Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers earned class victories and numerous podium finishes this past weekend in both the inaugural 2013 High Lifter Quadna Mud Nationals and the 2013 PURE desert racing series.

Can-Am mud racers won four classes and garnered 13 total podium spots in the EPI Mud Bog at Quadna Mountain Park in Hill City, Minn. Can-Am Commander 1000 X racer Aaron Juarez won the Pro Production 1000 class at round two of the new DWT PURE Side-By-Side Off-Road Championship series in California City, Calif.

“It was fantastic that Can-Am mud racers dominated the first-ever High Lifter Mud Nationals North at Quadna Mountain Park in Minnesota. The Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am race team was the top performing team of the weekend, earning the most podium finishes,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Rookie driver Aaron Juarez and co-pilot Derek Murray had a great weekend at the PURE 300 desert event in California, winning the Pro Production 1000 class with the Murray Racing / Can-Am Commander 1000.”

Quadna Mud Nationals

High Lifter, promoter and owner of the original Mud Nationals event in Texas, brought its enthusiasm for mud to Quadna Mountain Park in Hill City, Minn., for the first-ever Quadna Mud Nationals. Although the inaugural event featured four days of riding and activities, including a poker run, obstacle course, show-and-shine and outdoor concert, the EPI Mud Bog on Saturday was the top draw. Racers from all over North America – from Saskatchewan, Canada, to the bayous of Louisiana — entered to race their ATV and side-by-sides through a purpose-built, closed-course mud bog at Quadna Mountain Park, for a chance at more than $5,000 in prize money.

Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers dominated in the Minnesota muck, as they won four of seven classes and earned a total of 13 podiums out of 21 total spots up for grab. Team Gorilla Powered By Can-Am racers earned five total podium spots and also won both the Open Class and Pro B Class. Gorilla’s Dakota Klein won the Open class with his Can-Am Outlander ATV, edging teammate Steve Hittle and fellow Can-Am racer Tim Sheldon.

Julia McGinnis of Gorilla took home the Pro B class win and also finished third in the Women’s Class. Can-Am mud racers Ben Foaland and Josh Boyd rounded out the Pro B class podium. In the RUV class, Hittle (Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am) finished second in his Can-Am Maverick™ 1000R X rs and Maverick 1000R racer Heidi Boyd finished third.

KC Zastrow of Muddiggers Motorsports won the Women’s class on her Can-Am Outlander 800R X mr beating Team QuadShop’s Tammi Brinkman and McGinnis to the finish line. Brinkman won the Pro A class aboard her Can-Am Renegade and was joined on the podium by The QuadShop’s Ryan Marquardt, who took third.

PURE 300

In his first race behind the wheel of the Murray Motorsports / Can-Am Commander 1000 X, rookie driver Aaron Juarez won the Pro Production 1000 class and took second overall at round two of the DWT PURE 300 SxS Off-Road Championship series. Assisted by team owner and co-pilot Derek Murray, Juarez was the lone driver for the entire 300-mile overnight desert race. The victory and impressive performance has also earned Juarez a chance to compete for Murray Motorsports in the three remaining PURE series events.

“We are extremely proud of Aaron and are excited we could provide him a reliable machine capable of winning in his first ever SxS race he competed in,” said Murray.

Driving a Can-Am Commander 1000, the team of Logan Gastel and Brad Longfellow came in third in the Pro Production 1000 class. In its first year, the 2013 DWT PURE SxS Off-Road Championship series features five rounds for side-by-side racing and is promoted by AVE Racing out of California City.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the 2013 schedule, contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley joined more than 900 associates and guests at Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) today to celebrate the production start-up of the all-new line of Honda’s next generation side-by-side (multi-utility vehicle), the 2014 Pioneer. HSC is investment $27 million in the Timmonsville plant over the next four years and has added more than 65 new jobs for side-by-side production which HSC is producing for the first time.

“Today, we celebrate a new South Carolina-made vehicle, powered by the passion and the pride of all Honda associates who are committed to exceeding the expectations of our Honda Powersports customers,” said Brian Newman, president of HSC.

In addition to the production start-up for the new side-by-side product line, HSC is celebrating its 15th Anniversary (July 1, 2013) of producing Honda powersports products. To commemorate this company milestone, HSC is donating $100,000 to Francis Marion University to assist in the development of a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Program which will begin in the spring of 2014.

