Press Release –

Warnert Racing’s John Natalie claimed the third fastest time in time qualifiers at Red Bud this past weekend.

John also made a hard charge to come away with third place in the second moto, bringing him within striking distance of a top five finish in the 2008 season’s points race.

Natalie got off to a bit of a slow start in moto one due to his clutch slipping, but he soon began to pick off riders one by one to break into the top ten. “I had kind of a rough start, but I stayed with it and worked my way up,” said John.

By the final lap, Natalie had worked his way up to seventh and held that position all the way to the finish line. In moto two, things were a little different for the Warnert Can-Am DS 450 racer.

Natalie shot off the line with amazing speed, taking third in the holeshot behind Keith Little and Joe Byrd. Despite the track becoming rough and rutted, Natalie took no time in picking off Little to take over second place.

Natalie held his second place position for several laps before falling back to third, but Natalie had no intensions of giving up another spot, even when Josh Creamer was on his grab bar pressuring him for third. “I felt pretty good out there today, the bike was running strong,” said Natalie, who finished in fourth place overall.

Warnert Racing’s Cody Miller was looking good on the track and was laying down some impressive lap times, but a string of bad luck deterred him from a top ten finish.

Miller got off to a mediocre start in moto one, but he made an impressive charge all the way up to ninth place by lap three. Unfortunately, Miller ended up losing a valve stem and began to drop back.

“My front tire went flat and I tried to ride it out, but I ended up having to make a pit stop to change it, which put me back to 18th,” said Miller.

In moto two, Cody came off the line mid pack, but got hit and spun out in the first turn, which also resulted in him getting stuck on a hay bale. Miller’s hang up put him back into last place, but Miller worked himself up to 15th. “I’m definitely looking forward to Loretta’s. I usually do well there, and I can’t wait to see the changes that have been made to the track,” said Miller enthusiastically.

The final round of the AMA ATV Motocross Nationals will bring the Warnert team to the legendary Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN on August 10th, where Cody Miller hopes for a top five finish, and John Natalie plans to end the season on a high note by putting his Can-Am DS 450 on the top spot of the podium.

Press Release –

The 10th Round of the ITP/Moose AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship not only secured the Championship for Team Rockstar / MSR / Pro Taper / Yoshimura / Suzuki and Dustin Wimmer, but also the Manufacturers’ Cup for Suzuki.

Six wins, three seconds and one third overall did the trick for the QuadRacer R450 to earn the coveted title before the final round of the series even started. In fact there was never a round where a QuadRacer R450 was not on the podium, or Suzuki was not the dominant leader.

This is the third year in a row that Suzuki quads have dominated the race series they fully competed in. For 2006 and 2007, Suzuki was the most winning bike in the WPSA ATV Pro series.

“I am very proud of our team and the hard work that every member has done to achieve this goal of the ATV MX National Championship,” remarked Pat Alexander, American Suzuki’s Sports Promotion Manager. “Our riders have shown that the QuadRacer is the most formidable weapon any rider can own to go out and win races or championships. This all could not be achieved without the support from our sponsors, the Yoshimura team, our great riders and, of course, American Suzuki.”

“Suzuki has been committed to the sport of ATV riding and racing since the beginning,” Mel Harris, American Suzuki’s Vice President of Motorcycle/Marine Operations, said. “The dedication of the company behind the bike is apparent in this and our other successes. For 25 years, Suzuki has been pushing the sport forward not only in racing, but also in technology and innovation. We are very proud of this achievement and will continue to support the sport in every way.”

Press Release –

Polaris Industries today announced the company’s limited edition ATV offerings for 2009. ATV enthusiasts will be able to get the new Sportsman XP in two limited edition packages.

The 99 percent-new Sportsman XPs feature an 850cc engine that churns out 70 horsepower or a 550cc engine delivering 40 horsepower.

The units feature an upgraded Dual A-Arm front suspension, Rolled IRS, better clutching, and an updated look that includes better ergonomics, new wheels and a better fit and finish.

2009 Sportsman 850 XP LE, Nuclear Sunset

Additional features on the limited edition model include:

· Nuclear Sunset paint
· Extreme front bumper
· PIAA® lights
· Work lights
· Rear rack extender
· Winch
· Front storage box
· 14-inch Black cast aluminum wheels

The MSRP (US) is $10,499, and the MSRP (Canada) is $12,499. Machines will be available in US and Canadian dealerships in Fall 2008.

2009 Sportsman XP LE-Browning

Two Browning editions will be offered in the Sportsman 850 XP and 550 XP models. All include the following additional features:

· Mossy Oak® New Break Up™ bodywork
· Camo-pattern rims
· Hand and thumb warmers
· Rear rack extenders
· Gun scabbard with Lock & Ride™ gun mount
· Rear work lights
· Polaris 2,500 lb winch
· Browning logos

The MSRP (US) for the Browning Sportsman 850 XP is $9,899 and the Sportsman 550 XP is $8,299.

