Press Release –

There were a lot of questions to be answered at Sunday’s eighth round of the AMA Pro ATV National Championship Series.

Would defending champion and Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki rider Dustin Wimmer be able to come back from his shoulder injury and win? Would “Digger” Doug Gust continue his hot streak?

All these questions (and more) were answered by the end of the day in Blountville, Tennessee.

The night before the race, the Muddy Creek racetrack was heavily watered and then later that night a downpour hit the area.

The riders were a bit concerned but race-day dawned hot and humid. The temperatures were in the ’90s with high humidity and the track dried out before practice was over and was in great shape for the start.

The race was obviously going to be a test of man and machine. Wimmer, still recovering from shoulder surgery a short time ago, was going to have to dig deep to pull off a win. Teammate and legendary racer “Digger” Doug Gust, who has recently been on fire, is always a threat. The rougher the conditions, the better Gust usually does. With the heat and humidity surrounding this event – Gust was going to be a factor.

“My Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki is working great and I feel great!” Gust said before the start. “I guess I’m going to have to show some of these kids out here how it’s done. My goal for the day is to get on the box and keep the points coming. I’m riding good and my quad is just perfect – I’m looking to a podium.”

At the start of the first moto both Wimmer and current points leader Chad Wienen had starts outside the top ten. It looked for sure that neither would be a factor in moto one. Meanwhile, Gust made some quick moves and mauled his way up into 4th place by the end of lap one. Wimmer quickly began his incredible charge forward. He was passing people in groups and looked to be at another level above the other riders.

Gust was really on form and this race showcased his talent. On lap two, the veteran speedster moved up to third and was riding fast, smooth and aggressive. A top finish looked to be in the cards for “Digger” as he passed another rider and moved into second.

Wimmer still working his way forward, was running lap times a full second faster then anyone else on the track! By the 4th lap he had moved the Rockstar/Makita/ Yoshimura/Suzuki QuadRacer R-450 up to 6th place and it was obvious that he wanted more.

Another few laps and Wimmer was past the 4th place rider and up into 3rd place. He was also fast closing on teammate Gust, who in turn was closing on the race leader. With the white flag out, Wimmer pulled out all the stops and passed first Gust and then the leader for the win! The Champ pulled it off, eleventh place to first. Looks like the champ is back!

“I kinda screwed up the start a little,” Wimmer said after Moto One. “It motivated me to forget about everything else and focus on catching up. I was fortunate and rode well and ended up grabbing the win. Hopefully I can put my Suzuki back on top in Moto Two and pull it off today.”

The start of Moto Two saw Yoshimura-sponsored Harold Goodman snag the holeshot with Gust in third and Wimmer right behind him in fourth. By the end of lap one, Wimmer made a good move and passed teammate Gust for third.

In lap two, Wimmer passes into second place, his Yoshimura-powered Suzuki QuadRacer R450 screaming past the second place rider like he was tied to a post.

At the start of lap four, Wimmer makes the pass for the lead and instantly pulls ahead. Again, Wimmer is running lap times a full second faster then anyone else on the track. Both Wimmer and Gust’s LT-Rs seem to be on rails and the smooth power delivery and purpose built chassis seem to hook up where the others struggle.

“Digger” Doug Gust was in fourth but right on the third place rider. Gust was finding lines where no one else was even looking. Combine his experience and race-crafting skills with raw speed and Gust always comes up as a threat to win.

At the three-quarter mark, Gust passed up to third place and was closing ground on the second place rider. Wimmer was cruising at a nice pace out front maintaining his gap over second.

The last lap white flag waved just as Gust passed into second! Both Suzuki riders were on the gas and at the checkers it was Wimmer first, teammate Gust second – a Suzuki one-two for moto two, and one-two overall on the day for Team Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki. The win puts Wimmer only 5 points behind the series leader.

“It feels really good to be winning again,” Wimmer said after the event. “The shoulder injury was really frustrating. We put in a lot of hard work and I’m feeling pretty good now, not 100% but getting back close again. Next round I’ll be there!”

Gust was happy with his podium finish: “My goal was to be up on the box so I feel good about that. Only one more step to go, so we’ll work on that for the next race. I love it that Team Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki/Yoshimura went one-two today. There’s nothing else as good as a Yoshimura-powered QuadRacer R450 out there.”

Final results for Muddy Creek event:

1st- Dustin Wimmer Team Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki
2nd Doug Gust Team Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki
3. Chad Wienen

In addition to Wimmer, Media All-Stars ace Pro-Am rider Cody Grant scored the overall win aboard his Yoshimura-equipped QuadRacer in both the unlimited and the production classes.

Press Release –

Going into this race, everyone knew it was going to be tough. The newly configured 20-mile (twice the length of a normal GNCC event) course was a serious track that featured everything.

