Arctic Cat has just released its entry into the 50-inch wide sport side-x-side arena with the Wildcat Trail.
DirtTrax Television had its first ride last week in Colorado so here’s AJ to tell you a bit more about it…
The feature list includes FOX aluminum rebuildable shocks at all four corners, new Carlisle tires, latching doors and a 700cc parallel twin boasting a claimed 60 horsepower!
With winter approaching the topic of conversation will be quickly turning to traction for ATV and Side-x-Side tires.
One company that is a specialist in traction is Woody’s, which has been a recognized leader in snowmobile traction products for decades and is now lending its expertise to offroad tires with its Twist Screws.
Made available in various lengths and shapes, Twist Screws are designed for easy installation and staying power. Once they are in, they won’t come out until you take them out.
Woody’s Twist Screws are manufactured from high carbon-grade steel and have a carbide tip for improved traction and a reliable, durable product. Install Woody’s Twist screws to your tires and maximize your vehicle’s performance and improve its handling on slippery terrain.
Twist Screws deliver much needed traction when clearing heavy snow or for harder bite into frozen trails during late fall and winter trail riding conditions.
For the complete product offering of Twist Screws and other Woody’s Traction products visit: woodystraction.com
Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers competed in the 46th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert endurance race over the past weekend in Mexico, and came away with one class victory and an impressive third-place finish it the UTV class.
Team UXC Racing / Can-Am racer Michael Swift rode the entire 833-mile course alone to win Class 26 aboard his Outlander 4×4 ATV.
Cory Sappington also finished the race, earning third overall in Class 19 (UTV) with his Desert Toyz / Can-Am Maverickâ„¢ 1000R side-by-side vehicle.
“I’m very pleased with Michael Swift’s Class 26 win, considering the fact that he raced the entire Baja 1000 solo and it was said to be one of the most grueling courses in the history of the race,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “Despite a few challenges in the UTV race, I was thrilled to learn Desert Toyz driver / owner Cory Sappington earned the first Baja 1000 podium for the Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side.”
Three Can-Am Outlander ATV and Grand National Cross Country racers made up the competitors for class 26. They consisted of Team UXC Racing / Can-Am team members Michael Swift and Don Higbee, who each raced alone on separate ATVs, as well as Penland Racing / Can-Am pilot Mike Penland and his squad.
Swift, who won the 2013 GNCC U2 class championship on an Can-Am Renegade 4×4, held the lead for much of the race and finished with a total official time of 33:12:39.176, averaging 26.6 mph. Higbee, who reached the finish almost seven hours behind Swift, earned the second-place award and both a finisherÂ’s medal and iron man recognition from SCORE.
“I had a flawless race on my Can-Am Outlander 1000 XT,” said Swift. “It was a long race and a huge challenge to the Outlander and myself. Crossing the finish line was a great accomplishment for our team and the companies we represent.”
Nineteen side-by-side vehicles entered Class 19 (Limited, Stock Four-Wheel Utility Vehicle) at the 2013 Baja 1000. Only five vehicles finished the 833-mile event, with the top finishing Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side being the No. 1904 Desert Toyz / Can-Am of Cory Sappington.
The side-by-side racing pioneer, along with co-driver Eric Fitch and the rest of the team, made history, earning the first Baja finish and podium for the Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side. Sappington’s team finished the race in a little more than 28 hours, averaging 30.4 mph, on its way to earning third place.
“We had four flat tires and, other than putting gas in the car, no other problems. It was the roughest Baja I’ve ever been in,” said Sappington, who also took second at the Baja 500 earlier in the year. “The Can-Am Maverick just powered through all the silt beds. My appreciation to Can-Am for building such a great machine that’s so fun to race. Our Can-Am Maverick is a stock machine, other than the exhaust and the air cleaner, so you can buy it right out of the box, race it in the Baja 1000 and finish on the podium.”
Derek and Jason Murray in their brand new No. 1917 Murray Racing / Can-Am Maverick MAX also competed in the race. They started last in the 19 class, but moved to within five minutes of the leaders at mile marker 350.
However, a mechanical failure ultimately ended their race. Also racing for Can-Am was the No. 1905 Monster Energy / Can-Am of Marc Burnett.
He was competing in the top three early on, after starting near the back of the pack, and reached checkpoint four before having to drop out due to a mechanical.
