TPR

New Features

2010-12-08T13:07:00.000-05:00

The off-season brings a glut of inactivity for most ATV riders and racers, unless you live in Florida or California or own a sled. For most of us, our quads sit idle in the garage except for those sparse visits to the indoor tracks.

The same is true for most moto websites. So to try and brighten the off-season, TPR is getting ready to launch two new features to keep visions of quads dancing before your eyes.

The first feature will be our Website of the Week. We'll plug a cool moto-based website for you to check out and learn a thing or two from. The second is our Interview feature, which will (hopefully) feature interviews with pro ATV and local racers alike.

So stay tuned for these features along with our standard How-To's, Product Reviews and general news posts.

Video - Dustin Wimmer

2010-11-28T15:54:00.000-05:00

ATVMXer300 shot this quick one-position video of Dustin Wimmer during a ride school he held earlier this year at Atco MX Park.

Joe Byrd returns to Honda

2010-11-27T10:50:00.000-05:00

Honda backs Joe Byrd Racing for 2011

Honda is returning to the track in 2011 by once again supporting two-time national ATV MX champion Joe Byrd.

The level of support is unclear, but after a year without factory backing the professor has got to be happy. Here's what Honda said in a press release:

Joe Byrd Racing returns for its sixth season as the official support team for Honda in the 2011 AMA Pro ATV Motocross National Championship. Representing Honda in the Pro, Pro Am and Production A classes, the team has won multiple titles over the years and will continue racing Honda’s TRX450R in the ATV competition. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Honda over the years because we share the same professionalism and work ethic toward winning on and off the track,” said Joe Byrd, champion Honda racer and Joe Byrd Racing Team Owner. “Honda has treated me like family since day one, and I couldn’t see myself riding anything else. I look forward to 2011 and another exciting year of racing.”

Contingency Support
In 2011, Honda will continue its industry-leading contingency program. The Red Rider Rewards program will support racing all across the United States by offering contingency payouts to a wide range of Honda-mounted professional and amateur racers during the 2011 race season.

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft in the U.S. American Honda’s Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com .

Video - Joel Hetrick helmet cam

2010-11-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

I ran across this cool helmet cam video of Joel Hetrick practicing on his KFX450R at a supercross-style track on YouTube. It's a little old, but hey, it's the off season. Enjoy!

Video - MX Bumper install

2010-11-19T17:44:00.000-05:00

For our 200th post, we've got video showing you how easy it is to mount up a TPR MX front bumper. Next time, we'll show you how easy the TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars mount up thanks to our tight tolerances and dedication to precision. Be sure to become a subscriber of our YouTube channel where we'll post more videos like these at TPRquads.

TPR's new YouTube channel

2010-11-19T10:34:00.000-05:00

Tarantula Performance Racing has gone mainstream with the launch of its new YouTube channel, TPRquads, this week.

TPR's first video, an overview of the Race Safer Pro Nerf Bars, is posted below. But be sure to follow the link and subscribe to TPRquads for updates on how-to features, product reviews and quad riding and racing action.

Nelson wins Quadcross; Yamaha dominates top 5

2010-11-16T11:21:00.000-05:00

Yamaha's Dustin Nelson wins
Quadcross title on his YFZR

Yamaha riders dominate top 5

Dustin Nelson won the 2010 Yamaha ITP QuadCross Pro Production championship at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif. on Sunday, Nov. 14. Despite riding in pain with an injured tailbone, the Yamaha Factory Racing star swept both motos aboard his YFZ450R in a thrilling duel with series runner-up Beau Baron to take his fourth ITP QuadCross title in five years. Better still, Yamaha-mounted Justin Noss, Jason Dunkelberger and Jason Fife finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the championship. Dunkelberger added even more laurels for Yamaha on Sunday by winning the Open Pro championship with a perfect two-moto sweep aboard his own YFZ450R.

Nelson had a big enough points cushion going into the final round that technically, all he had to do was start the first Pro Production moto to claim the series title. But this was anything but assured after getting injured just two weeks prior to the Glen Helen finale. Fortunately, after open practice on Saturday, Nelson found he could tolerate the pain well enough to race. And race he did. Though rival Baron beat Nelson to the first turn in Sunday’s first moto, he soon dropped one wheel over a berm, giving Nelson the opportunity to grab the lead. Nelson then led the rest of the moto, but not by much – at the flag he had only a two-second advantage over Baron. More importantly though, Nelson had clinched the title.

With the championship assured, Nelson powered his Yamaha to the holeshot and led every lap of the second moto, once again over rival Baron. This time the battle was even closer, with Baron trying to steal the last race of the season and Nelson refusing to give in. When the checkers waved Nelson took the win by just half a bike length over Baron. Making matters even sweeter, Nelson’s 1-1 moto sweep and fourth ITP QuadCross championship came on his 33rd birthday. “My YFZ450R had strong, durable power all year long and the handling was epic at every track,” he said later. “That combination of great power and handling is rare in ATV racing, and it totally made the difference for us this year.” Yamaha off-road racing coordinator Donnie Luce added, “It’s very impressive that after sustaining a painful injury and being unable to practice or train, Dustin was able to come out and do what he had to do to win the title.”

Chad's new site

2010-11-09T10:53:00.000-05:00

Team Motoworks/Can-Am's Chad Wienen recently freshened up his website, ChadWienen44.com. Check it out.

It's a vast improvement over his last website with videos, photos, news and events links. The only downside is his new website doesn't have the chat feature the last site did, which allowed visitors to have conversations with Chad and his fans.

Product Review - TPR Kill Switch Mount

2010-11-07T14:13:00.000-05:00

TPR Tether Kill Switch Mount

MSRP: $17.95

WHAT IS IT? Tarantula Performance Racing's Tether Kill Switch Mount bolts on to the stock Yamaha clutch perch in place of the factory parking brake lever. The tether mount fits most aftermarket tether kill switches, including Pro Design and Yamaha's own GYT-R tether kill switch. The mount is made of T-6061 aircraft grade aluminum and features a ribbed bend for added strength and bend resistance in the event of a get-off.

HITS: The TPR kill switch mount gives you a place to mount your kill switch on bars where space is a premium, such as narrow handlebars, fat bars and the new pivoting bars that don't offer much space. By the time you add handguards and new grips to most bars, space is at a premium and you're often left with nowhere to mount your tether kill switch, which is a requirement in almost all forms of ATV off-road racing. The mount includes high-grade stainless mounting hardware. Features a durable powdercoat finish.

