Team ITP ATV and side-by-side vehicle racers earned four class victories, the morning overall and a total of eight podiums at round two of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series held at Aonia Pass in Washington, Ga.

Leading the way was defending Super Senior (45+) class champion Dave Simmons who won his class and also took his second straight morning overall on ITP tires. Team ITP racers also notched its three other class victories in the afternoon session, taking the checkers in A 22+, A/B 40+ and College B (16-21).

“Team ITP had another great GNCC weekend earning four class victories. Of course class wins are wonderful, but when we consistently see many of our team riders earning podiums we’re very pleased. Having our racers earn podiums in different age groups, the 4×4 classes, on sport quads and in side by sides really shows that ITP is dedicated to the racer and product development no mater the vehicle,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support.

Simmons, who has now won 23 consecutive races since 2011, won the Super Senior (45+) class by more than 11 minutes. He also earned the top spot on the morning overall podium finishing more than a minute ahead of the second-place finisher. The other four Team ITP racers to win their class were William ‘Duck’ Lloyd (A 22+), Brian Schmid (A/B 40+) and Justin Paul (College B 16-21).

Lloyd, who also finished in the top 25 in the morning overall, is 2-for-2 in 2013 racing on ITP tires. Schmid notched his first win and climbed into the class point’s lead after Georgia. Paul, Hilltop Motorsports / ITP, is three points in front of his teammate Brigham Patterson, who took fourth at Aonia Pass.

Samuel Williams sits third in points in the 4×4 Open class after his second straight class podium finish (third place). Father and son Kenny Rich and Kenny Rich Jr., second in 24+ C, also tallied class podiums in Georgia. In fact the elder Rich leads the Master 50+ class after his third-place finish at round two.

In the XC1 Pro ranks, ITP’s Adam McGill, started out well, as he was in second place at the start of the race and at the end of the first lap. However, McGill was slowed on the second lap after he inadvertently hit a tree. The long delay hurt his chance to compete for a podium, but the Pro rider soldiered on and picked up one more spot, earning 11th. He’s currently third in the XC1 Pro class point standings after two rounds.

The XC2 Pro-Am class racers Chad Jones and Nathan Wallpe notched a top five and top 10 finish, respectively, with ITP tires. Jones climbed to fourth in the class points standings after earning fourth and just missing the podium at round two. Wallpe was ninth in the class at Georgia, improving upon his 15th place ride at the opener.

Team ITP pilot Kyle Chaney earned a podium in the first SxS race of the year, taking third overall in the XC1 Modified class. Chaney, who started on row two, was in the top three after one lap. However, after falling to sixth, Chaney charged to the front – based on adjusted time – at the end of lap five. Unfortunately, another racer bumped him off the course the following lap and he dropped to three spots.

Chaney recovered to grab the third-place position just one lap later, but ran out of time to catch the leader, who finished less than six seconds ahead of him.

Round three of the 13-round 2013 AMSOIL GNCC racing series is April 6-7, at Steele Creek in Morganton, N.C.

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 ITP’s full-color catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-859-4740. www.itptires.com

Can-Am 4×4 ATV racers swept all five 4×4 classes and placed two riders on the overall morning podium at round two of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series in Washington, Ga.

In the first round of side-by-side vehicle racing in Georgia, a total of 11 Can-Am Maverick 1000R racers competed with four Can-Am vehicles earning a podium finish in each of the four GNCC “UTV” classes.

“Having Can-Am ATV racers dominate their morning 4×4 classes and to see Kevin Trantham and Robert Smith on the morning podium was great. It was a good weekend in Georgia overall, as we had numerous podiums, including two for the new Can-Am Maverick 1000R in its GNCC side-by-side racing debut,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “It was a close finish for Kyle Chaney and his Maverick 1000R X rs in its first GNCC side-by-side event, as he narrowly missed taking the overall race win. This was a good debut for the Maverick and we fully expect to improve our results at round two in late April.”