For more information on Can-Am racing, the ’13 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, visit www.can-amxteam.com.
DirtTrax Television Co-Host Luke Lester reviews Polaris’ potent fuel injected 875cc fire breathing dragon boasting a DOHC twin cylinder ProStar mill.
Yamaha ATV Racing standouts Walker Fowler and Dustin Nelson recently wrapped their 2013 seasons with podium finishes to cap a standout year for the boys in blue.
Fowler and Nelson are two of Yamaha’s leading ATV racers – part of a national team that has topped podiums, capture championships and reinforced YamahaÂ’s place atop ATV racing aboard their YFZ450R race machines.
When it comes to sport ATVs, the Yamaha YFZ450R is the only quad to continue to evolve with updates in the 2014 model that boasts power gains and improved handling. The highest performance, most technologically advanced sport ATV on the market is also now assembled in YamahaÂ’s U.S. factory in Newnan, Georgia.
Fowler leads Yamaha’s ATV racing efforts in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series and finished his 2013 season with a strong second on the day and second overall in the premier XC-1 Pro class finale a couple of weeks ago. The GNCC XC-2 Pro-Am champion named “AMA ATV Racer of the Year” in 2011, Fowler took three wins in the Pro class this year and is poised to battle for the championship in 2014.
“Walker has been climbing the GNCC ranks winning class championships for years, and he continues to take the necessary steps needed to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an XC1 Champion,” said Donnie Luce, Yamaha ATV/Off-Road racing coordinator. “He has proven to everyone that he is a legit contender on his Ampro Yamaha no matter what the conditions. We look forward to another exciting season in 2014.”
Just last weekend, Nelson wrapped the 2013 Yamaha QuadX Series finale at Glen Helen Raceway with a 3-3 finish placing him at third overall for the year. Nelson, who is a five-time QuadX Champion and veteran off-road racer, also competed in the World Off-Road Championship Race series this year capturing third overall.
“Dustin’s presence here on the West Coast continues elevate the level of competition in both the QuadX and WORCS series each year,” Luce said. “He holds a record five QuadX Series championships, and his involvement in the testing and development of the new YFZ has had a positive impact on the entire team.”
Earlier this season, Yamaha’s Chad Wienen and Thomas Brown finished first and second, consecutively, on the year in the AMA ATV National Championship series helping Yamaha secure its second AMA Pro ATV Manufacturer’s title. This was Wienen’s second consecutive AMA championship aboard his YFZ450R, and he and Brown show no signs of slowing down in 2014.
Yamaha continues to lead the sport ATV market in sales, championships and support. This year has seen extended trackside support for all ATV racers at each stop of the AMA ATV nationals. Layne Barnes and Pro Motorsports from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, supported all of the events on behalf of Yamaha stocking replacement parts and providing technical assistance to riders on race days.
Yamaha, the number one brand in sport ATVs, also supports racers in the Grand National Cross Country series, World Off-Road Championship Series and Yamaha Quad-X Series. Follow more Yamaha racing at www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa and www.twitter.com/yamahaatvracing
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.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.’s, Customer Support Group (CSG) unveiled its completely redesigned website designed to enhance the Yamaha consumer experience by ensuring all Genuine Yamaha and Star accessories, apparel, gifts and parts that drive their Yamaha lifestyles are just a click away.
Owners and fans of Yamaha and Star Motorcycles; Yamaha ATVs, Side-by-Sides; and Yamaha snowmobiles, watercraft, golf cars and power products can explore the thousands of ways Yamaha helps maximize the ownership experience.
When CSG decided to evaluate its web presence and launch an optimization plan, it identified three primary goals:
– Deliver a new, exciting look that matched the excitement of its products,
– Increase website functionality and ease of use,
– And create a web experience that appeals to both todayÂ’s and tomorrowÂ’s Yamaha enthusiast.
The new site delivers a look and experience much like what consumers encounter when visiting a major retailerÂ’s site. Pages come alive with bold images depicting a variety of powersports lifestyles, and easy-to-use navigation and search bars ensure quick and easy browsing.
CSGÂ’s Marketing, Sales, Product Planning, and Business Planning departments worked closely with all U.S. Yamaha divisions and the Information Systems Division (ISD) to ensure consumers experience seamless relationships between a Yamaha or Star Motorcycles product and the many Genuine Yamaha, Star, Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR) accessories, parts and apparel, plus thousands of other quality products available from Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and its authorized U.S. dealers.
