The Nelson Report
Round 8 – 10/25/09
Cahuilla Creek MX Park
Anza, CA
Round eight of the Yamaha/ITP Quadcross series was held at Cahuilla Creek MX about thirty minutes east of Temecula, CA. We raced on the brand new ATV track so there were many questions to be answered concerning how the track would deteriorate, what kind of lines would develop and whether it be a good track for racing? Turns out that the track became very rough and was mostly one-lined, but did provide some decent racing.
The 15 rider field included a few extra National riders as Yamaha’s Thomas Brown made an appearance along with Can Am’s John Natalie and Chad Wienen.
Moto One: National privateer Nick Denoble pulled the holeshot followed by myself and Wienen. I made an aggressive block pass in turn three to take the lead and Wienen followed me through to take second. In the first half of the ten lap race I was able to pull about five seconds on Wienen who had a four second gap over Brown in third. Just past the midway point I made a couple mistakes and Wienen closed the gap. We had a close battle for a couple laps and then I was able to create a little breathing room to the finish. At the checkers, I took the win followed by Wienen, Brown, Jeremie Warnia and Natalie.
Moto Two: Natalie grabbed the holeshot with Warnia second and Justin Noss third. I started fourth but was able to get past Noss on the first lap. Then some Can Am team tactics kicked in – Natalie let Warnia take the lead but rode a slower pace in front of me to let Warnia pull a gap. It didn’t make me feel any better when Natalie’s pit board read “BLOCK“. Wienen had made his way to fourth but I had decided not to mess with Natalie unless Wienen got close. Just as I started to worry about Natalie’s pace being too slow and letting Wienen catch me, Natalie got a rear flat and was out of the race. Time ran out for both myself and Wienen; at the finish it was Warnia, myself, Wienen, Brown and Noss.
Round eight of the Yamaha/ITP Quadcross was ultimately a good one… with the win we knocked Warnia’s points lead down to 3 with one round remaining at Glen Helen on November 22nd. If I can win at Glen Helen the championship will be ours.