Cypress, CA (6/5/2012)
- YFZ450R Wins Baja 500 ATV Race Yamaha YFZ ATVs
and YZ motocross bikes grabbed an impressive range
of wins and top finishes from Baja California
to Kentucky to Colorado over the June 2-3 weekend.
Headlining the ATV results, Yamaha’s Dustin
Nelson, Josh Row and their teammates won the prestigious
Baja 500 Open Pro ATV class in Mexico aboard their
YFZ450R on Saturday. Also in ATV action, Wienen
Motorsports’ Chad Wienen took second place
overall in the fifth round of the 2012 AMA Pro
ATV series in Oakland, Ken. on Sunday.
The Baja 500 is the second oldest major off-road
race in North America. This year featuring over
275 entries in ATV, UTV, motorcycle, truck and
buggy classes, it rewards speed and reliability
from vehicles, and demands maximum fitness and
focus from the pilots.
Joining Nelson and Row aboard the YFZ450R for
the 450-mile classic were Travis Dillon and
D.J. Noerr, both experienced ATV racers. After
starting fourth, Josh Row raced the Yamaha into
second place before Nelson took over the Open
Pro ATV lead by the halfway point. At the finish,
the YFZ450R was the first ATV and an impressive
24th overall against all competitors. “The
bike was unbelievable, and the engine ran perfectly,”
Nelson said. “Adding a SCORE Baja 500
win to the list of series that the YFZ has won
is big!” added Yamaha ATV racing coordinator
Donnie Luce.
The first nighttime running of an AMA Pro ATV
race added an exciting new dimension to the
series’ two-moto format. And coming off
three straight overall wins, Yamaha-mounted
Wienen was eager to add a fourth – while
defending his points lead. The first of two
motos was a close one, as rival John Natalie
took the early lead with Wienen scarcely a half-second
back.
Wienen closed within 0.274 sec. on the fourth
of 18 laps, but couldn’t make the pass.
He rallied again late in the race, reducing
a 3.2-sec. gap Natalie had opened down to just
0.766 sec. at the flag. In the second moto,
rival Joel Hetrick got in between early leader
Natalie and Wienen, and despite his best efforts,
the best Wienen could manage was third. But
it was plenty good to lock up second overall
and secure his points lead with five of 10 rounds
completed. Teammate Thomas Brown likewise ended
the day in a very credible fifth by finishing
fifth in both races.
2012
AMA ATV MX Pro Points After Round 5 |
| Position |
Name |
Points |
| 1 |
Chad
Wienen – Yamaha |
1235 |
| 2 |
John Natalie |
220 |
| 3 |
Joel Hetrick |
189 |
| 4 |
Josh Upperman |
184 |
| 5 |
Thomas
Brown – Yamaha |
169 |
About Yamaha Motor
Corp., U.S.A.
amaha 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.
