Wienen, Natalie
Continue Pro-Class Dominance In AMA ATV MX CHampionship Series
Valcourt, Québec, June 8, 2011
– Motoworks / Can-Am pro ATV racer Chad Wienen
won round seven of the 2011 AMA ATV MX Championship series this past weekend at
Spring Creek Motocross in Millville, Minn. Wienen, who was the fastest
qualifier on his Can-AM DS 450 ATV, posted an impressive 2-1 moto score to earn
the Pro class overall. Motoworks / Can-Am teammate John Natalie Jr., also had a great weekend in Minnesota, as he won the first moto
and finished second overall to Wienen.
"I’m
thrilled to see both Chad and John on the podium, again," said Jimmie
O'Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. "Both riders were consistent all weekend and
the facility's rough track conditions really showcased the capabilities of the
Can-Am DS 450. Chad notched another win and John’s 1-2 score kept him within 10
points of the points lead. I'm very proud of both our riders.”
In moto No. 1, Wienen came around the first
turn in fifth place, but had moved into the second spot, behind Natalie, by lap
six. The Motoworks / Can-Am racers then entertained the crowd for the next
eight laps as Wienen tucked in behind his teammate and continually pressured
him the rest of the way. Natalie held on for the moto victory aboard his DS 450
and attributed his win to his success in the nasty Spring Creek whoops section.
“I got off the line good in moto one and
passed for the lead. Chad was right on me for a while and I was a little faster
in the whoops and I was able to hold him off like that for the rest of the
moto,” said Natalie.
“Catching John is one thing, but getting
around him is another,” stated Wienen after the moto. ““The track was really
rough so I just tried to do my best.”
Wienen got a better start in the second pro
moto, as he came out of the first turn in third. The Pro class points leader
wasted no time, however, as he quickly jumped to the front of pack before the
end of the first lap. With an open track in front of him, Wienen accelerated
away from the rest of the riders, gaining more distance after each lap. By the
end of lap 10, the Can-Am racer held more than a 26-second lead. From there, he
stated that he put his machine on cruise control and decisively earned his
fourth Pro class overall win in 2011.
“I got a better start in moto two and I got
out front early so I just really put my head down for the first few laps and
created a gap,” he explained.” I’m really glad to take the win and get a little
more ahead in points.”
Natalie, who trails his teammate by 10
points in the race for the title, put in an impressive performance of his own
during the second moto. After coming out of the gate in sixth, he had moved
into third place by lap three. After swapping positions with another rider over
the next couple laps, Natalie made an uncharacteristic mistake and briefly fell
back to fourth place before one final drive in the final laps pushed the former
champion across the finish line into a hard-fought second place.
“I had just passed for second and I
accidentally hit neutral and launched sideways off the jump,” Natalie explained
after moto two. “I got back around the third-place rider and then caught the
second-place guy going up the step up. We had some great racing out there today
and I am really glad to be up on the podium again.”
Motoworks / Can-Am rookie pro Chase
Snapp was not able to repeat his podium glory from
round six, but overcame some poor luck to notch another top 10 finish. His 8-9
moto score was good for ninth overall and helped the young racer maintain his
fifth-place spot in the Pro class points race.
For more
information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency
program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit
www.can-amxteam.com. |
