Press Release –

Thundercat H2 1000 Fifth

The finish line at the 41st Annual SCORE Baja 1000 was as dramatic as it was historic.

Racing a pair of stock Arctic Cat Prowlers, the Bi-Polar/Arctic Cat team beat the brutal conditions to finish first and second place in the world’s longest, continuous off-road race.

It was the first time in race history a side-by-side UTV vehicle has finished what is widely regarded as the most grueling off-road race in the world.

Reid Rutherford complemented the historic triumph with a fifth-place finish in the Pro ATV class on an Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 H2 EFI.

“We were the first-time finishers and first-time winners in this greatest of all races because of a total team effort,” said Bi-Polar team co-owner and driver Jim Creagan of Yacott, Wash. “From start-to-finish, every person fulfilled their role perfectly and each Prowler performed magnificently.”

Finishing first in the 634-mile race with a time of 27 hours and 57 minutes was a stock 2009 Prowler XTZ 1000 driven by Creagan and co-pilot Tim Wagner for the first 409 miles, followed by driver/co-driver Chris Fallon and Aaron Bahner for the remainder of the course.

Taking second place at 28 hours and 13 minutes was a 2009 Prowler XTX 700 EFI driven by three driver/co-driver combinations: Shane Morgan and Tabor Cresap, Scott Sorenson and Justin Serface, and Casey Squires and Mike Connors.

It was just the second attempt at the Baja 1000 for the Bi-Polar/Arctic Cat team. In 2007 they made it to mile-810 before succumbing to a broken suspension bolt.

They returned this year, ready to prove the Prowler’s durability and to support their sponsors: Arctic Cat, Wired Energy Drink, Vision X Lighting, GBC Motorsports, TrailReady Beadlock Rims and King Shocks.

“These were stock Prowlers except for the required roll-cage, extra night lights, King shocks and tires,” said Creagan. “Nothing broke on either machine during the race and we had only one flat tire on the 700. Our support crew never even had to put a tool to either machine. It was just gas-and-go at the pit stops, which is a testament to their durability and performance. ”

The fifth-place in Class 25 Pro ATV by Reid Rutherford, Ben Vernadikis and Tony Valerio aboard a stock Thundercat 1000 H2 EFI was equally compelling.

It was the first time an Arctic Cat ATV attempted the Baja 1000, competing against and beating all but four modified racing models.

Rutherford credited his Thundercat for handling the extra-tough course: “This was my sixth Baja 1000 and it was the most difficult course yet. The Thundercat handled it without a problem, giving us an advantage over the sport models in the rocky and silt terrain. I know we finished stronger and fresher than the other teams, thanks to the suspension and comfort of the big Cat.”

With a stock suspension, stock chassis and stock engine, Rutherford’s Thundercat proved that the most powerful production ATV is equally durable. He was sponsored by Planet Motorsports, Speedwerx, Douglas Wheels, Rox, Fly and RTT.

Most competitors were in agreement that this year’s course was the toughest in race history. In addition to the usual array of car-sized boulders, horrible silt sections and surprise obstacles, the course delivered a 60-mile section of 4-ft. whoop-de-dos that claimed many of the 347 racers. Only 227 vehicles survived to finish the famed event.

“Team Arctic racers delivered a historic performance at the 2008 Baja 1000 and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Arctic Cat ATV Race Manager Ted Bettin. “The Bi-Polar Prowler team worked incredibly hard for two years. To earn the honor and distinction of being the first-ever UTV to finish the Baja 1000, and to finish first and second place, speaks volumes about their dedication and professionalism.

“The Thundercat team’s fifth place in their first-year effort with our program proves their capability as well as the awesome performance of our ATV. Everyone at Arctic Cat appreciates the hard work and success of our racers at Baja.”

Coming up on the next episode of Dirt Trax Television; We’re packing up the whole crew and heading south once again to Hatfield McCoy.

It’s Trail Fest season and the party is about to begin! We’ll witness first hand what makes this event so wild AND wonderful!

In Test Ride we’ll take an in depth look at the Arctic Cat 700 HI – does Luke think it’s lacking anything?

Luke will also walk us through the steps on how to get your kids ATVing the right way.

