Press Release –

Muddy Creek was in perfect condition for this weekend’s GNC event. Hot temperatures greeted the competitors, separating the men from the boys. Jeremiah Jones and Doug Gust dominated the event with 1-2 finishes in both motos aboard the blazing fast LT-R450 Suzuki QuadRacers®.

Team Yoshimura Suzuki manager Wayne Hinson was feeling good at the end of the day, “Jeremiah is just ‘on’ right now. These Suzukis are incredible, and with the way he’s riding – he’ll be tough to beat… The day could have only been better if both of them won. But somebody’s got to get first and somebody’s got to get second. As it turned out, Doug gained a lot of points and Jeremiah keeps inching closer. It’s a long series and we are looking at being up front when it’s all over.”

At the start of the first moto, a seemingly smooth start for everyone turned to chaos as too many quads tried to fit into one spot.

Teammates “Digger” Doug Gust and Jeremiah “The Gunslinger” Jones were running 5th and 6th respectively rounding out the first lap. Yoshimura support rider and series point leader Joe Byrd got together with John Natalie Jr. with Natalie getting the short end of the stick. Joe emerged in 7th right behind Jones and Gust, while Natalie went back to 9th.

By the third lap Jeremiah had passed through to the lead and started to pull away. Gust meanwhile was scrapping in a pack of riders that included Joe Byrd and Keith Little. Natalie had gone up to second as Jones pulled away.

Around the halfway point, Gust passed up to second and took off after his teammate. The moto ended that way with a 1 – 2 finish for Team Yoshimura Suzuki. Yoshimura support rider Joe Byrd rode his Dan Lamey tuned machine to a well-earned 3rd.

In Moto two, Jeremiah started second but quickly moved to the lead before the second lap was done. Gust powered up into second place and the race was on.

The rest of the race saw Jeremiah putting the “bit in his teeth” and checking out. “Harold Goodman got the holeshot,” Jones said. “I picked him off in about a lap and a half over in a whoop section. It was pretty much clear sailing from there.”

Jones had a huge lead by mid race on his Ryan Cox tuned LT-R, and was riding smart maintaining his gap. Gust rode in second while once again Byrd and Natalie got together. This time Natalie ended up flipping and by the time he got back going was well down the field.

Jeremiah ended up winning the second moto with a comfortable margin over teammate Doug Gust. Gust had a large margin over Joe Byrd with the rest of the field being fairly spread out as well. It seemed the heat and humidity had taken its measure of some of the competitors.

John Natalie Jr. ended up 6th overall on the day, thus losing valuable points to Joe Byrd and Digger Doug. The points are under protest due to an incident back in Birch Creek, so depending on how the ATVA rules, the points are either very close, or Byrd has a 40 point lead.

Jeremiah however was just enjoying his success, one race at a time. “I’m at the breaking point right now – just trying to collect points from the three guys ahead of me. Just trying to click away. Doug’s third, I’m fourth. All I can do is just keeping winning races. This LT-R450 Suzuki is really working and I’m feeling really strong.”

Jones was really happy to finally to share the podium with Doug. “It was really great be up there with Doug. I’ve been waiting for this all season.” Gust agreed in a post race conversation, “Jeremiah was on a mission today. If it isn’t me, I’m really glad to see him win it,” Doug proudly said of his teammate. In Wayne Hinson’s understated words: “It was a good day.”

Press Release –

The CATV, the Canadian All-Terrain Vehicle Association (whose members represent 99% of all ATVs distributed in Canada), has long been an advocate of safe riding practices and environmental awareness.

“With the increasing number of ATV enthusiasts taking to the trails, promoting safety and environmentally sensitive riding are even more crucial,” says CATV president Bob Ramsay. “We must give enthusiasts the best information and resources to encourage them to ride responsibly and enjoy the sport.”

For years, the ATV industry, via the CATV, has continued to support these initiatives through programs related to rider training, safe riding practices (Ride Like a Pro CD and Stay Safe, Stay on the Trail campaign), and ATV NatureWatch, a program intended to preserve Canada’s environment through responsible ATV riding.

“We’ve now taken that commitment a step further and will be funding deserving ATV and off-road motorcycle federations nationally and provincially to promote the two key messages of safety and environmental awareness,” says Ramsay. “One of the best ways to accomplish this is to start at the grassroots level by offering help to responsible rider federations.”

The sustaining and project grants will be used to help form and expand provincial and national ATV and off-road motorcycle rider federations.

Provincial or national federations of ATV clubs, off-road motorcycle clubs or ATV and off-road motorcycle clubs, will be eligible to apply for grants to the CATV commencing July 1, 2006.