MISSES: Currently only available for Yamaha-style stock clutch perch.

THE VERDICT: If you're struggling to find space for your kill switch on your Yamaha, then this mod will solve your problems.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: www.tprusa.com 330-273-3456

Video - Charley McManigal and Team Trigger Racing

2010-11-05T23:16:00.000-04:00

BShipmanFilms spotlights 24-year-old Charley McManigal and Team Trigger Racing in this YouTube video...

Video - Nathan Whipple

2010-11-05T23:13:00.000-04:00

Keepin' 'em coming.... 201Films highlights no. 271 Nathan Whipple...

Video - Joe Byrd compound

2010-11-05T23:09:00.000-04:00

After a few weeks of technical bugs, we're back up with a video from QuadSouthFilms highlighting some ATV motocross action from the Joe Byrd compound in August.

Follow Yamaha on your cell phone

2010-10-27T20:54:00.000-04:00

Yamaha Goes Mobile

Get photos, specs, sales updates and other info about Yamaha off-road products from your smart phone online now!

Check out the new feature on their website at http://m.yamaha-motor.com/

New Off-Road Racing Series for 2011

2010-10-27T15:52:00.002-04:00

The following is a statement from the promoters who organized the Official Extreme Dirt series here in the U.S.:

Dear Racers, Fans and Sponsors
First off we wanted to take a minute and congratulate each and every one of you racers on a victorious year of racing. Congratulations and we wish you all the best of luck in your many more years of racing to come!!

Next we would like to welcome you all to the newest national series. Super National Cross Country Championship. This series is going to spread through PA, WV, down to KY. Our plans are to go to hit the greatest and newest race places on I 79. You probably know us from the past we used to own The Official Extreme Dirt Series. We believe that we grew the series to get as big as it could for being a local series, however we wanted the local racers to continue supporting and carrying on the local series for many years to come. So we decided to pass what we built on a local series level to a former friend that assured us that he would continue the series as is and fulfill the remaining 2010 season, other wise we would have completed the 2010 season as promised just as I stated at my last race in Cutler OH. In the mean time we have decided to start the SNCCC and spread from state to state with it. We believe that it has opened up many more doors for the racing industry and we have met many more great smiling faces that love races in the process.

We are looking forward to a great and successful race season in 2011. We hope to see you all there, on fresh new dirt! You can check out the web site at http://www.supernationalracing.com/

We hope you enjoy your off season and holidays with your families. Halloween is approaching fast. Spooky monsters, scary ghost, screaming witches, and crazy goblins. All sound like fun to us! Happy Halloween and God Bless!

Our 2011 race dates have been released; however the location will be released shortly! We will be racing All Quads and UTV's on Saturday and All Motorcycles on Sunday every weekend.

How-To Tip: Battery Life

2010-10-20T11:41:00.001-04:00

SAVE YOUR BATTERY
FROM WINTER'S
ICY DEATH GRIP

Here in Ohio, winter temperatures can drop well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and that's optimal battery killing temperature for most sport and utility ATVs. By late October, the temperatures are getting cold enough frequently enough to start draining the sealed acid batteries common in today's quads. If you don't already own one, now is the time of year to go buy a battery tender or low-voltage battery charger for your ATV.

At TPR, we're pretty anal about our quad maintenance. Sport quads with highly modified internal engine parts - even just a high-compression piston - like the TPR project YFZ450R put an added strain on the starter every time you crank over the engine to fire up the quad. That added strain is shifted to the battery by drawing a little extra juice than a stock quad with no modifications, and that means your battery will start to lose its charge quicker. So we hook up our project Yamaha to the battery tender about every other ride, or during long periods in between rides, to make sure our battery has an optimal charge.

You don't have to get extremely technical and monitor your battery's exact charge with a volt meter. Most low-voltage battery tenders, like the Optimate 3 we use and purchased at a local Yamaha dealer, will charge the low-voltage battery of an ATV to the optimal 12 to 14 volt range without over charging it and damaging a wet battery's internal cells. Such chargers plug into a standard wall socket, have positive and negative clamps for your battery terminals and are available at Wal-Mart or a local dealer for about $50.

During the cold winter months, our charger is almost never disconnected from the YFZR battery. We also typically remove the battery from the quad during the winter just as an added precaution, so if there is an immense charge or overload to our shop system that the breaker doesn't catch we won't fry our expensive Dynojet PCV or other electronic components on the new Yamaha.

On a precautionary note, don't expect to use your dad's rolling charger/starter to maintain your quad battery. Those big rolling chargers are designed for truck and car batteries, not the small unit on your ATV. Using one of those chargers could seriously damage your battery by melting the lead terminals, and that would put you out some big bucks. Today's ATV batteries can cost more than $80 to replace, so spending $50 on a trickle charger or battery tender can keep your battery breathing life into your quad for years.

For more How-To tips, check out the link at the top of the page. Next, we'll be showing you how to change the oil in Yamaha's new YFZR models, a tip that applies to the YFZX and most other sport quads. Stay tuned for a product review of Motoworks SR4 full exhaust system.

Video - Final WORCS of 2010

2010-10-20T10:47:00.000-04:00

Team Motoworks/Can-Am's Josh Frederick reclaimed his WORCS crown this year by beating out MCR Honda's Beau Baron in the pro ATV class. Frederick and Baron battled closely all year, and the season ended no differently with Frederick edging out Baron by just two points!
Rounding out the top five in the 2010 pro WORCS ATV class is MCR's Josh Row, Yamaha's Dustin Nelson and rookie pro Dillon Zimmerman on the Motoworks DS450.
Check out video from the final round of the series at Mesquite, Nev., where Frederick capped the season with the win.

Technical Difficulties

2010-10-20T10:39:00.000-04:00

Things have slowed down here at the TPR Quad Promotions blog due to technical difficulties, but we should be back up and posting again with some salient frequency in the coming weeks. Until then, you can peruse the past year's worth of posts to follow story lines including how the TPR Project YFZ450R came together, get up close looks at ATV products from Tarantula Performance Racing, check out product reviews and more.

the Crew at TPR

Video - WORCS Round 8

2010-10-02T12:05:00.000-04:00

Here's the video of the WORCS pro ATV races at Glen Helen. MCR's Beau Baron came away with the win and the points lead over Can-Am/Motoworks' Josh Frederick.

