GBC Motorsports’ Travis Moore claimed a top ten finish in the Pro class at round seven of the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Championships, giving him a top ten position in points as well.

Spring Creek Motocross Park was hot and humid for this round and the track conditions got quite rough, but Travis Moore was able to get decent starts and excellent traction with his GBC Bomb Squad MX tires.

In the first moto, Moore was in sixth place off the start and was looking strong. Unfortunately a ground wire came loose on his quad, ending his moto early. “It was disappointing for sure because I was feeling really good out there and I think I could have finished well,” stated Moore, who was determined to redeem himself in the second moto.

As the gate dropped for moto two, Moore was in seventh and soon found himself under attack from Jeremy Lawson. Moore battled hard and worked his way into the number six spot behind Josh Upperman.

“I was gaining on Upperman, but the track was so rough out there. I almost crashed twice in the same moto and that kind of took a lot out of me, but I still held on to finish in sixth, so I was pretty happy,” Moore went on to say. “My GBC Tires hooked up great out there and I was able to get good starts. I am going to be practicing over the break and I am hoping to come back strong in Ohio.”

GBC’s Nick Moser also finished with a respectable eighth place in round seven’s Pro-Am Unlimited class. The Pro-Am rider is currently in eighth in the standings of both the Pro-Am Production class as well as the Pro-Am Unlimited class despite suffering DNF’s in both classes.

Round #8 of the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Championships will head to Sunday Creek MX Park in Millfield, OH on July 2-3.

Motoworks / Can-Am pro ATV racer Jeremie Warnia won round five of the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) held at Clays Peak MX in Payette, Idaho.

The victory extended Warnia’s points lead to 10 in the highly competitive WORCS ATV Pro class. Reigning WORCS Pro ATV Champion and Motoworks / Can-Am teammate Josh Frederick also reached the podium aboard his Can-Am DS 450, finishing third.

“Jeremie Warnia continued his impressive racing in 2011, leading from the first lap to the checkered flag,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Having both he and Josh [Frederick] reach the podium despite the dusty and rough track conditions is a huge accomplishment. The fact that they’ve both finished on the WORCS podium at every round and won four of the first five rounds speaks volumes for the capabilities of the DS 450 sport quad, these two riders and the entire Motoworks / Can-Am team.”

A determined Warnia grabbed the early lead aboard his Can-Am DS 450 sport ATV and never looked back. The team Motoworks / Can-Am racer then posted the fastest lap of the day on the second lap to stay ahead of his competitors and the dust, which plagued other riders. Warnia won the race by more than 30 seconds and has now won three rounds in 2011.

“I got out front and kept my head down and tried to stay focused,” said Warnia. “The dust was bad, so I was happy to be out front. I am excited to take another win and I am hoping for a championship this year.”

Frederick also tallied his fifth-consecutive Pro class podium in Idaho. He came off the line in third place and moved into second place on the second lap. However, a bobble in the motocross section of the course dropped him to fourth. Frederick charged hard to pass back into third place, but ran out of time to challenge for another spot.

“I worked into second early, but then I went into the motocross section and made a mistake and got hung up,” explained Frederick. “I was stuck for about 30 seconds and two riders got by me. I got back by one, but I couldn’t catch second place in time.”

Fellow Motoworks / Can-Am Pro class racer Dillon Zimmerman also competed in Idaho on a DS 450 and finished sixth overall.

Team Motoworks / Can-Am factory side-by-side driver Mark Holz piloted his Can-Am Commander 1000 X to second place in the Class 1 competition. He currently sits second in the class points race.

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.

Motoworks / Can-Am pro ATV racer Chad Wienen won round seven of the 2011 AMA ATV MX Championship series this past weekend at Spring Creek Motocross in Millville, Minn.

Wienen, who was the fastest qualifier on his Can-AM DS 450 ATV, posted an impressive 2-1 moto score to earn the Pro class overall. Motoworks / Can-Am teammate John Natalie Jr., also had a great weekend in Minnesota, as he won the first moto and finished second overall to Wienen.

