The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is now offering its new Basic DriverCourse in Southern and Northern California, helping ROV drivers become familiar with these increasingly popular machines and learn about safe and responsible use.

The DriverCourse combines the free, online ROV E-Course, plus nearly three hours of closed-range driving exercises supervised by a licensed ROHVA DriverCoach.

“After months of testing and development, we are rolling out the Basic DriverCourse to individuals and groups wanting to familiarize themselves with their ROVs in a controlled environment and under the guidance of a certified DriverCoach,” said Paul Vitrano, executive vice president, ROHVA. “We now have training sites at the Prairie City SVRA and Hollister Hills SVRA in Northern California, and in Irvine in Southern California. We will be adding other locations in California and across the country to meet the demand.”

Students can obtain information about and register for the DriverCourse online at rohva.org. The course costs approximately $150 per driver and a passenger can attend at no extra cost. Students must have a valid driver’s license and be at least 16 years old.

ROHVA’s additional Open Trail Experiences, which go beyond the closed-course range, are available at some locations and range from 30 minutes to more than four hours, depending on the number of lessons, location, group size and level of difficulty.

The focus of the DriverCourse is to develop driver familiarization, skills and behavior related to sensible, responsible and safe use of an ROV. Students will acquire general safety information and learn basic techniques for responsibly driving an ROV.

The lessons include starting and stopping, turning, swerving and quick stops. ROHVA-certified DriverCoaches evaluate driver performance during each lesson and provide a written copy of this evaluation to each student at the end of the training.

The prerequisite ROV E-Course must be taken before attending the hands-on DriverCourse, but can also be taken by anyone interested in learning more about safe off-highway driving practices. The free E-Course is available any time at rohva.org.

This two-hour online safety course helps develop safe driving habits but is not a learn-to-drive course. It is intended to improve awareness about ROVs and inspire a safety-minded approach to off-highway recreation. At the end of the course, users have the option of taking an ROV safety quiz.

The E-Course is an important resource for the growing community of ROV enthusiasts and reinforces:

– Key risk factors associated with ROV operation
– Safe driving practices that will reduce risk of injury
– The best resources for learning about your particular vehicle

Sometimes referred to as side-by-sides or UTVs, ROVs are motorized off-road vehicles designed to travel on four or more non-highway tires, with a steering wheel, non-straddle seating, seats and seat belts for a driver and one or more passengers, an occupant protective structure, and engine displacement up to 1,000cc.

The performance and durability of ROVs make them ideally suited for a variety of outdoor recreational activities as well as many industrial and agricultural applications.

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association was formed to promote the safe and responsible use of recreational off-highway vehicles manufactured or distributed in North America. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop a standard for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ROVs. Based in Irvine, Calif., the not-for-profit trade association is sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, John Deere, Kawasaki, Polaris, and Yamaha.

Visit rohva.org

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 scholarship program that provides financial assistance to members of the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT).

ACT is a national college student association with more than 350 members located on 17 college and university campuses across the country. ACT’s mission of fostering professional development is at the core of the Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program, now in its fifth year.

The Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program is broken out into two individual student scholarships and one chapter scholarship. All three awards are aimed at helping students attend the annual Agricultural Media Summit (AMS), which is the largest gathering of ag media professionals in the country and is the ACT students’ primary career development networking opportunity each year.

The conference is hosted by the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA), the Livestock Publications Council (LPC) and the American Business Media Agri-Council – potentially future employers and colleagues of the students.

“Yamaha congratulates the past winners of these scholarships, and looks forward to working with more students in the coming year,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager. “Yamaha’s goals for this program are to support ag students while spreading the message of safe, responsible use of farm equipment – particularly ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles.”

For the 2012-2013 program, the Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Chapter at University of Illinois received the chapter award, while Danielle Smith of University of Arkansas and Bailey Toates of Oklahoma State University earned individual scholarships.

“We were very excited to be honored with the Yamaha Chapter Award. It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn more about farm safety while using their communications skills to develop engaging articles, advertisements, and more,” said Jennifer Shike, Illini ACT advisor. “Not only did Yamaha support our students’ professional development opportunities this year, but we were privileged to take part in a top-notch photography workshop as part of our Yamaha award experience. It’s a testimony to Yamaha’s commitment to helping the future of agriculture.”