CSG and ISD partnered with Milwaukee-based ARI Network Services Inc. to develop the new website’s architecture; create home pages that faithfully reflect each powersports category’s motoring lifestyle; and manage the execution of the various architecture relationships to ensure cohesive integration with all existing Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. websites and pages.
“I’m very proud of what we have been able to accomplish with the new site,” said Frank Pittman, general manager of CSG. “We launched the new site on the heels of some significant Yamaha and Star introductions like the 2014 Bolt and Bolt R-Spec motorcycles, the 2014 Viking Side-by-Sides, the 2014 FZ-09 sport bike, the 2014 YZ250F and YZ450F motocross bikes, and the 2014 SR Viper snowmobiles.”
Pittman added that while the new site has been launched, websites are “kind of like the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s up and operational, but you’re never really finished painting it.”
He promises fresh, up-to-date Genuine Yamaha accessories, apparel and parts information, accurate fitment data to ensure consumers find the right product for their Yamaha or Star, product and technical videos, news, service and maintenance information, and seasonal content tailored for each powersports or Yamaha product category.
Yamaha and ARI Network Services developed the new site on an HTML5 platform to ensure immediate compatibility with current internet standards and to build a solid foundation for future site functionality.
Acknowledging the days of internet surfing solely on a desktop or laptop computer are in the past, the team ensured compatibility with todayÂ’s many mobile devices. It features responsive designs with dynamic filtering and image resizing.
Most valuable to consumers is the ability to filter results by what fits their Yamaha or Star product. They can then delve more deeply into the product’s information, such as features and benefits, specifications, related and required products, and view multiple and alternate product images.
And purchasing through an authorized Yamaha dealer is easy. Consumers simply create a My Yamaha profile and add desired products to a wish list that they can give to their preferred dealer. Identifying local dealers is simple using the siteÂ’s Dealer Locator function.
CSG will add more customer tools and features in Phase II and III of the site development timeline.
The URL for the new site is simple: yamahapartsandaccessories.com
The Baja 1000 is a true test of a machine and driver and Polaris sent three race teams to the line to conquer the epic race.
It would be a true test of the RZRs ability and durability, and, in the end, Coastal Racing, Jagged X and Cognito Racing would be three of the five in the UTV Pro Class to finish the grueling race.
Coastal Racing would take on their first-ever Baja 1000 with drivers Scott Kiger, Mark Holz and RJ Anderson; and co-drivers Rob Utendorfer, Tyler King and Brian McLean.
The Coastal Racing No. 1934 RZR would be the first in the UTV Pro Class to cross the finish line. The race would take Coastal Racing 27 hours and almost 17 minutes to complete.
Jagged X’s Matt Parks is no stranger to the Baja 1000 and he would pilot the No. 1932 RZR with WORCS 2013 UTV Champion Beau Baron and Alan Kleinemas.
Co-drivers were Jason Spiess, Eric Anderson and Keith Redstrom. Jagged X, with wins in the Baja 250 and 500 under their belt, would take second to Coastal, by about 24 minutes, and seal the first-ever UTV Pro Class Championship continuing RZRÂ’s dominance in racing.
Another team competing for the first time was Cognito Racing. Drivers Justin Lambert, Ryan Piplic, Victor Hererra, Justin Sheakley with co-drivers Jeremiah Staggs, Jim Neasbitt and Casey Fillippi would pilot the No. 1908 RZR to a fifth place finish and make their inaugural run one to remember.
“Competing in the Baja 1000 is a huge undertaking and Polaris would like to congratulate all the Polaris teams for their successes in the race,” said Donna Beadle, race team manager for Polaris. “Being this was the first year of the Pro UTV class in SCORE, it was nice to see the UTVs show up and represent, and even nicer to see a Polaris Racing Team take home the first-ever title.”
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2012 sales of $3.2 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, and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris and KLIM branded apparel and Polaris accessories and parts. 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 www.polaris.com.
X – The lone definition that these Wildcat 1000s have a race-tuned 1000 H2 engine churning out 90+ horsepower and claim dominance at the top of the Wildcat performance chain.