“I’m thrilled to see both Chad and John on the podium, again,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Both riders were consistent all weekend and the facility’s rough track conditions really showcased the capabilities of the Can-Am DS 450. Chad notched another win and John’s 1-2 score kept him within 10 points of the points lead. I’m very proud of both our riders.”

In moto No. 1, Wienen came around the first turn in fifth place, but had moved into the second spot, behind Natalie, by lap six. The Motoworks / Can-Am racers then entertained the crowd for the next eight laps as Wienen tucked in behind his teammate and continually pressured him the rest of the way. Natalie held on for the moto victory aboard his DS 450 and attributed his win to his success in the nasty Spring Creek whoops section.

“I got off the line good in moto one and passed for the lead. Chad was right on me for a while and I was a little faster in the whoops and I was able to hold him off like that for the rest of the moto,” said Natalie.

“Catching John is one thing, but getting around him is another,” stated Wienen after the moto. “The track was really rough so I just tried to do my best.”

Wienen got a better start in the second pro moto, as he came out of the first turn in third. The Pro class points leader wasted no time, however, as he quickly jumped to the front of pack before the end of the first lap. With an open track in front of him, Wienen accelerated away from the rest of the riders, gaining more distance after each lap.

By the end of lap 10, the Can-Am racer held more than a 26-second lead. From there, he stated that he put his machine on cruise control and decisively earned his fourth Pro class overall win in 2011.

“I got a better start in moto two and I got out front early so I just really put my head down for the first few laps and created a gap,” he explained. “I’m really glad to take the win and get a little more ahead in points.”

Natalie, who trails his teammate by 10 points in the race for the title, put in an impressive performance of his own during the second moto. After coming out of the gate in sixth, he had moved into third place by lap three. After swapping positions with another rider over the next couple laps, Natalie made an uncharacteristic mistake and briefly fell back to fourth place before one final drive in the final laps pushed the former champion across the finish line into a hard-fought second place.

“I had just passed for second and I accidentally hit neutral and launched sideways off the jump,” Natalie explained after moto two. “I got back around the third-place rider and then caught the second-place guy going up the step up. We had some great racing out there today and I am really glad to be up on the podium again.”

Motoworks / Can-Am rookie pro Chase Snapp was not able to repeat his podium glory from round six, but overcame some poor luck to notch another top 10 finish. His 8-9 moto score was good for ninth overall and helped the young racer maintain his fifth-place spot in the Pro class points race.

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.

Arctic Cat Inc. has launched its Parts, Garments and Accessories (PG&A) online store for the United States market.

Consumers now have the convenient option of shopping online for a full range of Arctic Cat PG&A products. These orders may be delivered to homes or a nearby Arctic Cat dealer. Arctic Cat expects to expand the e-commerce site to accommodate Canadian shoppers by late summer.

“We are excited to offer consumers the speed and convenience of our new online store, which will provide access to Arctic Cat’s products and product information at any time,” said Mary Ellen Walker, vice president and general manager of Arctic Cat’s PG&A division. “Our dealers will also benefit by receiving online orders without making the investment in building their own internet store.”

From dirt to snow, Arctic Cat is making online shopping easier to match the perfect product to enthusiasts’ riding style and machine.

The benefits of Arctic Cat’s online store include:

– Convenient 24-7 shopping: Online orders are fulfilled within 24 hours, enabling consumers to receive their order within three to five days.
– Easy navigation and product search functions: Parts may be located by category, model year or model name, color or size.
– Secure, confidential and reliable: Built-in security measures protect consumers’ information. The system currently accepts payment with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and PayPal.
– For dealer pick-up orders, consumers simply choose a dealership within a 150-mile radius where they will pick up their order.

Arctic Cat selected Shopatron’s Coex Freedom technology to support the e-commerce site’s fulfillment.

The Arctic Cat online store also features – PartStream, ARI’s new, consumer-friendly lookup and ordering system which offers a quick search tool, intuitive illustrations and an extensive collection of parts diagrams dating back to 1974.

This feature simplifies consumers’ searches for the exact part required, regardless of the age of their machine.

Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minn., designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat® brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol “ACAT.” More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available on the Internet at www.arcticcat.com.

Industry-First Custom Graphics Kit Option Available for All 2012 Yamaha Sport ATVs

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., the number one maker of sport ATVs, today announced its 2012 YFZ450R sport model and Raptor 90 youth ATVs. The company also announced an industry-first custom graphics kit option for all 2012 sport ATV models.

Based on its successful 2011 graphics promotion with One Industries, Yamaha is extending its forward-thinking concept in graphics design and customization.

For the first time ever from an ATV manufacturer, Yamaha is producing a model with all-white body work – a blank slate for each individual customer’s own creativity.

Offered with the all-white models are a choice of 11 unique graphics kit options that can be customized with a person’s name or number. Complete details of this unprecedented option are posted on Yamaha’s website.

Yamaha’s summer announcement includes two 2012 ATVs: the high-performance YFZ450R sport ATV and the entry-level Raptor 90 youth model.

The YFZ450R is a motocross-ready, high-performing sport ATV with long-travel adjustable suspension, a no-weld aluminum with steel hybrid frame, and a powerful fuel-injected engine. At 48.8 inches wide, it is the ideal machine for the track, open trails and desert riding.

The powerful, high-revving machine has a 5-valve DOHC liquid cooled single cylinder 449cc engine with Yamaha’s electronic fuel injection featuring a 42mm Mikuni throttle body, 12-hole Denso injector system and a Mitsubishi 32 bit ECU.

The 450R’s superior suspension comes from the 44mm KYB shocks in front that have Kashima coating for smooth operation and impact absorption with 9.8 inches of wheel travel.

In the back, the gravity-fed cast aluminum swingarm is matched to a fully adjustable 46mm KYB piggyback shock affording the rear wheels 11 inches of travel.

Yamaha’s YFZ’s performance not only comes from its power, but its comfort and ergonomics. Its light, hybrid aluminum-steel frame, T-shaped seat, flexible side panels, adjustable ProTaper handle bars, and custom-designed Dunlop tires measuring 21 inches in front and 20 in back combine to allow riders to push harder for longer (within their own limits, of course).

For the entry-level rider, Yamaha’s 2012 Raptor 90 offers a quality option with true-Raptor family styling and manageable features for younger riders (years 12 and older only, and always with adult supervision) – all at an affordable price.

The little Raptor’s 88cc forced air cooled engine is tuned to develop excellent low-to-mid rpm range performance along with a fully automatic CVT transmission. Pushbutton starting and the automatic transmission give beginners an easy-operating advantage in their first riding years. Parents will appreciate the adjustable CDI rev limiter, which allows a supervisor to adjust power output as the rider becomes more experienced.

The Raptor 90’s comfortable and roomy design gives riders space to grow on the machine until their skills and age are better matched for the next level.

Taking style and functionality from the bigger Raptors, the 90 features a molded front grab bar similar to the Raptor 700R and integrated full floorboards.

Its double A-arm front suspension with 4.4 inches of travel and swing arm with 3.3 inches of travel out back also help increase comfort.

Both the front and rear suspension set-ups feature five-way pre-load adjustable shocks. The ATV has a hydraulic disc brake in the rear and dual sealed drum brakes in the front, and it rides on low profile Maxxis tires.

The 2012 YFZ450R and Raptor 90 both come in Team Yamaha Blue/White and the new all-white plastic with black frame and custom graphics kit options.

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.

2012 Model All-Terrain-Vehicles Get Design and Performance Upgrades

Yamaha’s top selling all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs), the Grizzly 700 FI 4×4 and Grizzly 550 FI 4×4, feature design and performance upgrades for 2012 further solidifying their place as the most off-road capable and durable machines in their respective classes.

Also new for 2012, both machines are now being assembled in the U.S.A. for worldwide distribution out of Yamaha’s Newnan, Ga., factory.

The new 2012 Grizzly 700 and 550 receive new textured plastic body panels that increase durability and decrease wear over the life of the machines.

