#JoelHetrick

Round 5 of the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series heads to Oakland, Ky. this weekend for the first-ever race under the lights at the Ballance Moto X facility. This year’s championship battle in the ATV Pro class has been one of the ages, literally. The top five contenders in this year’s title run range from ages 19 all the way to 36.

Defending champ and ATVMX veteran John Natalie holds the coveted number one plate this season after proving to be the most dominant racer of 2011. The elder statesman of the group, Natalie is quickly realizing that the ever-evolving sport of ATV racing is now piloted by a youthful generation. Especially Natalie’s newest Motoworks/Can-Am teammate Joel Hetrick, who has shown bursts of speed with two overall wins in his 2011 rookie season, in addition to his overall victory in Round 3 this year. Nineteen-year-old Hetrick is the only rider – besides points leader Chad Wienen – to take home an overall win this season.

Motoworks/ Can-Am DS 450 racers picked up a pair of big wins this weekend as Joel Hetrick won round three of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series (teammate John Natalie finished third), while Josh Frederick and Collins Webster teamed up to win the ATV Pro Class at the Best in the Desert Silver State 300. Also at the Silver State 300, Team Desert Toyz/Can-Am raced its Can-Am Commander 1000 X to a third –place finish in the UTV Pro class.

“We are thrilled to have both our Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 racers Joel Hetrick and John Natalie reach the AMA Pro class podium. While Joel didn’t win either moto, he was the most consistent pro racer with two second-place rides, and earned the overall in only his third race aboard the Can-Am DS 450. Natalie’s moto-two victory was also another bright spot for our team and helped him secure third overall,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “I’m also pleased with our Best in the Desert series success. Having our Motoworks / Can-Am team of Josh Frederick and Collins Webster win the ATV Pro class and Cory Sappington’s Desert Toyz / Can-Am X-Team Commander 1000 X finish on the UTV Pro class podium is really a great accomplishment.”

Fox-supported athletes put on a show in the most recent round of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championships, sweeping the podium in the competitive pro class.

Chad Wienen led the way, taking both moto wins and the overall pro win at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tenn., where he was joined on the podium by John Natalie Jr. and Joel Hetrick.

Wienen battled the elements in the first moto and came out ahead after a rain blew through the area and created slick conditions for racers. Those conditions, however, worked to his advantage in his hard-fought win.

“It was nasty out there at the end. The track was slick and rough, but we were able to turn it up for the last two laps,” says Wienen. “My Fox shocks soaked up all the bumps and I was able to get around the competition and take the win.”

Can-Am ATV and UTV racers continue to find success this season and this past weekend was no exception. Team Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 racers John Natalie and Joel Hetrick finished second and third in the Pro class at round two of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series held at Muddy Creek in Blountville, Tenn., while Can-Am X-Team ATV and side-by-side racers also had a successful weekend, winning several classes at races held in Texas and Iowa.

“We were excited to have both John and Joel reach the AMA Motocross Pro class podium at Muddy Creek,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Although we didn’t get the overall victory, both of our racers rode well, despite the slick conditions, put themselves in contention and ultimately earned a trip to the podium. John has led motos at both rounds and is currently second in the Pro class points race, while Joel has been the fastest qualifier twice, so they definitely have the speed and skills to win every race they enter.”

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.”

Looking to build upon its racing success in 2011 – a season that saw two Pro-class championships, two manufacturer’s cup titles, several amateur-class titles and a successful debut with the Commander side-by-side racing efforts — BRP will again field a team of Can-Am racers on both ATVs and side-by-sides in off-road racing series in the U.S. and Canada in 2012.

“I’m very excited to see the start of a new season and feel very confident that our riders and teams will be very well prepared to do battle aboard their Can-Am machines, including an AMA No. 1 plate on John Natalie’s DS 450,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Overall, I feel we have assembled a race team with talented, determined and dedicated pilots and team personnel; I’m proud to have them competing aboard our Can-Am products.”

Team Motoworks / Can-Am

Team Motoworks / Can-Am and owner Johnny Leach begin their defense of the AMA ATV Motocross title with the Can-Am DS 450, offering factory support for reigning AMA ATV Pro Champion John Natalie. The 2011 Pro Rookie of the Year Joel Hetrick, who finished fifth overall and had won two overalls, was also added for the 2012 season.

The AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series has announced that Can-Am will be the recipient of the 2011 Manufacturer’s Cup, edging out Honda by less than forty points.

Each year, AMA Pro Racing awards the manufacturer that accumulates the most points in the AMA Pro class throughout the course of a season with the Manufacturer’s Cup. The series points are configured race-to-race, based on each manufacturer’s best overall finisher. Can-Am finished out the season with seven of the eleven victories, aided by Can-Am riders John Natalie, Chad Wienen and Chase Snapp.

“On behalf of BRP and Can-Am we are extremely proud of our racers and teams that contributed to winning this year’s Manufacturer’s Cup championship aboard the DS450. The entire Can-Am / Motorworks team has worked extremely hard, investing countless hours and making numerous sacrifices to help us achieve our common goal,” says Can-Am Race Manager, Jimmie O’Dell. “Our team riders John Natalie and Chad Wienen were true inspirations this season by both overcoming adversity and have also taken training and preparation to another level. I also want to thank Can-Am X-Team rookie pro Chase Snapp and his team as they worked extremely hard this season and have contributed to Can-Am winning this manufacturer’s cup title.”