From the beginning, the Arctic Cat Wildcat set a new standard in pure-sport ROV performance thanks to a chassis and suspension combo that was purpose-built to conquer all types of gnarly terrain. For 2014 the Wildcat X is better than ever with enhanced braking performance, FOX shocks and new steering geometry.
The all-new upscaled Wildcat X Limited adds full-aluminum doors, a sleek molded roof, Elka Stage 5 shocks, aluminum beadlock wheels and 27-in. ITP Black Water Evolution Tires. Inspired by desert race vehicles, the Wildcat’ exoskeleton frame features a 40-/60-percent front/rear weight distribution for optimal handling at high speed.
The driver and passenger are located near the low center of gravity, leaving them less affected by the movements of the vehicle with greater confidence and control.
With an industry-leading 17/18 inches of front/ rear suspension travel and 13 inches of ground clearance, both Wildcats deliver comfort and control in nearly every condition. The 5-point, multi-link trailing-arm rear suspension design keeps the rear tires planted while the suspension moves through its travel for unmatched traction and control.
To smooth out the industry leading suspension travel, the Wildcat X has FOX Podium gas shocks, which deliver outstanding dampening duties complete with 23-position compression adjustment.
The X Limited raises the bar higher with Elka Stage 5 shocks with high and low speed compression dampening, as well as rebound adjustment. Precise tuning makes these shocks smoother and more responsive, and they are built tough, rugged and race-ready.
Powering the 90+ horsepower X models are the liquid-cooled 951cc Arctic Cat H2 V-Twin 4-stroke with Electronic Fuel Injection. Delivering excellent torque and speed thanks to 2-into-1 ceramic-coated exhaust and single 50mm throttle body.
The privilege of getting all that grunt to the ground belongs to the TEAM Rapid Response clutches and electronic selectable 2WD/4WD and front differential lock.
Braking performance has been enhanced for 2014 with a new brake pedal that features a new lever ratio for more aggressive feel of the four-wheel hydraulic brakes and new dualpiston calipers for additional braking power.
Keeping the steering light and precise is the Variable Assist Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system that initiates at engine idle for reduced steering effort when in 4WD, especially when the differential lock is engaged.
The result is a light steering input effort when negotiating tough obstacles like washouts, rocks and mud, but with enough feedback so the driver senses the tire contact patch in relation to the terrain.
Other comfort-and-control features include high back bucket seats with upper body supports and 3-point seat belts; plus tube-frame doors with integrated nets to compliment the exterior lines.
Class-leading LED headlights and taillights shine extrabright, while a 300 lb. payload rear compartment is large enough to carry a cooler and a Jerry can of gas. Machined, castaluminum wheels, automotivestyle paint and tilt steering complete the package.
The X model offers colormatched bucket seats; underseat storage; glovebox; aluminum front and rear bumpers, bed-mounted tie-down hooks and Maxxis Bighorn tires. The new X Limited gets the same features as the X, plus full-aluminum doors, a sleek molded roof, Elka Stage 5 shocks, true aluminum beadlock wheels and ITP Black Water Evolution Tires.
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles, today announced the company is launching a new military-grade all-terrain vehicle (ATV) featuring Terrain Armor Non-Pneumatic Tires (NPT).
The new Sportsman WV850 H.O. with Terrain Armor will be available to consumers looking for a true work vehicle, in December 2013, in very limited quantities.
“In early, 2013, Polaris announced weÂ’d launch the NPT technology on an off-road vehicle built for consumers,” said David Longren, vice president of PolarisÂ’ Off-Road Division. “We have seen great success with NPTs in military and disaster relief scenarios and are excited to bring this technology to the consumer market for extreme work applications.”
Earlier this year, Polaris Defense started offering NPT tires as an option for its military vehicles. The technology is beneficial for military work due to the fact the tires never go flat.
Polaris has tested NPTs under several extreme situations, including logging more than 350 miles/563 kilometers after receiving fire from a 50-cal round, and driving 1,000 miles/1609 kilometers with a 3 in/7.6 cm railroad spike in the tread and webbing.
These tests lead to a confidence-building consumer vehicle, both in terms of durability and reliability, and ensure a highly-capable work and hunting partner.
Beyond having no flats, consumers will appreciate the other benefits TerrainArmor tires offer including a better center-of-gravity, improved cornering due to less pushing and the capability for the tires to be designed for a diverse range of applications.