HSC began production of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in July 1998 with a workforce of approximately 200 associates. The initial $30 million, 200,000 square foot ATV manufacturing plant was the beginning of Honda of South Carolina’s significant growth in Florence County. In fall 2000, operations expanded to add engine production to the plant.

Now, a 535,000 square foot facility employing 650 associates with a cumulative investment of $308 million, HSC has produced* 9 different ATV models since its start in 1998, including the FourTrax and SporTrax series, and 7 different engines.

“The university is grateful to Honda of South Carolina for their generous support of our new Industrial Engineering program,” said Fred Carter, president of Francis Marion University. “Over the last fifteen years, Honda has been a very supportive corporate friend and partner. Their latest gift is yet another example of their commitment to Francis Marion and the Pee Dee area. Their benevolence continues to make a significant difference in the lives of our students.”

““We congratulate Honda of South Carolina in their new Honda side-by-side production accomplishment,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “We are also excited that Honda has chosen to create more jobs in Timmonsville and bring a more than $27 Million investment opportunity to the state of South Carolina. When a world-class company like Honda increases its footprint in the Pee Dee region, it shows that South Carolina is a great place to do business.”

About the Honda Pioneer – The 2014 Honda Pioneer models set the standard as the ultimate in hard-working, hard-playing side-by-sides. Both Pioneer models have been designed to fulfill the needs of those who use a side-by-side for either recreation or utility with quick acceleration, a smooth-riding long-travel suspension and industry-leading safety features. The Pioneer 700 offers all of these features for an incredible value, while the Pioneer 700-4 boasts an innovative convertible design that allows the two rear seats to fold into the bed – a feature that gives it unmatched versatility. These workhorse machines can also be customized through a full line of more than 50 Honda Genuine Accessories/Honda Signature Accessories. Available colors: Honda Phantom Camo, Olive, Red. Price: TBD. Availability: September 2013. *Using domestic and globally sourced parts

About Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. – With the flexibility to produce many powersports products, associates at the Timmonsville plant currently manufacture Honda ATVs for the North American market as well as for export to global markets. HSC also is the exclusive North American production site for all utility models. Honda also has established R&D and engineering operations in Timmonsville, as well as Honda’s export handling operations in South Carolina, and a parts consolidation center and other operations that support product development, manufacturing and sales in North America.

About Honda Operations in North America – Honda operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America that produce a wide range of products, including automobiles, light trucks, engines and automatic transmissions, as well as all-terrain vehicles and power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers, and general-purpose engines. Honda also operates major research and development centers in the U.S. that fully design, develop and engineer many of the products produced in North America, including ATVs and side-by-sides.

Led by ITP Pro Adam McGill’s XC1 ATV Pro class victory, Team ITP ATV and SxS racers won 10 classes and earned a total of 14 podiums at the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country event in West Virginia. Team ITP had a total of three of its racers earn a trip to the overall podium in three of the four GNCC racing sessions at the Mountaineer Run, which included both round eight of the ATV schedule and round four of the GNCC SxS series.

“We had an outstanding Saturday at the Mountaineer Run GNCC, earning 10 total class victories. Adam McGill put in an inspiring performance in the XC1 Pro ATV class, battling right down to the final few turns for his first win of 2013,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support. “Dave Simmons won his Super Senior 45+ class for the fifth time this season and also took second in the morning overall. XC1 Modified class race team Team Jacks II earned second on the SxS overall podium.”

McGill, who earned his first ATV Pro class win of the year, headlined the weekend for Team ITP at the Parts Unlimited Mountaineer Run in Masontown, W.Va. Coming off of his second-place finish at round seven, where he led most of the race but failed to win, McGill was determined to change the outcome in his home state. The West Union, W. Va., racer started the race with a bang, as he pulled the $250 Team Woodhead / DeRisi Racing XC1 Holeshot Award. From there, McGill (Lonestar Racing / Precision / ITP) was the official lap leader the rest of the race despite a few challenges from his competitors. Although he swapped the race lead a few times with the current points leader, McGill remained calm and rode his Holeshot GNCC and Quadcross XC tire combination to the finish line and to victory. It was McGill’s first overall XC1 ATV Pro class win and afternoon overall since round 11 of last year. He currently sits second in the Pro class points race and has recorded two consecutive podium finishes.