Big elevation changes, mud, rocks, multiple lines and a neat start in town, were just some of the features. Before the event even started, many were comparing this to the infamous Blackwater events of years past.

Team Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki rider Chris Borich rolled into the round nine event of the Grand National Cross Country Series with a healthy point lead.

He also knew that one mistake on a course like this and a healthy lead could turn into a deficit in a hurry.

Borich and his Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki team were prepared and they were all looking forward to the event.

At the start of the race Borich was up front but missed a turn in the middle of the first lap. By the time he got back on course had fallen way back to ninth place. He would have his work cut out for him for sure.

By lap three, Borich had moved back into the lead of the XC-1 Pro Class and was riding strong. The fuel injection on his Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki QuadRacer R450 was a definite advantage.

Borich seemed to be getting traction in places where the others were struggling. The Yoshimura power was a big help as well. Some of the hills on this course were nearly vertical so having a lot of power on tap was important. As it turned out, that extra power put him over the line in first place less than a second ahead.

“We had a good time out there,” Borich said enjoying an ice cold Rockstar from the victory podium. “I just wanted to get out and not worry about the points. We’re sitting pretty right now. My Suzuki worked so good, it never missed a beat and this was one tough race.”

The series will continue in September after the Summer Break.

1. Chris Borich – Team Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki
2. Bill Ballance
3. Brandon Sommers
4. Jarrod McClure
5. Bryan Cook

Press Release –

Yoshimura R&D of America has just re-launched its website with a new look and additional special features that cater to the needs of Yoshimura’s customers as well as the media.

The new site highlights the company’s 55-year history and keeps enthusiasts up to date on product and racing news. The expanded racing section carries race reports plus rider profiles for Rockstar Makita Suzuki Road Racing and ATV teams as well as the Honda Red Bull Supercross/Motocross team. Riders seeking sponsorships can also get their contact information here.

Yoshimura’s home page gives easy access to the company’s well-stocked video archives. Visitors can quickly access detailed product information and how-to instructions. In addition, there are exclusive interviews with Mat Mladin, Tommy Hayden, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust and Gary Jones as well as industry celebrities like Rockstar’s Mike Kelso and Wayne Hinson of Hinson Clutches. Want to see what is inside the Yosh race trailer or a sneak peak in the dyno room? How about getting a private ATV lesson with Kory Ellis? Check it out!

The media center sets you up with wallpapers, newsletters and links to Yoshimura’s YouTube, myspace, facebook and twitter pages. A press room has been set up for easy media access to all Yoshimura’s race reports and press releases.

The product section remains unchanged where visitors can discover the various pipe options for their bike as well as see what new products are being designed or just released. New features include a convenient PDF download of Yoshimura’s Book of Speed catalog and the option for consumers to order replacement parts for their exhaust systems.

The interface has a fresh new look sporting Yoshimura’s signature red and black colors and has been designed with easy navigation in mind.
Please visit www.yoshimura-rd.com for a full tour.

Press Release –

Can-Am ATV Racers Take Podium And Top Six Spots In Morning Overall

The Snowshoe GNCC race is recognized as the roughest of the 13-round GNCC championship. The ski resort backdrop provides rocky, mountainous terrain, which is a test for both rider and ATV. Can-Am™ was ready for the test as the first six ATVs across the morning finish line were all Can-Am ATVs, beating more than 275 other racers.

Can-Am / Warnert Racing rider Michael Swift took the overall win aboard his Can-Am Outlander™ 800R EFI ATV, continuing his nine-for-nine win streak in the 4×4 Limited class. Can-Am Renegade® 800R EFI ATV racer, and Can-Am X-Team member, Jeremie Dudding, won the U2 class and took second overall. Dudding’s teammate, Scott Kilby, won the 4×4 Open class and took third overall on his Outlander 800R.

“It is always a great day when we can sweep a GNCC podium,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Racing Manager for Can-Am ATVs at BRP. “But to see the top six spots really is a testament to the preparation and training our racers put forth week after week; the Snowshoe GNCC will reward hard work and maximum effort.”

In other classes, Warnert Racing’s Cliff Beasley took the 4×4 Lites win on his Outlander 500 EFI. The afternoon session saw Warnert’s Chris Bithell leading the XC1 Pro class on his DS 450™ EFI on the penultimate lap of the race, but a untimely bottleneck caused him to drop behind the leaders and finish sixth in his class.

Heading into the GNCC summer break, Swift has already clinched the 4×4 Limited championship. Can-Am is also leads the championship race in the 4×4 Open, 4×4 Lites and U2 classes.

In other racing action, Team Motoworks / Can-Am racer Jeremy Lawson took fourth overall at the AMA Pro ATV Motocross National in Tennessee. In the AMA Pro class, Lawson finished second in the first moto on his DS 450. Two other Can-Am DS 450 racers finished in the pro top 10: Motoworks racer Jeremie Warnia took seventh overall while Warnert’s Cody Miller took eighth. In Canada, Can-Am X-Team racer Richard Pelchat took the overall in the Pro class at round 2 of the Canadian National Championship near Walton, Ontario.