Joe Byrd's Race Quads up for Sale

2010-10-02T11:54:00.001-04:00

Buy It Now: Two-time National MX Champion's Motocross Quads

Long-time Honda motocross racer Joe Byrd is selling "some" of his race-ready and practice motocross ATVs in his massive stable. You can see pictures of the quads for sale with listed prices at JoeByrd.com.

This announcement from the two-time national champ can be interpreted several ways. The first, and hopefully most likely, reason Byrd would be selling all his Honda race quads is because he's going to be riding for KTM or some other manufacturer in 2011. However, the likelihood of this being the reason seems doubtful given the current state of the economy and rumors the king of ATV motocross - Suzuki - is dropping its support for 2011 in an almost unanticipated move.

Will Joe Byrd be racing on a different brand next year? Or perhaps an updated, fuel-injected Honda?

Another possible reason for the clearance sale could be related to personal financial troubles with the Byrds or the Joe Byrd Quad Riding School. This year, Joe rode with injuries and sat out several rounds, which means he missed a lot of podiums and the likely contingency bonuses that go along with it.

A third possible reason is that Byrd is simply retiring and getting out of the ATV motocross racing business. With Doug Gust's retirement leading into the 2010 season, Byrd is now the elder statesmen of the sport. Byrd is remarkably fit, but he's no spring chicken, and injury recovery is that much more painful and time consuming.

This is all pure speculation of course.

Video - Brandy Cottage Spotlight

2010-09-20T23:49:00.000-04:00

Our string of video posts continues with RipItUpFilms latest rider spotlight shining on youth motocross racer Brandy Cottage.

Video - Atco MX Park

2010-09-19T22:43:00.000-04:00

herrmann450r takes us to Atco MX park in New Jersey via a few laps on his helmet cam. Enjoy!

Video - Angie Maher Tribute

2010-09-18T15:52:00.000-04:00

NEATV-MX Women's racer Angie Maher was seriously injured earlier this month during a practice session and later succombed to her injuries. 201Films brings us this tribute video.

Video - ITP Quadcross

2010-09-18T15:43:00.001-04:00

Here's a video from Round 6 of the ITP Quadcross series at Glen Helen Raceway Aug. 15. Yamaha's Dustin Nelson led the pro classes to take the overall win. Thanks to tahitianskateboarder for the great video.

Video - Thomas Brown

2010-09-18T15:43:00.000-04:00

I stumbled across this video of Yamaha's Thomas Brown. It's got some decent footage, especially of Keith Little's private track. Check it out, courtesy ATVRiders.

NEW Mini Motocross Mod Quad

2010-09-14T09:55:00.000-04:00

ATV Four Play Introduces the Newest Mini Motocross Mod

ATV Four Play, known for its championship-winning suspension components and their shock absorbing Soft Bars handlebars, is taking a different line with their latest youth quad release: the Pitster Pro Mod Package.

Parents whose children race ATVs in the youth classes now can customize a national-level rolling chassis from ATV Four Play for their young racer that is capable of receiving five different engine packages to compete in three separate youth classes in the AMA ATV national series.

ATV Four Play builds upon the popular Pitster Pro quad as the base for the Pitster Mod. The long-travel ATV Four Play a-arms on the Pitster Mod are 2.235 inches wider on each side and are the first mini quad to accept Fox’s new Generation II Float X Evol front shocks. ATV Four Play adds their signature chromoly long-travel swing arm, which is two inches longer than the stock Pitster swing arm and allows for 10.5 inches of rear wheel travel with either a dual-rate Fox Podium X or Elka shock.

The stock Pitster chromoly frame is retained, but ATV Four Play adds up to 24 gussets to strengthen weak points while still maintaining the right amount of flex. The frame is adapted to fit the large radiator off Yamaha’s YFZ450 sport quad.

Having five engines to choose from is what makes this youth race quad an affordable, long-lasting performance option for motocross families. ATV Four Play’s Pitster Mod’s has the capabilities of interchangeable engine mounts to accept engines from: Kawasaki’s two-stroke, 65cc KX65; KTM’s two-stroke, 65cc 65SX; Suzuki’s two-stroke, 85cc RM85; Honda’s two-stroke, 85cc CR85; and Honda’s new four-stroke, 150cc CRF150R.

The Pitster Mod features Tarantula Performance Racing's new front bumper design.

Tom Skladzien, owner of ATV Four Play, said having the option to choose an engine lets parents keep the same long-travel chassis for several years and simply swap the engine out when its time for their racer to step up a class.

“The CVT class is great,” Skladzien said. “But the chassis is very expensive to make competitive and it is a frustrating class for most parents. There are so many variables with these machines. The clutching, building the engine, pipes, rollers, belts etc. Most of the time, as ‘mini quad parents’ we find ourselves not having as much fun as we should because these CVT’s demand a lot more maintenance and finesse than your typical Japanese shifter engines require. You buy these CVT quads for $1,700-$1,800 dollars and you find yourself putting $6,000 more into them. And at the end of the day, you’re still a CVT.”

The rear end of the new ATV Four Play Pitster Mod offers 10.5 inches of wheel travel.

Except for the CRF150R, Honda’s new high-tech mini dirt bike engine, all of the power plants available for the Pitster Mod have been winning races in dirt bikes for decades. The two-stroke engines are lighter, more competitive and have a broader availability of parts and modifications. The 65cc engines are competition legal for the AMA 70 mod class, the 85cc engines are legal for the AMA 90 mod class, and the 150cc four-stroke can compete in the AMA Super Mini class.

Pictured above is the KX65 engine package.

Customers have several options for ordering a Pitster Mod from ATV Four Play. You can buy a complete quad that is fully suspended with motor mounts of your choice but without the engine. Or customers can go “Ala Carte” and order a chassis with ATV Four Play suspension parts and then customize it with your choice of shocks, wheels and tires.

The Mod Racer Starter Kit includes the following options for $4,999: Pitster Pro chromoly chassis; spindles, hubs, braking systems, rotors, plastics, gas tank, stock axle and rear wheel hubs, rear sprocket with chain guard, ATV Four Play long-travel a-arms, swing arm and anti-vibe steering stem, 24 frame gussets, powder coated frame, motor mounts for customer engine choice and mounts for all electronics.

