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Mud Race Redemption

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A year following our bitter defeat at Smoke ’N’ Spurs 2017 with our most successful and viewed build in Dirt Trax history, AJ and Graham take our custom mud racing 2008 Outlander to Turner’s Performance in Redbridge, Ontario to work out some final kinks. Then, the pair return to the mud pit at Smoke ’N’ Spurs 2018 for one final chance at a podium in this exciting closing chapter to the Can-Am Mud Build series.

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Heger Wins National Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Championship in YXZ1000R

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MARIETTA, Ga. – October 25, 2018 – Yamaha Racing announces factory-supported bLU cRU racer Brock Heger captured the 2018 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORRS) Production 1000 UTV Class national championship this past weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona. For the second year in a row, Heger claims the $15,000 Yamaha bLU cRU bonus in his YXZ1000R.

“Yamaha sends a big congratulations to Brock Heger, along with his entire team, who put up another incredible performance this year, successfully defending the LOORRS Production 1000 UTV national title in a YXZ1000R,” said Donnie Luce, Yamaha’s off-road racing coordinator. “Heger performed with unmatched consistency as the only racer in the class to finish on the podium ten times or more – for two years in a row.”

Heger earned his second-straight LOORRS Production 1000 UTV national championship and Yamaha’s $15,000 bLU cRU championship bonus in his Jeremy McGrath Motorsports / Maxxis / ICON Vehicle Dynamics YXZ1000R. This year, Heger finished on the podium in all but one race, including four first-place finishes. His 536 points earned him an impressive 64-point lead to finish the season.

In the Arizona Lucas Oil Regional Off-Road Series (LORORS), bLU cRU Racer Paul O’Brien is chasing the Production 1000 UTV championship and $5,000 bLU cRU bonus in his Weller Racing YXZ1000R SS (Sport Shift), currently holding a 43-point lead with two rounds remaining on November 3 and 4 at Wild Horse Motorsports Park. Also in the LORORS Arizona series, fellow bLU cRU racer, Jason Weller, currently sits eight points out from finishing third overall in his Weller Racing YXZ1000R.

For more information on Yamaha’s bLU cRU program, including all guidelines and requirements for ATV and SxS racing, visit www.YamahabLUcRU.com. Follow Yamaha Outdoors at www.Facebook.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.Instagram.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.Twitter.com/YamahaOutdoors, or by searching the following hashtags: #Yamaha #YamahaRacing #bLUcRU #ProvenOffRoad #XTRChallenge #REALizeYourAdventure #REALizeYourPodium #AssembledInUSA

About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the powersports industry. The company’s ever- expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Outboard Motors, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Machines, Unmanned Helicopters,

Accessories, Apparel, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States. YMUS has a corporate office in Cypress, California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Further U.S.-based Yamaha companies include Skeeter Boats (Texas), G3 Boats (Missouri), Bennet Marine (Florida), Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana), and Kracor, Inc. (Wisconsin).

The Ultimate RANGER Rescue Rig with Princess Auto

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We give you a behind the scenes look at a recent project we had the pleasure working on alongside Princess Auto. Within this exclusive behind the scenes segment we also showcase the build of Barry Parkin as he transforms a Polaris Ranger Crew into what has been dubbed the Ultimate 4X4 Rescue vehicle – a rig with the capabilities of getting anything ‘un-stuck’ from in the mud and get you back home safely.

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Off-Roading on the Stone Mountain Trail System in Virginia

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Luke sets out for Spearhead Trails located in Southwest Virginia alongside good friend and riding partner – Tanner Graham. While there; they explore the Stone Mountain trail system in Pennington Gap. Known for its stunning overlooks, Stone Mountain offers a variety of trails that cater to intermediate riders with families and those looking for technical riding challenges.

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Yamaha XTReme Terrain Challenge Announcements: Yamalube Sponsors Entries and Josh Gracin Headlines Post-Ride Concert

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MARIETTA, Ga. – October 24, 2018 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, announces news on the upcoming Yamaha XTReme Terrain Challenge, an all-new off-roading adventure for Yamaha YXZ1000R and Wolverine Side-by-Side (SxS) owners. First, Yamalube – Yamaha’s exclusive line of premier engine oils, lubricants and care products – is coming on as a sponsor to cover the $100 entry fee for all XTR Challenge participants. And following the ride, country music star Josh Gracin will headline a concert for all attendees to enjoy.