The MSRP (Canada) is $11,899 for the Browning Sportsman 850 XP and $9,999 for the Browning Sportsman 550 XP.

Machines will be available in US and Canadian dealerships in Fall 2008.

Press Release –
 
2008 season is going to be quite the year in racing history books. Polaris /Rath/Dunlop Rider Landon Hurst, No. 179, piloted his Polaris Outlaw 450MXR to a top ten finish in both the Pro Am Production class and  Pro Am Unlimited classes at the Red Bud MX National ATVA Race this past weekend.  

This was  yet another goal that a hard working team of riders and crew wanted to reach.  

Even with the storm coming through Friday night the track came around but it was going to be rough! All the riders frantically tried to dial in their race machines at practice.

Hurst made a few suspension changes and was ready and confident to go to the line.
 
Saturday set the stage for the Pro Am Unlimited class. Hurst settled into his gate pick and when the gate dropped he was on the gas and rode a flawless race finishing in a fourth place position and qualifying him for the main event. 
 
Twenty riders competed in the main event and the competition was fierce as they headed to the first corner, charging hard to gain position Hurst continued to fight to the finish earning himself an impressive 6th place overall and putting Polaris in the top ten in an ATVA Pro Am class for the first time, adding yet another memorable event for Polaris, himself and his team.
 
Hurst stated, “I’m really starting to get comfortable on the Outlaw which allows me to pick up the pace and gets me closer to my goal of putting Polaris on the podium.“
 
Still pumped with the excitement and the adreline from Saturday’s stellar run, on Sunday, it was time to race the Pro Am Production Class.

Moto I proved to be a repeat with another fourth place finish, once again securing Hurst position in the Main event.

The track had definitely started to show the abuse of a long weekend of racing. Hurst rode right into the history books by placing another top ten!
 
Top Ten is where the Polaris Outlaw MXR was meant to be, Polaris /Rath/Dunlop Rider Jay Corey piloted his into top ten finishes in both of his classes – 450B and 4-stroke B.
 
With the winning momentum and the determination of the riders and this team the excitement is building for Loretta Lynn’s.

Press Release –

It was a fantastic day for Team MSR / Suzuki / Yoshimura / Pro Taper’s Dustin Wimmer (#191), as he clinched the 2008 Moose Racing/ITP Tires AMA/ATVA National Championship at Red Bud Raceway in Buchanan, Michigan.

Rockstar / MSR / Suzuki / Yoshimura / Pro Taper teammates Chad Wienen (#44) and Doug Gust (#55) also had reason to celebrate with two strong performances.

“This is great,” an excited Wimmer said after securing his first major championship. “I’m happy to be able to deliver this title for my fans, Suzuki and for our sponsors. All the hard work paid off and it feels really good.”

The Suzuki QuadRacer R450-mounted Wimmer (#191) demonstrated the speed that has put him at the top of the points chart this season as he took home another Top Qualifier award. As the first moto began, however, Wimmer wisely opted to take it easy and secure the championship.

Meanwhile, teammate Chad Wienen took over at the front of the pack and set a furious pace. Wienen maintained his pace to the checkered flag while veteran teammate Gust rounded out the podium in third. Wimmer would cross the line in fourth, good enough to secure the championship.

Wienen went on to end the day in second overall with a 1-2 finish. Gust joined his teammate on the podium with a third overall (3-5), while newly crowned champion Wimmer finished the day in fifth (4-6).

Wimmer was jubilant after the first moto. “This has been a great season. I just went out there and rode safely. My Suzuki team members deserve most of the credit. My bike has been just perfect all year, and that’s how you win championships.” Wimmer’s mechanic, Glen Schulde received the “Mechanic of the Race Award.”

“We’ve worked really hard for this and it just doesn’t get any better,” Team Manager Kory Ellis explained. “It was a perfect combination this year – the bike, the riders, the mechanics and all the support we get from our sponsors just all came together.”

The championship is extra sweet for Suzuki as they are celebrating their 25th Anniversary of being “First on Four Wheels.” Suzuki continues to dominate the Manufacturers’ Cup.

Round 10 Results,
Red Bud, MI:

1. Joe Byrd
2. Chad Wienen
3. Doug Gust
4. John Natalie
5. Dustin Wimmer*

*2008 Moose Racing/ITP Tires AMA/ATVA National Champion

Other Suzuki Winners at Red Bud include:

Cody Gibson – Pro Am Production and Pro Am Unlimited
Ryan Handshoe – Open C
Michael Logan Brewster – 4-Stroke A
Daniel Cooper – 4-Stroke B
Neal McGrath – College 16-24
Brian Jenkins – Vet 30 Plus (B/C)
Jeffery Thompson – Senior 40 Plus
Joel Hetrick – Schoolboy Sr. (15-17)

Congratulations everyone. The final round of the 2008 Moose Racing/ITP Tires AMA/ATVA National Championship takes place August 9-10 in Hurricane Mills, Tn.