Yamaha ATVs and motocross bikes raced to two wins and four additional podiums in key races from Indiana to Nevada and California over the October 20-21 weekend. Starting up the victory run was Walker Fowler, who took his first-ever GNCC XC1 Pro ATV class win aboard his YFZ450R at the grueling Ironman off-road event in Crawfordsville, Ind. on Saturday afternoon, with nine-time series champion Traci Cecco adding a second in the morning Women’s race. Cecco also announced her retirement from GNCC ATV racing at the Ironman event, although she plans to remain involved in the series from a team standpoint. Congratulations on an incredible career Traci! Then in Anza, Calif. on Sunday, Dustin Nelson overcame a tumbling crash to score hard-earned 3-3 moto finishes and an overall podium at the ninth round of the 2012 Yamaha Quad-X series at Cahuilla Creek MX.
Ballance Racing’s Fowler moved into the GNCC XC1 Pro category this year after scoring a record 13 consecutive XC2 Pro Am victories in 2011. Despite finishing on the XC1 podium seven times this season, a first pro win had still escaped him so far – until this weekend. Fowler, teammate Taylor Kiser and three other riders fought like mad for the lead throughout the nearly two-hour race, which was even harder than normal due to extremely muddy conditions that rendered certain hill-climbs extremely difficult – even for some pros. But Fowler used great line selection, dogged determination and the unstoppable power of his YFZ to earn a convincing 23-sec. victory over his nearest rival. “This feels so good!” he grinned afterwards. “It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve gotten a win.”
In Southern California on Sunday, five-time Yamaha Quad-X champion Nelson arrived at the series’ penultimate round with a narrow points lead over Davi Haagsma. And his task was clear – if not an outright win, he needed to at least get on the box to retain the points lead. In the first of two motos, Nelson started third behind Haagsma and Beau Baron before slowing with a minor mechanical issue. He again started third in moto two, quickly moving into second behind Haagsma and digging in for a battle with his title rival. But he clipped a bush and tumbled down a hill, losing several places in the process. After remounting, Nelson charged back through the pack to finish third once again, retaining a narrow three-point advantage over Haagsma with one event remaining at Glen Helen Raceway in California on Nov. 10.
At the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas, Nev., YZ riders cleaned up with an Amateur All-Star class win for Cooper Webb on his Star Yamaha GYTR Yamalube YZ250F, followed by Vance & Hines’ Paul Coates in third, also aboard a YZ250F. Meanwhile Yamaha GYTR Yamalube’s Chase Sexton finished second in the Super-Mini division on his YZ85. The All-Star class is hotly contested by the top amateur riders, the best of whom will soon graduate into the AMA pro ranks. Webb, a recent Dodge Amateur National championship winner for Yamaha, beat everyone to the title by putting in consistent 2-3 moto finishes to take the overall ahead of rival Adam Cianciarulo and Yamaha’s Coates. “It feels awesome to be out ahead of all the best riders in this class,” Webb said.
Source: Yamaha Newsletter
Posted in: Racing
