The Canada Safety Council maintains to ban the use of ATVs by children under age 16 would be a mistake.

Enforcement would be difficult (if not impossible) on private property and in northern and rural communities where ATV use is common, and not just for recreation.

Child-size machines with reduced speed capability and a device to stop the vehicle remotely could be removed from sale.

Children who ride in spite of a ban will develop a disrespect for the law — an unacceptable attitude to take into adulthood.

Read the full article here

Press Release –

IMS Products today announced the company will begin a partnership with Polaris to create aftermarket fueling systems for the newly-announced 2008 RANGER RZR.

Polaris will be providing IMS Products with RANGER RZR units months before the side-by-side is available so that IMS will be able to have their products available for consumers when RANGER RZR hits dealership floors in late spring.

“We are very happy to be chosen to participate in this revolutionary leap in side-by-side technology,” IMS President Scott Wright commented. “We will be designing systems that will expand the vehicles range as well as offer the ability to utilize a quick fill system that we currently have available in other off road applications.”

The new fueling system will greatly improve both the RZR’s racing ability, as well as its versatility as a long distance trail machine for the everyday enthusiast.

IMS Products has been the leader in aftermarket fueling systems since 1976 and will be working in conjunction with Custom Motorsports (Riverside, CA) to manufacture and promote the a wide variety of aftermarket accessories for the new RZR.

Press Release –

Ontario Drive & Gear Limited, (ODG) of Ontario, Canada, announced today that Joe Klosterman, formerly National Sales Manager of Arctic Cat, has made the move to ODG to be the new General Manager of the ARGO USA Sales Division, as of January 1st, 2007.

This new position was created by Canadian off-road vehicle manufacturer ODG to launch the next phase of its ambitious dealer and distribution expansion into the United States.

Reporting to the President and CEO Joerg Stieber, Klosterman is responsible for developing a wider network of ARGO dealers to tap the huge potential in the US recreational, industrial and government sectors.

He will also create dealer development and training programs, customer satisfaction initiatives, promotional campaigns, and he will give full support to his team of qualified district sales managers.

Klosterman will work closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and General Services Administration (GSA) to provide vehicles for search & rescue and other emergency response and support services.

Klosterman brings to ODG a deep understanding and passion for the power sports industry, fueled by more than two decades’ experience at Arctic Cat, and as an active ATV and snowmobile enthusiast.

He was influential in driving the power sports industry to its current level of popularity during his 16-year role as National Sales and Marketing Manager for Arctic Cat, where he began working in 1983, and has seen first-hand what dealerships need to succeed to grow their businesses.

The all season ARGO vehicle has a proven record in the growing utility marketplace around the world. Its high-level off-road performance in extreme conditions and superior quality engineering, have made it the off-road vehicle of choice of many industries since 1967.

Visit ArgoATV.com

Press Release –

On Wednesday January 31st 2007, John Penny team leader, of the Ontario ATV Search and Rescue Federation received a phone call at approximately 11:00 am from Hamilton Police, SAR “Search and Rescue Commander Sgt. Duncan MacDougal requesting the assistance of the “Caledon District” Ontario ATV Search and Rescue group to aid in the search of a missing 55 year old man, Mr. Michael Hamm. The vast and rough terrain was an area that Hamilton Police were unable to properly search.

Dwight Banks, assistant team leader and Palgrave volunteer firefighter along with John Penny headed for the town of Waterdown, Ontario.

After preparing all necessary emergency gear and equipment without delay, they arrived at the command post in 2 hours to prepare for debriefing.

The weather was bitterly cold and the ground was covered with about 10 inches of snow. The snow was an additional benefit in looking for clues, footprints and also condensed the high marshy thistles to ground level. This enabled the 2 men to search the vast area 5 times less the time it would have been to cover the area in the summer.

Hamilton Police were very cordial and treated the group members with total respect and courtesy. They were fed and offered warm throughout the day.

Even with the use of a Helicopter, 6-wheel Argos, police search dogs, numerous trained police personnel and the Caledon ATV’s, the search was unsuccessful.

The day ended with another debriefing whereby the gentleman reported their findings and area description. Both were very confident that 95% of the grid they were given to search was completely searched with no signs or clues of the missing person, although they noted in their report there were certain areas that were impossible to cover.

Since then, Hamilton Police have now confirmed Mr. Hamm’s body was found by a man while on his daily walk in a secluded area amongst a cluster of cedar trees and brush. Based on the evidence foul play was not suspected.

This is just another example of the group’s continued support to assist local authorities, family members of missing persons and communities throughout Ontario.

Please take time to visit the web site at oatvsarf.org and learn more about the charity organization. Donations to cover equipment costs and training are always welcomed.