Funds Will Go to Honored American Veterans Afield and Feed The Children

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. is giving away a 2012 Grizzly 700 EPS ATV to help raise awareness and money for the Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) and Feed The Children organizations.

Yamaha’s new “Assembled in USA” sweepstakes will raise money through $5 donations when individuals enter to win the new Grizzly.

The Grizzly 700 (MSRP $9,749) is Yamaha’s flagship ATV with top-of-the-line features like Electric Power Steering (EPS), fuel injection, Ultramatic automatic transmission, On-Command push-button four-wheel-drive, four wheel independent suspension and much more, making it the toughest, most off-road capable ATV in its class.

The Yamaha Grizzly that will be given away at the end of the sweepstakes is Steel Blue with cast aluminum wheels and has a unique red, white and blue “U.S.A.” themed graphic kit.

It was one of the first Grizzly 700 ATVs to come off Yamaha’s production line in Newnan, Ga., this May – significant because it marks Yamaha’s long-term strategy to move the production of more ATV models to the U.S.

“Yamaha is transferring the majority of its ATV production to the state-of-the-art Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp. of America facility in Georgia over the next three years,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV and SxS group marketing manager. “All of our 4×4 ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles are now assembled right here in the U.S.A., and Yamaha is proud to give away one of the first Grizzly 700 ATVs off the Newnan production line to raise money for two worthy charitable organizations.”

Yamaha is a founding sponsor of HAVA, an organization created to help disabled soldiers and veterans with the healing process through active participation in outdoors sports.

Yamaha has worked with Feed the Children for more than 10 years raising several hundred thousand dollars and feeding tens of thousands of children.

Yamaha will donate all money it raises through the raffle evenly between the two organizations.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

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 Corp., U.S.A.’s OHV Access Initiative continues to support riding areas across the country including a number of GRANTs (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails) that are helping protect waterways and other natural resources. 
 
As part of its ongoing efforts to support and promote responsible recreation and sustainable access to public lands, Yamaha continues to partner with a number of relevant parties including Outdoor Life’s Save-A-Stream program, and Yamaha has funded several projects that are in line with the Save-A-Stream mission.
 
“The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative has awarded more than $65,000 toward the construction or rehabilitation of bridges assisting local OHV communities in establishing responsible, sustainable riding and land stewardship practices,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV and SxS marketing manager.  “Land access issues impact every outdoor activity from OHV trails to hunting and fishing, and Yamaha is proud to do our part and lead the way from the motorsports industry to help assure responsible, sustainable access for all.”
 
“Yamaha’s commitment to responsible recreational use on public land is a model for the entire industry,” says Andrew McKean, Executive Editor of Outdoor Life magazine. “And the company’s promotion of watershed stewardship and recreational trail maintenance perfectly aligns with our Save-a-Stream program, which connects hunters and anglers with waterways in their own communities. It’s been a great partnership.”
 
A recent example of a Yamaha-funded project that affects multiple outdoor communities was submitted by the Trailsmen Motorcycle Club for the construction of a new bridge over a Coho salmon-bearing stream on the Tillamook National Forest in Northwest Oregon. 

This summer the club was awarded a $10,000 GRANT to go toward the purchase of building materials and construction permits.
 
“The construction of Elmer Trail bridge will make a significant improvement in the safety and sustainability of some of our most heavily used trails on the Tillamook State Forest while protecting aquatic and riparian habitats,” said Lahna Fox, Secretary/Treasurer of the Trailsmen Motorcycle Club.  “Without the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative GRANT, this important project would not be possible, and we are grateful to partner with them in supporting our OHV community.”
 
The Trailsmen Club was one of six organizations awarded GRANTs in the second quarter 2011 funding cycle of the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative this year. 

In total, Yamaha has issued 152 GRANTs in 32 states totaling nearly $2 million since the program started in 2008.
 
