Luke evaluates Yamaha’s 2012 edition of the ever-popular Grizzly 700 EPS featuring electronic power steering and Yamaha’s iconic 686cc single cylinder engine.
Some of us look at older racers and really dont understand the amount of knowledge they possess. I have several friends in the world of ATV racing, but none quite like my friend Mike Penland.
Mike and I met years ago, as I became part of his Baja racing effort for the Baja 1000. I didnt understand everything hed do to prepare for a race like the mighty Baja, but in a period of two weeks I figured out there was a purpose for his actions.
We spent hours going over the bike making sure each part worked without fail because as Mike would say, “In Baja all you have to do is finish and the wins will follow.”
As the years past and Mikes career developed I began to understand even more about this Rabun County, Georgia native. Things like his handy inventions for class leading ATVs such as the Kawasaki Brute Force and the Can-Am Outlander.
Mike has put every machine hes raced through grueling tests and developed products to help them survive. Most wouldnt know that hes also helped develop many Utility ATV air filters in cooperation with companies like Twin Air as well as small frame parts to help the chassis under your Outlander hold up to extreme abuse.
A multi time champion in the GNCC racing community as well as Baja, Mike Penland is truly a wealth of knowledge. If you have a chance to chat with guys like him do not pass up the opportunity. You might just learn something interesting about a topic you thought you already knew everything about.
Coastal Racing takes checkered flag with Jagged X’s Parks in Second
Best in the Desert’s Vegas to Reno race is the longest and toughest, off-road desert race in the U.S., and Polaris RZRs continued to have success despite the many challenges the course threw at them.
In the starting field of more than 20 side-by-sides for the 534-mile race, was Jagged X’s Brandon Schueler with co-pilot Cody Muir in the No. 1919 RZR XP 4 900, Jagged X’s Matt Parks, Jason Spiess and Landon Kobruck and the No. 1932 RZR XP 4 900, Jagged X’s Bill Schueler and Polaris Marketing and Sales Director Craig Scanlon in the almost-stock 1991 RZR XP 4 900, and Scott Kiger’s Holz Coastal Racing No. 1934 RZRXP driven by Kiger, Mark Holz and William Yokley.
When the dust settled, Coastal Racing would take their first Vegas to Reno win with the fastest time ever for a side-by-side in under 12 hours and ahead of the trucks and cars.
Thirty minutes later, Parks crossed the finish line second with the fastest second place finish for a side-by-side.
Finishing fourth and driving the entire race himself, was Bill Schueler, with co-pilot Scanlon, and the almost-stock RZR XP 4.
The No. 1991 has raced successfully all season and its fourth place finish in such a challenging race is a true testament to the ability of the RZR side-by-side vehicles. Unfortunately, five-time Vegas to Reno winner, Brandon Schueler, encountered a freak incident with the No. 1919 where a rock knocked off the oil sending unit for the oil pressure gauge and pumped oil out of the car leaving it unable to continue.
The next Best in the Desert Race is the Bluewater Desert Challenge, October 12-14, in Parker, AZ.
Jagged X is sponsored by Polaris, Falken Tire, Walker Evans Shocks, Team Industries, CR Designs, Simpson, OMF, Affordable Powdercoating, Mountain States Contracting, Muzzy’s, Pure Polaris Lubricants, UTV Underground, Vision X Lighting, Bar-T Equipment and Kroyer Racing Engines.
Coastal Racing is sponsored by Costal Drilling, Holz Racing, Walker Evans Racing, Kroyer Racing Engines, Polaris Ind. Utendorfer Design, Race Prep Sevices.
About Polaris – Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2011 sales of $2.7 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER 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 vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) and Goupil Industrie SA, and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
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 vehicles accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polarisindustries.com.
If you’re anything like the crew around the Dirt Trax offices, you were salivating at the very first site of the 2013 Polaris Scambler.
We finally got our chance to ride this ATV in the hills of Montana and came away with a few impressions of our own.
It will directly be compared to a Renegade in its stripped down sportier styling, however the two units differ greatly in their appearance.
The Scrambler’s angular design and matte black finish appear to be taken right off a stealth fighter jet. Its one of those looks that continues to grow on you until you can’t take it anymore and just have to drive down to your local dealership to run your hand along the plastic.
As you squeeze your thumb into the buttery smooth throttle and unleash all 77 ponies from the fuel injected 850 twin, your sleeves will shorten as the Scrambler blasts off down the trail.
Stab the go button as you power slide out of every corner and glance back at the wall of mud spraying behind you like it was shot from a water cannon.
