Press Release –

ITP is now offering its retail customers a free ITP cap and t-shirt with the purchase of one set (4 total) of Mud Lite or Mud Lite XTR tires.

This incentive began May 1, 2009, and ends June 30, 2009. T-shirts are available in M, L, XL and XXL sizes, while the caps are adjustable.

For more information, customers should contact their local dealer or visit www.itptires.com.

This website provides a redemption form which must be filled out and mailed or faxed to ITP along with a copy of the sales receipt (proof of purchase). The requested information can also be emailed to customerservice@itptires.com.

Since 1982, ITP has grown into the world’s #1 ATV/UTV aftermarket tire and wheel source, and continues to provide a complete line of innovative tires and wheels for virtually all ATVs and UTVs. For a copy of ITP’s full-color product catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-859-4740. For other inquiries or technical advice, contact ITP at 930-A S. Rockefeller Ave., Ontario, CA 91761; (909) 390-1905.

Press Release –

It was touch-and-go as Yoshimura and Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki headed into this weekend’s race in Delmont, Pennsylvania.

Was Dustin Wimmer ready to get back on the track and rack up enough points to salvage his championship bid?

But as the days grew closer to the start of the Steel City round of the AMA Pro ATV Championship Series, the decision was made – Yes! Wimmer would compete.

The Center Valley PA native had no opportunity to practice leading up to this home state round, but his practice times on Saturday were among the fastest.

“I knew I was going to have to just dig deep down and find the strength to make it through two motos,” Wimmer explained. “I hadn’t even been to the gym in three weeks so stamina was going to be the hard part.”
Even with a valiant effort, Wimmer was unable to push through to make a podium. He ended the day 8th overall (finishing 9th and 11th) salvaging 22 points.

“My goal this weekend was to get as many points as possible,” Wimmer continued. “I now have 206 points – just 25 points behind the leader. This has become a very competitive series, with a lot of riders who could have shot at the title. I’m glad I was healed enough to race Sunday, but now I have three weeks to get into shape again. I’m just going to rest a few days and then push as hard as I can.”

Teammate Doug Gust, coming off a great race at Sunset Ridge, was out to prove he could do it again. Gust’s hard driving and finely-honed strategy skills kept him fighting at the front of the pack for both motos, and gave him a 4th overall (finishing 4th and 3rd) for the day and 6th in points for the season.

Team Manager Kory Ellis was happy with the weekend’s outcome: “We left the decision up to Dustin when we got the OK from the doctor.

Dustin wants the Championship again, so he was all for it. Even though he was pretty rusty from not riding at all, I thought he looked really good out there. He rode cautiously but he was out there just to do the best he could so he can come out the next race at 100%. I was really pleased with Doug’s performance. He has finally gotten back in gear and actually did better this race than last round. He’s definitely riding better than he has all season – getting better starts and getting around people early. He’s back doing what he’s capable of.”

Also making news at Steel City was Harold Goodman who got, not just one, but two holeshots. He went on to get 7th overall. In other classes Joel Hetrick took the top spot in the Pro Am Unlimited Class and Neal McGrath took the 450A. Congratulations.

Next up is the Unadilla round in New Berlin, NY on June 13th-14th.

Press Release –

The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series will introduce a new element at the MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC in June with the first-ever GNCC University school at the Snowshoe Campus, hosted by Yamaha’s Off-Road Champions.

The school marks an unprecedented opportunity to learn GNCC bike and ATV skills from Yamaha’s factory riders, with 36 National Championships between them!

ATV instruction will be provided by Bill Ballance (9x GNCC Champion), Traci Cecco (5x GNCC Champion) and Johnny Gallagher, with bike instruction by Barry Hawk (8x GNCC Champion), Randy Hawkins (7x AMA National Enduro Champion), Thad DuVall (3x GNCC Champion) and Jason Raines (5x AMA National Hare Scramble Champion).

GNCC University will enroll thirty riders each for the Bike and ATV disciplines, 60 riders total, with reservations taken on a first-come first-serve basis by calling the Snowshoe Reservation center.