ATV

Trantham, the reigning 4×4 Lites class champion, took the holeshot and raced away to a victory aboard his new 2013 Can-Am Outlander 500. He won the class by more than seven minutes, earned the top spot on the 4×4 podium and also earned second on the overall morning podium. Rounding out the 4×4 Lites podium were Can-Am riders Andrew Langston and Scott Day.

“I got a good start and my Can-Am Outlander worked awesome,” said Trantham. “It sure was good to have a good race today after a bad race in Florida.”

Smith raced his Can-Am Renegade to the U2 class win and third overall in the morning. It was Smith’s second consecutive class win and trip to the overall morning podium. He was joined on the U2 class podium by fellow Renegade ATV racers Jordan Phillips and third-place racer Danny Jessee.

Bryan Buckhannon earned his second win in a row in the 4×4 Open class aboard his Can-Am Outlander 800R. Buckhannon, who was sixth overall in the morning, grabbed the early lead and went on to win by close to 50 seconds.

Bo Jones and Sam Williams, were second and third, respectively. Other Can-Am ATV racers to notch class wins were 4×4 Senior (40+) racer Terry Whiteside and 4×4 Novice class racer Ryan Smith.

Side-By-Side

Chaney was the top finishing Can-Am Maverick 1000R pilot in the XC1 Modified class in Georgia. Chaney (JB Racing / Can-Am) started on line two and had to race against time to catch the leaders. Early in the race, Chaney was in the top three, but fell to sixth at the midpoint due to a large amount of lapped traffic.

However, by lap five Chaney raced to the overall lead based on his adjusted time. However, lapped traffic continued to be a factor and pushed Chaney back to third place by lap seven. He finished the eighth-lap race in third place less than six seconds back from first.

“Can-Am got it right. The Maverick is the best side-by-side I’ve driven,” said Chaney. “I am really picky about my machine and my team worked all night to get it the way I wanted it. I can’t thank them enough.”

In the XC2 Limited class, Can-Am racer Mike Penland put in his best ride in a side-by-side by earning second in the Maverick 1000R X rs. Two other Can-Am side-by-side teams earned podium spots in their class.

Team Travalena took second in the XC3 Lites class in its Commander side-by-side. Team Burkey finished third in the UTV Novice Limited class in its Can-Am Commander 1000.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle, the entire 2013 schedule, the ’13 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

Reigning Super Senior (45+) Grand National Cross Country champion Dave Simmons picked up where he left off last year by winning his class and earning the morning overall at the 2013 AMSOIL GNCC series opener in River Ranch, Fla.

XC1 ATV Pro racer Adam McGill rode his ITP-equipped race quad to an impressive second-place finish in the GNCC’s most prestigious ATV class.

“We were thrilled to have Dave Simmons win the morning overall and see Adam McGill take the second spot on the XC1 ATV Pro class podium. It was a great start of the season for Team ITP, as several racers competed for their class overall and earned podium finishes,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support. “Our success in Florida proves that ITP is the tire of choice for meeting the rugged demands of GNCC racing and for those riders searching for the ultimate in traction and performance.”

McGill, who was the official leader after the first lap, battled in the top three throughout the entire two-hour XC1 Pro class race. Under pressure from the third-place racer, McGill put the hammer down, ending any threat to pass. McGill held his position the rest of the way and easily secured second overall in the afternoon session and the second stair of the XC1 Pro podium.

Simmons dominated the Super Senior (45+) division, winning by more eight minutes, and also won the morning overall. Dating back to 2011, Simmons has now won 22 straight races, including all 13 events last year. William “Duck” Lloyd, Forest, Va., was another Team ITP racer to win his class in Florida. Lloyd won the Junior A (22+) class by almost 50 seconds on his way to finishing 29th overall in the afternoon racing session.

Team ITP racers Kenny Rich Sr. (Masters 50+) and Brian Schmid (Senior A/B 40+) finished second in their respective classes. Samuel Williams earned a 4×4 Open class podium, finishing third with his ITP tires. Both Kenny Rich Jr. (24+ C class) and Jordan Digby (125 Sr. 12-15) tallied fifth-place finishes for Team ITP.

