Wow, it feels like Christmas again! as you know, All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine is giving away a set of Greenball tires every month for six months to 1 lucky winner in Canada and 1 in the USA.
Congratulations to this month’s winners:
USA – Bob Kelley of Costa Mesa, California
Canada – Barry Ellis of Rothesay, New Brunswick
Press Release –
Sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted racers at round 3 of the NEATV-MX Series where Canadian factory Yamaha racer Jasmin Plante dominated the Open Pro class with Kawasaki’s Joe Haavisto over coming bad luck to claim the Pro-Am win, and Swedish team Polaris Outlaw racer Petra Lindeborg made her American racing debut in the Women’s class.
Jolly Roger Motorsports Park once again played host to this round of the series that some new faces amongst racers, one of those being Petra Lindeborg from Sweden.
Petra will be in the states for the entire summer racing for team Polaris via Southside Motors and will be joined by 3-4 of her male teammates over the next couple of weeks.
All though the #109 Polaris of Lindeborg only placed in 6th overall, it is certainly a fantastic opportunity for the Swedish racer to take part in events in the U.S.
Amy Thompson took the win in the Women’s class, which was her first win of the season. Paige Whipple, who has dominated the class for most of the year, took second, while Casandra Depizzol claimed the third spot overall.
In the Open Pro class, Jasmin Plante, who was absent from the AMA ATV Motocross Nationals this weekend, grabbed the Holeshot in Moto one followed by Michael Pilotte, and Vincent Mofford. Joe Haavisto had a mid pack start and soon worked his way up to second place.
Plante and Haavisto were engaged in a heated battle for first for almost the entire moto until a rock got stuck in Haavisto’s front brakes in the last lap, which sent him flying over the handlebars.
Haavisto’s crash allowed Plante to complete the last lap unchallenged and take the win. All though Haavisto was uninjured, he still took a DNF due to the damage done to his quad by the rock. “I got a bad start and then got that rock stuck,” stated a disappointed Haavisto. Vincent crossed the finish line a distant second while Danny Lewis claimed third.
In Moto number two, it was Plante who once again grabbed the Holeshot with Haavisto right on his grab bar. The pair battled back and forth passing each other several times during the course of the moto, which had the crowd cheering wildly. Unfortunately, Haavisto once again suffered mechanical issues and fell back to 8th place allowing Plante to take the win.
As the rest of the racers crossed the finish line it was Thomas Mofford who would take 2nd, and his 5-2 finish allowed him to claim 2nd overall, while Danny Lewis’s 3-4 finish earned him 3rd overall. Vincent Mofford claimed 4th overall and Justin Hoffler’s 7-3 finish allowed him to round out the top five.
In the Pro-Am class the competition was once again fierce between Joe Haavisto and Jasmin Plante. Plante grabbed once again grabbed the Holeshot in Moto one with Haavisto right on his grab bar. The pair battled, but Plante successfully held off Haavisto taking first with Haavisto in second. Michael Pilotte ran strong finishing in third.
In Pro-Am Moto two, it was Haavisto that grabbed the Holeshot over Plante and the two once again began to battle, but this time it was Haavisto who was the victor crossing the finish line in first, which would get him the overall Pro-Am win for the day while Plante had to settle for second. Justin Hoffler ran a good race with a 5-3 finish which earned him 3rd overall, while Thomas Mofford and Michael Pilotte claimed 4th and 5th overall.
The next round of the NEATV will once again be held at Jolly Roger Motorsports Park in New Hampshire on June 22nd where more of the Swedish Polaris team is expected to make their U.S. racing debuts.
Press Release –
The 2008 season is quickly becoming a memorable year as the Polaris/Rath relationship is off and racing. Once again, the Polaris/Rath/Dunlop team made a little history.
The anticipation has been growing since the announcement Daryl Rath would not only be piloting a Polaris Sportsman in the rapidly-growing Utility Class at the GNCC, but fielding a Cross Country Team as well.
It was an impressive first showing as Rath raced his way to a third place finish in the Utility Open Class and a 56th overall finish out of more than 300 riders in 16 different classes.
Rath stated, “I am extremely happy with our performance today. It was our first showing on this machine in a class that has had seasoned contenders in it all year. We met our goal of finishing in the top three, and with the first race unknowns out of the way, I am looking forward to making some changes and small improvements to prove the Sportsman is a contender.” He added, “Dirty Dawg stepped in and did some mild engine modifications along with some clutching. I am very excited to see what they have for us by next round.”
Rath lined up alongside his teammate Frank Batista (No. 13) for the start. After a chaotic first woods section, he made his way around a bottleneck and proceeded to run a flawless race.
The track had some very tight sections and the skills of the veteran GNCC racers showed as they maneuvered through the trees. Batista running his first GNCC event finished a respectable eighth place.