ITP racer and afternoon session racer Brigham Patterson also notched his first victory of the year by winning the College B (16-21) class. Despite missing round seven, he now has three podium finishes and is currently fourth in the class points. ITP rider Justin Paul was fourth in the College B (16-21) class and now sits seventh in the point standings.

Nathan Wallpe and Chad Jones, both of Hilltop Motorsports, finished ninth and 13th, respectively, in the XC2 Pro-Am ranks. ITP pilots Brian Schmid (Senior A/B 40+) and William Lloyd (Junior A 22+) each finished third in their respective afternoon ATV classes. Both racers still own their class points lead heading into round nine on June 29.

ITP-supported morning racers earned five class wins, led by Super Senior (45+) class winner Dave Simmons, who also took the second spot on the overall morning podium using ITP tires. Simmons, who has won his class five times and made the morning podium five times, is currently second in his class point standings. Kristen Deloach (Women’s A 15+), Kenny Rich Sr. (Masters 50+), Kenny Rich Jr. (24+ C) and Mark Batson (35+ C) also won their classes at round eight. 4×4 Open class racer Sam Williams finished in second place.

Youth class racers Carter Kerens and Jordan Digby also recorded class wins in West Virginia. Kerens, who has three wins in the last four races, currently sits in second place in the unofficial point standings, but has the most victories and podiums in the class. Digby, who won his third race of the year, is sixth in his class points race. Round four of the GNCC SxS series was also hosted at the Mountaineer Run and two ITP-backed race teams made the podium.

Team Jacks I (Jack’s Excavating / DragonFire Racing / ITP) finished second on the XC1 Modified class podium and took second on the overall SxS podium. Jacks I is currently fourth in the standings with three podiums in four rounds. Team Jacks II also rode its ITP tires to a podium finish, earning the class victory in the XC2 Limited class. Team Jacks II, which finished sixth on the SxS overall podium, has won all four of its class events this year and is the clear points leader heading into round five of the GNCC SxS series.

The ATV portion of the 2013 GNCC series returns to West Virginia, Saturday, June 29, for round nine – the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC – before taking its two-month summer break. Round five of the GNCC SxS series will be held Oct.12, at the ITP Powerline Park GNCC (Round 12 of the ATV / bike series) in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

About ITP – In business for more than 30 years, ITP has become the world’s #1 ATV/UTV aftermarket tire and wheel source. ITP utilizes its experienced staff of engineers, designers and technicians at its two American tire facilities in Clinton, Tenn., and Jackson, Tenn., to develop award-winning tire-and-wheel designs for virtually all ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. Numerous outlets distribute ITP tires across the United States and in more than 25 countries worldwide. For a full-color ITP catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-859-4740.

www.itptires.com

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., recently raised $60,000 through generous donations from Yamaha dealers at a chairty auction to benefit the Feed the Children Oklahoma Relief Fund.

Feed the Children is one of Yamaha Motor Corporation’s official corporate charities. Due to the recent tragic events in Oklahama, Yamaha spurred its employees and dealer network to action at its national dealer meeting last week in Las Vegas. Racing memorabilia, including helmets, leathers, gloves, autographed racing bodywork, and more were all auctioned off to attending dealers. All of the money raised will go to the releif fund.

“Yamaha is proud to support the Feed the Children Oklahoma Relief Fund, and honored to work with such a great network of dealers who are ready and willing to help those in need,” commented Bob Starr, General Manager of National Communications for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. “Yamaha dealers are huge racing fans, and they generously opened their wallets to bid on some very special memorabilia – all with a focus on helping provide relief to the victims of the terrible devastation that resulted from the tornadoes in Oklahoma.”

Yamaha has worked with Feed the Children for more than 10 years raising several hundred thousand dollars and feeding tens of thousands of children. Feed the Children is an international and nonprofit relief organization that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack those essentials.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), is a leader in the motorsports market. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include ATVs and Side-by-Side vehicle, 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.

Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc racer Michael Swift earned the third spot on the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series overall morning podium and won the U2 class at round eight in West Virginia. Swift led the way, as Can-Am racers won all five GNCC morning 4×4 classes and took all 15 podium positions at the Mountaineer Run.

