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Dustin
Wimmer was back in action at Steel City
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Chino, CA (5/26/2009) - 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."
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Doug
Gust just missed back to back Podium
finishes by one position
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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.