New Maxxis tires with a tough, aggressive tread pattern add to the machines’ unmatched performance in extreme terrain. The updated suspension includes new gas charged rear shocks with a high quality damping feel and improved bump absorption performance. The front suspension has also been updated and optimized to match the rear.

Both Grizzlies are offered with Yamaha’s industry-leading Electric Power Steering (EPS). Yamaha was the first manufacturer to put EPS on an ATV – a still relatively new technology that makes for a more comfortable ride and reduces fatigue especially in rough riding and over long periods of time.

Yamaha’s EPS system has the perfect balance of light steering and allowing the rider to still feel feedback from the terrain. As the rider turns the handlebars and the torque- and speed-sensing EPS system detects the twisting force put on the handlebars and wheels, the electric motor then responds with the appropriate amount of assistance. The harder you turn, the more the EPS assists.

In addition to EPS, Yamaha’s top of the line Grizzly ATVs boast the industry’s toughest Ultramatic automatic transmission system. The transmission’s dual speed gearing makes full use of the powerband under a variety of riding situations, and the automatic centrifugal clutch maintains constant belt tension for reduced belt wear and the industry’s most natural feeling all-wheel engine braking.

Yamaha’s three-way On-Command system, featuring push-button 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock, provides all-four-wheel-drive. The push-button system is easy to engage giving the rider control and confidence over the machine’s power delivery.

The Grizzly’s engines feature a forged piston for reduced weight and added durability, while an aluminum cylinder body with ceramic composite coating offers reduced weight, increased cooling ability and additional wear resistance.

The roller rocker arms reduce friction in the valve train, which allows the engine to rev more freely leading to better overall performance and improved throttle response.

Of course, the ultra-convenient electric start feature continues to make firing the liquid-cooled, four-valve SOHC powerplant to life a snap.

The Yamaha Fuel Injection system (YFI) improves throttle response throughout the powerband, helping the rider take advantage of the Grizzly’s low- to mid-range power. YFI offers unmatched performance at high elevation and in frigid weather as the system is able to detect and compensate for changes in altitude and temperature.

The more precise fuel delivery offered by the YFI means clean power delivery, better throttle response and improved fuel economy under a multitude of riding situations. In addition, YFI means no choke and easier cold weather starting.

An open gate shifter found on the left side of the handlebars allows the rider to easily switch between High, Low, Neutral, Reverse and Park. This is also easy to see on the multifunction LCD display, which offers dual trip meter, speedometer, hour meter, odometer and clock, in addition to the gear selection, fuel level indicator, On-Command indicator and EPS and fuel injection indicator lights.

Comfort and convenience were also incorporated throughout the Grizzly 700 and 550. The air box is located on the top of the engine providing easier service access for the rider, and the fuel tank is placed under the seat for maximum centralization of mass.

Keeping the ride comfortable while also allowing for maximum terrainability is fully independent and adjustable front and rear suspension with 7.1 inches of travel up front and a class-leading 9.5 inches in the rear. The Grizzly’s wide-arc A-arms provide 11.8 inches of more usable ground clearance.

What’s more, the Grizzly 700 and 550 offer unmatched braking feel and power with four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes engaged by separate front and rear controls with hydraulic master cylinders mounted on the handle bars. The rear brake also has a right foot pedal control.

The Grizzly also has a thick, plush seat and full floorboards for comfort and protection from the elements. The design of the floorboards also allows for better drainage of mud and water. Two water resistant storage boxes — one under the seat and another in the right front fender — offer plenty of storage.

This is in addition to the 99 pounds and 187 pounds of carrying capacity on the front and rear racks, respectively, and the 1,322 pounds of towing. The ATV’s SecureMount rack system offers superior fit and finish with Genuine Yamaha Accessories that are designed to fit with factory quality.

The Grizzly 700 and Grizzly 550 are also available without EPS. The 2012 models are available in Hunter Green, Steel Blue and Realtree AP Camouflage. In addition, the 2012 Grizzly 700 FI with EPS is available as a Special Edition in Metallic Sandstone with cast aluminum wheels, painted body panels and special graphics.

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.