This holiday weekend, thousands of recreational off-highway vehicle enthusiasts will explore trails, deserts and public lands across the country, and ROHVA is calling on all drivers to be safe and responsible while having fun.
   
“Recreational off-highway vehicles are a great way for families and friends to enjoy time together in the great outdoors,” said Paul Vitrano, executive vice president of the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association. “But along with that fun comes the responsibility to drive safely and preserve the environment. ROHVA leads the way in providing ROV enthusiasts with valuable safety education, tips and resources that are available anytime online at www.rohva.org”.
 
Visitors to the website can take ROHVA’s award-winning ROV E-Course. The online training is a free, multi-media, interactive safety course that addresses the risks when driving an ROV and reinforces safe practices that will reduce the chance risk of injury.

A recent study determined that 98 percent of ROV crashes involved at least one of the warned-against behaviors found in ROV operator manuals.

These behaviors include doing stunts, riding at excessive speeds, riding on paved roads, using alcohol or drugs while driving, improper seating of passengers, failing to wear a helmet and failing to wear a seat belt.

The study also found that 23 percent of crashes involved drivers under the recommended age. ROHVA recommends that anyone under the age of 16, or without a driver’s license, should not operate an ROV.
 
“The Safety Rules found at www.rohva.org are common-sense guidelines that everyone should review and follow whenever they drive an ROV,” Vitrano said.  “Those seven rules are key to the safe enjoyment of these great vehicles.”  Those rules are:  

– Always fasten your seat belt, wear a helmet and other protective gear and keep all parts of your body inside the ROV.

– Avoid paved surfaces. ROVs are designed to be operated off-highway.

– Drive only in designated areas, at a safe speed, and use care when turning and crossing slopes.

– Never drive or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

– Never drive an ROV unless you’re 16 or older and have a valid driver’s license. ROVs are not toys.

– Never carry more passengers than the ROV is designed for, and never allow a passenger who is too small to sit in a passenger seat to ride in the ROV.

– Read and follow the operator’s manual and warning labels.

Sometimes referred to as side-by-sides or utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), ROVs are motorized off-highway vehicles designed to travel on four or more non-highway tires, with a steering wheel, non-straddle seating, seat belts, an occupant-protective structure, and engine displacement up to 1,000cc. Current models are designed with seats for a driver and one or more passengers. ROVs are used for a variety of outdoor recreational activities as well as many work applications.

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is a national industry organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of ROVs. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop equipment, configuration and performance standards. Based in Irvine, Calif., the not-for-profit association is sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Kawasaki, Polaris and Yamaha. For more information visit www.rohva.org.

Polaris Off-Road Vehicles would like to congratulate and thank NASCAR Driver Carl Edwards and Roush Fenway Racing for an outstanding performance in their Polaris-sponsored No. 60 Ford Mustang this weekend at the Nationwide Series, Iowa 250 held on May 22.

Edwards and Roush Fenway put on an outstanding performance in the No. 60 Polaris Off-Road Vehicles car finishing in second place after leading much of the race.

Polaris Off-Road Vehicles is proud to have sponsored Carl Edwards and Roush Fenway Racing this weekend and thanks them for the opportunity.

Top Pros to be at Cernic’s Suzuki/KTM Friday before the event

After five rounds of racing, defending champion Chris Borich still tops the ATV point standings in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, but not without a fight from the rest of the field.

GT Thunder’s Brian Wolf took the Indy 100 by storm as he claimed the first win of his XC1 career ahead of normal front-runners Borich, McGill, Bithell and Kiser – marking the third unique winner in the Premier class this year.

Wolf’s win came at a fresh course on the circuit, potentially foreshadowing this weekend’s Rock Run event – which is also a newly added venue to the 2011 schedule. With no previous experience or expectations, this weekend’s new location gives all riders an equal playing field.

“There is always a heightened level of excitement when we go to a new venue on the circuit,” said Trail Boss Jeff Russell. “Pennsylvania is local for us and we’re always excited to bring riders and fans to our home turf. The rocky terrain always makes for an interesting course and the weekend should be great,” Russell added.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich has been a forceful act in the XC1 class this year. The defending champion continues to implement that last minute burst of speed and more times than not – ultimately pushes himself into the number one spot at the end of the race. Warnert Racing Can-Am’s Adam McGill is on fire this year as he sits only 16 points back from the points leader Borich, while teammate Chris Bithell and Ballance Racing’s Taylor Kiser head into the weekend tied at 100 points. Brian Wolf now rounds out the fifth spot, 25 points back from the Bithell/Kiser duo.

In the XC2 division, Ballance Racing’s Walker Fowler remains ahead of the field by almost 50 points after five rounds of racing. Fowler has the woods dialed in aboard his Yamaha machine, proving to be a tough act to beat in the Lites class. Greg’s ATV and Cycle’s Gabe Phillips holds a solid second place position, ten points ahead of DeRisi Racing’s Eric Hoyland in third. Patrick McGuire and Parker Jones round out the top five point positions.

Traci Cecco, current points leader in the Women’s class, along with Johnny Gallagher, Chris Borich and many more will be at Cernic’s Suzuki/KTM in Duncansville, Pa., this Friday, May 27 from 5-7 p.m. signing autographs and hanging out with fans. Pennsylvania’s Froggy Country music station will be LIVE from Cernic’s giving away tickets to the Rock Run GNCC along with signed merchandise from top riders. Don’t miss your chance to hang with your favorite riders, have FREE dinner and win tickets and rider merchandise – all in one evening!

Spectator passes run $15 for the full weekend, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. On both Saturday and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.

To get to the track, turn left onto US 219/Plank/us 219-BR. Stay straight onto Sunset Rd. Turn left onto Main St/PA 36. Turn right onto Thomas Mill Road. Turn left onto St Lawrence Road.

For more information, visit the official series website at www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084.