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.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed into law all-terrain vehicle safety legislation advocated by the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA). H 3562, the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Act, known as ‘Chandler’s Law,’ will take effect July 1, 2011.

SVIA has been working for many years in South Carolina to advocate the passage of comprehensive ATV safety legislation. Earlier this year, SVIA staff testified in support of the pending legislation at a Senate committee hearing.

“We’re extremely pleased the South Carolina legislature and the governor took this positive step to regulate the use of ATVs, particularly for young operators,” said SVIA Senior Vice President of Government Relations Kathy Van Kleeck. “We are especially appreciative of the efforts of the sponsors of the legislation, Representative Ott and Senator Hutto, for their steadfast support of ATV safety and their perseverance in steering the measure through the legislative process.”

Van Kleeck added, “We also would like to recognize Chandler’s parents who were tireless advocates for ATV safety legislation. Chandler’s Law is named for a 16-year old who was fatally injured while riding an ATV.”

Research has shown that the vast majority of ATV crashes result from inappropriate use of the product. Ninety-two percent of ATV-related fatalities involve behaviors the industry warns against in its rider education programs, in all literature and on vehicle labels.

These behaviors include riding inappropriately sized ATVs, operating on paved roads, operating without proper safety gear, and operating under the influence of alcohol. To address these “warned against behaviors” and other important ATV safety measures, SVIA has developed Model State ATV Legislation that has served as the basis for many existing state ATV safety laws.

Prior to passage of H 3562, South Carolina was one of only five states that had no laws relating to ATVs. Many bills have been introduced in South Carolina over the past decade, and in both 2006 and 2007 the legislature passed ATV safety bills, only to have them vetoed by then-Governor Mark Sanford.

South Carolina’s new ATV safety law includes many of the key provisions contained in SVIA’s Model Legislation, namely rider training, helmet and eye protection and parental supervision requirements for youth riders, and prohibitions on children riding adult-size ATVs and on ATV operation while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Provisions of the new law include:

1) Prohibits a parent or legal guardian knowingly permitting: 1) a child under age 6 to operate an ATV; 2) a child without a driver’s license and under age 16 to carry a passenger while operating an ATV; 3) a child under age 16 to operate an ATV in violation of the Age Restriction Warning Label affixed by the manufacturer.

2) Requires ATV operators under age 16 to possess a safety certificate indicating successful completion of a ‘hands-on’ all-terrain vehicle safety course approved by the ATV Safety Institute (ASI).

3) Requires every ATV operator and passenger 15 years of age or younger to wear eye protection and a DOT-compliant helmet.

4) When operating an ATV on land open to the public:

– Requires ATV operators age 16 or younger to be accompanied by an adult.

– Prohibits ATV operation between one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise unless headlights are on.

– Prohibits crossing any watercourse on an ATV except at a designated ford, crossing, bridge, or if the watercourse is bisected by a trail.

– Requires ATVs to have an effective muffler system, a USDA Forest Service approved spark arrester, and a brake system all in good operating condition.

– Prohibits ATV operation while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.

– Prohibits ATV operation in a reckless manner.

5) The new law does not apply to:

– An owner, operator, or renter of a farm or ranch, or that person’s employees, immediate family, or household members, operating an ATV while engaged in farming, wildlife habitat management, or ranching operations;

– A person using an ATV for hunting or trapping purposes if otherwise lawfully engaged in those activities; or

– A minor under age 16, but not younger than age 6 who is operating an ATV under the direct visual supervision of his parent or legal custodian on private property.

The safe and responsible use of ATVs remains the top priority of the ATV industry. For more than two decades, the ATV industry has made unprecedented efforts to promote safe and responsible ATV use and to deter parents from allowing their children to operate adult-sized ATVs.

The industry is committed to continuing its multi-tiered efforts aimed at further reducing the number of crashes and injuries caused by improper use of ATVs.

The major ATV manufacturers and distributors – through the ATV Safety Institute – offer free training to all purchasers of new ATVs and their eligible family members, a safety initiative unparalleled in any other industry.

Consumers can visit ASI’s website, www.atvsafety.org or call 1-800-887-2887 for information on training at nearly 650 sites in the United States.

Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment is proud to announce they are the exclusive Farm and Ranch Equipment Sponsor for the Wrangler Team Roping Championships and will provide equipment and prizes for WTRC Events. Tarter and the Wrangler Team Roping Championships have signed a multi-year sponsorship between the two companies.

“This is an excellent fit for both of these organizations,” says Dennis Tryan, WTRC president. “Tarter has launched an excellent line of American-made roping and arena equipment. The WTRC and its members can really benefit from using this equipment.”

Dale Sorge, rodeo product manager for Tarter, says, “The WTRC and its members are an ideal group for this kind of partnership. They represent thousands of dedicated ropers of all levels from all over the country, especially in the Northwest. This is an ideal hookup for our two organizations.”

Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, a 66-year-old farm and ranch equipment company with manufacturing locations in Kentucky and Utah, is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of its kind in the country. Tarter manufactures over 950 different products across 10 categories for the farm and ranch enthusiast, and their new rodeo/arena equipment line has taken the country by storm. www.tarterfarmandranch.com

The Wrangler Team Roping Championships is the largest team roping association in the northern United States, with a membership base of over 8,000. Every year, WTRC produces over 60 team roping events culminating in an average of 5,100 teams competing in the WTRC Finals in Billings, Mont. www.wranglertrc.com.