Currently, ATV Four Play is working with Hetrick Racing to develop a race-ready package for the KX65 engine and their exhaust. The Hetrick Racing packages may be available for the 2011 season. Fox and Elka are the current shock options for the Pitster Mods, but ATV Four Play may be able to accommodate another shock brand at a customer’s request.

The standard chassis and body components on the production Pitster Mod from ATV Four Play include: Tarantula Performance Racing’s new front bumper and Race Safer Pro nerf bars; ATV Four Play’s Generation II Soft Bars; ATV Four Play’s chain guide and chain slide; Streamline stainless steel brake lines; stock Pitster axle, axle carrier and brake plate.

For additional information about ATV Four Play’s new Pitster Mod, log on to www.atvfourplay.com or call 330-289-1423.

Product Review: TPR nerf bars

2010-09-11T10:28:00.000-04:00

TPR Race Safer PRO Nerf Bars

MSRP: $369.95

WHAT IS IT? Tarantula Performance Racing's Race Safer Pro nerf bars break the mold when it comes to conventional ATV nerf bars. These bars offer an increased level of protection to the rider via the "Pocket Bar Bend," which turns up at an angle from the front of the quad towards the rear integrated heel guard. This outer bar, unlike conventional flat nerf bars, does a better job of keeping a competitor's wheels from reaching your legs. And it helps keep your boots planted on the foot pegs if you get squirrelly at an inopportune time out on the track, trail or dunes.

HITS: These nerf bars mount up in a matter of minutes. No bending or ratchet straps needed. They practically fall onto the quad because the mounts are designed with such tight tolerances. The pegs are wide and extremely grippy, and the heel guard netting reduces weight without sacrificing security.

MISSES: We haven't encountered a single problem or failure in more than a year of testing with these nerf bars. They are more suited for motocross due to their width, so some XC riders might be less comfortable dodging trees with them.

THE VERDICT: These nerf bars, unlike some that claim to revolutionize nerf bar design, actually did break away from the traditional flat bar design. The aluminum nerfs are light weight yet strong, and the steel pegs offer a great deal of support. If you're a motocross racer who wants the latest and greatest, this should be your next set of nerf bars.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: www.tprusa.com 330-273-3456

Product Review: Soft Bars

2010-09-10T11:42:00.033-04:00

ATV Four Play's Generation II Soft Bars
MSRP: $325

WHAT IS IT? The best way to describe ATV Four Play's Soft Bars is to say they're suspension for your wrists, arms and upper body. The Soft Bars work by pivoting in a downward motion on a urethane bushing. The overall bar length is 31.5 inches with 10.5 inches of usable handlebar space in a 7/8-inch diameter bar. The Soft Bars weigh in at a mere 4.5 pounds and are available in the popular 12-degree bend, which is similar to the original Honda CR high bend.

HITS: Unlike their competition, the Soft Bars are fully adjustable without having to unbolt the handlebar mechanism to swap out parts.The resistance level delivered by the cone-shaped bushing is fully adjustable by turning a screw, so each rider can dial in how soft or stiff they want the bars. And the system is progressive, so the resistance increases as the bar moves through its travel. These bars are available for a wide variety of ATV models and stock and aftermarket steering stems. The bars are completely rebuildable.

MISSES: None! These bars are extremely comfortable from an ergonomics standpoint. They help reduce vibration and arm pump all while cushioning the harsh blows motocross can deal to your shoulder and arm joints. The only down side is the price.

THE VERDICT: ATV Four Play is often leading the way in innovation for the ATV industry. These bars are one of the best investments you can make to your quad. We've been riding on them for a year and they just keep getting better.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9.5..10

Contact: http://www.atvfourplay.com/

YouTube Star

2010-09-10T10:23:00.000-04:00

If you don't follow MarkFreeman408 on YouTube, you should. Mark set a goal of posting one video for every day of the year a while back. Though I don't think he's met it yet, he has more than 200 videos, most of which are based on quad riding and racing. And a lot of the shooting is done at his private track in Canada.

Though I've never met him, Mark strikes me as a pretty solid guy. And he's a good rider. Well, Mark just re-shaped what was an already sick practice compound into an even better track with a huge double and some gnarly whoops. Check out his latest video about what goes through his head before hitting a new track, "Just Breathe."

Rewind- Midas Touch

2010-09-10T10:00:00.001-04:00

With both the quad and dirt bike AMA Motocross champs riding yellow in 2010, I thought it was appropriate to re-post an editorial I wrote earlier this year. Suzuki once again showed its prowess this year with Ryan Dungey achieving a truly super-human (or super-pumped!) feat: winning both the Supercross and Motocross titles in his rookie year.

On the ATV side, Rockstar Makita Yoshimura riders Josh Creamer and Dustin Wimmer went 1-2 on the season to give Suzuki the top two spots.

One wonders what 2011 will hold with word that long-time team manager on the dirt bike side, Roger DeCoster, is leaving for KTM. And rumors abound about Dungey jumping ship as well, while the latest rumor is that the ATV riders won't have a factory semi to pit out of next year.

With that, let's remember Suzuki's prowess and Rewind The Midas Touch.

AMA Quad, Bike Banquets Merge

2010-09-10T09:54:00.000-04:00

MX, ATV MOTOCROSS RIDERS TO CELEBRATE CHAMPIONS TOGETHER

Morgantown, WV (9/8/2010) - Just days after the official announcement that MX Sports Pro Racing will once again celebrate the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship season by hosting its second annual awards banquet following the Pala Motocross National, the sanctioning body of American motocross has also announced that the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship will be a part of the season-ending celebration on September 12.

"By including the AMA ATV Motocross Championship alongside the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the annual awards banquet will serve as a true celebration of American motocross," said MX Sports Pro Racing's Harv Whipple. "The U.S. is the home of the world's finest motocross competitors on both two and four wheels and we want to give them the acknowledgement they rightfully deserve."

On August 15, the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship wrapped up its 2010 season from Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. While Motoworks Can-Am's Chad Wienen took the win, it was Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Josh Creamer who walked away with the series title. Thanks to six overall wins and 10 podiums this season, Creamer was able to give back-to-back titles to the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team, edging out teammate and reigning series champion Dustin Wimmer for the number one plate. Coincidentally enough, the duo's two-wheeled teammate Ryan Dungey is looking to accomplish the same feat for the most successful American motocross program in recent years in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

The 2010 MX Sports Pro Racing Awards Banquet commences on Sunday, September 12 from Pala Resort and Casino in Pala, Calif.