The race tuned exhaust braaps out a cadence more stimulating than three Viagra and a Redbull and the ride is so supple and smooth, you’ll want Fox adjustable shocks on every ATV you ever ride from this point forward.
The super bright LED headlights are more than functional in dimly lit tree covered portions of the trail and look downright menacing as they’re approaching.
Combine this look with the sinful tones of the exhaust and you might think the gates of hell have opened and some creature from the deep is bearing down on your soul.
As much as we like the styling of the 2013 Scrambler, with all four tires spinning on a damp day, mud literally roosts everywhere – backwards, straight up and worst of all forwards so you’re literally driving into a mud storm. We think a few more inches of fender at all four corners would help keep the pilot a bit tidier throughout the ride.
Also, the footrests could do with a touch more clearout as we found all that mud tends to pool around your feet pretty quickly.
Our first spin aboard the 2013 Scrambler left us absolutely starving for more and almost unwilling to relinquish the keys.
Soon enough we’ll have a unit on the ground for testing so stay tuned to the next issue of Dirt Trax Magazine for more and watch for this intro on an upcoming episode of Dirt Trax Television!
For more info about the 2013 Polaris Scrambler, visit www.polaris.com
As part of its annual summer sales meeting and its presence at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), Victory Motorcycles and the Company’s dealers donated $154,125 to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
The donation was part of Polaris’ continuing relationship with the WWP, an organization that raises awareness and aids injured servicemen and women. Earlier this year, Polaris also gave away three special, blacked-out RANGER RZR XP 4 900 Side-by-Side vehicles to WWP veterans.
“Our relationship with the Wounded Warrior Project allows Polaris and our dealers to support the men and women who selflessly sacrifice for our nation through their military service,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Industries CEO. “We consider it an honor and a privilege to partner with the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that lends a hand to those who merit it most. We hope this donation helps these brave men and women return to the rich, active lives they truly deserve.”
On the opening night of the Company’s summer sales meetings, Polaris announced it would donate $25 to WWP for each rider that rode an all-terrain vehicle or Side-by-Side at the Polaris demo track, a winding set of man-made dirt trails intended to provide dealers with a chance to experience riding the latest Polaris products. That promise led to $44,500 in donations, powered by more than 1,700 demo rides.
The following week, at the 72nd edition of the legendary motorcycle rally at Sturgis, a year-long effort from Polaris-owned Victory Motorcycles and its dealers culminated when Steve Menneto, Polaris’ vice president of motorcycles, announced that Victory would contribute an additional $100,000 to WWP.
The money represented an incredible number of demo rides conducted throughout the year at Victory dealerships as the brand challenged consumers with the phrase “Ride One and You’ll Own One,” then backed it up with the promise of donations to WWP for each ride.
In addition to donations made by Polaris and Victory, the Company offered dealers the opportunity to contribute to WWP as well. More than 100 Polaris dealers combined to generously add $9,625 of their own money, bringing the donation total to $154,125.
About the Wounded Warrior Project – The mission of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
About Polaris – Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2011 sales of $2.7 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER 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 vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) and Goupil Industrie SA, and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
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 vehicles accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles, today announced the company has donated a total of 28 Polaris all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and safety gear to the Boy Scouts of America’s Northern Star Council’s Tomahawk Scout Reservation, the second largest Boy Scout camp in the nation, and the Northwoods Camp, run by The Salvation Army, the world-wide leader of social, youth and rehabilitative services.
The donation, valued at $100,000, is part of Polaris’ long-term partnerships with the two organizations, focused on youth ATV safety practices and outdoor sports.
“Our partnerships with Boy Scouts of America and The Salvation Army offer outstanding opportunities to demonstrate how ATVs can be a positive educational tool for youth,” said Scott Wine, Polaris CEO. “By introducing young people to the sport in a manner that emphasizes the importance of safety and responsible ATV ownership, Polaris can entice a new generation into the powersports community while providing a great experience for thousands of young people.”
The Boy Scouts of America’s Northern Star Council’s Tomahawk Scout Reservation, located in Birchwood, Wis., is the destination for approximately 6,500 Boy Scouts, Webelos and adult leaders every summer.
The new ATV program at the camp encompasses all aspects of safe ATV operation and ATV maintenance. Boy Scouts enrolled in the program also have the opportunity to earn merit badges for their participation.
The Salvation Army’s Northwoods Camp, located on Elbow Lake, in Finlayson, Minn., accommodates more than 3,000 youth campers each summer.
