Anza, CA 10/21/12 – Round 9 of the Yamaha Quad X series was held at Cahuilla Creek MX in Anza, CA. One of the longest tracks on the schedule with the top pro lap times nearing the 2:30 mark. Much cooler than usual weather greeted riders and though it threatened rain most of the day, only the occasional sprinkles fell.
Moto 1: Davi Haagsma grabbed the holeshot with teammate Beau Baron in tow. I was 3rd as we raced down the hill and into turn 2. On the first lap I made a couple mistakes by over sliding corners and scrubbing momentum, this let Haagsma and Baron pull a few bike lengths gap on me. Around the halfway point my rear brakes felt like they were gone, then back. Then it felt like I had a flat rear tire. At this point I realized the rear bearing carrier had broken and the entire rear axle was moving back and forth. I nursed the bike to the finish for 3rd just ahead of a charging Jason Fife but well behind the lead duo of Haagsma and Baron. Colt Brinkerhoff rounded out the top 5.
Moto 2: Haagsma once again pulled the holeshot and collected the Yamalube/GYTR $250 Holeshot Award. Baron was again 2nd and me 3rd. As we climbed the first small hill after turn 3 Baron’s bike made a pop and he was out of the race. This put me into 2nd and I set out after Haagsma. I closed the few bike lengths he had on me and was very close as we neared the end of lap one when I blew through a small berm and disaster struck. I clipped a small tree or bush that was just at the top of a drop down a hill and it sent me flipping and tumbling down the hill. I landed very hard on my back and the bike hit me in the knee as it tumbled past. It took me what seemed like forever to get my breath back, but once I did I remounted and continued the race. Haagsma was gone out front and Fife had a very comfortable 2nd but I was able to catch and pass my way back to 3rd by the finish. Brinkerhoff finished 4th and Jorge Guerrero rounded out the top 5.
Round 9 of the Yamaha Quad X series definitely didn’t go to plan. I’m hurting pretty bad as I sit here and write this but I have 3 weeks to heal up and come back strong for the finale at Glen Helen on November 10th. We will all be working hard to try and bring home title #6.
Rnd 9 Top Three
- Davi Haagsma (Hon)
- Jason Fife (Yam)
- Dustin Nelson (Yam)
Results Points after Rnd 9
- Dustin Nelson 200
- Davi Haagsma 197
- Beau Baron 166