In addition to the Trailsman Motorcycle Club, Yamaha awarded GRANTs in the second quarter of 2011 to the following organizations:

– Flathead Dirt Riders Association, Kalispell, MT
– Francis Marion National Forest, McClellanville, SC
– Ohio Department of Natural Resources
– Friends of Florida State Forests
– Michigan Trails & Recreation Alliance of Land & Environment
 
Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of trails, kept open countless riding areas, improved staging areas, built bridges over fish-baring streams and partnered with local riding communities across the country to improve the OHV experience for all. 

Yamaha is actively seeking qualified projects at local, state and federal levels. The quarterly review calendar for 2011 is as follows:

Submission Schedule
Approval Deadline
– December 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011
– April 29, 2011
– April 1 – June 30, 2011
– July 29, 2011
– July 1 – September 30, 2011
– October 31, 2011
– October 1 – November 30, 2011
– January 13, 2012
 
About the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative – Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from non-profit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state and local public land use agencies and other members of the OHV community in the United States. A committee then reviews each application and awards GRANTs to deserving projects.
 
Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the OHV Access Initiative are available at: www.Yamaha-Motor.com/OHVAccess. For specific questions about the OHV Access Initiative, call Yamaha’s dedicated OHV Access Initiative Hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724)
 
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, race kart engines, 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.

Following an exciting and successful summer series, the popular Friday Night Lights series returns to Milestone MX Park in Riverside, California this fall.

GBC Motorsports will once again raffle off one set of Bomb Squad MX tires at each of the four rounds.

Kory Ellis, pro ATV racer and GBC Motorsports sales representative, presented one lucky raffle winner with a new set of GBC’s Bomb Squad MX tires at each round of the summer series.

One winner in particular, Ed Franco, used his new set of Bomb Squad tires at the following round of the series, with great results. “I put the Bomb Squad tires on for this race and pulled my first holeshot in a long time,” Franco said.

Ellis is excited to be returning to the fall series with more tires to give away. “The Friday Night Lights series provides some great motocross-style racing at a world-class facility,” Ellis said. “We’re absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to give away a set of our Bomb Squad MX tires at each event.”

GBC Motorsports’ Bomb Squad MX tires are high performance ATV motocross tires. Designed in collaboration with Wes Miller, found of H-Bomb Media and the Bomb Squad, these tires feature both the H-Bomb and Bomb Squad logos as tread knobs.

The tread provides racers better forward tracking and braking performance while also allowing them to groove their tires to suit specific track conditions.

Round 1 of the FNL Fall ATV MX Series begins this Friday, October 8th at Milestone MX Park in Riverside, California.

Below is the full series schedule:

October 8th – Round 1
November 19th – Round 2
December 3rd – Round 3
December 17th – Round 4

Check out www.gbcmotorsports.com for all your ATV tire needs.

Pelchat Wins ATV Title on DS 450; Holz Wins Inaugural Side-by-Side Title in Commander 1000 X

In front of 45,000 fans, Can-Am X-Team Pro ATV racer Richard Pelchat topped an all-Can-Am DS 450 podium in winning the ATV portion of the Montreal Supermotocross event held at Olympic Stadium in Quebec, Canada.

Fellow Can-Am racer Mark Holz also recorded a class victory, piloting the No. 673 Holz Racing / Motoworks / Can-Am Commander 1000 X to an historic win in the inaugural Side-By-Side class event.

Can-Am ATV racers Cody Miller, reigning 2010 NEATV-MX Champion, and John Natalie, 2011 AMA ATV MX Champion, joined Pelchat on the podium.

“It was another great year for Can-Am at the Montreal Supermotocross. To have a Can-Am DS450 podium sweep, and actually the top 4 finishing spots, was outstanding. I’m proud of Pelchat and happy for him to get his first Montreal win and to accomplish it on a DS 450,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Holz knew he had his work cut out for him, but he did it and came out on top. To have the Motoworks / Can-Am Commander 1000 X take a very convincing win in the inaugural SSV event was icing on the cake, especially against a full gate of competitive side-by-sides. It was mission accomplished for Can-Am in Montreal and a great result for all BRP employees.”