The next GNCC race is the Can-Am Unadilla GNCC near Utica, NY on September 12. For more information on Can-Am racing, our 2009 contingency program and amateur DS 450 support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines and karts. With manufacturing facilities on three continents, BRP products are distributed in more than 80 countries. Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Lynx, Evinrude, Johnson, Can-Am, Rotax, E-TEC and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Release –

New Site is Resource for Accurate Information; Encourages Enthusiast and Industry Support

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., has launched www.TruthAboutRhino.com. The new Web site has been created to provide accurate information about Yamaha and its Rhino Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles, to combat a recent flurry of inaccurate information and negative advertisements targeting the vehicle, and to encourage Rhino customers and the off-road industry to show their support for the SxS segment.

From the original 2004 Rhino 660 introduction to present day, TruthAboutRhino.com documents key points in the history of the vehicle. Some sections of the site offer Yamaha’s safety recommendations and product specifications, while others highlight the many awards and accolades that the Rhino has received. Visitors to the site can find Yamaha history and general corporate background, and Rhino customers and enthusiasts can “Rally Around the Rhino” by filling out an online form or emailing messages or questions to: info@truthaboutrhino.com.

“With TruthAboutRhino.com, Yamaha has created a home for accurate information about our company and the Rhino product line, and we’re encouraging our customers and the industry to show their support,” said Steve Nessl, Marketing Manager for Yamaha’s ATV & SxS Group. “We’ve seen a disproportionate amount of negative and inaccurate information distributed recently, so we wanted to create a place where our customers, the general public and the news media can get the real facts.”

The new Web site includes background information on Yamaha and the Rhino, details on the March 31, 2009, Consumer Product Safety Commission repair program announcement (which has been inaccurately described as a recall), and provides a platform for Rhino fans and off-road enthusiasts in general to show their support.

“What has been lost in the firestorm of negative, inaccurate information about the Rhino is that the vast majority of our customers and SxS enthusiasts absolutely love their vehicles and its role in pioneering the SxS segment in the industry,” Nessl said. “In reality, statistics show that more than 99 percent of Rhino customers have never reported any claim or incident, a fact never mentioned in the plaintiff attorney ads or Web sites where they troll for new clients. We decided it was time to create a home online for ourselves where accurate information about our vehicle can be found.”

Yamaha’s Rhino safety recommendations and guidelines, which are posted on TruthAboutRhino.com, include:

· Drivers must be 16 years or older and have a valid motor vehicle license. Children under 16 should never drive a Rhino.
· To ride in a Rhino, a passenger must be tall enough to place both feet flat on the floorboard with his or her back against the seat back and be able to reach the passenger hand holds.
· Driver and passenger should always wear seatbelts and protective gear/clothing including: Helmet, Eye protection, Gloves, Over-the-ankle boots, Long sleeves and Long pants.
· Drivers and passengers should stay completely inside the vehicle at all times.
· Rhinos are designed for off-road use only. They should never be operated on public roads or paved surfaces.
· As with any motor vehicle, safety features are no substitute for driving responsibly. Avoid aggressive or reckless use of the Rhino.
· For more safety recommendations, please check out the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association web site at: www.ROHVA.org.

Some customer and fan feedback is also already posted on the site, including a video compilation from the most recent Rhino Rally in Glamis. Yamaha plans to update the site on a regular basis with more news, fun events, photos, videos and comments from the public.

“Rhino customers are our biggest supporters and the most enthusiastic about SxS vehicles and Yamaha,” Nessl said. “We look forward to their feedback on the TruthAboutRhino.”

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, offers the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding line of products 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 more than 4,000 dealers in the United States. Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1977, 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.

Press Release –

Mark your calendars for the Side X side Roundup Presented by Yamaha motor corp. at Brimstone Recreational Park September 4-7, 2009

PGI Media, Inc. invites you to the Side X Side Roundup Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp., at Brimstone Recreational Park September 4-7.

With more than 19,000 acres, Brimstone Recreational Park is nestled in the remote wilds of Northeast Tennessee and located in the Heart of the Appalachia Mountains.

Our seasoned staff has developed a dynamic consumer event that will embrace the adventure in exploring new terrains, and will combine a host of family-friendly activities; from guided trail rides, kid zones, drive-in movies, competitive events, and night-time entertainment.

Although this event is primarily catered to the SxS enthusiast, this event is open to any type of vehicle!

For more information about the 2009 Side X Side Roundup, visit: www.sidexsideroundup.com.

Check back frequently for updated event and sponsor information.

Contact: Nick McFayden
E-mail: nick@pgimedia.com
Phone: (909) 794-4601
10 A.M. PST – June 17, 2009