Press Release –

Jeremie Warnia, Suzuki Pro ATV racer from Paris, France, made a guest appearance this weekend at the fifth round of the ITP QuadCross Series held at Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, Calif.

Warnia had a 2-1 victory, which was enough to clinch the overall from Doug Eichner.

More interesting was that Warnia’s Suzuki QuadRacer R450 was a nearly stock unit with only minor aftermarket mods, including Yoshimura exhaust, Fox shocks and JB A-Arms.

In a field of highly modified bikes, Warnia showed the true power of the stock machine to awed onlookers surrounding the challenging course.

In France, 21-year old Warnia is the national SuperQuad Champion of 2004, 2006 and 2007 as well as Spanish MX Cross Champion of 2006. In that year, he also attained second place in the French National Championship.

Warnia was excited to have the opportunity to race with the U.S. Pros and was very pleased with this victory. “I love racing in America,” said the French champ. “The tracks are really fun and the people I have met have been very nice to me. I always wanted to ride at Glen Helen as it is a well-known track in France. I look forward to trying to qualify for the Red Bud National event this weekend.”

Press Release –

Yamaha Spearheads Local OHV Access Effort with San Bernardino National Forest Association

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is pleased to announce the second round of OHV Access Initiative GRANTs, resulting in more than $200,000 funded to projects supporting safe, responsible riding and sustainable, open riding areas across the country.

Seventeen organizations from 14 states received GRANT (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails) funds for projects including OHV park development, trail mapping and signage to building materials for trail heads and construction equipment for trail development.

In just more than six months, Yamaha’s OHV Access Initiative has awarded in excess of $390,000 to nonprofit organizations that are leading grass roots efforts to support responsible, open access.

The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative review committee will award GRANTs in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 to the following organizations:

Arapaho National Forest/Clear Creek Ranger District
Amity Rescue Squad
Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Coalition
Black Hills National Forest
Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan
Harland County Ridge Runners ATV Club
Hazard/Perry County Tourism
Indian Creek Valley ATV Club
Mining City Trail Riders (MCTR)
Moto-Trax
Northwood Riders OHV Club
Oswego County ATV Club
Roxbury Riders
San Bernardino National Forest Association
Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office
Triangle Volunteer Fire Dept
Thedford Volunteer Rescue Squad

“Interest in the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative continues to grow as more organizations learn about this relatively new program,” said Mike Martinez, Yamaha’s general manager of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) Operations. “Yamaha dealers are embracing the program and actively assisting their local public land agencies, OHV clubs and associations in a combined effort to supply and support a safe and responsible off-road environment.”

As part of its own efforts, Yamaha recently entered into a partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA), which is headquartered less than 100 miles from Yamaha’s corporate offices in Southern California.

On May 20, 2008 Yamaha staff, including Martinez and more than 10 others, worked the first annual “Trail Clean Up Day” alongside members of SBNFA’s OHV Volunteer Program in support of Yamaha’s locally adopted trails. Trail assessment, trash pick up, signage renovation, brush clearing and vertical mulching were among some of the duties performed.

“As leaders in the OHV industry, it’s natural for Yamaha to be on the front line of the access issue,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager. “Participating with SBNFA and the Trail Clean Up Day is one way of getting our hands dirty to make a difference for our local trails. The SBNFA has a model OHV Program and this is a great example of the type of efforts we’d like to see nationwide.”

Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the OHV Access Initiative are available at: www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess.

For questions regarding the OHV Access Initiative, groups can call Yamaha’s dedicated OHV Access Initiative Hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email OHVAccess@yamaha-motor.com or write to: Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Review Committee, 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630-5101.

Each quarter, Yamaha will accept applications from organizations such as non-profit or tax-exempt OHV riding clubs, national forests and associations, and national, state and local government agencies. A committee then reviews each application and awards financial GRANTs to deserving projects. Applications for the third quarter will be accepted through August 31, 2008.

Examples of appropriate projects for GRANTs include, but are not limited to:

· Trail development, restoration and maintenance
· Trail signage and map production
· Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance
· Land stewardship, trail safety and education

Press Release –

NAMES MR. KINJI SAITO AS NEW PRESIDENT TO OVERSEE ALL U.S. OPERATIONS

Auto, Motorcycle/ATVs and Marine Divisions, along with Corporate Operations, will now be consolidated to optimize Suzuki’s success in the United States

American Suzuki Motor Corporation (American Suzuki), continually seeking to optimize its business in response to ever-changing consumer preferences and market conditions, today announced that it will consolidate its independent business units – Automotive, Motorcycle/ATV and Marine, along with Corporate Operations – under a new President, Mr. Kinji Saito.

All of the changes are focused on internal restructuring and do not affect the separate dealer bodies that support each of the company’s product divisions.

Mr. Saito, who most recently served as Deputy Executive General Manager, Global Marketing at Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan, will oversee all of the operations, sales and marketing activities of American Suzuki.

Mr. Rick Suzuki, who has served as Chairman of American Suzuki, will become its Board Advisor. Mr. Mark Harano, currently President of the Automotive Operations; Mr. Masaaki Kato, President of the Motorcycle, ATV and Marine Operations, and Mr. Motoo Murakami, President of Corporate Operations, will now become Executive Vice Presidents of the consolidated company and continue to oversee their respective operations.