All this and more on North America’s most watched ATV Show.

Visit DirtTraxTV.com to watch full episodes online!

BRP makers of Can-Am ATVs and Spyder Roadsters, Sea-Doo watercraft and Ski-Doo Snowmobiles is set to launch a full-on consumer dealer network in Mexico.

For those who do not know, Can-Am ATVs – with only a few exceptions – are now entirely assembled in Mexico as are many Sea-Doo watercraft models.

We think it unlikely the company will franchise any Ski-Doo snowmobile stores in Mexico.

Suzuki is still sitting on the fence regarding the introduction of SXS vehicles.

According to insiders at Suzuki USA the company continues to evaluate whether it should enter the Pure Sport (RZR Polaris) market or the Utility (Rhino/RangerXP) market – if in fact they enter the SXS biz at all.

With the market in a somewhat down trend we would be inclined to agree with Suzuki’s cautious attitude. However, if you look at the entire ATV biz – including SXS sales, it is the SXS business which is still growing.

Might be time to jump in?

Our last poll asked you if you switched 4-wheelers, what would you move to? The results were as follows:

29% – Sport Ute ATV to Utility UTV
28% – Utility UTV to Sport UTV
23% – Sport ATV to Sport UTV
14% – Sport-Ute ATV to Pure Sport ATV
06% – Pure Sport ATV to Sport Ute ATV

Vote in our latest poll. We ask:

MY CHOICE FOR BEST IN CLASS BIG BORE SPORT-UTE IS:

1. Polaris Sportsman 850XP.
2. Can-Am Outlander 800R.
3. Yamaha Grizzly 700 with EPS.
4. Suzuki KingQuad 750AXi.

Also, click here to check out the archives to see all results from previous polls!

Seems the worldwide belt tightening is beginning to affect the Powersports industry with KTM’s recent announcement they will be cutting production by about 10 percent this coming year.

Along with this news comes about 100 lay-offs among their nearly 2000 employees.

KTM claims it is well positioned in the marketplace with its premium priced products appealing to a less recession-vulnerable demo than its competitors.

We would agree as far as the ATV industry is concerned. KTM’s Pure Sport 450’s and 505’s are priced almost $3000.00 clams higher than some competitive Japanese and domestic OEM’s 450’s.

Press Release –

$50 instant rebate makes personal safety more widely available to outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers and winter travelers

Globalstar Canada Satellite Co., a leading provider of satellite voice and data services, announced that effective today, the SPOT Satellite Messenger is now available at a new low price of $119.99 after a $50 instant rebate.

The world’s first GPS-enabled personal satellite tracker, SPOT has helped in over 120 rescues around the world since it was introduced one year ago.

Combining reliable commercial satellite and GPS location technologies, SPOT is a lifesaving and affordable personal safety device, designed to provide users with a vital line of communication to friends, family and emergency services, independently of cellular coverage.

“With the start of winter just a few short weeks away, SPOT is the only personal safety device of its kind that provides peace-of-mind for travelers and outdoor adventurers,” said Jim Mandala, General Manager, Globalstar Canada. “Customers are demanding more reliable, affordable and functional GPS-enabled tracking devices, and we are pleased to be able to offer SPOT at a price that is more affordable than ever – and just in time for the start of the winter season.”

SPOT enables users, based on varying levels of need, to send messages to friends, family, or emergency responders, and to visually track the location of the SPOT Satellite Messenger through the following features:

– Alert 9-1-1 notifies emergency call center of GPS location coordinates;
– Ask for Help sends a request for help to friends and family;
– Check-In lets contacts know where you are and your status;
– Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows contacts to track your progress using Google Maps.

Weighing just more than seven ounces and well-priced for the consumer market, the SPOT Satellite Messenger is an ideal personal safety device for the growing market of outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers and remote workers in Canada. For more information on SPOT visit www.findmespot.com.

Price and Availability

After a $50 rebate, SPOT is available at $119.99 and a one year service subscription starts at $99.99. SPOT is available a major consumer electronic and specialty outdoor retailers across Canada. For more information including a dealer locator, visit www.findmespot.com.