Riders are invited to study at GNCC University at Snowshoe on Wednesday June 24th through Friday June 26th. Instruction will take place at a separate facility from the actual Snowshoe GNCC race track.

The enrollment cost begin at just $378 (plus tax), which includes a hotel room at Snowshoe on Wednesday and Thursday night, meals, and the GNCC Unversity school with three days of instruction. Two, three and four bedroom rates are also available.

Riders must provide their own equipment and be at least 8 years of age, and machines must be 85cc or larger.

Students will learn proper navigation of up hills, down hills, grass tracks, woods, rocks and mud, and learn how to handle competitive starts.

Students will also participate in lectures about sportsmanship, training, nutrition and mental preparation.

GNCC University At Snowshow Itinerary:

Wednesday June 24th:
Night: Orientation followed by a meet and greet with Yamaha Champions. (Hors d’orvs will be served)

Thursday June 25th:
– Breakfast (provided)
– Morning Instructional riding period
– Lunch (provided)
– Afternoon instructional riding period
– Dinner (provided) followed by roundtable discussion

Friday June 26th:
– Breakfast (provided)
– Morning Instructional period
– Friday Lunch (provided) and Awards

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from these legends of the woods, all in one place-Snowshoe Resort-which will host the MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC as soon as GNCC University is completed, on June 27 and June 28th.

Snowshoe will allow riders to cancel from GNCC University up to 14 days before the event. It’s an unforgettable week in the woods, so call and enroll now! 1-877-441-4FUN.

Press Release –

KYMCO USA, a longtime leader in quality, fuel-efficient scooters, motorcycles and ATVs has teamed up with the IndyCar® Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, as an official partner.

The multi-year partnership will make KYMCO the official scooter and off-road utility vehicle of the IndyCar® Series.

KYMCO will also have official status with Firestone Indy Lights, the premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IndyCar Series.

“We are extremely pleased to be involved in IndyCar® Series racing,” said Eric Bondy, President of KYMCO USA. “It’s a thrilling form of American racing with an established fan base that is only getting bigger. This gives us an excellent opportunity to expose our brand to new customers around the country and throughout the world.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have a company like KYMCO come on board with the IndyCar® Series,” said Greg Gruning, Vice President of Sales for the Indy Racing League. “KYMCO manufactures quality products that the IndyCar Series staff will rely on throughout the course of the IndyCar® Series season.”

Throughout 2009, fans will notice IndyCar® Series personnel using KYMCO Super 8 150cc scooters and UXV 500 4X4 utility vehicles for various needs in and around the venues where the series races as well as at its headquarters in Indianapolis.

With its aggressive sportbike looks, the Super 8 150 will be right at home at the track. It features a fuel-efficient 150cc, SOHC air-cooled engine, front disc brakes, and KYMCO’s popular CVT transmission.

KYMCO 4×4 UXV 500 side-by-side utility vehicle provide a comfortable ride for driver and passenger, and the 420-pound capacity cargo bed is perfect for hauling parts.

Press Release –

Sweepstakes Open through August 11 in Conjunction with Release of All-New FUEL Video Game

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., has teamed with Codemasters, host of the “FUEL Your Adrenaline” sweepstakes, to giveaway a 2009 Yamaha Raptor 250 ATV.

The sweepstakes is in conjunction with the release of FUEL – an epic-scale open-terrain multi-vehicle racer video game that will ship this May for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® and the entertainment system from Microsoft® Games For Windows® LIVE.

“The Raptor 250 is the hottest pure fun, adrenaline pumping sport ATV for entry-level to experienced riders – it’s a perfect fit for fans of the all-new FUEL game,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV marketing manager.

The “FUEL Your Adrenaline” sweepstakes kicked off in May and runs through August 17, 2009. Contestants can enter and find official rules online at www.fuelyouradrenaline.com or by visiting a participating Yamaha dealership.

Yamaha’s award-winning Raptor 250 redefined the entry-level sport ATV class when it entered the scene in 2008.

With Raptor-like styling and Yamaha quality and technology, the Raptor 250 is a performance machine that features five-speed manual transmission and electric start that fires up a performance-pointed single cylinder 249cc air-cooled, four-stroke engine.