“American Suzuki believes it is very important to make changes and respond to the evolving needs of American consumers,” said Mr. Saito. “It is ideal for all of our divisions to work more closely together, plan together and communicate together as a single company, rather than as separate business units. This reorganization reflects our strong commitment to the United States marketplace, and we are very optimistic about the many opportunities that our new corporate structure will provide in promoting collaboration, leveraging our innovative brand spirit across all products, supporting our dealers, and continually improving Suzuki’s entire product lineup in the United States.”

Mr. Saito brings to the U.S. operations significant experience and an impressive track record of success. In 1999, he was named Suzuki’s representative to India, and in 2002 became Director, Marketing & Sales of Maruti Suzuki India.

During his tenure, Suzuki was India’s leading and most dominant automotive company, with a passenger car market share that today exceeds 50 percent. American Suzuki is looking toward this strong new leader to navigate the company to success in these tough U.S. economic situations.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to help lead Suzuki’s efforts in the United States,” said Mr. Saito. “American buying habits are changing and Suzuki is very well positioned for success in the U.S. thanks to our diversity of outstanding products, including many which we plan to launch very soon. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues and fellow employees in continuing to make Suzuki a great success in the United States.”

Press Release –

KYMCO USA has announced an agreement with Kolpin Powersports that will expand the accessories options available for KYMCO ATVs and UTVs.

This exclusive partnership gives KYMCO dealers across the US the ability to sell Kolpin’s industry-leading line of accessories. It also calls for the two companies to develop a line of co-branded items exclusive to KYMCO.

The program will be rolled out in three phases over the next 12-18 months. Initially KYMCO USA will distribute the full line of Kolpin ATV/UTV accessories through its dealer network.

In phase two Kolpin will develop specialized packages specific to KYMCO models, specifically the new MXU 375 4×4 and UXV 500 side-by-side. KYMCO and Kolpin will then go on to jointly develop proprietary accessories unique to KYMCO. These will be co-branded by the two companies.

“We are very pleased to partner with an industry leader like Kolpin. We’ve been developing a strategy to offer our dealers best-in-class products and Kolpin is clearly a great choice to assist us in solidifying this strategy”, said Eric Bondy, President & CEO of KYMCO USA.

According to Tom Lutes, President & CEO of Kolpin Powersports, “When we decided to strategically go after an import brand as an additional avenue in the market, KYMCO was the only one we considered. That’s a testament to what they have achieved as far as credibility. They were our first target and our only target.”

The joint agreement was announced by Bondy and Lutes at the KYMCO USA national dealer meeting, where it was met with an extremely positive reception. At that time KYMCO also unveiled its new UXV 500 side x side and the all-new MXU 375 with electronic, shift-on-the-fly 4 WD and fully independent suspension front and rear.

The Kolpin brand is steeped in a tradition of innovation, quality, and reliability. The company was founded in 1943, and Kolpin products have moved forward for over 60 years, making them the industry’s trusted outfitter for outdoor adventures, farm work and construction.

Their joint agreement provides an opportunity for both Kolpin and KYMCO USA to continue to deliver highly engineered and innovative products to the powersports market.

Press Release –

GBC Motorsports has been announced as the title sponsor of the first-ever Heartland Challenge Endurance Race, scheduled for November 7-8, 2008, at Fun Valley in Montezuma, IA.

GBC has pledged to pay out a 1st place prize of $7500.00 in the Pro Utility ATV class, which is the highest amount ever paid for a Pro Utility class win, and $7500.00 for the winner of the Pro Sport ATV class as well.

In addition to the enormous Pro payouts, GBC Motorsports is also heading up a contingency program for the event.

In order to be eligible for the GBC contingency program, every machine used on the team must have on GBC Motorsports for the entire duration of the race.

The Pro Sport ATV and Pro Utility ATV class contingency payout is $500.00 each class for 1st place. The ATV Sport and ATV Utility Ironman classes will have a $250.00 payout for 1st place, while all other classes will pay out $100.00 for a 1st place finish.

The Heartland Challenge is a true ATV endurance race that is designed for the Pro’s, to the amateurs, to UTV classes, and features the toughest class
of all, the Ironman class. The two-day event offers plenty of fun and excitement for everyone. There will be 13 classes racing all at the same time, with NO breaks.

Each team will be allowed up to 3 riders per team with as many quads. All teams will be allowed to use only one quad at a time, while all other quads will be held in a secured location.

Each team will be allowed to switch out quads through out the 10-hour event, but no repairs or inspections will be allowed on the ATVs while in impound. There will be no breaks or time-outs during the race, which means you will not lose the lead you have on the other teams.

The Heartland Challenge also will be offering the very first 3-Hour Challenge for youth ATV riders with 5 different classes for ages ranging from 4 to 15 years old. The 3-Hour Challenge teams will be just like the big boys with up to 3 riders with as many quads without any breaks.

Side-by-Side racing has also been included by popular demand to compete in their own 3 hour challenge on Friday evening. We will be offering 4 classes and the racing will wrap-up after sunset, so lights will be required.

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