Press Release –

Building on a winning performance in June at the Baja 500, ITP and parent Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company will be putting their products to the ultimate test at the upcoming Baja 1000.

ITP and Carlisle have partnered with DragonFire Racing to tackle this historic event in a specially prepared Kawasaki Teryx.

The driving team is composed primarily of ITP/Carlisle employees, competing in the UTV Sportsman class. Their car, #1801, will be using ITP’s rugged BajaCross tires mounted on ITP’s new T-9 Pro Mod spun aluminum wheel.

This wheel was developed as a direct result of experience gained in the Baja 500. Additional backing for this entry comes from Black Rock off-road wheels and Ultimax performance belts. A similar car, #1803, is being fielded by the same Team Green Kawasaki DragonFire Racing crew that won the Baja 500. The teams will share pits, equipment and other resources.

This 42nd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 consists of a rugged 672-mile/1000-kilometer course that starts and finishes in Ensenada and travels much of the northern half of the majestic Baja California peninsula. More than 275 entries are expected, from 34 states and 12 countries.

The motorcycle and ATV classes will start their journey at 6:30 a.m. (Friday, Nov. 20) with the car and truck classes starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., or three hours after the last ATV leaves the line. The UTV Sportsman class will be the last to start, and will certainly have a considerable amount of night driving in store later in the event.

Vehicles will leave in 30-second intervals in the elapsed-time race and the fastest finishers are expected to complete the course in approximately 13 hours. All vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit to become official finishers in the legendary adventure. The ITP/Carlisle #1801 entry will be carrying a GPS tracking system, so the team’s progress can be followed at this web page: http://www.trackinginternational.com/site/score/tracking/.

Pre-race festivities are on Thursday, Nov. 19, including the vastly popular tech and contingency of all vehicles and the SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway, to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center.

This year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour NBC Sports special, in association with SCORE and Aura360, for the sixth consecutive year, scheduled to air at 2 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, Dec. 19, on the NBC Television Network. It will also air on a delayed basis outside of the U.S. on ESPN International.

For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com .

For more information on ITP’s BajaCross tires, T-9 Pro Mod wheels and the complete line of the brand’s award-winning products, visit www.itptires.com.

Press Release –

The Factory Polaris Rath Duro Team had a busy 2009 season tearing up race tracks, and what a successful season they have had.

The Rath team has put their machines on the podium and top of their classes multiple times in multiple series. They have taken home wins in all disciplines this season including Cross Country, MX, Supermoto, Ice Racing and TT. This team knows what it takes to put their winning Polaris ATVs out front and on top.

The Rath team has enjoyed success with both the Outlaw 450 MXR and the all-new Sportsman 850 XP with Power Steering.

The Rath Outlaw 450 MXR’s with Daryl Rath and Casey Martin piloting them, have taken wins in Supermoto, TT and MX respectively. Martin even holds the honor of the highest place finish at the Pro Am Level in the AMA ATV MX National Series with his amazing third place overall finish at the final round on MX at Loretta Lynn’s.

Since then, Martin has continued his winning ways competing in a winter series close to his hometown in Frenchburg, KY, while training for next season. Martin once again will be contending for the 2010 AMA ATV MX Pro Am Championship in a class stacked with talent.

When asked about his thoughts on 2010 Martin said, “I plan on racing throughout the winter season to train for 2010. The Outlaw 450 MXR has been awesome. I made the switch mid-season and while it may have taken me a round or two to get comfortable, I can say I am feeling 100 percent aboard this machine.”

Daryl Rath added, ” With the double schedule we ran in 2009, Jennifer was going to all the MX races and myself to the XC events. I had the first opportunity to watch Martin compete at Loretta Lynn’s and he was amazing. He put his head down and charged the entire race. I couldn’t ask for a more determined young rider to be part of my team. It was extremely clear we have this bike figured out and Casey is getting comfortable, and I am glad to have him back on the roster for 2010 and will enjoy watching him head for the front.”

The Rath Sportsman 850 XP piloted by Daryl Rath has taken the wins in the AMA National Hare Scramble Series and the IATVHSS Series in the “Utility Unlimited” class. Rath also has finished in the top three of his respective class at the GNCC Cross Country Nationals a remarkable eight times, giving Rath the third place overall in the” Utility Unlimited” class, along with earning a “Top Ten” National Ranking in the Overall Morning Class.

“We have a lot to be proud of and worked hard to get those results. We took a brand new bike and finished top three, it is amazing what can be done with good people behind you and supporting your drive to win. There will be no off-season for us as we are already testing and make additional improvements for 2010,” said Rath.

Cody Anderson also enjoyed his first year as a cross country contender on a Sportsman 850 and was happy about the opportunity. Anderson will be returning to his MX roots as well and will return to an Outlaw 450 MXR to compete in the regional series along with a select number of AMA Nationals.

“It allowed me to experience something new and different and though I am going to return back to the Polaris Rath MX Team for 2010, it was a great experience,” said Anderson.

Another change for the team in 2010 will be the return of Rath on an Outlaw 450 MXR for some non-GNCC conflicting cross country races in select series.

“I have always been one to race many different types of ATVs and I still enjoy challenging myself by racing all across the board. It is one of the best ways to cross train which helps me stay on top of the game.” stated Rath. “ We are excited to bring almost all of our same sponsors back for 2010, a consistent program with consistent partners plays a major role in success.”

“I’m extremely impressed with the accomplishments of the team this year. It is not easy to take a whole new quad and make it competitive the first year out and the success with the Outlaw 450 MXR and Sportsman 850XP with EPS in several different venues is a great testament to the work and dedication of the Rath team,” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris. “With how much has been accomplished in 2009, 2010 should be an excellent race year for the Factory Polaris Rath Duro Team.”