#AMAATVMotocrossChampionship

Can-Am DS 450 racers picked up several class victories and podiums at the opening round of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championship. Leading the way was Team Motoworks / Can-Am’s John Natalie, who finished second in both Pro class motos and second overall.

Teammate Joel Hetrick won the fastest qualifier award at Aonia Pass MX aboard his DS 450 and finished eighth overall. Can-Am racers also wrapped up several amateur class wins during the opening weekend of the 10-round AMA ATV MX series.

“John battled hard in both Pro class motos and just narrowly missed taking the overall win in the final lap of moto two. He remains steadfast and determined in his title defense,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Joel Hetrick was very impressive, earning the fastest qualifying time in both Pro practices. Unfortunately, his hopes for a weekend podium were dashed after a first-moto crash occurred while he was making a pass for the lead. Both our racers were very strong and are determined to be significant contenders for the Pro class podium at every round this season.”

While some ATV manufacturers are offering less and less support for racing in recent years, Yamaha is expanding its racing support program, including adding another team rider for the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Series.

In addition to the extra rider, Yamaha has grown its AMA trackside support program. 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.

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.

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 …

This is not the first time John Natalie has had to defend an AMA ATV MX national championship, but the Motoworks/ Can-Am rider may be a touch out of practice when the gates drop this weekend at Aonia Pass MX Park in Washington, Ga. It’s been six years since Natalie started the season with the No. 1 plate.

The pool of talent in this year’s Pro ATVMX class is setting up the 2012 season to be one of the most highly contested battles to date. Baldwin Motorports/PEP/Upperman Racing’s Josh Upperman challenged Natalie’s championship run all the way to the final round of racing, where he and the current champ went head-to-head, leaving Upperman less than ten points short of the title. Ohio’s Upperman is back with his Baldwin Motorsports team on a very familiar Honda machine and looks to continue as a heavy contender once again this season.

SSi Decals is returning as an associate sponsor of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series. As part of its support of ATV Motocross, SSi Decals will once again sponsor the SSi Decals Holeshot Award for pro racers at all 10 rounds of the series.

“SSi Decals is fully committed to the ATV industry and proud to be an associate sponsor of the 2012 ATVMX Series,” says Ian Harris, owner of SSi Decals. “We are excited to elevate our role in the series this year and believe we offer the best product on the market when it comes to decals. Our support of the ATV industry extends to all ages and rider-levels.”

The 2012 Supplemental Rules and Class Structure have been announced for the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series.

The class structure has undergone minor changes in both the youth and amateur categories. Highlights include splitting both the Girls (8-15) and the 90 Modified (8-15) classes into two separate age groups, accordingly.

“We recognize the continued growth in youth ATV racing,” says Sam Gammon, drector of the ATV Promoters Group. “We feel that splitting the Girls and 90 Modified classes will give younger racers a safe platform to compete as they progress in both age and skill level.”

Motoworks / Can-Am pro ATV racer and current AMA ATV MX Championship series Pro-class points leader Chad Wienen crashed last week while training at his practice track in Illinois suffering a season-ending injury to his back. Medical crews were on the scene quickly and he was transported to an area hospital. At the hospital, it was discovered Wienen broke two vertebrae in the middle of his back, but he suffered no major spinal cord injury and has feeling in his extremities.

Wienen underwent surgery on Saturday to stabilize his back. The surgery to fuse several vertebrae in his back was successful and he is conscious and talking; he may be moved out of recovery today. He is anxious to get back on his feet and will start rehabbing as soon as he gets approval from the doctors.

“Chad is a hard-working and dedicated racer and I am sure he will tackle his recovery from this injury just like he tackled his training: with 100-percent commitment,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “I was glad to hear the surgery was successful and Chad is in good spirits and ready to move on and start recovering. He is in the thoughts and prayers of everyone here at BRP.”