Press Release –

The GBC Motorsports Heartland Challenge Endurance Race presented by PIAA scheduled for November 7-8, 2008 is excited to announce another unique challenge to its already exciting roster of events by giving the pit crews the opportunity to compete against each other, and the clock, to see who is up to the “Challenge” on Friday night with the Milwaukee Pit Stop Challenge.

The Internationally recognized Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp is the leader in cutting edge tool technology and is always ready for a good challenge, so they were the perfect fit for our unique pit stop challenge event.

The Milwaukee Pit Stop Challenge will consist of one rider and up to three pit crew members. Each team will be provided with two Milwaukee Lithium Ion V-18 Battery Operated Half-Inch Impacts for the teams to use while taking the challenge. From a dead engine start, the team rider will drive their ATV 25` into a 6` x 8` box.

The crew must change a front and rear tire on the same side of the ATV and also swap out the rider’s goggles and gloves, and then the rider must drive 20` to the finish line. Once completing the challenge, all lug nuts will be inspected for proper installation, and the team with the fastest time will be declared the winner of the Milwaukee Pit Stop Challenge.

Milwaukee Electric Tools will reward the winning team with two Milwaukee Lithium Ion V-18 Battery Operated Half-Inch Impacts used in the challenge as well as throwing in a Milwaukee Multi-Bay Charger with a total value of nearly $800.00.

Registration for Heartland Challenge Endurance Races and the Milwaukee Pit Stop Challenge will open soon, and the Milwaukee Pit Stop Challenge will be limited to just 40 teams, so be sure to sign-up early to guarantee your team a chance to compete in this exciting event.

A full schedule of events and classes, along with pre-registration information, can be found on the GBC Motorsports Heartland Challenge’s website at www.heartlandchallenge.com.

Press Release –

One American Sportsman Will Win an All-New Grizzly 550 FI ATV

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., the leading maker of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles for outdoorsmen, continues its support of outdoor sports and conservation by sponsoring the 2008 National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD).

As part of the partnership, Yamaha has donated an all-new 2009 Grizzly 550 FI ATV that one lucky outdoorsman will win. The sweepstakes is being promoted at NHFD events nationwide, and anyone can register through the end of October.

“As a strong supporter of hunting, fishing and conservation in the outdoors, Yamaha is proud to be a sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group. “We believe NHFD stands for the same strong values of outdoor conservation and ethical hunting and fishing that Yamaha supports, and we are excited to be a part of delivering that message on such a grand scale.”

Scheduled annually on the fourth Saturday of September, this year the celebration of hunting, fishing and conservation is set for September 27. NHFD serves as the most effective grass roots effort ever taken to promote outdoor sports and conservation.

Yamaha, through its relationships with organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club International, Buckmasters and now the sponsorship of NHFD, among others, is a continued supporter of conservation efforts for outdoor recreational enthusiasts.

“We’re thrilled to have Yamaha support our efforts to remind the public that hunters, anglers and shooters are America’s premier conservation supporters,” said Denise Wagner of Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo. — the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. “Yamaha is a welcomed addition to the National Hunting and Fishing Day festivities.”

The sweepstakes is open to all hosts, volunteers and attendees of any of the hundreds of nationwide events celebrating NHFD. The contest is also open to all outdoor recreational sports participants.

One lucky entrant, 18 years-of-age or older, will win a 2009 Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI. Approximate retail value is $7,099. No purchase necessary. The sweepstakes begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Aug. 18, 2008, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Oct. 31, 2008. The winner will be determined by random drawing.

More information on NHFD is available at www.nhfday.org .

Complete rules, entry info and more information is available by visiting >www.yamahaoutdoors.com/nhfday.

Can-Am DS 450 Crowned Champ in Two Classes; Three Pro-Class Racers Finish in Top Ten

Press Release –

Amateur rider Cole Henry of Virginia rode his Can-AmTM DS 450TM X ATV to great finishes all season long in the 2008 Moose Racing/ITP Tires AMA/ATVA National Championship series.

