and Yamaha Genuine Parts & Accessories at
discounted prices.
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Wienen
Motorsports / Yamaha's Chad Wienen will
be racing a Yamaha YFZ450R ATV in the
2012 AMA Pro ATV Motocross Nationals |
Thomas Brown, who finished a strong fourth
in the national MX series last year, is back
and motivated to climb the podium in 2012. Chad
Wienen, a veteran AMA ATV pro and multi event
winner, has joined Team Yamaha this year and
is excited about his new ride and the opportunity
to put another YFZ450R on the podium.
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Yamaha Racing's AMA ATV MX Pro
Racer Thomas Brown - Yamaha YFZ450 ATV |
In advance of the national opener this coming
weekend, Brown and Wienen discussed how they
have been preparing, what the team expansion
means, and what they expect this weekend ...
Yamaha:
So, first, how do you feel about the team expansion
this year? You guys have competed in the past.
Are you buddies now that you're both on blue?
Thomas Brown: I'm pumped to
be seeing more blue out there. We have been
friends for awhile and it's still that way.
It will be awesome to cover the top two spots
on the box in blue. I'm just gonna have to be
the one on top!
Chad Wienen: It's great to
see Yamaha pushing forward with the sport and
putting in so much support. Thomas and I have
always been great friends. We've always competed
against each other, but now we are riding the
same brand.
Yamaha:
What have you been up to in the off-season?
How do you train to stay in shape and maintain
the sharp focus necessary for the highest level
of ATV MX?
Thomas Brown: Well, this off-season
has been way slower than normal. I left for
Florida right after Thanksgiving. Things were
going good, I was getting some good seat time
and had an awesome gym program going. That all
went away quickly. I was riding and over jumped
a jump to the flats. When I landed, I felt something
pop in my ankle. Turned out I had torn my tendon
in my right ankle. I got surgery later that
week and it was off to the couch. I was able
to keep up with some upper body work outs.
Chad Wienen: T.O.P. Performance
Training along with just enough riding on the
machine and having fun.
Yamaha:
You've both been recovering from injuries leading
up to the season opener. How are you feeling,
and are you ready for the gate to drop March
24?
Thomas Brown: Recovery has
been going great. I won't be 100% for the first
race but I'll be good enough to go out and compete.
I'll have been riding for just about a week
when we get to the first race.
Chad Wienen: I feel great.
I've been on the machine for a little over three
months, and I am excited for the season to start
so I can get back to racing.
Yamaha:
How's the YFZ450R working for you in practice
this season?
Thomas Brown: The YFZ450R
has been working great. Before I got hurt, it
was feeling great. I know we have made some
positive improvements since then, and I'm ready
to show them off.
Chad Wienen: Working great.
We have been making great progress on our set
up, but it has been so great that I've been
able to ride the machine every day and do proper
maintenance to the machine and it just keeps
on running.
Yamaha:
What will be your biggest challenge in
the AMA ATV MX series this year?
Thomas Brown: I think my biggest
challenge is going be getting through this first
race and making as many points as possible.
Chad Wienen: Being consistent,
having good starts, and getting on the podium.
Yamaha:
The schedule has changed a bit this
year including a night race at Ballance MX and
a stop at High Point Raceway. Any thoughts or
opinions? Do you like night races?
Thomas Brown: I'm super pumped
about the Ballance night race. It could be huge.
I'm bummed to see Steel City traded for High
Point. I really like Steel City, but we'll see
what High Point has to offer.
Chad Wienen: I think it will
be good for the sport to have a night race.
I grew up racing at night, so I will be comfortable
with it.
Yamaha:
What's your favorite track and why?
Thomas Brown: It would either
be Steel City or Red Bud. Steel City, because
normally it's a more technical track and you
have to be able to go fast. Red Bud, because
it has a great lay out and gets super rough!
Chad Wienen: Red Bud ... big
jumps, big tracks.
Yamaha:
Take a look at the field -- who's your biggest
competition?
Thomas Brown: I'm going say
Wienen. He is coming back with something to
prove, and we know his bike is going be good.
But the field is deep. I know Joel Hetrick and
Josh Upperman are going to be super fast.
Chad Wienen: The beginning of the season is
always interesting, because you can see who
put all of the hard work and dedication into
riding and training in the off season. Whoever
has done that will always be the biggest competition.
Yamaha:
You guys are focused on the national motocross
scene all season. Do you ever just want to go
mudding or ride cross country in the off season?
Thomas Brown: After our season
is done, I like to do some woods racing and
take the Grizzly mudding with friends. More
than anything though, I like to break out my
YZ250F and turn some motos.
Chad Wienen: Not really, but
every once in a while you may see me in the
woods just out having fun.
Yamaha:
What advice do you have for new racers or people
just considering racing?
Thomas Brown: Get a YFZ450R!
After that go out there and have fun.
Chad Wienen: If you put enough
hard work and dedication into anything, you
will see the results you want.
Yamaha:
Any predictions for this season?
Thomas Brown: Hopefully two
Yamaha's up front and a Championship coming
home to Texas.
Chad Wienen: Championship.
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.