The team was excited about the success at their first GNCC event and look forward to Round 8.
The Polaris/Rath/Dunlop team is sponsored by: Polaris Industries – Rath Racing – Dunlop Tires – Fox Shox – FMF Exhausts – Dirty Dawg -DWT – B&B Racing Engines – RPM- Fly Racing –Torco Fuels – Hinson Clutch Components – Xstream Composites- Precision Racing Products – Amsoil – WPS – QuadTech – UpDog – Powermadd – Tireballs – Faast Co. – Scott Goggles – PEP – CV4 – K&N Filters
Press Release –
Bill Ballance picked the right place, the right time and the right track to nail his third-straight Can-Am Grand National Cross Country win.
Not only did the Kentucky rider take the Weekend Warrior Spartan GNCC in front of his home-state fans, but his chief championship rival, Adam McGill, failed to finish due to mechanical problems, allowing Ballance to take the GNCC XC1 Pro points lead for the first time this year.
“Man it feels good to win in front of so many friends and family,” said Ballance. “These were my type of conditions. It was hard and fast and I was able to have fun.”
Ballance topped his fellow Yamaha rider Brandon Sommers and The National Guard/Honda veteran William Yokley to take the win.
Ballance’s day started by grabbing the $100 ITP Holeshot Award, but trouble on the first lap saw the eight-time GNCC Champion fall to the back of the top ten.
From there he put on a charge and took the lead halfway through the race, and then held off a strong challenge from Sommers and Yokley on the final lap to take the win.
Team Excell Motorsports Bryan Cook logged another solid run, coming from mid-pack to finish fourth, ahead of ATVRiders.com backed Jarrod McClure.
As for McGill, the West Union, West Virginia rider held the lead early in the race and battled with the lead pack for a podium finish on the last lap. With about three miles to go in the event, trouble set it.
“I had a stick jammed in the a-arm and the wheel and everything, so I had to stop and rip it out,” said McGill. “I took off in fourth and hooked up with Brandon Sommers and trained off of him. All of a sudden I heard a squealing noise, and I realized it was the chain coming off of the sprocket. So I slammed it into reverse so the chain would go back on, but I ended up sheering all of the sprocket bolts out. They’re hardened steel bolts. They’ve never done that before.”
McGill now sits second in the points, 14 markers behind Ballance.
GT Thunder Yamaha’s Don Ockerman topped the XC2 Pro-Am class for the sixth time in seven races this season.
He also finished an impressive sixth overall. Ockerman also won the $100 Rekluse Clutch Holeshot Award. Second in the class went to Josh Kirkland, with David Crane third.
In the morning race, Yamaha’s Traci Cecco won the ATVRiders.com Morning Race Overall.
Once again, Kawasaki KFX700 rider Michael Benson pushed hard and nearly pulled off the win, but ended up second, with Angel Atwell third on her Tom Clark Motorsports Honda.
Complete race-day results are available at this link or by scrolling to GNCCRacing.com
Press Release –
Clackamas, Oregon (5/30/08) – Warn Industries, the leading manufacturer of off-road accessories, industrial hoists and winches, utility products, and driveline disconnects is excited to announce its 60th anniversary!
What started in 1948 as a small, family operated business in the Pacific Northwest has turned into a multi-million dollar corporation with multiple factories, world-wide sales, and one of the most recognizable brands in the automotive aftermarket.
Warn Industries began in Seattle, WA when Arthur Warn developed a revolutionary locking hub system allowing surplus World War II Jeeps to operate in two-wheel drive for civilian use.
This invention created the hub industry and not only made the vehicles more drivable on the street but also improved fuel economy.
This development paved the way for other fuel saving ideas that are still in use today, such as center disconnects and automatic locking hubs. WARN Powertrain products are used by some of the world’s best-known automobile manufactures including Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, and others.
In 1959, WARN developed another revolutionary product; one that would transform the face of offroading as we know it: the electric winch.
Since its invention, WARN has become best known for its winches, and WARN now makes winch applications for trucks and SUVs, powersports vehicles, industrial applications, and utility purposes.
WARN winches and hoists are now sold throughout the world for both recreational and industrial applications.
Although WARN is well known for its hubs and winches, the company makes a wide variety of products for trucks, SUVs, powersports vehicles, industrial applications, and more. These products include skid plates, bumpers, fender flares, lights, ATV/UTV plows, power tools, and more.
WARN has changed tremendously in 60 years, yet the company remains true to its core: delivering exciting, innovative products to all its customers.
That focus is demonstrated in the most recent product offerings, including the WARN® Air-Power line of 12V air compressors; the WARN Works® PullzAll™ electric pulling and lifting tool; and the WARN PowerPlant™ Dual Force vehicle-mounted multi tool.