Press Release –

“The Hatfield-McCoy Trails has substantially recovered from weekend flooding in Mingo County, West Virginia, and hopes to be back to 100 percent by June 1.” Executive Director Jeffrey T. Lusk said Thursday. “Also, all Hatfield-McCoy equipment not being used to repair the trails is being loaned to the town of Gilbert to help in flood recovery.”

Southern West Virginia was stricken by heavy flooding Saturday, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses. Much of the damage was centered in Gilbert in Mingo County. “This was a catastrophic event that most of us have not seen before,” Lusk said. “The Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreational Authority wants to do its part to help the town of Gilbert and businesses in that area. We have all of our crews working overtime to get the trails up and running and every piece of equipment we have that is not pushing dirt in the woods on trails is in Gilbert helping with flood recovery,” he said.

“Gilbert is the centerpiece of our trail system,” Says Lusk. “We lost probably about half of the Rockhouse Trail System and about half of the Buffalo Mountain Trail System.” Rockhouse is located near Gilbert and Buffalo Mountain near Williamson.

The connector to the town of Gilbert was reopened Thursday, with about 70 percent of the Rockhouse and Buffalo Mountain trails also reopened. The connector to Matewan remains closed, but is expected to reopen by May 20.

“We’re going to get through this,” Lusk said. “We’ve been working 12- to 14-hour days since Saturday to get the trails open and to help businesses recover.” The Hatfield-McCoy Trails is a key economic engine for the area, especially in and around Gilbert where many businesses have sprouted since the Trails opened in 2000.

The four other trail systems – Bear Wallow, Indian Ridge, Little Coal and Pinnacle Creek – were largely unaffected and are fully open. The Hatfield-McCoy Trial System was created by the West Virginia Legislature to generate economic development through tourism in nine southern West Virginia counties. It currently operates six systems with more than 500 miles of trails.

Each system is open 365 days a year to ATVs, dirt bikes, select utility vehicles (UTVs), mountain bikes, horses, and hikers. Many of the trail systems also offer community connecting trails that allow visitors to access “ATV-friendly towns” to experience the charm of southern West Virginia.

Press Release –

Can-Am Outlander Takes Second Overall in Morning Race; Buckhannon Injured

The Mountain Ridge GNCC near Somerset, PA, was a race of mixed emotions for the Can-Am™ ATV racers. In the morning, Team Warnert Racing / Can-Am’s Michael Swift mounted an impressive come-from-behind victory after getting caught up in a first-turn incident.

He took the 4×4 Limited class win aboard his Can-Am Outlander™ 800R EFI and was second overall on the morning podium. However, not all news was positive for Can-Am. Swift’s teammate, Bryan Buckhannon, was well out in front leading his class, when he suffered a brutal end-over-end crash.

He was taken away from the track with a broken leg – ending his perfect season and potentially threatening his pursuit of a second-straight GNCC championship.

“The positive weekend results were definitely overshadowed by Bryan’s injury,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Racing Manager for Can-Am ATVs at BRP. “Right now it is unknown when he will be able to get back on his Outlander, but he is shooting for a comeback after the summer break. We will have to see what his doctor says, but Bryan is staying extremely positive right now.”

Rounding out the morning session results was Can-Am X-Team racer Scott Kilby who took the 4×4 Open-class win on his Outlander 800R EFI. Racing his Outlander 500 EFI to the 4×4 Lites class win was Can-Am rider Kevin Trantham.

In the Women’s class, Can-Am X-Team racer Lexie Coulter took second in the class aboard her DS 450™ EFI ATV. Warnert’s Rick Cecco held on to the U2 class championship lead by finishing second aboard his Renegade™ 800R EFI.

In the afternoon, Warnert Racing’s Chris Bithell was racing up front with the lead pack in second place when he experienced a front-shock failure on his DS 450. He pitted, had the shock replaced, and fought back to 11th place.

The next GNCC race is the John Penton GNCC near Millfield, OH on June 6. The next AMA ATV Motocross race is Steel City this weekend and the next ITP Quadcross race is also this weekend. For more information on Can-Am racing, our 2009 contingency program and amateur DS 450 support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.