Ernesto Fonseca posted a perfect 1-1 result in the debut of Yamaha’s new YZ250F four-stroke at the final Japanese national MX of the year this weekend at the Honda Airport Riders’ Park, the same race that saw Sebastien Tortelli win the 250cc class while debuting Honda’s new factory four-stroke.
When the gate dropped for the first moto, Fonseca’s YZ250F grabbed the holeshot. A great, yet short-lived battle ensued, as Fonseca navigated his way around the muddy circuit. Once Fonseca learned the best lines, the moto was his to the checkered flag with a 10-second margin of victory.
Moto two had Team Yamaha of Troy, Team Yamaha and Mr. Nakayama (YZ250F Project Leader) brimming with pride as Fonseca once again holeshot the race and ran away from the pack, extending his lead to over 20 seconds at the checkered flag.
“I was a bit nervous before the first moto,” explained Fonseca. “I know how hard everyone worked on this machine, and it was important for me to win both motos today. Now that I’ve ridden the 250F in race conditions, I am even more confident going into the first Supercross round at Anahiem Stadium. The bike is just awesome!”
“Whenever you travel to a foreign country, you never know who your competition will be or how you’re going to set up the machine for that track,” explained Team Yamaha Racing Manager Keith McCarty. “We basically only had a day and half of testing, but Ernesto went out there on an essentially bone-stock machine [his bike featured a different triple clamp and handlebar] and showed, with a dominating performance today, that he is ready for the Supercross Series.”
Fonseca will pilot his 2001 YZ250F four-stroke in the AMA 125cc Western Regional Supercross and 125cc National Motocross series in 2001.
Results:
1. E. Fonseca (Yam) 1/1
2. K. Kuraudo Hon. 3/2
3. T. Katsuya Hon. 2/3
4. K. Saai Hon. 4/4
5. S. Takami Hon. 5/5
6. S. Kaga Suz. 7/8