Press Release –

Another weekend of ATV racing shows why Maxxis is the choice of champions: Two of the nation’s top series held events April 14-15, and both were dominated by Maxxis racers.

Chris Borich won GNCC Round 4, tying Bill Ballance in the points lead for the championship, while riders on Maxxis took six spots in the top nine. Meanwhile, Dustin Wimmer finished 1-2 in the Pro motos for the overall victory at Round 4 of the ATVA MX GNC Series, with Maxxis-sponsored riders taking nine of the top twelve. The races were held in Union, South Carolina, and Macon, Georgia, respectively.

The GNCC win was the second in a row for Borich, who finished in 2:09:40. “Yeah, I think I’m going pretty good,” Borich told gnccracing.com. “It was pretty dusty out there.

I had a good line and got around Bill [Ballance], and I knew as long as I kept some lappers between me and him, he wouldn’t be able to go and catch me. I feel like we can win this championship, we’ll just keep looking things over and training hard.”

Ballance took second place, and Matt Smiley made a return to the top five, nabbing fifth place. Taylor Kiser turned in another great performance in his first year as a pro with a sixth place finish, while fellow rookie Brandon Sommers took eighth place. Duane Johnson finished just one second behind Sommers to take ninth place.

The GNC win was Wimmer’s first aboard his new Factory Suzuki QuadRacer 450. Wimmer won the holeshot in moto one, barreling through a wet, sandy course to hold off teammate Doug Gust for the victory. Moto two started off the same way, with Wimmer again grabbing the holeshot followed by a conservative ride to the second place finish that secured his overall victory.

Jeremy Lawson took third place and Doug Gust nabbed fourth, while Jason Dunkelberger placed sixth. The eighth through twelfth place spots were taken by, in order: Rocco Arno, Russell Shumaker, Keith Little, John Ragon, and Joe Haavisto.

Maxxis congratulates Chris Borich and Dustin Wimmer on their victories and congratulates all of these riders on their fine performances.

Press Release –

On June 19th, the Canadian finals of the Yamaha Technician Grand Prix contest will be held at the Toronto head office of Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.

After advancing from the eight regional contests carried out from February to April, the top ten scoring competitors will compete for the National title and the honour of representing Canada at the Yamaha World Finals.

The World Finals will take place at Yamaha Motor Corporation head office in Iwata, Japan. Technicians at the Canadian challenge will be evaluated from three major activities:

• Written examination: Criteria includes but not limited to: Technical questions relating to Yamaha products, Innovative developments Yamaha has introduced as a leading manufacturer in the global motorsports industry.
• Practical skills contest: diagnostic and systems analysis and repair on the latest 2007 motorcycle product.
• Customer reception interviews: technicians are tested on their ability to provide a pleasant, yet thorough and satisfactory customer interaction through a reality-based interview.

Customer satisfaction is a primary objective of Yamaha Motor Canada, as such scoring well in the customer reception interview portion will be crucial to the success of the competitor.

Technical training and superior education is a major part of Yamaha Motor Canada’s continued direction as we continue to lead the industry with product developments and dealership assistance.

Yamaha has developed the Tech GP program in order to raise awareness and increase competency of those technicians that work under the Yamaha brand and foster the development of world-class technicians.

For more information about the Yamaha Tech GP, please contact:
Andy Gale Manager,
Service Marketing Yamaha Motor Canada
(416) 498 1911 ext 2507
andy_gale@yamaha-motor.ca

Press Release –

The third round of the ITP QuadCross was held at the Arizona Cycle Park in Buckeye, AZ. The warm and windy day found Yoshimura’s ATV Brand Manager eyeing the blue grooved track looking for the best lines for passing.

He liked what he saw: multiple lines, one large triple jump and a six pack with multiple table tops. It was sure to be a good day.

Because of rider turnout, the race was set up as two heat races and a main, instead of the normal two moto configuration. Kory blasted off the starting line in his heat and was second at the first turn.

He trailed the leader until he was able pass him going down a long rough downhill straightaway. From that point, Kory steamrolled his way to a full five second lead at the finish.

Then it was time for the main. Once again Kory was hot on the heels of the leader for the first half of the race. Seeking a good passing point, he finally saw the opportunity for a clean hard driving pass going outside in a tight 180 degree turn.

Unfortunately somewhere in that steep banking turn the prototype subframe he was riding broke and he started slowing down and soon lost his hard fought for lead.

Two laps later, the problem had gotten so bad that Kory could no longer sit down. He was still able to ride the bike enough to cross the line in fourth.

“It was just one of those days,” Kory explained. “It was going so good and then, well, I guess that’s racing.”

May 6th will find Kory back in California for Round 4

Press Release –

American Suzuki Motor Corporation today announced the appointment of Acorn Woods Communications to handle all ATV division public relations functions.

“We’ve worked with Acorn Woods Communications for awhile now and the time was right to expand the relationship,” Rod Lopusnak, ATV Operations Manager said, “The growth of the Suzuki ATV segment had been huge, and AWC has been helping us keep pace with this wild ride. We look forward to Acorn Woods helping to bring the entire spectrum of industry leading and innovative Suzuki ATV products to the press and media in general.”

Owen Provence, President of Acorn Woods Communications said “We are proud to be a part of the Suzuki ATV efforts. The product is so good that it speaks for itself, but we will try to help the process moving forward in every way.”

Acorn Woods Communications is a full service marketing, advertising and public relations agency based out of Simsbury, CT.

They also have a west coast presence to service their California-based clientele. AWC specializes in servicing national powersports companies.

By: Motorhead Mark Lester

I’ve been around long enough to know the news coverage this sport gets is exactly what it deserves. I’m ashamed to report that some kids continue to be allowed to use adult ATVs and some are still riding unsupervised and often, helmetless. Accidents are inescapable realities under these conditions.

In case you think this is idle talk, let me underscore this: If you’re allowing your kids to ride without helmets, if they are unsupervised on your adult ATV, the question is not if, but rather, when an accident will occur.

For the most part, readers of All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine and those who have a real interest in the sport and its future know better than to commit those three parental no-nos.

However, there are way too many adults who, by their profound acts of negligence and irresponsibility, allow their kids to be needlessly injured or killed. In case you’re missing my point, it’s adults who are to blame for kids being injured.

Kids require supervision, training, safety equipment and proper sized ATVs to have a safe experience. That’s why I’m saying even a small move toward helmet compliance for both kids and adults will have a huge effect on safety. It alone will save lives, prevent injuries and keep us off the news.

Here’s how it starts: If you’re even thinking about moving your ATV and your kids are watching, slip on your lid. “Do as I say, not as I do” never works with kids. Children will always “do as you do”. If they think helmet use is important for you, they’ll think it’s important for them too.