Press Release –

Suzuki introduced fourteen new or significantly updated motorcycles and ATVs for 2008 at this week’s annual Suzuki Dealer Meeting. Suzuki dealers from around the country converged on Las Vegas to catch a glimpse of the exciting new line up.

Last year, Suzuki was the only major ATV manufacturer to have increased sales. Suzuki ATV Operations Manager Rod Lopusnak highlighted some of the reasons behind their success: “When you combine passion with Suzuki engineering and technology you get an outstanding, and growing line of rugged, versatile, and powerful ATVs”.

Perhaps the best illustration of this is the significantly updated QuadRacer R450. New features include yet another ATV industry first for Suzuki – the new ECM Logic and Ignition Control System.

The ECM monitors throttle position, engine RPM, and the transition rate of both throttle position, and engine RPM. The ECU then determines optimum fuel delivery and ignition timing to reduce wheel spin and increase traction.

New camshafts and exhaust system changes further increase power output, especially at low and mid range throttle settings.

There are many additional updates. A new countershaft has been added for better gearshift feel. Rubber mounted handlebars cut down on vibration and a textured slip- resistant seat cover was also added. The new seat cover, in addition to adding increased control, also helps with rider comfort.

The suspension wasn’t left alone either – the incredible new Kashima coating process has been applied to both front and rear suspension. This coating reduces friction and provides an overall smoother suspension stroke. The suspension settings in general have also been re-vamped to provide an even more responsive feel, and larger rear tires added to complete the picture. The swingarm has been significantly strengthened and extra rigidity built in for improved handling. The best keeps getting better.

If all that were not enough, a special all black Limited Edition will also be sold in limited quantities. The unit features black wheels, frame, bodywork, and an aggressive new graphics package.

“Like any championship winning ride,” Lopusnak said, “the Suzuki QuadRacer R450 continues to be updated and improved constantly to maintain its dominance over the competition.”

Look for the 2008 QuadRacer to appear in dealer showrooms this September with a MSRP of $7399 (Limited Edition model $7499)

The groundbreaking KingQuad line wasn’t left alone either. Although more details will be coming soon, the KingQuad line has been both expanded and improved for 2008. The flagship KingQuad 700 has been upped to 750cc in displacement along with numerous other improvements that will insure its position at the head of the pack.

But, the really big news is the addition of the new KingQuad 400. Replacing the Eiger- the new KingQuad 400 is the evolutionary next step up and worthy in every way of the KingQuad branding.

More information will be available soon, but it is plain to see that Suzuki is not sitting on its laurels. The 2008 line clearly demonstrates that Suzuki continues to offer the most competitive ATVs in each market segment.

Press Release –

The inaugural visit to the Virginia Motorsports Park came up short after sweeping the podium in London, KY. The three-man team pulled second and third honors in both events, with John Natalie securing the top spot.

Heat and humidity were in abundance on Friday and Saturday with the clay, hard packed track starting out muddy on Friday. By the time the two main events came around on Sunday it had dried up to a slick, fast, superfreeway.

Overall, most of the riders liked the track with Suzuki’s Chad Wienen getting down to business setting the weekend’s fast times with a series of 1:48 laps. John Natalie was next fastest with 1:49’s while Gust was third in the 1:49 -1:50 range with Wimmer consistently running 1:50’s.

The various heat races went pretty well for the Suzuki camp with Wienen and Wimmer capturing wins. At the end of all the qualifying heats, the net result was that nothing much had changed.

Dustin Wimmer maintained his point lead while all the usual guys were going fast. It seems that so far in the race season four riders have emerged as potential winners: Wienen, Natalie, Wimmer, and reigning champ “Digger” Doug Gust.

On Sunday, the cloud cover of the previous few days disappeared and a dry, slick track faced the riders. The race would be sort of a MX/TT but with peaked step-up’s and assorted supercross type obstacles.

The Round 6 Main Event was typical of the last few races, Keith Little holeshot and was quickly passed on the first lap by the Natalie, Wimmer, Wienen, Gust freight train. The race was on with Natalie in first but a hard charging Wienen coming on fast.

Towards the end of the race Wienen had a rock lodge in his chain/countershaft and that was enough to decide the event. Natalie took the win. The podium ended up Natalie, Wimmer and Gust.

The Round 7 Main Event started the same as the previous one. Little got the holeshot and was quickly passed by Natalie. Wienen got hung up by Little for several laps before he, and the rest of the Suzuki riders blasted around him.

Wienen was on the charge and cutting large chunks of time off Natalie. Things were shaping up for a repeat of the London race where Chad ran Natalie down for the win.

But the slick track got the best of Wienen as an over aggressive throttle hand saw the Illinois speedster spin out exiting a corner.

Once under way, Chad closed back up to Natalie but simply ran out of time in his quest for the win.

An unfortunate note – in the first lap of Round 6, Lost Creek Cycle/Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Joe Haavisto got crossed up with another rider and suffered either a hip or leg injury. It looks like Joe will be out for some time.

John Natalie’s double win tightens up the points even more. With three races remaining it is really getting exciting. Look for the Suzuki QuadRacers to come out on top!

Round 6 will be aired on ESPN2 on August 18th at 12:00 pm and Round 7 will be aired on August 25th at 1:00 pm.

Next stop on the WPSA Tour is The AMSOIL Wild Cat Open Championship in Rossville, IN on July 21-22.

Press Release –

For the months of June and July, Polaris is donating part of the proceeds of every ATV sale to the Armed Forces Foundation.

The Armed Forces Foundation provides assistance to families of those serving in the military.

Military personnel often use Polaris ATVs to protect our country so the maker of “The World’s Toughest ATVs” wanted to help protect their families as a thank you for their service.

Press Release –

Bill Ballance took a second straight win with his victory at the Snowshoe GNCC ATV race, consolidating his lead for the overall title.

Riders on Razrs swept the podium at the event, with Chris Borich in second place and Matt Smiley taking third. The first-ever Snowshoe GNCC ATV was held June 23 in Snowshoe, West Virginia.

Ballance won by overcoming a muddy, rock-strewn course that gnccracing.com called “almost impassable” in sections.

“There was probably three miles of the track out there that was just as gnarly as probably anything we ever see on any track throughout the whole season,” Ballance told gnccracing.com. “At one time there was five or six of us together, I think Chris and Matt and Bithell, and we come into that one section and everybody started splitting off and going different directions, and I picked a line and thought, ‘Oh Lord, this is way out of the way, I’m getting ready to get passed by a bunch of people,’ and wound up getting on through it, and wound up being an easier but longer line and I didn’t get hung up, and I think I got around those guys right there. I just put my head down and started pushing.”

Maxxis gained its 21st straight Holeshot Award when Borich took the lead at the start of the race. Chris Jenks took seventh place, and Brandon Sommers, who scored an overall top ten finish with ninth place, took his seventh Pro Am victory of the season.

Maxxis congratulates defending GNCC ATV champ Bill Ballance, and thanks all of its sponsored riders for proving that the performance and durability of Razrs are second to none.