These award-winning products showcase the outstanding design, engineering, and innovation that WARN has had since 1948.
Warn Industries’ CEO, John McCalla, says, “We are extremely proud of WARN’s outstanding achievements throughout the last 60 years. Warn Industries’ employees remain dedicated to delivering outstanding, innovative products to our customers around the world.”
Join us in celebrating 60 years of off-road accessories, product innovation, and going prepared!
For a full product lineup, history, and much more, visit Warn.com.
Press Release –
Can-Am will bring its popular demo ride program to this weekend’s Can-Am Northeastern ATV National Presented by Renegade at Unadilla MX in New Berlin, N.Y.
The event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, is part of the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited.
New Can-Am ATVs will be shipped in this week for attendees to test ride on a special course being built adjacent to the main race track.
Demo rides are open to licensed drivers 16 years and older. The demo rides are part of this weekend’s Showcase Event, which will also feature outdoor-themed displays, an ATV RiderCourse training program and much more.
The championship within a championship, being held at four of this year’s Showcase Events, is offering monetary awards in the Pro Class, as well as special bronze, silver and gold medals in the Amateur Classes.
Press Release –
Sparta, KY – FRE KTM Factory ATV riders Adam McGill and Taylor Kiser made their way to Kentucky for the seventh round of the ATV GNCC Series where hot weather and a long day awaited.
Both FRE KTM Factory riders got a decent jump off the line as the herd of riders neared the first turn. Kiser almost had the holeshot nailed down until a rider hit him from behind pushing him into another group of riders.
Kiser and the riders he collided with were stuck together and lost precious seconds untangling from each other. Meanwhile, McGill was sitting in 4th looking for another good run.
Now back on the track, Kiser had begun to move through traffic to gain back positions he had lost on the start. He had moved up into the top twenty and was neck and neck with another rider down a fast straightaway heading toward the woods.
When they neared the turn to enter back into the woods Kiser and the rider smashed into each other causing both riders to go down. After the crash, Kiser came in for a pit stop to grab a new helmet and goggles.
During this time, his teammate, McGill was having a pretty good run up front. McGill had moved into 2nd and even led for a bit in the first few laps but dropped back to 4th after getting a stick wedged in his front end. He pit on the third lap to quickly get the stick removed before going out for lap four.
On the fourth lap, Kiser was busy plowing through traffic trying to gain as many positions as he could before the checkered flag. McGill was back in 4th and had started to ride a comfortable race until he hit debris that derailed his chain, broke his sprocket bolts and bent the sprocket. The damage done to his KTM was enough to take him out of the race.
At the finish, Kiser had made up an incredible distance and managed to salvage a respectable 10th place class finish. With seven rounds down McGill sits 2nd in points while Kiser hangs on to 7th.
ATV XC-1 Class Results:
1. Bill Balance
2. Brandon Sommers
3. William Yokley
4. Bryan Cook
5. Jarrod McClure
6. Brent Sturdivant
7. Matthew Smiley
8. Chris Borich
9. Jeffrey Pickens
10. Taylor Kiser – KTM
17. Adam McGill – KTM
Overall Points:
1. Bill Balance – 152
2. Adam McGill – 131
3. Brandon Sommers – 123
4. Bryan Cook – 118
5. Chris Borich – 112
6. William Yokley – 109
7. Taylor Kiser – 96
Press Release –
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., has released a new informational DVD featuring the company’s highly popular Rhino Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles.
The new DVD, available free online at www.yamahaoutdoors.com, provides a comprehensive review of the new Rhino 700 FI and the Rhino 450 SxS vehicles and delivers detailed head-to-head comparisons with competing models.
Viewers can choose from different sections of the DVD to “Explore Rhino” or watch “Rhino vs. The Competition.” The “Explore Rhino” section provides an overview of the extensive list of features and benefits for both the Rhino 700 FI and the Rhino 450.
Features for both models include a four-stroke engine, fully automatic Ultramatic® transmission with dual-range drive and reverse and industry-exclusive three-position On-Command® in/out 4WD.
The Rhino overview demonstrates how these features and benefits combine to create a tough, durable and dependable ride through different types of terrain.
Allowing consumers to see the Rhino in head-to-head action, the “Rhino vs. The Competition” section pits the Rhino 700 FI against competitors such as the Teryx, RZR, Prowler 700 XTX and the Ranger XP, and features the Rhino 450 battling it out against the Ranger 500, Mule 610 and 2-up ATVs. These direct comparisons provide a realistic, feature-by-feature evaluation.
