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Wimmer Recovers to
Race Steel City AMA Pro ATV Event
Chino, Calif. - May 26, 2009 - It was
touch-and-go as Yoshimura and Team Rockstar
Makita Suzuki headed into this weekend's race in
Delmont, Pennsylvania. Was Dustin Wimmer ready
to get back on the track and rack up enough
points to salvage his championship bid? But as
the days grew closer to the start of the Steel
City round of the AMA Pro ATV Championship
Series, the decision was made - Yes! Wimmer
would compete.
The Center Valley PA native had no
opportunity to practice leading up to this home
state round, but his practice times on Saturday
were among the fastest.
"I knew I was going to have to just dig deep
down and find the strength to make it through
two motos," Wimmer explained. "I hadn't even
been to the gym in three weeks so stamina was
going to be the hard part."
Even with a valiant effort, Wimmer was unable
to push through to make a podium. He ended the
day 8th overall (finishing 9th and 11th)
salvaging 22 points.
"My goal this weekend was to get as many
points as possible," Wimmer continued. "I now
have 206 points - just 25 points behind the
leader. This has become a very competitive
series, with a lot of riders who could have shot
at the title. I'm glad I was healed enough to
race Sunday, but now I have three weeks to get
into shape again. I'm just going to rest a few
days and then push as hard as I can."
Teammate Doug Gust, coming off a great race
at Sunset Ridge, was out to prove he could do it
again. Gust's hard driving and finely-honed
strategy skills kept him fighting at the front
of the pack for both motos, and gave him a 4th
overall (finishing 4th and 3rd) for the day and
6th in points for the season.
Team Manager Kory Ellis was happy with the
weekend's outcome: "We left the decision up to
Dustin when we got the OK from the doctor.
Dustin wants the Championship again, so he
was all for it. Even though he was pretty rusty
from not riding at all, I thought he looked
really good out there. He rode cautiously but he
was out there just to do the best he could so he
can come out the next race at 100%. I was really
pleased with Doug's performance. He has finally
gotten back in gear and actually did better this
race than last round. He's definitely riding
better than he has all season - getting better
starts and getting around people early. He's
back doing what he's capable of."
Also making news at Steel City was Harold
Goodman who got, not just one, but two holeshots.
He went on to get 7th overall. In other classes
Joel Hetrick took the top spot in the Pro Am
Unlimited Class and Neal McGrath took the 450A.
Congratulations.
Next up is the Unadilla round in New Berlin,
NY on June 13th-14th.
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