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!

Press Release –

Carter Brothers of Brundidge, AL, USA has signed an exclusive 5 year contract with Sanyang Industry Co., Ltd. (hereafter SYM) of Hsinchu, Taiwan to be the distributor for SYM’s United States product lineup.

The SYM-Carter product lineup will include seven models of scooters, from 50cc to 250cc, and a number of ATVs ranging from 90cc up to 600cc models. Due to new DOT & EPA regulations only half of the entire lineup of products is available currently; the complete lineup will be available by 2007.

Carter has also signed an engine agreement to use SYM engines in current and future projects, such as go-karts and buggies. This engine change will make Carter karts the most reliable on the market.

Jonathan Arn, CEO of Carter, states “SYM has, in my opinion, the best scooters in the world. Their styling, quality, and engineering is superior to any other products being produced in Taiwan. I am proud to announce this partnership between SYM & Carter, as it will drastically increase the future sales & market share for both companies here in the U.S. market.”

SYM is the largest Taiwanese manufacturer in the motor sports industry, currently employing 2400 people. Founded in 1954, Sanyang Industry manufactures Scooters, Motorcycles and ATVs under the SYM brand as well as Automobiles for Hyundai.

Since the beginning, the company has produced over 9 million scooters and motorcycles. The company reported a global turnover of over $619,000,000 in 2004. SYM is distributed internationally throughout six continents in over 35 countries and has subsidiaries located in Italy, China & Vietnam.

To learn more about SYM, log onto www.sym.com.tw/eng. To learn more about Carter and its 70 years of manufacturing history, log onto www.carterbro.com.

Press Release –

Yoshimura R&D of America has been busy these last few weeks. In addition to winning the last two GNC National races in a row with Team Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Jeremiah Jones, Yoshimura has been adding some new talent to the Pro Support team.

Jason Luburgh and Dana Creech are now sporting the Yoshimura colors made famous by over 50 years of racing. Yoshimura will be supplying pipes, building race engines, and providing technical help.

Yoshimura Vice President, Brant Russell had this to say, “We are really excited in adding both Jason and Dana to the Yoshimura family. Both of these riders are not only blazing fast, but really nice guys. Also, Wayne Hinson and I like hanging out with Jason’s Dad, he’s really cool.”

Russell also was impressed by these riders skills, “Both riders have tremendous talent. In Jason’s case, last week’s first moto showed his potential when he carded his first win on a quad he borrowed from his sister! Both of these riders will be platforms for us to showcase our engine building and exhaust capabilities. A lot of riders out there don’t know that we offer Suzuki LT-Z400 and LT-R450 engine building services to the public. I’m hoping that with the help of these two guys, that will change.”

Luburgh, 23 is from Zanesville, Ohio and has been in the Pro Class since 2001. “I couldn’t be more pleased with this new relationship with Yoshimura and I’m really excited about the bike.”

Both Luburgh and Creech will be campaigning the revolutionary new Suzuki LT-R450 QuadRacer. The machine that Jeremiah Jones was quoted as saying last week as “The best quad I’ve ever ridden.”

Yoshimura Team manager Wayne Hinson works closely with Creech, and recently has been doing a lot of testing with the likeable rider. “Dana is a really good test rider,” says Hinson, “In addition to being one of the best riders in the world from a racing perspective, he also gives us great development skills out on the west coast. He’s one of the most professional riders out there and I couldn’t be happier that Yoshimura added him to their support program. He’s been part of the Hinson Clutch support team for a long time.”

Creech was also thrilled. The 24 year old rider is from Eureka, CA and has been racing quads since he was three. “I’m really excited to be working with Yoshimura. They are really on the top of the game right now and I’m happy to be a part of their racing efforts.”

So far the 2006 racing season has been good for Yoshimura. Although not leading the points in GNC, recent race wins have been gratifying. Yoshimura ATV guru Russell is really happy with the season so far, “Yoshimura has been really fortunate this year with our support program,” Russell said. “Russell Shoemaker, John Ragon, and others have been putting in some great results in the amateur ranks, and now with the addition of Jason and Dana, things are just getting better all the time.”

Press Release –

It’s no fluke that Jeremiah Jones is on the podium for the second event in a row.  Team Suzuki/Yoshimura’s young rider has really been enjoying his time in the sun.
 
Coming off of a 1-1 finish at Budds Creek three weeks ago, fans were curious to see if Jones could show his mettle at Birch Creek. His 2-1 finish for first place overall Sunday in Danville proved that he is determined to keep his place on the podium warm for the rest of the season.
 
The first moto found both Jones with a mid pack start.  Jones and Jason Luburgh got into a bumper car derby but managed to move forward.  Wimmer seized the opportunity and the three battled all the way to the finish with Luburgh securing the win and Jones in second.
 
“This was a really tough moto – the toughest I’ve had all season.  I made some mistakes and they cost me the win,” Jones commented on moto 1. Jason Luburgh ended up winning the first moto. It was the first Pro moto win of his career. Congratulations Jason!
 
It was a come from behind race for Gust.  Starting close to dead last he was able to maneuver his way through the full pack to reach the lead riders by the time the race finished finding Gust in 5th.
 
Moto 2 found both Gust and Jones with mid-pack starts.  Both riders pushed through the pack to the front runner positions.  Jones finally cleared early leader Natalie leaving him smoking on the track and just grabbed the bit and ran to the finish. 
 
“I think it is just great to win back to back weekends.  I’m really happy,” Jeremiah gloated.  “These new LT-R450’s are working incredible. This is the best quad I’ve ever ridden.  These bikes are fantastic and Suzuki is awesome in getting us the stuff we need.”
 
Gust pulled a 3rd but was part of a protest bugaboo that pushed him back to 5th as of this writing.  There are still multiple protests waiting to be resolved so the rest of the order is still unresolved. The controversy revolves around allegations of the second through 6th place riders all doubling a jump under a yellow flag. The ATVA officials should have it all worked out by the end of the week. Currently the race standings are Jones 1st overall (not protested) and Gust 3rd overall (protested).
 
Wayne Hinson, Team Manager, was encouraged by Jones’s third victory.  “Jeremiah rode a flawless race.  We are really proud of him.  Both riders were fantastic.  They didn’t get very good starts but were able to come through the field and they rode really well and put forth some great finishes.”
 
On to Red Bud, Michigan to see what happens next!

Press Release –

The WPSA PowerSports ATV Championship Tour will award $22,500 in purse monies at each of its 10 races during the 2006 Tour. The purse, which will be awarded in the Tour’s Professional Classes, pays to 20th place in the QuadMX Series and to 15th place in QuadTerrain Challenge.

The purse structure awards $4,000 to win in QuadMX and $2,000 to win the QuadTerrain Challenge, with $15,000 and $7,500 available in each Series, respectively. The PowerSports ATV Championship Tour kicks off its 2006 schedule May 20-21 with a double Championship weekend at Daniel Boone MX in London, Ky.

“We recognize that most of our competitors rely on purse money as part of their overall budget, and this purse structure is designed with that in mind,” said PowerSports Entertainment, Inc. CEO Rick Murphy. “Along with our unique television package on ESPN2, a world-class schedule and exciting new rules, we believe that our purse is another positive addition to what is certain to be a thrilling inaugural PowerSports ATV Championship Tour.”

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. 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.