Nelson Wraps up Perfect Season in Yamaha Quad-X Championship
Dustin Nelson finished the 2011 Yamaha Quad-X ATV motocross season exactly as he began it – by taking the overall win at Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California on Saturday, Oct. 29. Despite having already wrapped up his fifth Pro 450 Production championship, Nelson swept both motos aboard his Yamaha YFZ450R to capture his eighth consecutive overall win – a perfect record for the season and a personal best for the likable Californian. Yamaha four-stroke performance also dominated off-road competition on Sunday, as AmPro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley took his ninth OMA Nationals win in Morrison, Ill. aboard his YZ450F to back up his fourth series championship.
After clinching the Quad-X title in Arizona last month, Nelson arrived at the Glen Helen finale in especially good spirits, but he still wanted to earn the holeshot money, achieve a perfect overall record, and show off the YFZ450R’s scorching performance. In the first moto, he fought to a narrow holeshot over rivals David Haagsma and Beau Baron, then put in a few fast and furious opening laps to build up a cushion of more than six seconds at the halfway point of the moto. With an enormous fitness reserve from ATV riding and mountain biking, Nelson then expanded his lead even further, eventually taking the checkered flag nearly eight seconds ahead of the nearest competitor.
This exact scenario repeated in moto two as Nelson again grabbed the holeshot over Haagsma and Baron, charged hard in the early going to forge a lead, and then extended it with a fast, controlled pace that no one could touch. He eventually won by 12 seconds. “To have a season like we did, the equipment had to be flawless – and everything worked great round after round,” said Nelson later. “We had strong engines to get us out front with no failures during the year. In fact we used the same chassis and the same engine, with normal rebuilds only, all year. We never even changed the bottom end.” Yamaha ATV racing coordinator Donnie Luce added, “Winning 15 of 16 motos on his way to a perfect overall season – and a fifth series championship – is a true indicator of the caliber of team that Dustin has assembled around him and the YFZ450R.”
| Pro 265-450 |
| 1 |
Dustin Nelson - YAM |
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| 2 |
David Haagsma |
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| 3 |
Beau Baron |
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| 4 |
Ethan Thatcher |
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| 5 |
Leon Rogers |
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| 6 |
Lance Hancock - YAM |
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| 7 |
Colt Brinkerhoff |
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| Standings |
| 1 |
Dustin Nelson - YAM |
225 |
| 2 |
Beau Baron |
186 |
| 3 |
Ethan Thatcher |
161 |
| 4 |
David Haagsma |
138 |
| 5 |
Josh Row - YAM |
128 |
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THE NELSON REPORT
Yamaha Quad X Series Round 8 Glen Helen Raceway, Devore, CA 10/29/11
Round 8 of the Yamaha Quad X series was held at Glen Helen Raceway near San Bernardino, CA. The final round was held on the REM track so the riders had an all new layout to learn for the last race of the season. The Yamaha demo rig was on hand offering demo rides on all the sport quads and played host to the series ending awards ceremonies after the final moto.
Moto 1: My #94 YFZ-R pulled hard down the short start and after a tight first turn with Davi Haagsma on my outside, I entered turn two with the lead. Starts were very important on the fast, one lined track, so I was happy to have the early lead and just concentrated on putting fast, mistake free laps together. While Haagsma and Beau Baron fought over 2nd, I was able to extend my lead to about 8 seconds by the halfway point of our 20 minute plus 1 lap moto. From that point on I was able to ride a comfortable pace out front and maintain my lead. When the checkers flew I took the win with Haagsma holding off Baron for second, Ethan Thatcher was fourth with visiting Irishman, Leon Rogers, claiming fifth.
Moto 2: The GYTR/Yamalube $250 Holeshot award was on the line and Haagsma and I battled again through the first turn but it was once again my YFZ-R pulling me to the front. Out front with a clear track I rode clean, hard laps and opened up a gap while Haagsma and Baron had a great battle for second that lasted the entire moto. When we crossed the line for the final time of 2011 I took the win by 12 seconds followed by Haagsma, Baron, Thatcher and Rogers.
Round 8 of the Yamaha Quad X series went great, we always set out to holeshot and win both motos and 2011 has been an unbelievable year for us. With the great support of Yamaha, my dad John Nelson, and Bill Johnson, I was able to win 15 of 16 motos and take all 8 overall wins. Thanks to all my sponsors for an awesome year.
Top Five Results Top Three Points
1) Dustin Nelson Yam 1) Dustin Nelson 200
2) Davi Haagsma Hon 2) Beau Baron 166
3) Beau Baron Hon 3) Ethan Thatcher 142
4) Ethan Thatcher Suz
5) Leon Rogers Kaw
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