With his impressive finishes at the Loretta Lynn’s Dirt Days finals, he wrapped up the 450 B and Four-Stroke B championships in the ITP Grand Slam; Henry finished the season with two wins in a row in the 450 B class.

In the Pro class, Team Warnert Racing / Can-Am racer Cody Miller rode to a hard-fought seventh overall on his DS 450.

Team Epic Racing / Can-Am racer Greg Gee had one of his best motos of the year in the first race of the weekend and took ninth overall aboard his DS 450 ATV.

Gee’s teammate, Jeremy Lawson, took tenth overall for the weekend.

“Loretta Lynn’s Dirt Days is always a great event and we were excited by the top-10 finishes and two class championships,” said Del Bohlman, Product, Media Relation and Racing Manager for Can-Am ATVs at BRP. “Cole Henry is certainly an up and coming talent in ATV racing and deserves the championships for his dedication and hard work on his DS 450.”

While the amateur racers are finished for the season, the pro riders have one more event. BRP Can-Am received five spots in the AMA Pro ATV Invitational at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, PA on August 30. Visit www.can-amxteam.com for more details and race results.

Press Release –
 
Team Epic’s Jeremy Lawson finished the 2008 ATV Pro Motocross season with a top 5 standing in season points.
 
2008 was the first season the Can-Am DS 450 had been raced on the national AMA/ATVA Pro Motocross circuit and was one of the most competitive years ever.

The 2008 season saw the largest gates ever for the growing ATV series and Team Epic showed the Can-Am DS 450 is ready for the challenge.
 
Lawson had two podium finishes and four top 5’s during the season. Jeremy earned one fast qualifier award and one moto win.

The 2008 season also marked a 3Rd place finish for Lawson in the ITP Grand Slam Series.
 
Team Epic is now back to the shop in Illinois preparing for the Steel City invitational to be held in Delmont, PA on August 30, 2008.
 
2008 Team Epic Sponsors: Can-Am, Epic, BRP, FMF, Menards, Fox Shox, Maxxis, Douglas Wheel, Dasa, Spectro, DG, Tag, Velocity, Quad Tech, Precision, RPM,  Tsubaki, WebCams, CP Pistons, Rotax, Falicon, Fortin, TLD, Dragon Alliance, Racer X Motorsports, Pro Design, Works Connection, Cycra.

Press Release –

KYMCO USA has announced the hiring of longtime motorsports executive Steve Lazoff as the company’s Director of Sales.

He brings a 23-year history in the industry and a resume that includes management positions with Suzuki, Bombardier, Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), and Genmar.

Lazoff comes to KYMCO USA after a five-year stint as National Sales Manager for Triumph Motorcycles.

“We are extremely happy to have someone of Steve’s caliber join the KYMCO USA team,” said Eric Bondy, President and CEO of KYMCO USA. “His experience and contacts in the industry are going to be great assets to us as we continue to grow this brand.”

Lazoff saw an opportunity to join what he calls “a breakout company,” adding, “It’s exciting to work with a group of individuals who are so enthusiastic about the product they represent and about motorsports in general.”

The KYMCO dealer network has grown to more than 700 dealerships across the country. In May the company held its first full-blown national dealer meeting in Greenville, SC.

The well-attended event included new scooter and ATV product introductions as well as the announcement of a major partnership agreement with Kolpin Motorsports, the industry’s leading accessory manufacturer.

“In the coming months I’m going to meet personally with as many of our dealers as I possible can,” Steve Lazoff said. “My job is to support them in any way I can.”

About KYMCO USA

KYMCO’s roots in the motorsports industry go back to its founding in 1963, as the Kwang Yang Motor Company, Ltd., with headquarters in Taiwan. Long a leader in quality, fuel economy, and versatility, today KYMCO manufactures motor scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs at five plants in Asia, including the main facility in the city of Kaohsiung.

The company’s partner in the United States is KYMCO USA, with headquarters, marketing and distribution centered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. KYMCO USA is dedicated to building the brand’s reputation and market share through superior value, frequent new product introductions, strategic industry partnerships, and excellence in dealer network support. KYMCO USA has a reputation and expertise gained through over 30 years in the U.S. motorsports industry.