The inaugural Yamaha XTReme Terrain Challenge is scheduled for November 16 to 18, at the historic Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. XTR Challenge entries are limited in each YXZ and Wolverine Side-by-Side class, and participants may register online now at XTRemeTerrainChallenge.com.

“The XTReme Terrain Challenge will be an exciting event for Yamaha customers, friends, and families, with fun and adventure in store for participants and spectators alike,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV / SxS group marketing manager. “With Yamalube now covering entry fees for XTR participants, Josh Gracin performing, and a thrilling course being dialed in, it’s lining up to be a great weekend.”

Yamalube is the only oil built around the unique demands, operating characteristics, and applications of Yamaha engines. Collaborating with Yamaha engine designers, Yamalube’s global oil engineers formulate each oil from scratch to be engine- and application-specific, for ultimate performance and reliability. Furthering Yamaha’s commitment to a cleaner environment, Yamalube oils meet or exceed industry standards, such as the Japanese Automotive Standards Organization (JASO) MA. More information on Yamalube products, along with maintenance tips, can be found at Yamalube.com.

The Yamaha XTReme Terrain Challenge invites YXZ1000R and Wolverine Side-by-Side owners to enjoy a unique off-road event, with drivers and their co-pilot tackling an unmarked, GPS-navigated route through tight, technical trails, including mud bog and rock crawling sections requiring winching (with an optional route around). Teams finishing the course will earn a ShopYamaha.com gift card valued at $100. Those completing all obstacles and the course are entered to win a grand prize, with the winner announced by random drawing during the closing ceremonies. In addition to a swag bag and dinner Friday and Saturday, entrants will receive raffle tickets for various prizes, as well as an exclusive post-event concert headlined by country music star Josh Gracin.

Learn more about the all-new Yamaha XTReme Terrain Challenge online at XTRemeTerrainChallenge.com or YamahaOutdoors.com. For more updates on the XTReme Terrain Challenge, follow Yamaha Outdoors on social media at Facebook.com/YamahaOutdoors, Instagram.com/YamahaOutdoors, and Twitter.com/YamahaOutdoors. Additionally find Yamaha Outdoors on YouTube, or search the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #XTRChallenge #ProvenOffRoad #REALizeYourAdventure #WolverineX2 #WolverineX4 #YamahaWolverine #YXZ1000R #AdventurePro #AssembledInUSA #ShopYamaha #Yamalube

About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the powersports industry. The company’s ever- expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Outboard Motors, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States. YMUS has a corporate office in Cypress, California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Further U.S.-based Yamaha companies include Skeeter Boats (Texas), G3 Boats (Missouri), Bennet Marine (Florida), Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana), and Kracor, Inc. (Wisconsin).

TEST RIDE: 2019 Kubota RTV-XG850

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Kubota has never been known for building sporty off-road vehicles.

For years, the company has stuck mainly to rugged, anvil-reliable workhorses that exceed expectations for durability and toughness.

We’ve always been impressed with the innovation and comfort of Kubota’s diesel offerings, however, and were curious how the new “850 SideKick” would measure up.

The new Sidekick is powered by a gasoline-fired, 851cc, DOHC, 48.5-hp parallel twin – certainly a departure from Kubota diesels that offer power in the sub-30-hp range. The XG850 also uses a CVT tranny instead of the mainstay Kubota hydrostatics used in diesels this size.

Using a CVT instead of hydrostatic delivers a substantial weight decrease and makes a huge difference in the way the Sidekick handles and responds on trails and in wide-open spaces.

Lets clear something up right away: Kubota does not classify the 850 specifically as a Sport-Utility vehicle. Rather, it’s called a Work-Utility Vehicle and is targeted at ranchers, farmers and cattlemen who want a lighter, more responsive vehicle to assist with work chores and herding.

Kubota dealers had asked the company to deliver something to help ranchers keep up with their horse and cattle herds when they’re on the run. This meant more power, better suspension and quicker handling on the range.