The camp offers various activities including swimming, hiking, fishing, camping, arts and crafts, archery, music, boating, ropes course, and the opportunity for spiritual enrichment.
The core intention of the ATV program is to teach camp visitors new life skills such as changing oil, repairing flat tires, and other learning experiences that will help youth broaden their skills and build their confidence.
Polaris vehicles available to camp visitors at both camps include the easy-to-use Phoenix 200; the best-selling utility ATV of all time, the Sportsman 500 H.O.; and the award-winning Sportsman 550.
The Salvation Army’s Northwoods Camp also will have the most-popular youth ATVs, the Outlaw 50 and Outlaw 90, available to camp visitors. As part of both donations, Polaris will adjust models as needed and replace older units over time to ensure the camp always has safe, age-appropriate vehicles available.
About Polaris – Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2011 sales of $2.7 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER 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 vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) and Goupil Industrie SA, and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
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 vehicles accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PBR AND NASCAR TEAM OWNER RICHARD CHILDRESS
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC), the “Official ATV and Side x Side” sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS), will be providing fans with an opportunity to win one of three rugged Kawasaki off-road vehicles!
Kawasaki has announced a Win-My-Ride promotion that features the give-away of a Kawasaki Mule side x side and two Brute Force all terrain vehicles.
The three winners will be selected at random and announced after the PBR Built Ford Tough Series World Finals in November, 2012.
PBR fans can participate for the opportunity to win one of the Kawasaki vehicles by texting WINMYRIDE to 868727.
The Grand Prize Mule 4010 Trans4x4 side x side is paired with the unique chance to tour the Richard Childress Racing facility in Welcome, North Carolina, plus lunch with Richard Childress, at his vineyard in Lexington, North Carolina.
The runner-up in the drawing will receive a Brute Force 750 4x4i EPS sport utility ATV, and third place will take home a Brute Force 300 sport utility ATV.
According to Chris Brull, Kawasaki marketing director, “This promotion directly appeals to the PBR audience and underscores our interest in reaching out to this community with exciting opportunities. PBR is one of the toughest sports on earth and Kawasaki’s off-road vehicles are among the toughest in America…a perfect match!”
About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) – The PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the PBR. In just two decades, the dream of 20 bull riders has become a global sports phenomenon that is televised worldwide. More than 100 million viewers annually watch primetime PBR programming on networks around the world including CBS, CBS Sports Network, NBC, NBC Sports Network, and YouTube. The PBR has awarded over $100 million in prize money and 24 riders have earned over $1 million, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million – the most of any western sports athlete in history. Nearly two million fans attend Built Ford Tough Series and Touring Pro Division events each year.
About Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) – Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, Side x Sides, and personal watercraft through a network of more than 1,200 independent retailers, with an additional 7,400 retailers specializing in Kawasaki power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with 300 of them located at KMC’s Irvine, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.”, is recognized worldwide. For five decades, the Kawasaki brand has become synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles.
Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.
Brown’s Fifth Place Finish Helps Secure AMA Pro ATV Manufacturer’s Title for Yamaha
Yamaha’s Chad Wienen secured his first AMA Pro ATV championship aboard his YFZ450R this past weekend at the 2012 season finale in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Thomas Brown, who finished an impressive fifth overall for the season, helped Yamaha secure the AMA Pro ATV Manufacturers title.
Racing a Yamaha YFZ450R for his Wienen Motorsports team this year, Wienen put together a smart pair of 3-4 moto finishes on August 11 to claim the historic championship with a 31-point advantage over his nearest rival. In all, Wienen took six wins and 10 straight podiums in his first season racing for Yamaha.
“After my injury last season, I was determined to make some major changes to my program and come back stronger than ever,” Wienen said. “With the support of Yamaha and the YFZ450R, Wienen Motorsports had the complete package to take the 2012 championship. The YFZ450R was bullet proof, and this was my first pro season with zero DNFs. We never missed the podium taking six wins, three second places and one third on our way to the Championship!”
“Chad and his Ryan Cox-prepared YFZ450R have added their names to the Yamaha history books by winning the most prestigious championship in ATV MX racing,” said Donnie Luce, Yamahas ATV racing coordinator. “This is a great championship for Chad, the entire Wienen Motorsports team and Yamaha Racing.”
Brown, a five-year Yamaha rider, grabbed 5-3 moto results on the weekend to claim fifth in the 2012 overall season standings.
Brown and Wienen have secured their place as a threatening pair in AMA ATV racing through countless hours of team training and winning performances on their YFZ450Rs.
