|
Suzuki 2008 AMA /
ATVA National Championship Series Recap
Highlights
The Rockstar / MSR / Pro Taper / Yoshimura /
Suzuki team enjoyed a highly successful 2008
racing season, with Dustin Wimmer (#191)
claiming first place in the ITP/Moose AMA/ATVA
National MX Championship series. His teammates
Doug Gust (#55) and Chad Wienen (#44) also had
reasons to celebrate at the season's end, with
both riders having claimed victories and podium
finishes. With speed, consistency, teamwork, and
the phenomenal QuadRacer R450, Suzuki handily
won the coveted Manufacturers' Cup, asserting
their status as "First on 4 Wheels".
The
season began March 10, 2008 in San Bernardino,
California at Glen Helen Raceway. Dustin Wimmer
started out with a bang, winning both motos in
convincing fashion while Chad Wienen finished
runner up and Doug Gust finished in fifth.
Dustin Wimmer Dominating the Lead at Glen Helen
On March 29-30 in Pell City, Alabama
at Millcreek, Wimmer proved to be unstoppable
again, sweeping both motos with ease for the
overall victory. Gust accompanied his teammate
on the podium with a third overall finish.
Dustin Wimmer in the Lead
Round 3 took place on April 13 in
Bowling Green, Kentucky at Ballance Moto X.
While Wimmer looked poised to sweep both motos
after a first moto victory, it was Doug Gust who
rose to the occasion in the second moto, taking
the overall victory with two consistent
second-place finishes.
Doug Gust on the
Kentucky Podium
Wimmer maintained championship
momentum in Danville, Virginia, for Round 4 of
the ITP/Moose AMA/ATVA National MX Championship
on April 26-27. He finishing second overall,
riding wisely and consistently.
Dustin
Wimmer taking a double at Birch Creek MX
The May 10-11 race at Sunset
Ridge in Walnut, Illinois, was a challenging
one, with inclement weather conditions
shortening the usual two-moto format to one
single race. Wimmer showed his perseverance,
however, and easily won, leading every lap on
his way to the checkered flag.
Wimmer -
Final Lap Sunset Ridge
Wimmer was quick to bounce back
at Round 7 of the championship, held June 7-8 at
Unadilla MX Raceway in New Berlin, New York. He
demonstrated championship-caliber consistency
with a consistent 2-2 finish in muddy
conditions.
Wimmer riding smooth at Unadilla
Round 8 took place June 21-22 at
Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tennessee.
The event was another display of Wimmer's
dominance, as he handily swept both motos and
extended his tremendous points lead
Dustin
Wimmer Flying High....again
Round 9 at Pleasure Valley
Raceway in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, July 12-13,
saw veteran Doug Gust claim his second victory
of the season in a rain-soaked race. Points
leader Wimmer rode consistently and joined Gust
on the podium with a third overall.
Doug
Gust Charges after Getting the Holeshot
The July 26-27 race at Red Bud
Raceway in Buchanan, Michigan was the moment
that Dustin WImmer had waited for his entire
career, as he secured the 2008 ITP/Moose
AMA/ATVA National MX Championship. Wimmer rode
consistently and finished in fourth
overall.Teammate Chad Wienen had his best
performance of the season to date with a 1-2 for
second overall. He was joined on the podium by
Gust, who finished third overall.
2008 AMA
Pro ATV MX Champion, Dustin Wimmer
Chad Wienen continued his
momentum into the final round of the
championship on August 9-10 at Loretta Lynn's
Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, taking the
overall victory with1-2 moto scores. Newly
crowned champion Wimmer made it a 1-2 Suzuki
podium finish with a strong second overall.
Chad Wienen Charges for the Checkers
Suzuki also earned the Manufacturers'
Cup by having a QuadRacer R450 on the podium of
every race.
The top ten final standings
for the ITP/Moose AMA/ATVA National MX
Championship:
1st - Dustin Wimmer #191 -
QuadRacer R450 - 438
2nd - Joe Byrd #7 - 371
3rd - Douglas Gust #55 - QuadRacer R450 -
352
4th - Josh Creamer #9 – 298
5th -
Jeremy Lawson #16 - 277
6th - Chad Wienen
#44 - QuadRacer R450 - 268
7th - John
Natalie Jr. #13 - 263
8th - Harold Goodman
#708 - 259
9th - Josh Upperman #20 - 227
10th - Cody Miller #22 - 187
Team
Suzuki's amateur efforts were also successful
this season.
Suzuki amateur riders in
the top 3 of their class:
Pro-Am Production:
Cody Gibson (3rd overall)
Pro-Am Unlimited:
Cody Gibson (Champion), Cody Grant (3rd overall)
450 A: Michael Logan Brewster (2nd overall)
Open A: Doug Lanzer (Champion)
4-Stroke
A: Michael Logan Brewster (Champion)
4-Stroke B: Michael Long (2nd overall)
Production B: Michael Long (2nd overall), Daniel
Cooper (3rd overall)
College 16-24: Andrew
Spence (2nd overall)
Junior 25 Plus: Chase
Cunningham (Champion), Chadwick Lohr (3rd
overall)
Vet 30+ A: Jeffrey Thompson
(Champion)
Vet 30+ B/C: Brian Jenkins
(Champion), Karl Vann (3rd overall)
Senior
40+: Jerry Huckabey, Jr. (2nd overall)
Schoolboy Sr. (15-17): Joel Hetrick (Champion)
|
