Yamaha Quad X Series Round 10 Glen Helen Raceway, Devore, CA 11/10/12 – Round 10 of the Yamaha Quad X series was held at Glen Helen Raceway. The weatherman called for rain and cold temps but luckily for riders and teams, no rain fell. There was an added level of excitement coming into the final round this year as myself and Davi Haagsma have been in a points battle all year and if either one of us won, that rider would take the championship as well.
Moto 1: Davi Haagsma grabbed the holeshot with me and Beau Baron side by side around the first turn. I kept it wide open around the outside and down the next straight to claim 2nd. Haagsma set a very fast pace out front while I struggled with rear traction through the many flat slick corners and had an intense battle with Baron for 2nd. Every time I felt like I had a small cushion on Baron, I would over slide a corner and lose my momentum and gap. Haagsma pulled out to 7 seconds at one point in the moto before backing it down a bit. When the checkers flew Haagsma took the win by 4 seconds, followed by me and Baron. Josh Row and Jason Fife rounded out the top 5.
Moto 2: My #94 YFZ-R shot off the concrete pad and I had a half bike length lead on everyone as we hit the dirt. After some bumping down the start straight I was stoked to come around the first turn with the lead and grab the GYTR/Yamalube $250 Holeshot award. My teammate Row slotted into 2nd with Baron and Haagsma close behind. I was able to open a small gap in the opening laps while Haagsma made quick work of the Baron and Row to climb to 2nd. We changed our rear tire set up to try and rectify the trouble I had in the flat, slick corners in the first moto, but I still struggled as Haagsma quickly erased any gap I had. We battled lap after lap until with just over a lap to go, I caught a small rut and over slid a flat, slick, left hander and let Haagsma get up next to me with the inside for the next corner. We made contact in the following corner but by being on the outside I didn’t stand much of a chance. I chased Haagsma for the final lap, looking for any chance at making a pass to retake the lead but just couldn’t make it happen. At the finish it was Haagsma with the win and me 2nd, Baron, Row and Fife rounded out the top 5.
Round 10 of the Yamaha Quad X series was probably the most exciting racing the spectators got to see all year. I’m definitely bummed to come out of it with a 2nd instead of another championship but I learned a lot about what we need to do to take it back next year. It’s now time to take our short offseason and work on a few things to make sure we come back faster and stronger for 2013.
Rnd 10 Top Five Results
- Davi Haagsma (Hon)
- Dustin Nelson (Yam)
- Beau Baron (Hon)
- Josh Row (Yam)
- Jason Fife (Yam)
Points after Rnd 10
- Davi Haagsma 222 pts (8 wins)
- Dustin Nelson 222 pts (2 wins)
- Beau Baron 186 pts