Unadilla Preview
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 | 12:00 AM
AMA NATIONAL ATV RACING RETURNS TO THE EMPIRE STATE;
TOP RACERS TO TAKE ON UNADILLA THIS WEEKEND
The ATV Motocross Series features the top professional and amateur ATV riders in the country, competing at preeminent motocross facilities across the nation. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.
The riders will be vying for the most coveted honor in ATV racing: The AMA National Championship and the AMA No. 1 Number Plate.
This weekend's event is the second base of the $5,000 ITP Tires Grand Slam Presented by QUAD Magazine. The championship within a championship, being held at four of this year's Showcase Events, is offering monetary awards in the Pro Class, as well as special bronze, silver and gold medals in the Amateur Classes.
This weekend's Showcase will feature the popular RiderCourse ATV training program, as well as demo rides of Can-Am's newest ATVs. The Showcase will also include other outdoor-themed displays and other entertainment opportunities for fans.
The race will be telecast on Versus Network on Sept. 29 at 3:30 p.m.
With Round 7 looming, the points championship is still very much up for grabs. Dustin Wimmer (No. 191 MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) has a commanding 41-point lead in the chase, earned on the merit of three victories and two additional podiums. In addition, the Center Valley. Pa rider is the defending winner here.
However, a group of veteran riders are charging hard behind Wimmer.
Leading that charge is Wimmer's teammate Doug Gust. "Digger" Doug (No. 55 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) has been consistent all season, earning a single victory, and four additional top-five finishes. Gust sits second in points.
Meanwhile, defending and two-time AMA National Champion Joe Byrd has been on a tear during the last three races. With two victories, as well as a runner-up finish, Byrd (No. 7 American Honda/Joe Byrd Riding School Honda) has quietly elevated himself to third in points, and he may just be in the catbird seat when it counts.
Connecticut native Josh Creamer too has displayed courage and veteran experience this season on his No. 9 Team Monster Energy Kawasaki. Creamer, who earned his second podium this season at the most recent round, now sits fourth in points.
Just behind Creamer is fan favorite John Natalie. Natalie (No. 13 Team Can-Am Racing Can-Am), riding the all-new Can-Am DS450, has shown just how quickly a development program can come up to speed. Natalie netted Can-Am's first moto victory this season, and handed the Canadian company its first ever podium in ATVA competition. Natalie sits fifth in points.
Team Yamaha, too, has shown glimmers of greatness this season, as Pat Brown (No. 199 Factory Team Yamaha) has a podium to his credit. Brown is always in contention, but has been dogged by bad luck this season.
Harold Goodman (No. 708 American Honda/Houser Racing Honda), Chad Wienen (No. 44 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki), Josh Upperman (No. 20 American Honda/Baldwin Motorsports Honda), and Rocco Arno, Jr. (No. 101 Honda), as well as many others are also expected to compete here.
Fast Facts:
Fast Facts ”“ Can-Am Northeastern ATV National Presented by Renegade ”“ June 7-8, 2008
What: ITP/Moose Racing ATV National Motocross Championship Series, America's premier ATV racing series. ATV motocross racing is run on a closed course, which comprises technical "whoops" sections, as well as big-air jumps, tight turns and all-out straightaways. The machines are race-bred 450cc machines from top manufacturers such as Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, KTM, and Kawasaki. Riders easily make six-figure incomes from the large purses, and contingency bonuses posted by manufacturers, as well as other Series sponsors and suppliers.
When: June 7-8, 2008
Where: Unadilla MX. Directions NYS Thruway to exit #31 (Utica, NY), follow signs for Route #8 SOUTH. I-88 east, Exit 9 (Sidney, NY); Turn LEFT on Hwy 8 North; 30 min. to track.
Who: Top Pro racers, including Joe Byrd, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust, Chad Wienen, John Natalie, Jr., Josh Creamer, Keith Little, Jeremy Lawson, Pat Brown, Harold Goodman and many others. The Series also features the top Pro Am, Amateur, Women, and Youth riders in the country.
Current Pro Points
Pos |
Name |
# |
Brand |
Hometown |
#1 |
#2 |
#3 |
#4 |
#5 |
#6 |
Pts |
1 |
Dustin Wimmer |
191 |
Suzuki |
Center Valley, Pa. |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
235 |
2 |
Doug Gust |
55 |
Suzuki |
Salem, Wis. |
5 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
194 |
3 |
Joe Byrd |
7 |
Honda |
Union City, Tenn. |
8 |
2 |
18 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
178 |
4 |
Josh Creamer |
9 |
Kawasaki |
N. Stonington, Conn. |
3 |
20 |
4 |
10 |
17 |
3 |
146 |
5 |
John Natalie |
13 |
Can-Am |
Houtzdale, Pa. |
4 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
2 |
19 |
142 |
6 |
Harold Goodman |
708 |
Honda |
Brownstown, Mich. |
6 |
6 |
13 |
7 |
9 |
7 |
141 |
7 |
Jeremy Lawson |
16 |
Can-Am |
Battletown, Ky. |
15 |
7 |
19 |
5 |
11 |
2 |
134 |
8 |
Chad Wienen |
44 |
Suzuki |
Galena, Ill. |
2 |
9 |
11 |
7 |
13 |
8 |
126 |
9 |
Josh Upperman |
20 |
Can-Am |
Lousville, Ohio |
|
4 |
17 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
119 |
10 |
Rocco Arno, Jr. |
101 |
Honda |
Bridgeton, N.J. |
17 |
15 |
5 |
11 |
6 |
9 |
116 |