“I learned a lot at AMS this year and made so many great connections with potential employers, and none of it would have been possible without Yamaha’s support,” Danielle Smith said. “Events like AMS can be expensive for students to attend, but the scholarship that Yamaha provides gives students the means to be able to attend this outstanding event. I strongly encourage students to find a way to attend AMS, and applying for this scholarship is a great way to do so.”

“I am very thankful for the opportunity Yamaha has provided me, and honored to be a recipient of this incredible award,” said Bailey Toates. “Ag Media Summit was an incredible experience and provided numerous learning opportunities.”

Applications are judged based on merit, need and quality of submission materials by a review committee consisting of Yamaha representatives and members of the AAEA and the LPC.

The 2012-2013 application process will run through the end of March 2013 and winners will be announced in late April. More information and guidelines, along with the application form, will be posted online at www.nactnow.org.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. – 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.

BCS Performance / Can-Am DS 450 racer Josh Creamer clinched the 2012 New England ATV Motocross (NEATV-MX) Pro Class Championship by winning both Pro class motos at round nine in Clifford, Pa.

Several other Can-Am racers, including Cody Miller, Hunter Miller and Joel Hetrick reached the podium in different racing events in the US.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Americans Josh Frederick and Dillon Zimmerman teamed with Frenchman Jeremie Warnia to finish fourth in the 26th Annual 12 Hours of Pont de Vaux in France.

“Josh Creamer put an exclamation point on his 2012 NEATV-MX season, winning both Pro-level classes at round 9 and securing the 2012 Pro class title with three rounds remaining. His approach and determination this year have been exceptional and he has rewarded himself, his sponsors and BRP with a well-deserved championship,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “I was extremely proud of the way the Motoworks / Can-Am team never quit and battled through adversity in France to earn fourth at Pont de Vaux.”

NEATV-MX

Round nine of the 12-round NEAVT-MX series was held at Hurricane Hills in Clifford, Pa. Creamer once again came away with four moto wins, earning 1-1 sweeps in both the Pro and Pro-Am classes. More importantly, his consistency in the series not only preserved his perfect record in the Pro class, but also locked up the 2012 NEATV-MX Pro championship title.

Creamer grabbed the holeshot in each Pro class moto and walked away from the rest of the field to secure the championship with three rounds remaining this year. Can-Am racer Brad Burbine also reached the Pro class podium, finishing third.

Creamer had a much tougher first moto in the Pro-Am class, as he got off the line late and had to come from the back of the pack. However, the gritty pro finally made his way to the front on the final lap and took the win. He followed it up with a moto-two holeshot and dominant victory for the Pro-Am overall. Michael Troiano earned third in the Pro-Am class aboard his Can-Am DS 450.

“I had a great weekend. Both Pro motos went great for me. I grabbed both holeshots and pulled away. I have to thank Can-Am, BCS and everyone who has helped me to win this championship. I am very happy and I plan to keep winning for them,” said Creamer.

TQRA

Can-Am X-Team members Cody and Hunter Miller put their Louis Powersports-supported Can-Am DS 450 ATVs on both the Expert and Pro-Am podiums at round nine of the Texhoma Quad Racing Association series held in Decatur, Texas. Cody Miller finished second in both classes, while his older brother Hunter earned third place in each class during TeXGames weekend at Oak Hill MX.

Pont de Vaux

In France, the team of Frederick, Zimmerman and Warnia, the 2011 WORCS ATV pro champion, competed in the 12 Hours of Pont de Vaux aboard a Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450. The team raced out to the overall lead and carried that lead into the night session. However, during Frederick’s turn on the ATV, the headlights stopped working and he crashed.

During the 30-minute delay to repair the vehicle, the team dropped from first to 59th place. Once the ATV was repaired, the racers rallied and soon climbed back into the top 10.

Finally, at the completion of the 12 hours, the Motoworks / Can-Am team had worked its way up to an impressive fourth-place finish.

Matt Bartosek Celebration Race

Motoworks / Can-Am racer Joel Hetrick traveled to Sugar Grove, Pa., to compete at the 10th annual motocross race that celebrates the life of fallen ATV racer Matt Bartosek.

