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.”

Coming up on our next episode of Dirt Trax Television; our destination is Elliot Lake Ontario for some ATV riding and maybe even a little fishing!

On Test Ride – the Arctic Cat Prowler is on the loose, plus we’ll have a look at how the installation of oversized tires can effect the performance of your ride!

In Trail Tech, Richard has some tips on keeping your hands warm while you’re out riding.

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

Visit www.dirttraxtv.com to watch full episodes online!

Press Release –

Can-Am Outlander 800 takes Pro Utility class in 10-hour endurance race

A three-man team consisting of Cliff Beasley, Richard Cecco and Michael Swift won the Pro Utility class by more than 15 minutes at the GBC Heartland Challenge endurance race near Carlisle, Iowa.

The team piloted its PIAA Powersport Can-AmTM OutlanderTM 800R ATV to the class championship and ninth overall in the gruelling 10-hour race that proved only the toughest utility ATVs would survive the course.

“Endurance ATV racing is the ultimate test for both rider and machine,” said Del Bohlman, Racing Manager for Can-Am ATVs at BRP. “The three racers all rode a smart race, but the Outlander proved its durability by beating the next closest class competitor easily. This is a big win for Can-Am and proves we have toughest utility ATV in racing.”

The racers will each split a grand prize of $7,500 for the race win, making it the most lucrative utility-class purse in ATV racing to date. Beasley, Cecco and Swift are all teammates from the Team Warnert Racing / Can-Am Grand National Cross Country race team.

Both Swift and Beasley winning the GNCC 4×4 Limited and 4×4 Lites class respectively. Cecco took third in the GNCC U2 class with five class podiums in 2008.