For tickets and fan and racing information on the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log on to AlliSports.com.

Editorial - Banquet Merger Celebrates Community

2010-09-10T09:53:00.001-04:00

Word that the dirt bike and ATV crowds will be, for the first time ever, crowning the 2010 AMA Motocross Champions side by side is big news in the industry.

For years the dirt bike and ATV crowds have been separated by an unseen dividing line. Practice tracks often attach the dreaded "bikes only" phrase to their signs and websites. The lines each forms on a track are completely different and often unusable by one another. The separate national series only hit one or two of the same tracks. Dirt bike and quad riders used to rag on each other in the pits; now they do it more harshly in online forums behind the cloak of anonymity.

But combining the year-end award banquets for both the ATV and dirt bike champions is a symbolic gesture of community handed down by the AMA. As Harv Whipple said, America is home to the world's fastest motocross racers on two and four wheels, and we should celebrate them all together. Amen!

There is a lesson, or maybe just a reminder, both crowds can walk away with after the combined banquet. The dirt bike riders should recognize the ATV racers are just as fast as, if not faster, than their two-wheeled cousins, and as such the quad riders deserve recognition and equal rights. And ATV riders would do well to remember the dirt bike side is what started it all and raised the awareness level of our sport. They're also the reason motocross continues to receive so much outside-of-the-sport attention.

So here's to the joint celebration of America's fastest motocross racers, on two or four wheels!

Product Review: Tail Light Block-Off

2010-09-07T20:59:00.000-04:00

HMF Tail Light Eliminator for YFZ450R

MSRP: $59.95

WHAT IS IT? HMF's Tail Light Eliminator for the YFZ450R allows you to remove your stock rear tail light and still protect the vital electronic components tucked behind it. When removed, the stock tail light leaves a gaping hole in the stock rear plastic guard designed to protect the battery and wiring harness. HMF's Tail Light Eliminator replaces the stock black plastic guard and completely surrounds the electronics to protect them from roost and rocks.

HITS: The Tail Light Eliminator is made of T6061 aluminum, so its extremely durable. The opening where the wiring harness exits the eliminator is lined with rubber to protect the harness from rubbing or being cut by the aluminum. It features full coverage to help keep mud and water out of the electronics in addition to rocks and dirt. The eliminator mounts quickly and easily, and HMF provides the mounting hardware.

MISSES: The only issue we can think of is the fact this guard is made of aluminum, so it does add a minimal amount of weight to the rear end and out at the end of a poorly supported sub frame on the YFZR. There are some carbon-fiber models out on the market, but they don't look as good as the HMF block-off in our opinion.

THE VERDICT: Every woods racer should have one of these to protect their vital electronic components from the nasty debris on cross-country tracks. The eliminator is a bonus for motocross racers to protect from your own roost and rocks and looks much better than the stock plastic guard. All it takes is just one rock or deep mud hole to ruin your day. Regardless of where you ride, if you're planning to remove your stock YFZR tail light, then you should buy this eliminator.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: www.hmfracing.com

Shop Talk: HMF Racing

2010-09-07T20:56:00.000-04:00

HMF tunes the

TPR project

YFZ450R

All EFI programmers are not created equal. We learned that lesson the hard way.

As part of the TPR project YFZ450R build, our exhaust sponsor, Motoworks, hooked us up with their Motoworks FMI tuner so we could adjust the fuel map for our national-level engine mods courtesy ATP Racing Engines.

The Motoworks FMI is a mode-based tuner. About the size of a credit card, mode-based tuners offer a minimal fuel level adjustment range at three general throttle openings: cruise, acceleration and wide open. ATP was able to make the tuner work by running the heavily modified project quad's engine on their dyno in Florida. They spent two weeks last summer on the quad and dialed it in perfectly.

But this summer we hit a snag when the ground wire on the Motoworks tuner broke during a test session. The loss of power to the unit resulted in the complete erasure of our custom ATP fuel map. Our project quad was dead at the gate.

That's when Cleveland-based HMF stepped up to the plate. As a newcomer to the build, we couldn't work with the exhaust manufacturer to run their new HMF Competition Series exhaust system with TriMax Core Technology. We did, however, run their protective headlight and tail light block-off panels, which have kept our critical electronic components safe from roost and rocks for more than a year now.

First we acquired a DynoJet Power Commander V. The PCV is a much more sophisticated fuel programmer and allows you to fully adjust the fuel levels at every percentage of throttle opening. The PCV essentially gives you complete control of the fuel map. Then, we took the quad to HMF and put it on their DynoJet dyno.

The dyno room at HMF may be small, but it produces big horsepower numbers. Their dyno is equipped with an O2 sniffer, so they know exactly where in the RPM range your quad is lacking fuel or getting too much.

The quad started with DynoJet's downloadable GYT-R stage three fuel map, which is set up for an engine with a full exhaust, intake mods, cams, port and polish and a high-compression piston. Still, initial dyno runs showed the GYT-R Stage III fuel map didn't give the TPR YFZR enough fuel where it needed it.

HMF's dyno technicians made the appropriate adjustments to the fuel table. Their techs were able to smooth out and increase the power curve considerably compared to the stage three map. They also increased over-rev to keep the quad from falling on its face on the top end. The horsepower numbers were about the same as ATP's original 52 horsepower reading when they wrapped up the engine mods last year.

We showed up at HMF with an ailing quad. Their knowledgeable, professional and courteous staff sent our quad home with a clean bill of health, a new, throaty bark and ready to throw roost again. If you're in the Ohio area and are struggling to tune your EFI quad, give HMF a call. You'll be glad you did. HMF also has a full line of services for engine and suspension building, and their retail store is packed with exhaust systems, suspension and chassis components.

CONTACT: Website: http://www.hmfracing.com/ Phone: 216-631-6980

Video - Rider Spotlight

2010-09-06T09:41:00.000-04:00

RipItUpFilms shines its latest rider spotlight on young Brent Sellers. The Honda-mounted No. 29 took home the 2010 championship in the School Boy Junior class at the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Nationals. Keep an eye on Sellers as he rises through the ranks.

MX vs ATV

2010-09-05T10:08:00.000-04:00

vs.

ATV

The Great Debate

It's the age-old question that every quad and dirt bike rider has asked themselves. Who's faster?