Hetrick, who finished third overall in the 2012 AMA ATV MX Championship series, notched 2-2 moto scores on his Can-Am DS 450 to finish second overall.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2012 schedule, the ’12 contingency program and DS 450 amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

In a dominating performance, six Can-Am racers posted overall class victories at the fifth annual GBC Heartland Challenge in Carlisle, Iowa.

Motoworks / Can-Am racer Kyle Chaney (UTV Open) and Can-Am / UXC Racing’s Michael Swift (4×4 Open) led the way, winning the two marquee classes.

Across the country in the New England ATV Motocross series, BCS Performance / Can-Am DS 450 pro Josh Creamer won two classes at round eight held in Minot, Maine.

At the General Tire Vegas-To-Reno round of the Best in the Desert (BITD) series, Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 teammates Dillon Zimmerman and Josh Frederick earned third on the Quad Pro class podium, while Murray Motorsports finished third in its Commander the UTV Pro class.

“I was pleased with the results from our Can-Am racers at three different racing series across the country. Can-Am racers ruled the Heartland Challenge. It was thrilling to see Kyle Chaney and Michael Swift each earn the hard-fought overall wins. Winning four more class titles was icing on the cake,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Josh Creamer kept rolling in the NEATV-MX series as he once again put his DS 450 out front and on top of the podium. And although we missed out on a Vegas-To-Reno victory, having both the DS 450 and Commander teams reach the podium was truly an accomplishment.”

Heartland Challenge

The Heartland Challenge had its largest attendance in the race’s five-year history with 109 entries. The endurance event, which uses a Lemans-style start, features ATV and side-by-side vehicle racing with 10- and 4-hour race times, respectively.

In the 4-hour UTV race, Chaney fought off numerous challenges to take a popular win in the UTV Open class in his Motoworks-prepped Can-Am Commander 1000 X. Chaney got off to a slow start, but quickly worked his way through the 22-car field and into the lead pack.

Just after the halfway point, Chaney inherited the lead and never relinquished it, despite a few challenges. At around 11 p.m., and with a four-minute time advantage, he drove across the finish line with the UTV Open class victory.

Swift won the Pro 4×4 Ironman class and was joined on the podium by Can-Am racers Bryan Buckhannon and Chris Robinson.

Buckhannon was out front early but missed a turn and allowed Swift to take over the lead. Swift then rode for the next five hours straight before stopping for a break.

A refreshed Swift resumed his race pace to outdistance Buckhannon by four laps for the overall win. D&S Racing (UTV 850 Mod), Stalker Racing (A class), Team Katers / Zakowski Motorsports (4×4 Open) and Justin Steck (Open Ironman) also earned overall class wins with Can-Am vehicles.

Can-Am racers Forrest Whorton (third, Open Ironman), Sammy Joe Racing (third, B class) and Go Blue Racing (second, 4×4 Open) earned class podiums.

NEATV-MX

Creamer continued his undefeated run in both the Pro and Pro-Am classes in the NEATV-MX series this year. At Hemonds MX in Maine, Creamer rode his BCS Performance-supported DS 450 to four holeshots, four moto wins and victories in both the Pro and Pro-Am ranks. He has yet to lose in the 2012 NEATV-MX series aboard his Can-Am.

BITD

In the UTV class, brothers Jason and Derek Murray of the Murray Motorsports / Can-Am team battled with more than 20 other side-by-side vehicles on their way to an impressive finishing time and third overall on the 534-mile desert course.

The Can-Am Commander pilots led a good portion of the race, but issues with a flat tire late in the race slowed their pace and allowed two other teams to pass. The Murrays repaired the tire and finished on the podium in third, earning 152 valuable points in their chase for a title.

“We were running in the lead most of the race. We had a logistics issue with a flat and lost the lead with not enough time to catch up,” said Derek Murray. “The Commander ran great, and with the third-place finish we still hold the points lead.”

With a time of 10:44:11.867, the DS 450-mounted Frederick and Zimmerman finished the Quad Pro class in third place and 12th overall on the day in the Motorcycle/Quad division.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2012 schedule, the ’12 contingency program and DS 450 amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.