Motoworks / Can-Am pro DS 450 racer John Natalie won the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Championship by finishing third overall in the series finale held at Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch.

Natalie tallied 2-4 moto scores and literally earned the third spot on the Pro class podium with an impressive moto-two performance that saw him finish in fourth place after battling back from dead last after a crash in turn two.

“John has been committed to winning the Pro class championship aboard the DS 450 for four years now and he really deserves to be champion, especially after the inspiring performance he put in today,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “He rode with the heart and conviction of a true champion, battling back from his horrendous crash at the start of moto two. It was an unbelievable effort today. But all season long he has fought fiercely for this title, overcoming the broken arm and riding through pain the past three races to preserve and earn the sport’s ultimate prize and win the championship title for team Motoworks / Can-Am. We are extremely proud of John and the entire Motoworks team. Mission accomplished.”

Natalie rode his DS 450 to a fourth-place start to begin the first Pro class moto and then moved into third place a few laps later.

After Can-Am X-Team Pro racer Chase Snapp stopped to repair a derailed chain, Natalie moved into second place and set his sights on the leader.

He posted the fastest lap of the race on lap 11 as he charged ahead and pulled close to the leader. In the end, however, he settled for second and gained two valuable points in his chase for the Pro class title.

Moto two started much the same as Natalie was amongst the top three after the first turn. However, in turn two, Natalie was thrown from his DS 450 and then hit and actually run over by another racer. Uninjured, Natalie quickly sprung to his feet, restarted his machine and started chasing the pack from last place.

Going into the moto, he knew a ninth-place finish in the second moto would tie him for the points lead and give him the title via the tiebreaker. However, Natalie instead charged hard aboard the DS 450 and fought for a spot on the final Pro class podium.

He had moved up seven spots by lap three. Two laps later Natalie had moved comfortably into fifth place. Still he didn’t stop. On the final lap, he passed Snapp to move into fourth place. Natalie’s 2-4 finish earned him not only the third spot on the Loretta’s podium but also the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Pro Championship.

“It’s been a long road and we finally made it and took the championship,” said Natalie. “It felt great to come out here and take the championship in the last round of the season. I have to thank everyone at Can-Am and Motoworks and everyone who has been there for us this season and stuck behind us; it brings tears to my eyes. This has been such an incredible season, and with all the ups and downs our team has had with both Chad and I getting injured, for our team to take the championship couldn’t be any sweeter right now.”

Can-Am X-Team member Chase Snapp earned seventh place overall in the Pro class aboard his DS 450. The rookie pro looked anything but as he led for three laps of the first moto before an errant rock derailed the chain and forced him to stop to fix it. He finished 10th in moto one.

Another good start put Snapp in the top three in the second Pro moto. He ended the moto in fifth place and his 10-5 finishes were good enough for seventh on the day and helped him secure sixth overall in the Pro class for the season.

“I felt like if I hadn’t thrown my chain that I would have won that moto,” said Snapp. “I’m happy with how everything has gone this season and I’m hoping to come back and do even better next year. I have to thank Can-Am and Motoworks for all of their help this year. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 Pro racer Chad Wienen, who remained out of action due to his recovery from back surgery, ended the year in seventh place in the Pro class points standings. His four overall victories in 2011 led the Pro class.

Wienen, who is expecting a full recovery from his injury, was on hand to sign autographs and assist AMA ATV MX announcer Rodney Tomblin in the announcing booth during both Pro class motos.

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.

Heading into the 11th and final round of the Championship, Holz Racing/Motoworks/Can-Am rider John Natalie held a fragile 10 point lead over Josh Upperman.

In the first moto John suffered a slow start, then rode aggressively to finish in second place behind Joel Hetrick, and ahead of Upperman who finished the moto in third.

At the start of the second moto, John got tangled in the first turn and fell to last place. Having extended his points lead in the first moto, John needed an 8th place finish in the second to clinch the crown.

Again, in championship form, John picked off competing riders and finished the moto in 4th.

Everyone at Holz Racing Products congratulates John Natalie for winning the Championship and for a great season!

ABOUT HOLZ RACING PRODUCTS – For 12 years, Holz Racing Products has been building the highest quality, best performing suspensions and chassis components available. Everyone says “race-proven.” We Live it. From WORCS, desert to short-course, Holz Racing Products are developed and proven in the most grueling applications. What we learn out there is built into our 2011 UTV product line. Exacting tolerances, OEM-like fit, durability and performance engineered right into every part. It all stems from our overly simple design philosophy – build the best performing, most durable products in the industry. We’ve earned our reputation one year and one win at a time. We strive to keep all our parts in stock and ship everything as quick as possible to keep you riding, not waiting for the delivery man. Visit our website to see our full line of Can-Am Commander and Polaris RZR parts. Holz Racing Products… Engineered to Win.

GBC Motorsports is excited to be the title sponsor of the 4th Annual Heartland Challenge Endurance Race.

The 2011 Heartland Challenge is being held August 18th-20th in Carlisle, Iowa and is one of the premier ATV endurance races the Midwest has to offer.

As title sponsor of the event GBC Motorsports will have a support truck onsite and will be handing out free stickers to fans. Be sure to visit GBC on Facebook to obtain instructions for receiving a free t-shirt. (Click Here)

All you have to do is get the special password from the Facebook page and stop by the GBC camp for your free GBC t-shirt! (Quantities limited)

This year’s Heartland Challenge promises to be full of racing excitement for riders and spectators alike, just minutes from downtown Des Moines.