“The new Rhino DVD provides in-depth information that will serve any potential SxS customer well – from hunters and farmers to weekend warriors and recreational riders,” says John Landre, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS business planning manager. “The detailed information and head-to-head comparisons show just how the Rhino dominates the competition as the most versatile SxS on the market. Anyone shopping for an off-road utility vehicle should check out this free DVD.”
A free Rhino DVD can be obtained directly from Yamaha by registering online at YamahaOutdoors.com.
Press Release –
Using its first Annual Dealer Meeting as a launching pad, KYMCO USA has brought to market two attention-getting new off-road models for 2009.
And even though the UXV 500 and MXU 375 have flashy features to spare, they also are designed to appeal directly to today’s customer — someone who is more closely considering the pocketbook when purchasing a new ATV or UTV.
Priced right with a base MSRP just under $8,000 the UXV 500 utility vehicle is perfect for the farm, job site or any recreational trail riding.
With more than ample interior cargo space, a 420 pound cargo bed payload, towing capacity of over 1200 pounds and 59″ wide, stable stance the UXV is truly a candidate for industry leader in the 500cc side x side category.
“The UXV 500 brings the side-by-side utility everyone wants into a price range that everyone can afford,” said Bruce Ramsey, KYMCO USA Sales and Marketing VP.
“When we unveiled it at our annual dealer meeting, it truly impressed the crowd! The UXV is definitely one of the best received products KYMCO has ever released.”
Press Release –
Once again Yamaha’s Bill Ballance found himself up against the ropes in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, and once again the eight-time GNCC Champion stepped up to the challenge.
With two-straight GNCC wins, Ballance finds himself just nine points out of the series’ points lead heading into his home-state race this weekend.
“It’s Kentucky, my home race,” says Ballance, a native of Oakland. “You know I’m going to be out for a win there.”
FRE KTM’s Adam McGill would love nothing more than to defeat Ballance here. Last year, competing as a privateer Honda rider, McGill led most of the race and appeared headed to his first career overall victory, until Ballance passed him in the next-to-last corner to steal a victory.
McGill is a different rider this year, though. He won three-straight races earlier this season on his new KTM, and holds the series’ lead. The West Virginia rider needs to stop Ballance’s momentum this weekend, though, in order to maintain his points lead.
The rest of the GNCC XC1 Pro field looks at Kentucky as a last chance to establish title hopes. The seventh round of the tour means the series passes through the halfway mark with this event. Rockstar/Yoshimura Suzuki’s Chris Borich finds himself a disappointing fourth in points with just one victory this season.
In contrast, last year he carried a four-race win streak into the Kentucky race. Borich has shown speed, but small mistakes seem to thwart him each weekend. On the opposite end, Team Excell Motorsports’ Bryan Cook racked up consistent finishes to hold third in series’ points.
The rest of the field features a mix of persistent veterans and eager newcomers. Veterans Matt Smiley (XCBob.com) and William Yokley (The National Guard) look as strong as ever, but young talents like Taylor Kiser (FRE KTM) and Brandon Sommers (GT Thunder Yamaha) have turned heads with strong podium finishes this year.
Can-Am’s trio of talented riders, Chris Bithell and Chris Jenks (Warnert Racing Can-Am) and Brent Sturdivant (Team LTERacing.com Can-Am) hope to rebound this weekend after tough luck at the last few races. Privateer racers like Ryan Lane and Jarrod McClure are looking for first-ever podiums this weekend and could get it with the right breaks.
The XC2 Pro-Am class features a battle between the next generation of GNCC talent, with GT Thunder Yamaha’s Don Ockerman leading the charge.
The GNCC morning race features top talent in the Women’s and Utility GNCC Classes. Defending Women’s Champion Traci Cecco (Team Yamaha) is locked in a battle with Tom Clark Motorsports’ Angel Atwell for a championship. Stefanie Verkade ( Montgomeryville Cycle Center) won the last race, with riders like Lexie Coulter (Can-Am) and Stephanie Parton (Yamaha of Troy) also in the hunt.
In the 4×4 Classes, Michael Swift, Cliff Beasley and Bryan Buckhannon lead their classes on Can-Ams.
The race, held just past the Kentucky Motor Speedway off of Exit 57 on I-71, is expected to draw nearly 1,500 competitors and several thousand spectators. Riders will race on a custom-built track including jumps, mud, hills, rocks and trails.
Spectator passes are $15 for the full weekend, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. ATVs race on Saturday and bikes race on Sunday. Youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m. For more information, check out the official series website at www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084.
Fast Facts:
What: The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC), America’s Largest Off Road Racing Series. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world.
The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging from eight to 12 miles in length. With varied terrain including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed.
When: May 31 and June 1, 2008. Four-wheeled ATVs race on Saturday. Motorcycles race on Sunday.
Where: Follow I-71 to Exit 57. Follow signs two miles to the track.
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