Round two of the 13-round 2013 AMSOIL GNCC racing series is Saturday, March 16-17, at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, Ga.

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 ITP’s full-color catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-859-4740. Visit www.itptires.com

Can-Am X-Team member and Maverick 1000R side-by-side racer James Hill won the UTV Unlimited class at round one of the 2013 DIRT series at Lake Elsinore in Southern California.

“We’re thrilled to have Can-Am X-Team racer James Hill start off the season with a DIRT series victory in the Can-Am Maverick 1000R,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “His UTV Unlimited class win further proves that the Maverick side-by-side vehicle is not only designed to excel at racing, but it’s also a versatile and legitimate threat to win, no matter the series and terrain.”

Hill, who competed in the UTV Unlimited class due to series rules and to partake in the Can-Am X-Team Contingency program, stated his Maverick 1000R X is basically stock. Hill (IMG Motorsports / GBC / Can-Am X-Team) dominated the UTV Unlimited class, winning both motos. His win is also the first official motocross-style (as opposed to Gran Prix or short-course racing) victory for a Can-Am Maverick 1000R driver.

“I was stoked to sweep both motos in the Maverick 1000R” said Hill. “The Maverick is amazing right out of the gate. It was good to get both holeshots and I was very pleased to be out front early. The Maverick works great when jumping and handled exceptionally well in the tight, technical turns on the Lake Elsinore motocross course. I honestly think I had the fastest side-by-side vehicle out there this weekend, regardless of the class structure.”

Taking second in moto two, Can-Am pilot John Pacheco garnered a fourth-place finish in his Maverick 1000R in the UTV Unlimited class.

New in 2012, the DIRT series features a more traditional motocross format and now includes side-by-side racing along with ATVs, dirt bikes and trophy karts. The races are held on core motocross tracks and can feature custom courses for the SxS vehicles. Racers compete in their class in two different motos and combine the scores to determine and final moto score and, ultimately, the winner.

For more information, visit www.dirtentertainment.com.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle, the entire 2013 schedule, the ’13 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

Ontario, California, March 15, 2013 – Reigning Super Senior (45+) Grand National Cross Country champion Dave Simmons picked up where he left off last year by winning his class and earning the morning overall at the 2013 AMSOIL GNCC series opener in River Ranch, Fla. XC1 ATV Pro racer Adam McGill rode his ITP-equipped race quad to an impressive second-place finish in the GNCC’s most prestigious ATV class.

“We were thrilled to have Dave Simmons win the morning overall and see Adam McGill take the second spot on the XC1 ATV Pro class podium. It was a great start of the season for Team ITP, as several racers competed for their class overall and earned podium finishes,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support. “Our success in Florida proves that ITP is the tire of choice for meeting the rugged demands of GNCC racing and for those riders searching for the ultimate in traction and performance.”

McGill, who was the official leader after the first lap, battled in the top three throughout the entire two-hour XC1 Pro class race. Under pressure from the third-place racer, McGill put the hammer down, ending any threat to pass.

McGill held his position the rest of the way and easily secured second overall in the afternoon session and the second stair of the XC1 Pro podium.

Simmons dominated the Super Senior (45+) division, winning by more eight minutes, and also won the morning overall. Dating back to 2011, Simmons has now won 22 straight races, including all 13 events last year. William “Duck” Lloyd, Forest, Va., was another Team ITP racer to win his class in Florida. Lloyd won the Junior A (22+) class by almost 50 seconds on his way to finishing 29th overall in the afternoon racing session.

Team ITP racers Kenny Rich Sr. (Masters 50+) and Brian Schmid (Senior A/B 40+) finished second in their respective classes. Samuel Williams earned a 4×4 Open class podium, finishing third with his ITP tires. Both Kenny Rich Jr. (24+ C class) and Jordan Digby (125 Sr. 12-15) tallied fifth-place finishes for Team ITP.

Round two of the 13-round 2013 AMSOIL GNCC racing series is Saturday, March 16-17, at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, Ga.