Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., announced Kylie Ahart of Marietta, Ohio, the Yamaha “All-American ATV Racer” at the recent Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) awards banquet.

Kylie was voted to the top position by her peers, friends and fans in an online contest hosted by Yamaha as a person and racer who embodies All-American ATV Racing values. She was awarded a complete racing package from Yamaha and GNCC during the banquet and will represent Yamaha in the 2015 GNCC season.

“The All-American ATV Racer contest was created to support the great racers and racing community within GNCC and to draw attention to Yamaha’s U.S.-based ATV manufacturing,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group. “We couldn’t be more excited to have Kylie, who is one of the most well-respected, up-and-coming GNCC racers, win and become part of the Yamaha team. We look forward to watching her race the Assembled in U.S.A. YFZ450R next year.”

The complete Yamaha All-American ATV Racer prize package that Kylie received includes a new YFZ450R, “Yamaha Pit Kit” (including Yamaha Racing pop-up, quad stand and pit jacket), Yamaha EF2000iS generator, Yamaha Pressure Washer, GYTR gift certificate for $1,000 of parts, accessories and apparel, and free race entry and gate entry to the 2015 GNCC season from Racer Productions.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States. Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia.

For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.

This year’s point-to-point Baja 1000 was 1275 miles of brutal terrain testing both machine and driver. Polaris RZR would go into the race as the defending champion, and the Scrambler XP 1000 would make a maiden voyage with Team UXC racing at the helm.

Nineteen side-by-sides, including 13 RZRs, would start the race and eight side-by-sides, six being RZRs, would finish. First-time Baja 1000 driver of record Johnny Angal of UTV Inc., and his drivers Brian Bush, Branden Sims and Justin Quinn, in their No. 1919 RZR XP 4 1000 would take the grueling race. Jagged X in the No. 1932 with drivers Matt Parks, Brandon Schueler and Craig Scanlon took second.

UTV Inc. and Jagged X would keep things interesting throughout the race battling the whole way down the peninsula. There would be lead changes, break downs and even a tangle between the two, but, in the end, the two would finish the 33-and-a-half hour race, three minutes apart.

Even more impressive, UTV Inc. and Jagged X would finish 47 and 48 overall with about 239 starters and 140 finishers. Also finishing in the Top 5 for UTVs would be the No. 1921 RZR of Jamie Kirkpatrick/Tire Balls in fourth and the No. 1923 of Ben Bischoff who was driving a brand-new Holz Racing Products built Polaris RZR in his first UTV race ever, finishing fifth. Polaris Factory Racer Cognito Racing would finish seventh in the No. 1908, and the No. 1927 RZR of Frank Bushman was eighth.

On the ATV side, Team UXC Racing would come into the Baja 1000 leading the Sportsman Quad Class as the lone 4×4 going up against sport quads all season. The Baja 1000 would see 15 ATVs in the Sportsman Quad Class take the line, four being Scrambler XP ATVs including Team UXC Racing’s No. 140A.

Team UXC Racing’s Don Higbee, Michael Swift, Chris Robinson, Jason Wade and Michael Burrows would finish fourth out of six finishers, mark in the history books the first national series ATV title for the new Scrambler XP 1000 and show the viability of the Scrambler as a desert race vehicle.

“Competing in the Baja 1000 takes an incredible amount of planning and dedication, and Polaris would like to congratulate all racers running Polaris vehicles on their successes,” said Donna Beadle, race team manager for Polaris. “Polaris is extremely honored to have a RZR win the UTV class for the second year in a row, and thanks Team UXC Racing for showing the desert racing community that the Scrambler is the real deal in the desert.”

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered parts, accessories and apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PII, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.

Can-Am Maverick side-by-side racers competed at the 2014 Tecate SCORE International Baja 1000 race on the Baja Peninsula, tallying one Class 19 podium and the overall season championship. Racing solo, Marc Burnett (Burnett Motorsports / Can-Am) finished the endurance race in sixth to secure BRP / Can-Am its the first ever SCORE Baja 1000 season class side-by-side title. The Desert Toyz / Can-Am team of Corry Sappington also had a solid race, earning a third-place podium finish at this year’s gruelling 1,275-mile race held in Mexico.

“We were impressed with effort put forth by all our teams, but especially Marc Burnett, who not only won the SCORE Class 19 championship with his Monster Maverick, but also completed the entire 2014 Baja 1000 ironman. With two wins on the year and then this final outstanding effort, he deserves a lot of credit for finishing strong,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “We were absolutely thrilled to see Cody Sappington’s Desert Toyz Can-Am Maverick earn a prestigious Baja 1000 podium spot with such a difficult course.”

The 2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 featured a challenging course that snaked its way through the rugged desert and hit both coasts on the Baja Peninsula, winding 1,275 miles from Ensenada to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Nineteen side-by-sides entered Class 19, but only eight finished in the allotted time.

Can-Am Maverick 1000R pilot Marc Burnett (Burnett Motorsports / Can-Am / Monster) came into the most prestigious SCORE race with the Class 19 points lead, having won both the Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. By simply finishing the extended Baja 1000 course, Burnett could wrap up his first career side-by-side championship for himself and Can-Am. However, he also decided to compete the Baja solo (ironman), driving more than 1,200 miles alone.

The No. 1917 team of Murray Racing / Can-Am / ITP was also in the running for the overall title, having reached the podium at the series opener and posting a win earlier in the year at the Imperial Valley 250. The final Can-Am team consisted of the No. 1904 Desert Toyz / Can-Am Maverick of Cory Sappington, who came into Baja fourth in the class standings.

