Over in California, Chad Wienen has taken his first AMA Pro ATV championship thanks to his skill on his Yamaha race quad, claiming the title by more than 31 points ahead of his closest rival over the weekend of August 11 – 12.
This had been Wienen’s first season with Yamaha and said that, following on from his injury from last season, he was determined to make many changes to ensure that he came back strong this time round. He went on to say that the Yamaha race quad was bulletproof, having managed to take six wins. Wienen also took second place three times and third place once along the way to getting the championship, thereby getting his name on the history books of Yamaha for winning what is considered to be the most prestigious championship race of the ATV MX racing circuit.
His team mate, Thomas Brown, who has been with Yamaha for five years, came fifth in the overall standings for 2012, which means that the pair have now ensured they have a place in the AMA ATV race. Brown, who has been consistent in his racing with the YFZ45OR quad bike, has been the key reason why Yamaha managed to get the AMA ATV Manufacturers titles behind it.
Yamaha has managed to increase its racing presence in the AMA during the season by including Wienen and beefing up the presence of support at the trackside for all of its competitors. Yamaha also supports quad bike racing in the World Off-Road Championships, the Quad X Series and the Grand National Cross Country series.