Our test rider, Jeff Martin, a big guy who doesn’t endorse cramped vehicles, told us this Kubota is noticeably comfortable with lots of leg and foot space in the cab and plenty of headroom.

Two broad, contoured buckets with belts grace the wide-body interior and there’s a nice flange at the front of the steel bed so gravel and dirt don’t get overflowed and stuck between the cab and box. Driver controls are easy to reach and work smoothly – power steering is speed sensitive and extremely responsive.

Jeff also noticed the flat cornering demeanor of the Sidekick – something he didn’t expect from a work-targeted vehicle, and credits use of swaybars front and rear working with dual A-arms and coilover shocks. There’s 9-inches of adjustable travel up front and 8.5 in the rear.

Although the 850 is governed to 40 mph, throttle response is quick and substantial and the Sidekick wastes no time getting up to its maximum. Sound levels are very good and there’s almost no detectable vibration.

Owners will be able to equip the 850 with up to fifty different option packages including fully enclosed cab systems (we’ve tested these on other Kubotas and they are incredibly, tight, dust-free and comfortable), custom aluminum wheels, tires and a list of convenience and hauling add-ons.

The Sidekick is a departure for Kubota and opens the door to a host of new customers. It has all the “bones” to be a fun trail-rider with about a thousand workplace uses besides. Hey, nobody said a workhorse can’t be a blast to ride!

STI Chicane RX Tire

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Today’s high-end and high-performance UTVs demand larger-diameter tires, and STI answers the call with the all-new 33 x 10R-15 Chicane RX.

With revised shoulder tread and a slightly narrower profile, these Chicanes give increased side-bite traction and minimal rolling resistance. They’re lightweight, and DOT marked for versatility.

A unique split-knob non-directional tread design gives Chicane the best combination of steering and traction performance. The 8-ply rated carcass offers the perfect mix of high-mileage durability, light weight, and smooth ride flexibility.

The tire’s high-performance features include a deep rim guard and a reinforced bead/lower sidewall that allows lower PSI operation. Suggested retail price is $259.71, with exclusive distribution by MTA Distributing (U.S.) and Motovan (Canada).

STI Tire & Wheel designs and manufactures tires, wheels and tubes for owners of off-road motorcycles, UTVs and ATVs. STI is lead by powersports industry veterans with a deep understanding of the needs of off-road enthusiasts. The company is focused on delivering excellent products backed by industry-leading customer service.

stipowersports.com

Full REVIEW: 2019 Can-Am Maverick X3 X rc Turbo R

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Luke transforms seemingly menacing rock faces into pebbles as he tackles some gnarly terrain in his review of the purpose-built, 172hp turbocharged 2019 Can-Am Maverick X3 X rc Turbo R.

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Dirt Trax Television 2018 – Episode 17 Sneak Peek

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A year following our bitter defeat at Smoke ‘N’ Spurs 2017 with our most successful and viewed build in Dirt Trax history, AJ and Graham take our custom mud racing 2008 Outlander to Turner’s Performance in Redbridge, Ontario to work out some final kinks.

Then, the pair return to the mud pit at Smoke ‘N’ Spurs 2018 for one final chance at a podium in this exciting closing chapter to the Can-Am Mud Build series.

We sit down with Can-Am Off-Road’s Director of Design – Matt Tandrup – to learn more about Can-Am’s rigorous yet impressive six-month side-x-side release schedule over the past three years and into the years ahead, and how Can-Am is redefining the off-road industry.

Then in TEST RIDE Motorhead Mark reviews the reinvented 2018 RANGER XP 1000.

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Jeremy Houle Tops Podium at Lucas Off Road Racing Series Short Course Race

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Textron Off Road Racing’s Jeremy Houle took first place in his No. 54 Wildcat XX at the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series short course race in Chandler, Ariz.

Houle placed first in qualifying and drew position six for the main event. Off the start, he was able to move up to third into the first corner and then made a pass for second where he settled in for most of the race. With two laps to go, he passed the leader and held the field off to take the checkered flag.

The win was Textron Off Road Racing’s first win and second podium in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series this season.