Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Dustin Wimmer started his AMA ATV Motocross title defence with overall victory at the season opener at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California at the weekend.
In Moto 1, Wimmer was boxed in off the start and watched a small group of leaders pull away through the first few corners. But as the dust settled, he began to find his rhythm and quickly moved his way into second place. And, although the race leader had gained considerable ground, he closed the gap to within one second at the finish line.
On the line for Moto 2, Wimmer was determined to improve his start and when the gate dropped, he rocketed to the front for the holeshot. Wimmer’s lead grew quickly and by the halfway mark he had almost a 10-second lead over the field. He was able to cruise to victory, giving him the overall win for the day and the Championship points lead.
Said Wimmer: “I feel really good. It’s always good to start the season off with a win! My team and I have been working really hard and it is paying off.
“I’m going to try my best to keep the Championship. I’m going to go out there and give it my all and race smart and consistent races like I did last year and do my best to put Suzuki on top of the podium.”
Wimmer’s Rockstar Makita Suzuki team mate and former champion Doug Gust finished in eighth-place overall. Caught in traffic, Gust was mired in the back of the pack in Moto 1. He recovered with a sixth-place finish in Moto 2 to keep him in the top 10 heading into the season’s second round.
Said Gust: “I think all the bad luck is out of the way now and I’m ready for the next round,”
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki Racing team will compete in the second round of the 2009 AMA ATV MX Championship season March 22 in Pell City, Alabama.
Round 1 - AMA ATV MX Championship:
Pro Class Results: 1. Dustin Wimmer (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 2. Josh Creamer (Kawasaki), 3. Joe Byrd (Honda), 4. Thomas Brown (Yamaha), 5. Clay Holmes (Honda), 6. John Natalie (Can-Am), 7. Jeremy Lawson (Can-Am), 8. Doug Gust (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 9. Josh Upperman (Honda), 10. Greg Gee (Honda).
| 
|