“Yamaha congratulates Thomas Brown on another great season,” Luce said. “Brown has been a solid competitor consistently riding his YFZ450R to podium finishes in 2012 and was a key reason Yamaha captured the AMA ATV Manufacturer’s title.”
Yamaha Racing increased its presence in the AMA series this season adding Wienen and ramping up its trackside support for all ATV racers at each stop.
Layne Barnes and Pro Motorsports from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, supported all AMA ATV national 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 (WORCS) and Yamaha Quad-X Series.
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.
Can-Am DS 450 ATV Pro class racer John Natalie won the final round of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championship series held at Loretta Lynn’s Motocross track in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Natalie was joined on the podium by his Motoworks / Can-Am teammate Joel Hetrick, who finished second overall. Fellow Can-Am pro Josh Creamer finished fourth in the Pro class in Tennessee.
“I was pleased with the outstanding effort put in by John Natalie and Joel Hetrick here in Tennessee. Having them go 1-2, and also seeing Josh Creamer finish fourth, at the final round was awesome. Unfortunately, we came up a little short in our attempt to repeat as champions, but finishing second and third overall in the AMA ATV MX Championship points for 2012 is also something to be very proud of,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “We also had four AMA ATV MX National Championship amateur titles this season aboard Can-Am machines, as Travis Spader won three titles and Ries Parvin earned another.”
The first moto belonged to Hetrick, who also earned the weekend’s Fastest Qualifier award, came out of the gate in second and quickly passed for the lead.
Hetrick continued to pour it on and ended up winning moto one by more than 13 seconds. His Motoworks / Can-Am teammate Natalie started the race in fifth, but was stuck in a heated battle for the rest of the moto.
He eventually worked his way into fourth place before the checkers flew. Creamer (BCS Performance / Can-Am) was in the same clump of racers as Natalie in moto one, but unfortunately his ATV had a loose electrical connection and sputtered a few times, slowing his push. He dropped back from Natalie and ended the moto in sixth.
Moto two started out average for Natalie, as he came off the line in seventh. However, by the end of lap one, he had moved into the top three.
One lap later, Natalie had picked off another racer and set his sights on the leader, Creamer. Natalie powered around the outside of Creamer in a wide right-hand sweeping corner to take over the lead.
From there, the 2011 AMA ATV MX Champion didn’t let up as he went on to win the moto. His 4-1 finish outpaced Hetrick’s 1-5 scores, and earned Natalie his third overall win of 2012. His victory secured second place in the overall points championship with 428 points.
“This was the first time I have won an overall at Loretta Lynn’s,” said Natalie, “and this was really special for me; almost like winning a championship. I have to thank everyone at Can-Am, Motoworks, and my mechanic Casey Greek. We had a good season. We didn’t have a DNF and we were on the box every round but one.”
Hetrick ended his second professional season in third place in the Pro class points standings with 382 points. Creamer, who raced the final three rounds of the AMA series, earned one podium and two top-five finishes, including fourth at Loretta’s.
“This was a great year and I am really happy to be up on the box as much as I was and I finished in the top three at the end. That’s what I was aiming for. Next year I will be going for the championship,” said Hetrick.
In the amateur ranks, Can-Am-mounted racers won four titles and had several others end up in the final top-three of their class.
Travis Spader wrapped up a total of three national championship titles this season aboard his BCS Performance-prepared Can-Am DS 450.
Spader won the Junior 25 Plus, Veteran 30+ and Open A class championships. Also, Ries Parvin had a successful weekend at Lorettas and he notched an overall win in the 450 B class and finished second overall in the Open B class.
The latter finish helped the young Ohio racer earn the Open B national championship aboard his Can-Am.
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.
I’ve often wondered what a Pro ATV racer does once he retires.
How do he fit back into ordinary life when the track fades into the distance? Do these racers think ahead and plan out the inevitable slowing or end of their racing career?
Over the past 15 years I’ve seen many racers come and go and have watched as many of these guys and girls build a brand that follows them even after the last checkered flag drops.
Bill Ballance takes new riders under his wing then turns them into even better riders and representatives of the sport he has been involved in for so long.
Ive also watched as others race into the distance with no real idea of what will happen tomorrow and pretty soon their legend is nothing more than a fading poster pinned to a garage wall.
Bill is a great champion in the world of ATV racing, but I am sure he will eventually begin to think about what hell do down the road.
Endorsement deals aren’t as readily available for many aging riders and in this life you have to continually reinvent yourself to stay ahead.
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