ATV

For the second straight year, Can-Am DS 450 ATV racers swept the podium in Montreal. Pelchat took control of the main event by powering his RP Evolution / Can-Am to the holeshot and early lead.

Natalie was right on his bumper pressing him and waiting for an opportunity to pass. Unfortunately for Natalie, he bumped tires with Pelchat and then was then hit from behind by another rider.

Natalie was then tangled in a mess of ATVs as he and three other top contenders were thrown from their ATVs. Pelchat, on the other hand, emerged from the pack unscathed and jumped out to a commanding lead.

With the leader in front, Miller, BCS Performance / Can-Am, was in 11th and Motoworks / Can-Am pilot Natalie was in 12th after the first lap. Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 racer Josh Creamer was in last back in 17th.

However, by the midway point, Natalie had moved into third place. Miller was in fifth and Creamer had passed eight racers to move into ninth place. From there, lapped traffic slowed the charge of Natalie, Miller and Creamer and even hampered Pelchat as he saw his lead shrink to around eight seconds.

With a few laps remaining in the race, Miller used a text-book block pass to get by Natalie and move into second place. Creamer, who posted the races’ fastest lap times on the final few laps, had passed 13 riders to move into fourth place. Pelchat’s lead proved to be too large and he was thrilled to earn his first career Montreal Supermotocross title.

“It was good to take the win in my home country. I have had bad luck in previous years, but my bike was awesome and it ran so well,” said Pelchat.

Side-By-Side

Holz traveled from his home state of Washington with the goal of winning the inaugural Side-By-Side Montreal Supermotocross title.

During practice and qualifying Holz was competitive, but not dominant, as he attempted to find the perfect race set-up for his Commander and the tight Montreal course.

However, Holz, who has side-by-side racing experience in the WORCS series, had his Commander 1000 X dialed in for the main event as he dominated the field of 18 other racers to win the inaugural Side-By-Side class title.

After grabbing the holeshot in his Holz Racing-modified Commander 1000 X, he led every lap and ended up winning by almost 20 seconds over the second-place finisher.

“Our Commander was set up for the desert, so we changed thing up a bit for Montreal,” said Holz. “We were OK in practice and qualifying, but I wasn’t as concerned with our time there as I was figuring out how to pass someone on the narrow track. It was a fun time regardless and good event overall. It was really cool to win in front of all the BRP employees, who had their own section. They seemed very happy with the side-by-side racing results.”

Only two Can-Am Commander vehicles competed in field that was dominated by a competitive brand of side-by-side. However, those two Can-Am Commander vehicles posted the top two qualifying times earlier in the day and were running in first and second for the first six laps of the main event.

Former Canadian motorcycle motocross star Simon Homans was driving hard in second place in the main event behind Holz before a mechanical issue ended his day.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

To add to the extensive list of models available for the 2012 season, Honda announces another release for 2012, the much-praised FourTrax Foreman Rubicon ATV.

The FourTrax Foreman Rubicon joins the comprehensive assortment of 2012 Honda street bikes and off-road machines that offer multiple choices to fill just about every niche in today’s riding scene.

“The FourTrax Foreman Rubicon fills out the amazingly broad range of ATVs Honda has to offer in 2012, and it is now available,” said Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. “The FourTrax Foreman Rubicon along with the Rincon cap off the full-size multi-purpose ATV lineup with two distinctly different alternatives, while the FourTrax Foreman, Rancher and Recon families offer a wide variety of hard-working and recreational options. Add to that an incredible array of sport ATVs ranging from the rider-friendly TRX90X to the Baja-winning TRX450R plus the hard-working Big Red MUV, and you see a lineup that places Honda at the head of the four-wheel category. We now see that the industry is turning the corner as sales continue to improve and we’ve been working hard to get our dealer network placed in a position with great products at a high value. We believe that consumers will respond to the many options they can choose from and will enjoy once they enter a Honda showroom.”

