Cypress, Calif. - Yamaha ATV Racing standouts Walker Fowler and Dustin Nelson recently wrapped their 2013 seasons with podium finishes to cap a standout year for the boys in blue.
Fowler and Nelson are two of Yamaha's leading ATV racers-part of a national team that has topped podiums, capture championships and reinforced Yamaha's place atop ATV racing aboard their YFZ450R race machines. When it comes to sport ATVs, the Yamaha YFZ450R is the only quad to continue to evolve with updates in the 2014 model that boasts power gains and improved handling. The highest performance, most technologically advanced sport ATV on the market is also now assembled in Yamaha's U.S. factory in Newnan, GA.
Fowler leads Yamaha's ATV racing efforts in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series and finished his 2013 season with a strong second on the day and second overall in the premier XC-1 Pro class finale a couple of weeks ago. The GNCC XC-2 Pro-Am champion named "AMA ATV Racer of the Year" in 2011, Fowler took three wins in the Pro class this year and is poised to battle for the championship in 2014.
"Walker has been climbing the GNCC ranks winning class championships for years and he continues to take the necessary steps needed to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an XC1 Champion," Donnie Luce, Yamaha ATV/Off-Road racing coordinator, said. "He has proven to everyone that he is a legit contender on his Ampro Yamaha no matter what the conditions. We look forward to another exciting season in 2014."
Just last weekend, Nelson wrapped the 2013 Yamaha QuadX Series finale at Glen Helen Raceway with a 3-3 finish placing him at third overall for the year. Nelson, who is a five-time QuadX Champion and veteran off-road racer, also competed in the World Off-Road Championship Race series this year capturing third overall.
"Dustin's presence here on the West Coast continues elevate the level of competition in both the QuadX and WORCS series each year," Luce said. "He holds a record five QuadX Series championships and his involvement in the testing and development of the new YFZ has had a positive impact on the entire team."
Earlier this season, Yamaha's Chad Wienen and Thomas Brown finished first and second, consecutively, on the year in the AMAATV National Championship series helping Yamaha secure its second AMA Pro ATV Manufacturer's title. This was Wienen's second consecutive AMA championship aboard his YFZ450R and he and Brown show no signs of slowing down in 2014. Yamaha continues to lead the sport ATV market in sales, championships and support. This year has seen extended trackside support for all ATV racers at each stop of the AMA ATV nationals. Layne Barnes and Pro Motorsports from Mt. Pleasant, IA, supported all of the events on behalf of Yamaha stocking replacement parts and providing technical assistance to riders on race days.
Yamaha, the number one brand in sport ATVs, also supports racers in the Grand National Cross Country series, World Off-Road Championship Series and Yamaha Quad-X Series. Follow more Yamaha racing at www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa and www.twitter.com/yamahaatvracing.