The debate came roaring back after the Red Bud ATV MX National in August, when Team Motoworks Can-Am rider Chad Wienen set the fastest lap time of the weekend on his Can-Am DS450 race quad. Wienen's fastest lap time was 2:15.043.

Just weeks earlier, the Lucas Oil AMA National at Red Bud saw the best lap time set by Ben Townley, who recorded a fastest lap of 2:16.882 on his Troy Lee Designs Honda CR450F. The difference? Less than two seconds at a mere 1.839 seconds.

Initially, one might think the stop watch is the ultimate judge and the debate is settled, especially when you consider the track was extended about 10 feet near the finish for the ATV national. But there are all sorts of variables that come into play.

Let's try and break it down logically by track section.

Naturally, track conditions play a big role in how fast any machine can traverse the terrain. Dirt bikes tend to create ruts, and lots of them. But a good rider can drop into and catapult out of a rut on their dirt bike faster than they could power through a flat, smooth corner. Quads, on the other hand, can power slide through a corner faster than if they were faced with a rough, rutted corner. And of course, a track wears in differently depending upon if ATVs or dirt bikes are creating the lines.

The same goes for jump faces as for corners. Quads need smooth jump faces because of their four wheels. Rutted jump faces, like the one pictured above, can launch a quad sideways, making it difficult to recover in the air before landing all swapped up. In corners, however, quads have the upper hand. Quads squat low in the corners. Combine that with their added width and they cruise much faster through an off-camber corner, ruts or no ruts, like the one pictured below.

Dirt bikes have the better ability to scrub over jumps, thus staying lower and getting that rear wheel back in contact with the ground faster. Quads can scrub, but not as effectively. And dirt bikes have a much more affective whip in mid-air, which allows them to carrow speed over a jump and slow down in mid-air.

So corners favor quads and jumps favor dirt bikes when it comes to carrying speed around a motocross track. What about starts? Well, quads have two smaller diameter rear tires, which rotate faster and create quicker accleration compared to a dirt bike's large, narrow single rear tire. I've seen countless head to head drags on concrete starting pads, dirt and even in the sand where quads beat dirt bikes out of the whole 90 percent of the time.

On downhills, I believe dirt bikes have the advantage. The lighter weight of a dirt bike allows the rider to carry more speed on rough downhills, which are usually littered with braking bumps. Quads, on the other hand, have more weight compressing the suspension. And in braking bumps, a quad's suspension can buck more under the weight than dirt bike suspension, which typically weighs about half a quad.

Speaking of weight, the power to weight ratio undoubtedly favors dirt bikes. But pro quad racers should be given credit in this department for posting similar lap times as dirt bikes while wrestling almost double the weight around the track.

Uphills are tough. I've personally passed a lot of dirt bikes at local practice tracks on uphill sections, but I've also been passed there. That's really a tough call. On personal experience, I'd have to say it's even.

Whoop sections weigh heavily on this debate. Supercross style whoops can swallow quads whole. Here's where the light weight of dirt bikes allows them to skip over the top of a whoop section where quads have to double in and out. In motocross, roller-style whoops tend to be longer and even deeper, and on some tracks you'll see both dirt bikes and quads rolling through with the front end up instead of jumping or skimming them. Chad Wienen is arguably the fastest quad racer in the whoop section. I'd like to see him pitted head-to-head against Chad Reed for a comparison here.

So let's break it down. Corners: advantage quads. Jumps: advantage dirt bikes. Downhills: advantage dirt bikes. Starts: advantage quads. Uphills: tie. Whoops: tie. Looks pretty even to me. Having ridden both all my life, in the trails and on motocross tracks, I can say I was faster on different sections of the track depending upon which machine I was on.

Is there a real solution to this question? Comparing lap times at the Steel City Open ATV Invitationals, which were held on the same track on the same day as the pro dirt bike riders in 2007 and 2008, should give you your answer.

Still not satisfied? I don't think anyone will be until we actually see Josh Creamer and Ryan Dungey mano a mano out on the same track racing against only each other. Until then, I think we'll have to settle for MX vs ATV Reflex and learn to share the track. There's plenty of lines for all of us.

Product Review: Chassis Skid Plate

2010-09-04T13:44:00.000-04:00

B-Tek SKIDEZ Chassis Skid Plate

MSRP: $169.95

WHAT IS IT? B-Tek's aluminum, single-bolt ATV chassis skid plate system mounts with brackets that slide into the lower frame rails and hook the skid plate in place. Tested on the YFZ450R, a rubber spacer and a single bolt mount in the access port in the lower frame rail for the bottom steering stem nut. Included is an allen wrench for the mounting bolt.

HITS: The single-bolt system works flawlessly in that our test model has never come loose in a year of testing on rough motocross tracks. It's a much faster mounting system than other chassis skid plates, which typically use the 4 to 6 mounting bolts used for the stock plastic skid plate. The skid is cushioned where it meets the frame rails with half-inch adhesive neoprene padding. And the single-bolt system fits so well that you never have to worry about losing a corner mounting bolt and having a floppy skid plate.

MISSES: Occasionally the single-bolt rubber mounting system can be difficult to line up and can take a few minutes to actually secure the skid plate. It's easiest to mount the skid with the quad standing on its rear grab bar. You do have to remove the skid plate for oil changes on the YFZR.

THE VERDICT: The single-bolt SKIDEZ (Skid-ease) is an extremely well designed, solid part. It's held up well to bottoming on rocky, rutted motocross tracks, and the single-bolt system has never come loose on us. This is the future of ATV skid plates. It's available for the YFZ, YFZR, TRX, LTR and KTM 450 sport models.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact www.btekperformance.com/

Sneak Peak - Long-term Evaluation

2010-09-02T12:28:00.001-04:00

Here's a sneak peek at an upcoming story on ATV.com that will examine the TPR project YFZ450R after riding the quad and testing it for a year. In case you missed our full-on 2009 Yamaha YFZ450R motocross build, click on the link above.We'll let you know when the story on ATV.com goes live. In the mean time, stay tuned here as we evaluate products tested on this quad.

Spy Photo - Secret Mini Project

2010-09-01T23:17:00.000-04:00

Check out this spy photo. ATV Four Play and Tarantula Performance Racing are working on a project mini quad for motocross racing. Stay tuned here in the coming weeks for more information on this new production racer.

ATVision - Motosode 14 Loretta Lynn's

2010-08-30T13:55:00.000-04:00

It's the last Motosode of the season, and ATVision covered the sole pro moto at Loretta Lynn's this month. Check it out below.