The FourTrax Foreman Rubicon has earned a stellar long-standing reputation for its off-road capabilities, and for good reason.

Its proven, beltless, continuously variable Hondamatic automatic transmission with true engine braking is efficient, maintenance-free and extremely rugged.

Add in a torque-sensitive front differential along with Honda’s TraxLok selectable 2WD/4WD system plus the option of electric power steering and it’s easy to see why the Rubicon remains the machine of choice among riders in search of an especially capable off-road ATV. Price: $7,899 – $8,899; Availability: October 2011

About Honda – American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the US. American Honda’s Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to www.powersports.honda.com.

Warnert Racing / Can-Am DS 450 ATV Pro racers Adam McGill and Chris Bithell finished second and third in the Pro class at the Mountain Ridge GNCC in Somerset, Pa.

In the Can-Am GNCC morning session, UXC Racing / Can-Am X-Team racer Michael Swift won the morning overall and the highly competitive 4×4 Open class aboard his Can-Am Outlander 800R X xc.

“McGill was close to earning his third win of the year, but he had a minor miscue on the final lap and had to settle for second in the Pro class. He gained some valuable ground on the Pro class points leader and that’s always good. To have both McGill and Bithell on the podium together, again, was great for team Warnert Racing / Can-Am,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “We continue to excel in the morning session, winning four classes and earning 10 of the top 20 morning finishing positions, highlighted by Michael Swift, who won both the a.m. overall and the 4×4 Open class.”

McGill, who led for much of the race, regained the lead on final lap as he passed another two miles before the finish line. However, in a slippery rock section, McGill said his handguard caught on a tree and swung him sideways. By the time he recovered, he had lost the lead. He finished less than two seconds behind the winner.

McGill, with his second-place overall finish, now trails the Pro class points leader by 27 points with three rounds remaining in 2011.

Bithell, who earned his second straight afternoon podium, ran inside the top five all day, but worked his way into third place on the final lap. He is currently in third place in the Pro class points race, 14 points behind McGill.

“In the first lap, there were about five of us that were really close and seemed like they were just kind of playing around so I went out there and took control and set the pace,” said McGill. “I was able to make up some valuable points, but I really want to win so I am going to go out there and give it everything I’ve got for the last three rounds.”

Led by Swift’s 4×4 Open class dominance, Can-Am racers earned the morning overall, swept the GNCC utility and GNCC morning podiums, won four classes and notched a total of 12 class podium finishes.

Swift has now won five 4×4 Open class races this year and leads fellow Can-Am X-Team Outlander 800R X xc racer Bryan Buckhannon by four points. Buckhannon and Zakowski Motorsports / Can-Am X-Team racer Zac Zakowski joined Swift on the morning podiums.

“It was a really rough track, but I like the rough technical stuff and that’s where I do well,” said Swift. “The quad held up great even in all the rocks. I was a little worried because it was so rough, but the Can-Am came through.”

Clifton Beasley recorded his 29th consecutive 4×4 class victory and 23rd straight U2 class victory aboard the Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc with his win in Pennsylvania. In fact, the Can-Am X-Team racer has won five 4×4 class titles in a row. He was joined on the U2 podium by fellow Can-Am-mounted racers, Robert Smith and Scott Day.

Warnert Racing / Can-Am racer Lexie Coulter earned her second straight podium trip in the Women’s class, finishing third at Mountain Ridge aboard her DS 450. Coulter, who missed two rounds due to an injury, is currently 11 points out of third place.

Forrest Whorton kept up his winning ways in the 4×4 Super Senior (45+) class, beating two other Can-Am ATV pilots in David Jessee and MPR / Can-Am X-Team racer Mike Penland. Whorton has won nine of 10 races in 2011 and has a 15-point lead heading into round 11.

Another utility racer, 4×4 Novice competitor and Can-Am rider Joshua Trafelet, of Tomah, Wis., earned his fourth win of 2011. He is the class points leader heading into the Power Line Park GNCC, Oct. 8 in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.