With a variety of classes for pros, amateurs, women and youth for both ATVs and UTVs, expect a challenging but fun race for riders of every level.

For more information on GBC Motorsports visit www.gbcmotorsports.com.

About GBC Motorsports: GBC Motorsports has been building ATV tires for over 30 years. Manufactured under the Greenball name initially, in 1995, GBC Motorsports was formed to focus on bringing to the ATV and Powersports market performance tires for every riding style. GBC Motorsport’s passion is to provide the highest quality, best value and most innovative performance tires to the Powersports enthusiast.

Third Party Study Proves Yamaha’s Longstanding Claim of Most Durable CVT Transmission

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., has long touted its ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles as being the toughest of their kind, and now a third party study conducted by ADP Lightspeed has proved that claim. More specifically, the ADP Lightspeed study shows that Yamaha has the most durable belt driven drivetrain in the industry.

“A lot of companies say they make the toughest ATVs, but now Yamaha can clearly prove that claim in our CVT transmission system,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV and SxS group marketing manager. “The ADP study proves once and for all that our vehicles have the best CVT drivetrain reliability in the industry.”

Yamaha’s claim is based specifically on an ADP Lightspeed competitive comparison study of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) belt components reported in warranty and non-warranty repair order records for 2007 to 2010 model year CVT belt-driven 4×4 ATVs with engines 400cc and above.

Yamaha’s reliable Ultramatic automatic transmission system features an exclusive centrifugal clutch that allows the drive belt to remain under constant tension providing a key point of durability – something that sets it apart from competing models.

Also exclusive to Yamaha’s Ultramatic system is the one way sprag clutch that not only aides in durability but provides the most natural feeling four wheel engine braking for maximum traction and rider confidence.

This exclusive system is used in Yamaha’s toughest, most off-road capable ATVs and SxS vehicles including the Grizzly 700 ATV, Grizzly 550 ATV, Grizzly 450 ATV and Rhino 700 SxS vehicle.

A video on Yamaha’s website demonstrates how the Ultramatic system works as compared to the competition: Click here to watch

ADP is a leading provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck, motorcycle, marine and recreational vehicle dealers throughout the world.

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

Motoworks / Can-Am ATV racer Josh Creamer overcame the excessively muddy conditions at MX 207 to win the Pro class at round eight of the New England ATV Motocross Series in Lyman, Maine.

Creamer also won the Pro-Am class aboard his Can-Am DS 450 ATV. BCS Performance / Can-Am DS 450 racer Cody Miller earned two podiums as well, taking third overall in each class.

“With his outstanding weekend performance, Creamer has dramatically closed up the Pro class points championship race and sits only four points behind the leader with four rounds of racing remaining,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “He continues to impress on the DS 450 and his performance in the slick, muddy track was incredible.”

Creamer jumped out to an early lead in moto one, grabbing the holeshot, and held off another racer for the win. Moto two was even more challenging as Creamer, who took another holeshot, dropped back to second place during the early part of the race before making a pass and rallying for the win.

His 1-1 finish gave him a 10-point cushion over second place at round eight. With his third overall victory, he now trails the class leader by just four points heading into round nine, which is to be held Aug. 21 at Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

“I had a good day even with all the mud,” said Creamer. “I knew a good start was needed, so I just did my best to get out front and stay there. I’m looking forward to the next round at E-Town. Hopefully we’ll get a little better weather for that one.”

Miller rode a respectable race in the Pro class, posting two third-place finishes, which earned him third overall.

In Pro-Am class action, Miller grabbed the first-moto holeshot on his DS 450, but eventually dropped to second behind Creamer, who won the moto and the class overall going 1-2. In the second Pro-Am moto, Miller took third, which resulted in a third place overall finish on the day and another podium.

“It was a pretty muddy race, but we ran bigger tires and it worked out good for us,” said Miller.

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.

Google Maps Technology Illustrates Program’s Influence In OHV Community Nationwide

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is proud to announce the launch of its OHV Access Initiative GRANT-tracker interactive Google map, a visual snapshot of the program’s activity across the country.

In January of 2008, the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative launched with the mission to promote safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable riding areas.

To date the program has invested nearly $2 million through 140 GRANTS (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nations Trails) to local riding communities across the country to improve the OHV experience for all.

The Yamaha GRANT map is a resource to finding local, reputable riding clubs and areas across the country to network, share riding experiences and, ultimately, serve to identify additional areas that could be supported by the OHV Access Initiative.

“The map lets us see where the OHV Access Initiative funds and resources are working and also identifies areas that have yet to receive GRANTs,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV and SxS group marketing manager. “It is a call to action to the OHV community in those areas that have yet to submit an application. We encourage you to get involved and identify projects that Yamaha might support.”

The OHV Access Initiative GRANT-tracker map can be accessed on the “GRANT Recipients” page of www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess. Interested organizations can also find information on how to become eligible for GRANTs as well as detailed information, downloadable guidelines and an application document.

For specific questions about the OHV Access Initiative, call Yamaha’s dedicated OHV Access Initiative Hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email OHVAccess@yamaha-motor.com or write to: Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Review Committee, 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630-5101.

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.

Examples of appropriate projects for GRANTs include, but are not limited to:

-Trail development, restoration and maintenance
-Trail signage and map production
-Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance
-Land stewardship, trail safety and education

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