The Masontown, West Virginia, facility also hosted round four of the GNCC SxS series, and Can-Am side-by-side pilots earned a total of four podiums in three different classes. Can-Am racers also competed in both the Canadian Quad Cross series and Texas Off-Road Nationals with good results.

“Our Can-Am ATV racers convincingly took wins in all five of the GNCC 4×4 classes. I was thrilled to see Michael Swift put his Team UXC Racing / Can-Am Renegade on the overall morning podium and to have Bryan Buckhannon extend his perfect season in the 4×4 Open class,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Can-Am racers earned a total of 20 podium finishes at The Mountaineer, which is definitely a good trend heading into round nine, right before the GNCC summer break.”

The Mountaineer Run course greeted ATV and side-by-side racers with rocks, steep hills and muddy sections. Can-Am Outlander and Renegade ATV racers dominated the morning racing, winning the five 4×4 classes and consuming all 15 podium positions. Swift, winner of five of the last six rounds, was the top finishing Can-Am racer.

The Team UXC Racing / Can-Am Renegade rider won the U2 class and also earned third on the overall morning podium. Swift edged current class points leader and fellow Can-Am Renegade pilot Rob Smith. Jordan Phillips joined them on the class podium. Swift also drove his Team UXC Racing / Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs side-by-side to a third-place podium finish in the UTV XC2 Limited class.

“The U2 class was a battle till the end. My Renegade worked awesome and I out motored everyone in my class,” said Swift. “The Maverick was great. The UTV track was crazy. The rocks were huge and you really had to watch your machine.”

Bryan Buckhannon (ATV Parts Plus / Can-Am) continued his perfect season, winning the 4×4 Open class. The Reigning 4×4 Open class champion is now 8-for-8 on the year with his Can-Am Outlander 800R. Can-Am racers Sam Williams and Tanner Bowles also made the 4×4 Open class podium. Buckhannon also placed a very respectable fourth place overall in the XC1 Modified class with his Can-Am Maverick side-by-side.

Defending 4×4 Lites class champion Kevin Trantham extended his class points lead by winning his seventh straight race. The Can-Am Outlander 500 DPS racer took fifth overall on the morning podium and also earned third on the overall 4×4 podium at round eight. Can-Am racers Andrew Langston and Scott Day rounded out the 4×4 Lites class podium.

Forrest Whorton finished ahead of fellow Can-Am Outlander racers Jerry Roberts and David Jessee to win the 4×4 Senior (40+) class at The Mountaineer Run GNCC. The 4×4 Novice Class podium was also swept by Can-Am racers, as Ryan Smith edged Brent Tindall and Brian Lengvarsky to regain the class points lead. Can-Am racer Dustin Pigott also took third in the Sportsman A/B class in West Virginia. JB Off-Road / Can-AM DS 450 Pro Jarrod McClure notched his best finish of the year, earning fourth overall in the XC1 ATV Pro class.

In round four of the GNCC SxS series, Can-Am pilots earned four total class podium finishes. Along with Swift in the XC2 Limited class, Team Travalena finished second in the XC3 Lites class with a Commander side-by-side. Two Can-Am race teams reached the UTV Novice Limited class podium as Team Burkey edged the Extremetec Team for second place.

Other Can-Am Racing News

Competing in other race series in North America, Can-Am racers earned several victories and podiums. At the rain-soaked Quad Cross MX in Franklin, Quebec, Canada, Can-Am X-Team driver Charles Antoine Villeneuve earned the first SxS victory ever in the QC series, winning the SxS 900-1000 class with his Maverick 1000R X rs. Can-Am X-Team DS 450 racers Keven Vachon and Matheiu Deroy finished 1-2 in the Pro ATV class.

In the TORN off-road series races in Bulcher, Texas, Hunter Miller (Louis Powersports / Can-Am) won the Open Expert ATV class on his DS 450 and took second in the SxS Expert class with his Maverick 1000R X rs. Can-Am X-Team racer Cody Miller finished third in the Open Expert ATV class. Chris Robinson won the Utility class on his Renegade ATV at the Red River Trails course. Can-Am ATV racers Scott Dunn (30+ A), Lott Blackman (30+ C), Keith James (Utility) and Cain Shaw (Pee Wee C) all finished second in their respective classes.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the 2013 schedule, contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.