Burnett battled the entire race, competing much of it in the top five and at one point (San Ignacio region) held the lead in his No. 1904 Maverick. Baja is as much about luck and mechanical survival as it is skill and horsepower. Burnett, like many teams, was faced with issues he had to overcome, from extreme fatigue to navigational challenges to both scheduled and unscheduled mechanical fixes.

Despite the circumstances, he was in third place and pushing for the podium at the 1,100-mile marker before hitting a nasty silt bed. It was here on the course, where Sappington found his way around Burnett and moved into third. Burnett knew he only had to finish to capture the title, so he valiantly drove on, overcoming another delay, to the finish line and the 2014 SCORE Class 19 championship.

“This year’s Baja 1000 was a true Baja challenge. The course was 1,275 miles of pure hell. I was definitely feeling the burn coming into the finish. A lot of people said there was no way I could ironman this race, but boy did I prove so many people wrong,” said Burnett. “This season is dedicated to a very special lady, my grandmother, who passed away 11 months ago. I want to thank my team (and) my cousins for all their hard work throughout the year. I couldn’t have done it without them. I also thank all my key sponsors and Can-Am for giving me the opportunity to race one of their machines.”

Sappington’s Desert Toyz Maverick MAX outlasted much of the competition and withstood the gnarly terrain while running another consistent race. The team, which was outside of the top five at certain points, maintained its composure and patiently completed the grueling course in a time of 37:15:07.188. That finishing time was good for third on Class 19 (Pro) SxS class podium.

“This is the first time having my own crew and car and we’re thrilled to finish and make the Baja 1000 podium,” said Sappington. “We pushed it for 1,275 miles, for 35-plus hours of 8,000 RPM and not a hiccup. The Maverick MAX ran awesome – super tough! I can’t believe how much punishment we put this near stock vehicle through and it held strong.”

For more information on 2014 Can-Am racing, the contingency program and all amateur racer support programs, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles, today asked off-road enthusiasts to stand up and let their voices be heard regarding the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) proposed mandates for off-road, side-by-side vehicles (ROVs).

Despite willingness by Polaris and other manufacturers, along with the Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), to work in unison with the CPSC to develop ongoing safety improvements for all off-highway vehicles, the CPSC appears determined to mandate handling and performance capabilities, and require excessive and potentially unsafe restraint systems for future ROVs.

If not halted, the mandate will unnecessarily limit design freedom in the off-road industry and negatively impact off-road customers. The proposed CPSC “rule” would require Polaris and other manufacturers to make arbitrary design changes to all future side-by-side vehicles.

The proposed changes could lead to future off-road vehicles with reduced steering response, reduction in ground clearance, and more restrictive driver and passenger restraint and seatbelt systems.

“As an off-road community, we have a tremendous challenge in front of us,” said Paul Vitrano, VP, global government relations for Polaris. “As a unified community, we can protect our right to design, build and ride for today and the future.” Polaris is asking off-road enthusiasts to reach out to Congress, and voice their opposition.

More information about the proposed mandate and how to speak out can be found at StopTheROVMandate.com.

Also be sure to voice your opinion on the CPSC Contact Form.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S.,and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered parts, accessories and apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PII, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available fromauthorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is about to level some pretty crazy new regulations which have the potential to undermine safety (yes!) and functionality of current side by side vehicles.

Currently the CPSC is in a 75 day holding pattern allowing for both the industry and users to have input for or against the mandates and changes the CPSC wants SXS OEM’s to implement.

Watch the following video and see exactly what these strange new rules will do to the vehicles we love.

If you choose to do nothing, we all will lose. If you wish to preserve this incredible sport for future generations then take action!

Every off road enthusiast needs to visit StopTheROVMandate.com. You can link through to a pre-written letter which you can sign and send to your member of congress.

Your voice MUST be heard!!

Arctic Cat Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAT) today announced that Christopher T. Metz, 49, will join the company as president and chief executive officer on December 3, 2014. Metz succeeds Christopher Twomey, who remains Arctic Cat’s board chair.

Commented Twomey: “The board conducted a national search for a new CEO and we are delighted that Chris is joining Arctic Cat. Chris is a proven leader in the consumer and durable goods industries. He has built a career on improving the performance of market-leading companies. He brings an outstanding strategic skill set to his new role at Arctic Cat – a keen focus on executional excellence and deep experience in product marketing, finance, global operations and talent management. Importantly, he is adept at creating strong partnerships with customers and dealers. Along with the rest of the board, I am pleased to welcome Chris and look forward to working with him.”

Since 2005, Metz has served as a managing director of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm with more than $10 billion in capital under management. Prior to Sun Capital, Metz was president at Black & Decker, leading its Hardware and Home Improvement Group from 1999 to 2005.

During his 13-year tenure at Black & Decker, he held various other senior leadership positions, including: president of Kwikset Corporation, the world’s largest residential lockset manufacturer; president of Price Pfister, a leading manufacturer of finish faucets; president of Baldwin Hardware; and general manager of European Professional Power Tools and Accessories, based in Frankfurt, Germany.

Metz said: “I am excited to lead a terrific team at Arctic Cat. The company has a strong consumer brand and significant opportunities to increase its sales and profitability. I am eager to build on the company’s success and enhance shareholder value.”

Metz serves on the board of directors of NYSE-listed Vince Holdings Corp., a global fashion brand and retailer with approximately $300 million in annual revenue.

Metz earned a master of business administration degree from the Kenan Flagler School of Business of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Delaware.

Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol ACAT.

More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at arcticcat.com.