Press Release –

The Red Bud GNC national was dogged by rain for the entire four days of the event. A low-pressure area in Lake Michigan created a spinning storm that never left.

Although the rain wasn’t too heavy, it was fairly constant resulting in a dramatically cut down track. The surface of the track held up nicely though and race day featured an eminently “raceable” (although shorter) track.

The first moto saw Joe Byrd snag a clean holeshot from the far right gate slot. Joe was followed by Natalie, Gust, and Jones. This set up a race long dogfight that featured some of the best racing of the year. The top four ran nose to tail the entire race.

Jones went on a big charge at about the midway point and looked to be a sure bet for the lead. But, going through the whoops section, he got a rock stuck in between his rear brake lever and the frame.

“I went into that little left after the whoops,” Jones said. “I went to hit the rear brake and the pedal didn’t even move. I rammed John so hard I don’t know how he didn’t wreck. If he hadn’t of been right in front of me, I would have gone right off the track.”

In the resulting melee, Gust got around Jones, while Natalie maintained the lead. Jones was able to kick out the rock a lap later but by then he was relegated to third. When the checkers waved, it was John Natalie, followed by Gust, Jones, and Byrd.

Moto two was a big holeshot for Digger Doug Gust. #55 led followed by Natalie, Jones, and Byrd. Natalie and Gust got together halfway through the lap with Doug going over a berm and losing six positions. Byrd got around Jones and took off after Natalie.

All three riders were dicing heavily for the first half of the race. Natalie started pull a bit of a gap while Jones and Byrd were scrapping. Jeremiah finally overshot a berm at the bottom of the ski run jump and by the time he got going again, the finishing order was set.

Natalie won with a 1-1 score. Byrd bagged second with a strong 4-2. Jones tagged the last podium spot with a 3-3. Doug Gust battled all the way back up to 4th netting a fourth overall.

“I was hoping that Doug and I could be on the podium together this race,” said the Gunslinger, “Maybe next time at Muddy Creek.”

Press Release –

A leading manufacturer of high-performance suspension systems for racing and recreational motorsport applications, Elka Suspension offers personalized service, quality products and fast delivery time.

The Holeshot Program is exclusive to Elka Suspension authorized dealers. It will begin the weekend of May 20–21 in Millfield, Ohio, during the eighth round of the GNCC Series and then take place at each round of the GNC and GNCC Series.

The goal of this program is to provide an opportunity for our dealers to meet our professional riders, to learn more about suspension tuning through seminars with our technicians and to enjoy a good time while getting the latest information about Elka Suspension products.

Throughout the season at national-level events where our race support vehicle is present, some of our preferred authorized dealers located in those areas will be invited to join our technicians for suspension-tuning seminars.

They will be able to learn more about our products and how to get the most performance out of them through proper adjustments. They will also be invited to watch the races with us in order to see the products in action and better understand what makes our suspension so special. Our professional riders, such as John Natalie Jr. and William Yokley, will be available to meet our dealers after the races.

In this racing environment, the Holeshot Program will help our dealers improve their knowledge of our products as well as help them increase their sales. On the flip side, customers, too, will benefit from the Holeshot Program by receiving better advice and service from their dealers, who understand their customers’ needs and how to fulfill them.

For more information on this innovative program, please contact our sales department at 1 800 557-0552.

Press Release –

Beginning on May 1, through to June 30, 2006, Motovan is launching its first ever End Cancer initiative.

Available to all Motovan dealers, this sales program has been developed to allow dealers who purchase qualifying product to take advantage of added benefits…

For more information on Motovan’s End Cancer inititative please visit www.motovan.com/press_en.html

Press Release –

ITP, The World’s #1 ATV Aftermarket Tire & Wheel Source, has been named title sponsor of the season-opening WPSA PowerSports ATV Championship Tour event at Daniel Boone MX in London, Ky. The double championship race, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday May 20-21, will be called the “ITP Daniel Boone ATV Championship.”

As part of the agreement, ITP will be featured prominently at the venue on the television telecasts, scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at noon EDT and Sunday, June 11 at 1 p.m. EDT on ESPN2. ITP will also have an onsite display, featuring its award-winning tires and wheels.

“We’re delighted a company of ITP’s stature has agreed to sponsor the first event of our inaugural season,” said PowerSports Entertainment, Inc. CEO Rick Murphy. “For 23 years ITP has been leader in the ATV industry, both on and off the track. We’re excited to have them on board and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

“ITP had the opportunity to participate in the ATV competition at Great Outdoor Games last year on ESPN,” noted Craig Petersen of ITP, “and it was a tremendous success—on TV and at the venue. The WPSA has a 12-year history as a racing organization. I welcome the opportunity to get involved in a tour that will bring the sport of ATV racing to a whole level of exposure, which can only help grow the sport.”

The Tour will operate two racing series at each venue this season: the “QuadMX Series” and the “QuadTerrain Challenge Series.” QuadMX will consist of professional and pro-am sport MX racing on pro-style, big-air MX tracks. The QuadTerrain Challenge comprises professional and pro-am sport utility racing on purpose-built all-terrain racing courses. ATVs allowed to compete will include stock, near-stock utility-type, and modified.

The Tour recently released its 2006 rulebook and supplementary regulations, as well as its purse structure. Among the many changes in the rulebook are the addition of Manufacturers’ and Rookie of Year Championships in the Tour’s Pro classes. The Tour will also award a Riders’ Championship in all of its classes. The $22,500 purse will pay to 20th place in QuadMX and to 15th place in QuadTerrain Challenge.

Press Release –

Riding his ‘06 Yamaha YFZ450 Kenda Rider Justin Waters has consistently finished atop the podium in the 2006 World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS). His results have put him ahead in the championship points for both the Pro-Am ATV class & Open A ATV class.

With four of the nine races run Justin has competed in a wide variety of track conditions. Phoenix, AZ’s high speed technical course, Taft, CA’s rolling hills and large canyon’s, Lake Havasu, AZ’s heavy sand & rocks and Victorville CA’s hard pack.

How does he do it? The Kenda Klaw and Kenda Knarly XC’s. “They hook up well off the start and contribute to the all important hole shot” states Justin. Kenda is his championship winning tire of choice!

Paul Wilkerson, Ravensdale, WA continues to make his mark in the WORCS Pro-Am class. Currently tied for 3rd in the point standings, he mounted the Kenda Klaw and Kenda Knarly at the fourth round of the series and fought his way into the lead for the first time ever in a WORCS race!