To complement the NPTs and ensure the Sportsman WV850 H.O. is a highly-capable work partner that performs under the most demanding environments, the vehicle includes:
– A military-grade fully automatic single-speed transmission including forward and reverse gears
– An upgraded shock package that offers superior handling under heavy load or while traversing rugged landscape
– An increased cooling capacity for long days and high temperatures
– Steel racks capable of carrying 600 lbs/272 kgs of cargo
– A 2 in/5.1 cm receiver hitch that can tow 1,500 lbs/680 kgs
– A standard 3,500 lb winch for confidence in extreme settings
To enable long days at work while enhancing the operator’s effectiveness and comfort, the Sportsman WV850 H.O. features:
– An unmatched 11.75 gal/44.48 liter fuel capacity to work longer between fills
– Wider foot wells to accommodate larger work footwear
– Standard Electronic Power Steering (EPS) to reduce fatigue and terrain feedback
The Sportsman WV850 H.O. with Terrain Armor was built to meet the rugged demands of the hunt or endless hours on the work site, and shares the same Avalanche Gray color as its hard-working utility counterpart the Polaris BRUTUS.
More information about the Sportsman WV850 H.O. can be found at www.terrainarmor.com
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2012 sales of $3.2 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 small 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 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 and KLIM branded apparel and Polaris accessories and parts.
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 www.polaris.com.
Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racer Hunter Miller won both the UTV Expert and the Quad Pro classes at the Texas Off-Road Nationals finals held in Combine, Texas. The ATV class victory also gave Miller the overall TORN Quad Pro championship on his DS 450, over his brother Cody. Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side racers also competed in the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix and the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series.
“I can’t say enough about the effort put forth by Hunter Miller, earning a championship on his DS 450 and also ending the season on a high note with a UTV Expert class victory in his Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “We had several racers compete in various series and, once again, came away with numerous podium finishes.”
TORN Finale
The TORN finale course was changed to the Combine, Texas, due to a poor weather at the original assigned location. However, having competed at the same course the previous round, Hunter used that to his advantage.
Hunter was the lone ATV Pro to complete eight laps, taking the win with a time of 1:32.03. Cody finished second, almost a minute behind. The brothers actually tied in points for the class championship, but the championship went to Hunter because he had one more win than Cody.
“I had a great weekend at TORN, winning the Quad Pro and the UTV Expert classes,” said Hunter. “Cody and I tied for the Quad Pro class championship, but I won the war with four wins to his three. Thank you to Can-Am, Louis Powersports and the rest of my sponsors.”
Hunter was the fastest finishing racer in the UTV Expert class, as well, completing all five laps in a little more than one hour and posting an average lap time of 23.61 mph in his Louis Powersports-backed Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs.
Can-Am Renegade 4×4 pilot Chris Robinson won the Utility class title, going a perfect 8-0 on the season. He also finished third overall in the Open A class. Can-Am racers Lott Blackmon (Over 30 C) and Scott Dunn (Over 30 A) also won TORN class championships.
UTVRR North
Round nine of the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series by Quantum Racing was again held at Windrock OHV Park in Oliver Springs, Tenn. Promoters used a single-file, staggered start, with 30-second intervals between each competitor.
Clearing the 18 rows of side-by-side vehicles took roughly nine minutes. Performance East Inc. / Can-Am Maverick pilot Devon Steedley competed at round nine and ended up on the overall podium.
Competing in his home state, Steedley earned third overall in the QR1 class. The young Can-Am racer completed 17 laps in a time of 3:48.40. Team AC Racing, also in a Can-Am Maverick, battled for a top-three finish but ended up with seventh overall.
Lake Elsinore GP
The 2013 Lake Elsinore Grand Prix, presented by Lucas Oil Products, was held Nov. 9-10 in Lake Elsinore, Calif. The course was very diverse, featuring rocky sections, sand and hard-pack. Murray Racing / Yoshimura / Can-Am pilot David Martinez was the top finishing Can-Am racer, but three total Maverick 1000R side-by-sides finished in the top 10.
Martinez finished seventh in the Production Pro 1000 class, completing three laps in 38:55.289. Motoworks / Can-Am Maverick 1000R drivers Johnny Leach and Gilbert Flores took ninth and 10th, respectively.
For more information on Can-Am racing, the ’13 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, visit www.can-amxteam.com.
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