About Globalstar Canada

Globalstar (NASDAQ:GSAT), offers satellite voice and data services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world . The Company’s products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset and personal tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications. For more information, visit www.findmespot.com.

Press Release –

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is proud to announce the 2009 Yamaha Factory Race Teams.

Yamaha, a leader in the motorsports market, announced its official race teams today for American Superbike and Daytona Sportbike road racing, Supercross/Motocross off-road racing, ATV cross country and motocross racing and Snocross racing.

The announcement was made at Yamaha’s corporate headquarters this morning in Cypress, Calif.

“Yamaha is excited to announce our 2009 Factory Race Teams across all of the thrilling motorsports that we support,” said Keith McCarty, Yamaha’s racing division manager. “From top talent to up-and-comers, these riders have proven that they have what it takes to compete at the highest levels. Yamaha is a leader in racing technology and innovation, and we’re proud to support these riders and have them represent our brand.”

Yamaha Factory ATV Racing:

Yamaha’s ATV race team is comprised of record-holding and nine-time Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) champion Bill Ballance, who is considered widely as the best ATV racer of all time.

Joining Ballance on the GNCC circuit again for Yamaha in 2009 is Traci Cecco, who holds an unprecedented seven GNCC women’s titles, and Brandon Sommers, who won the 2007 GNCC XC2 championship and finished fifth in his inaugural XC1 Pro level series this year.

Representing Team Yamaha on the ATV motocross tracks again in 2009 are Pat Brown, who won the Montreal Supercross at the Montreal Olympic Stadium this September, and Dustin Nelson, the 2008 Yamaha/ITP Quadcross MX Pro Class champion. Both riders will compete on the all-new motocross-inspired YFZ450R.

More information on the entire 2009 Yamaha Factory Race Team is available at: www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/events/racinghome/home.aspx

Press Release –

KTM is proud to announce its first-ever ATV contingency and rider support programs geared toward the “Ready to Race” ATV customer.

With KTM’s racing heritage and four race-ready ATVs in the line-up, supporting ATV racers was the next step in stamping KTM’s name in the ATV industry.

To reward current KTM ATV racers who are competing on 2008 or 2009 models, riders will now have the opportunity to earn their share of $529,000 in KTMCASH available in 12 different ATV racing series, making it the most comprehensive contingency package available to the ATV racer to date.

Once all event schedules are finalized, racers will be able to log on to www.xtrm.com/KTM to review the eligibility requirements, rules, series information and earn KTMCASH.

In line with KTM’s “Ready to Race” philosophy, KTM is also offering racers the opportunity for factory rider support packages. Racers are encouraged to submit their rider résumé to KTMATVracer@KTMNorthAmerica.com, fax 951-600-8866 or by mail at ATTN: ATV Racer Support 38429 Innovation Court, Murrieta, CA 92563. Competitive racers may receive a rider support package valued at up to $6,000, along with a KTM E-Z-Up and select KTM PowerPart or PowerWear items.

Résumés will be evaluated on the race series, class and past rider performance. There are a limited number of rider support packages available and résumés should be submitted as early as possible.

“KTM has always supported racing from a grassroots level,” Kurt Nicoll, Director of KTM Racing, said. “Being involved in ATV racing on the national and regional level is a great way to showcase how competitive our product is.”

The ATV contingency program covers multiple disciplines of ATV racing and includes the following national and regional race series: AMA / ATVA GNC motocross, Grand National Cross Country, OMA Nationals, WORCS, Extreme Dirt Track Nationals, ITP QuadCross, SCORE, Best In The Desert, New England ATV MX, TQRA – Texhoma Quad Racing, Mid-South Hare Scramble winter series and D37 Big Six Grand Prix.

“Providing a full package of contingency and rider support is a great way to reward our KTM loyalists and welcome new riders to the KTM family,” said Chris Vogtman, Specialty Vehicle Product Line Manager. “KTM is committed to the sport, racing and our ATV product. After a successful first year on the market, our KTM XC ATVs have proven KTM is serious about the ATV business. With the expansion of our “Ready to Race” product line to include the all-new and well-received motocross SX models, it was a natural progression to support racers at a higher level in year two.”