Get Sponsored! - Tires

2010-08-26T20:17:00.001-04:00

Maxxis Accepting SPONSORSHIP APPLICATIONS Beginning Sept. 1

The wait will soon be over: Maxxis’ 2011 sponsorship application period begins September 1, 2010. From that day through November 1, riders, teams and event organizers in bicycle, motorcycle and ATV racing can apply for 2011 sponsorship.

Maxxis welcomes applications from participants at all levels, from amateur to pro. To apply, simply visit the “Get Sponsored” pages in the bicycle, motorcycle or ATV product sections of Maxxis.com. Download, print and complete the form, attach a race resume or event proposal and mail both documents to the specified address, postmarked no later than November 1. All applicants will be notified of sponsorship status via email by December 1, 2010.

Maxxis looks forward to another great year of competition, with racing’s best riders paired with the finest tires on the market. Be sure to visit Maxxis.com September 1 and submit your application ASAP. Good luck!

About Maxxis International
For over 43 years, Maxxis International has delivered high-quality tires to both original equipment and aftermarket customers. Maxxis offers products for automotive, light truck, motorcycle, ATV, bicycle, lawn & garden and industrial use. The company has operations in Asia, Europe and North America, and its products are distributed in approximately 170 countries. For more information, please visit maxxis.com.

Editorial - Modifying Your ATV

2010-08-19T20:31:00.001-04:00

Suspension before Engine

Today's factory ATVs are fast and agile right off the dealer floor. Most sport quads, and even some utility models, have enough speed and power to satisfy the average rider for quite a few riding seasons. However, throttle response can lag on new units because of restrictive exhaust systems, so many riders still find themselves reaching for an aftermarket exhaust and making air filter mods to boost bottom end power.

For some, these mods aren't enough. Many more quad owners still find themselves itching to unbolt their cylinder head, open up those ports and drop in cams and a piston. This is the point where some riders need to step back and ask themselves if those internal engines mods are a necessity. Unless you're competing in the pro or pro-am ranks, they aren't necessary.

Many new quad owners look to open up their top end and drop in engine performance parts as one of their first modifications before adjusting or upgrading their suspension.

I fully support the idea of bolting on an exhaust system, removing the airbox lid and re-jetting or adjusting the fuel map to improve throttle response and give a quad's bottom end a boost. My first quad, a Suzuki LT185, got a Cobra DG full exhaust before anything else. Such mods don't reduce the dependability of today's stock four-stroke engines, unless you don't know what the phrase air filter maintenance means, and these mods in most situations don't create an engine with more power than the rider knows how to handle safely.

Opening up the top end is a different story. Even if an expert engine builder handles your internals, the work immediately reduces the engine's lifespan. Aftermarket cams and pistons are designed for performance, not lifespan. And that increased performance can put a greater strain on internal parts your less likely to upgrade, such as the cam chain, valves and valve springs, timing guides, cranks and gears. These parts can fail under the added torque, heat and strain of an improperly over-juiced engine.

Often, new quad riders don't take the time to get comfortable with, and find the limits of, their stock suspension.

The factory shocks on today's modern sport quads are very high-tech compared to models from 1980s and 1990s. Rebound, pre-load, and high and low speed compression adjustments come stock on today's high-performance ATV models. Suspension tuning can be tricky at times, but trial and error and a good notebook are much more manageable than cracking open the top end numerous times after improper tuning leads to a failure. And learning the fine art of tuning shocks is an invaluable asset that can improve any quad's handling.

Suspension mods, like the Fox/ATV Four Play front end on the TPR project YFZ450R, will do more to change the feel and performance of your quad's ride than some internal engine work.

And, if you find your shocks bottom frequently and can't handle the obstacles you're throwing at it, then upgrade them! You may not be tapping into the full potential of your stock engine if the suspension is holding your quad back. A new set of quality, tuned shocks can lower lap times and lengthen a day on the trails.

The logic is simple: It's harder for the engines in today's sport quads to out-perform their suspension and create a dangerous situation. But a 480cc big-bore kit in a stock-suspended Yamaha YFZ450 can put a novice rider in a sketchy situation, whether the situation is shooting hills in the dunes, skying on a motocross track or climbing gnarly, tree-root lined hills in the woods.

Following this idium, suspension before engine, allows you to safely find the limits of your quad's chassis. Once you do that, then you can decide if the suspension you're running can handle the kind of speeds you're capable of riding at.

NEATV MX - Polaris ReCap

2010-08-18T21:26:00.000-04:00

The Southside Polaris race team had quite a successful weekend at the 2010 Capeway Rovers in the NEATV-MX series. Thanks to 201 Films for the race recap.

WORCS - Round 7 ATV

2010-08-17T10:05:00.000-04:00

Crash at California 200

2010-08-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

CRASH AT DESERT RACE KILLS 8

Associated Press Photo

Law enforcement officers examine the accident sceneSunday where an off-road race truck, background, went outof control and plowed into a crowd of spectators during arace in Lucerne Valley, Calif., Saturday.