“The clubs, federations and their members are really the foundation of ATV and off-road motorcycle riding in Canada. This program will help them to continue maintaining well-signed, easily accessible trail systems that help to promote safe and environmentally responsible riding,” says Ramsay. “By working together, we’ll be able to continue promoting these two key issues.

We firmly believe in cooperating with responsible trail federations, safety organizations, environmental groups, governments and riders to ensure a vital future for recreational riding in Canada. And we’re making real investments to make sure that happens,” he adds.

Press Release –

Team Yoshimura Suzuki ATV team headed down to Kentucky for the inaugural round of the WPSA PowerSports ATV Championship Tour Saturday. The superbly run event was a milestone in professional ATV racing. 

Saturday- Round One

Saturday’s event was the first race of a double header. Sunday would see a duplicate program. Saturday’s race will be telecast on ESPN II on Saturday, June 3 at noon (EDT) and Sunday’s race on Sunday, June 11 at 1pm (EDT).

The weekend started a bit shaky for Team Suzuki when Jeremiah Jones tangled with another rider and crashed hard in a heat race. Jeremiah who had been setting fast times all day was driven to the hospital to get checked out but was released later that night. He was bruised and a bit beaten up but declared he would race the next day.

In the Saturday main event John Natalie ended up winning with Team Yoshimura Suzuki “Digger Doug” Gust bringing home second place honors. “This is a really well run series and I’m happy to get on the podium for Suzuki,” Gust said from the podium. “I’d rather have been on the top step but John just rode a little better than I did.”

Yoshimura Pro Support rider Jason Luburgh pulled in behind Wimmer for a well earned fourth.

Sunday- Round Two

The players changed but the result remained the same with John Natalie winning the main event.

Doug won both of his heat races and looked very fast but at the start of the main he was pinched off and ended up with a really bad start. By the time he worked up to the lead pack, it was too late.  Gust ended up with fourth while Luburgh snagged third place on his LT-R450.

Jeremiah netted a surprising second place on the day. Team manager Wayne Hinson was shocked that he even suited up. “Jeremiah looked like a cowboy that had been trampled by a bull yesterday, I don’t know how that kid can even ride today. He’s tough…you can see it in his eyes… that “Gunslinger” look. I guess that he just gets in a zone and he just blocks everything out.”

Jeremiah had an early lead but was quickly passed by a hard charging Natalie. The rest of the main event the two ran nose to tail in what was an exciting race to watch. At the end of the race there was a bit of confusion when the official threw the white flag twice.  But other than that the races were flawlessly run.

Jeremiah was in surprisingly good shape after the main. “It’ll sink in later when I get home,” The young Kentuckian said. “I’m sure I’ll be plenty sore tomorrow. I was right on John the whole time but just couldn’t get around him. I can’t wait till Georgia.”

Press Release –

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has announced a partnership with the National Rifle Association (NRA) through NRA OUTDOORS, and the release of a special edition Kawasaki all terrain vehicle (ATV): The Brute Force™ 750 4x4i NRA OUTDOORS. The one-of-a-kind ATV is a hunter’s dream and is the perfect addition to every sportsman’s garage.

The officially licensed Kawasaki NRA OUTDOORS ATV was displayed for the first time at the 2006 NRA Annual Members Meeting in Milwaukee, WI, where it was unveiled to members. The ATV will be available in Kawasaki dealerships this summer. NRA OUTDOORS strives to protect the nation’s natural resources, habitats and hunting grounds for the enjoyment of future generations. It also works vigorously to preserve the heritage of the American Outdoorsmen by encouraging today’s and future generations to pursue enjoyment in the outdoors.

This exclusive NRA OUTDOORS Kawasaki is an advanced all terrain vehicle boasting a 90-degree V-twin engine, fully automatic transmission, independent rear suspension, selectable four-wheel-drive, electronic engine braking, variable limited slip front differential, sealed rear braking system and digital multi-function instrumentation. The Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i NRA OUTDOORS special edition has more camouflage on it than any other Kawasaki ATV and is available exclusively in the new Advantage® MAX-I™ HD™ camouflage pattern.

“This NRA OUTDOORS Brute Force really is the ultimate hunting machine,” said Vince Iorio, Kawasaki product manager. “The additional camouflage that’s been added to the vehicle makes it an ideal choice for sportsmen from which to build a hunting vehicle.”
The National Rifle Association, headquartered in Fairfax, VA, was established after the civil war to improve civilian and military marksmanship. It has approximately four million members.