By GILLIAN FLACCUS
Associated Press Writer
LUCERNE VALLEY, Calif. — Zachary Freeman loved to fish, dirt bike and camp — but most of all, he loved towatch off-road truck racing in the vast Mojave Desertnortheast of Los Angeles.
That love would cost the 24-year-old pipe welder and seven other off-road enthusiasts their lives when a truck competing in the annual California 200 careened off thesand track Saturday and into the crowd, instantly killing Freeman and his best friend.
On Sunday, his girlfriend and his stepfather mourned at asimple cross-and-stone memorial set in the thick sand andwaited in the blistering heat for a locksmith to arrive tochange the ignition lock in Freeman’s truck so they couldtake it home. His keys had been lost in the chaos; thecoroner found only a lighter in his pocket.
“I’m just in shock. It’s not real yet, it hasn’t soakedin,” said Randall Peterson, his grieving stepfather.
Freeman’s girlfriend, Nicky Carmikle, sobbed as she kneltdown and placed her boyfriend’s camouflage baseball hat in the center of the stone circle surrounding the wooden cross. Carmikle recalled how she had stepped away from the race for a few minutes to use the bathroom and returned to find the truck upside down, bodies everywhere and people screaming in panic.
“His shoes are still over there. I can’t even look,” she said, gesturing to a bag full of abandoned clothing, shoes and blankets, some stained with blood.
“It just isn’t fair,it isn’t right.”
Those who witnessed the accident said the crowd pressed close to the track and could almost touch the trucks as they hurtled and bounced over the desert sand.Shortly after the race began, one driver took a jump at high speed, hit his brakes on landing and rolled his truck sideways into spectators, sending bodies flying on a section of track that had no guardrails or anything else tokeep the crowd back. Eight people were killed and 12 were injured.
“You could touch it if you wanted to. It’s part of the excitement,” Carmikle said. “There’s always that risk factor, but you just don’t expect that it will happen to you.”
Cheyenne Frantzich, 15, was watching the race with her sister, who was killed in the crash. “I just thought it would be fun to be close. And it was a big mistake,” Frantzich told CBS’ “Early Show” on Monday.
California Highway Patrol Officer Joaquin Zubieta said Brett M. Sloppy, 28, of San Marcos, was behind the wheel of the truck involved in the crash. Zubieta said alcohol was not a factor in the crash and there were no plans to arrest Sloppy, who the CHP estimates was going 45 to 50 mph at the time of the crash.
Zubieta said state vehicle codes don’t apply because the race was a sanctioned event held with the approval of the federal Bureau of Land Management, which owns the land used for the race.The BLM issued a statement saying safety was theresponsibility of the race organizer, South El Monte-basedMojave Desert Racing, and that the bureau would investigate.
MDR’s permit required racers totravel 15 mph or less when they were within 50 feet of fans, and allowed no more than 300 spectators for the event, the agency said.
BLM spokesman David Briery said the agency would cooperate with the CHP’s investigation.
“We followed all our rules,” he said by phone. “We don’t think we did anything wrong.”
Phone and e-mail messages left for MDR were not immediately returned.Tens of thousands of people were spread out along the 50-mile track, but the site of the crash, a stretch known as the “rockpile,” is one of the most popular areas to gather because the trucks become airborne, witnesses said.
Some said they got within 4 feet of the unmarked track,watching trucks fly over a series of jumps. Several jagged rocks jut from the rutted dirt track at the bottom of the hill.
The driver “hit the rock and just lost control and tumbled,” said Matt March, 24, of Wildomar, who was standing next to the jump.
“Bodies went everywhere.”Derek Cox, a friend of victim Andrew Therrien, told KABC-TVin Los Angeles that Therrien, 22, pushed children out of the way as the truck barreled toward them. He was killed in the accident.
“I owe my son’s life, as well as many others. They were inches away from him and he saved their lives,” Cox said of the Riverside resident. “He’s a hero in my book.”
March said he and other fans lifted the truck, which cameto rest with its oversized wheels pointing toward the sky, and found four people lying unconscious underneath.
It took rescue vehicles and helicopters more than half an hour to reach the remote location, accessible only by a rutted dirt road. Spectators said off-duty police and firefighters in the crowd joined paramedics hired by therace organizer to help the injured and place blankets over the dead.
Six people died at the scene and two others died after being taken to a hospital, authorities said. Most of the 12 injured people were airlifted to hospitals. Paramedics brought six people — five adults and a child — to Loma Linda University Medical Center, spokesman HerbertAtienza said Sunday. He had no information on theircondition.
Officials said Sloppy, the driver, wasn’t hurt. It was not clear why he lost control of the truck, a white modified Ford Ranger with “Misery Motorsports” painted on the doors.
A Facebook page that appeared to belong to Sloppy and included a picture of his truck was updated Sunday with a note: “Soo incredibly lost and devistated my thoughts andprayers go out to all the familys and friends involved..Thank you too all my friends for sticking with me even thru these tragic times I love you all.” Nearly 40 friends responded with messages of support bySunday afternoon.
The race is part of a series held in the Mojave Desert’sSoggy Dry Lake Bed, about an hour’s drive from the nearest city, Lucerne Valley.The course winds through empty desert dotted only with rocky outcroppings and desert shrubs.
Fans saidthese races rarely have any kind of safety guards.“That’s desert racing for you,” said fan John Payne, ofAnaheim. “You’re at your own risk out here. You are in themiddle off the desert. People were way too close and theyshould have known. You can’t really hold anyone at fault.It’s just a horrible, horrible accident.”
The BLM is required by Congress to make public lands accessible to reasonable requests, and the area used Saturday is one of the few available to off-road enthusiasts.The CHP does not normally investigate crashes at organized events, but took the lead on this probe because of its scope.Aside from Freeman and Therrien, those killed were BrianWolfin, 27, Anthony Sanchez, 23, and Aaron Farkas, 25, allof Escondido; Danica Frantzich, 20, of Las Vegas; andDustin Malson, 24, of Ventura.
The name of the eighthvictim, a 34-year-old man from Spring Valley, had not been released by Sunday night.
——— Associated Press Writers Andrew Dalton and ChristopherWeber reported from Los Angeles. AP Radio correspondentShirley Smith in Washington contributed to this report.

Creamer wins ATV MX title

2010-08-15T13:30:00.000-04:00

SUZUKI'S JOSH CREAMER TAKES HIS FIRST ATV NATIONAL MX TITLE

The No. 9 Suzuki rider claimed his first ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV National Motocross Championship title Sunday at the 2010 series finale at Loretta Lynn's.

The no. 9 will be wearing the no. 1 plate in next year's AMA/ATV pro motocross class.

A line of severe thunderstorms swept through the Midwest Saturday, wreaking havoc on the track. Loretta Lynn's ranch lost power and the motocross track had become a mud pit by the time the storms cleared out late Saturday. The bad weather canceled races and pro practice Saturday and resulted in a one-moto pro format set for Sunday. As a result, the standard points format gave Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki's Josh Creamer the pro ATV motocross championship with his current points lead over teammate and second in the points chase Dustin Wimmer.

The title comes after a season of dominating racing by Creamer, who was racing a Suzuki LTR450 for the first time in his professional career.

Product Review: PCV

2010-08-12T11:46:00.002-04:00

DynoJet Power Commander V

MSRP: $369.95 from DynoJet

WHAT IS IT? DynoJet's PCV allows ATV, dirt bike and street bike owners whose machine has EFI to adjust and tune their electronic fuel ignition map to accomodate modifications such as an aftermarket exhaust, air intake or internal engine upgrades. The PCV is DynoJet's latest electronic fuel tuner and attaches inline to the machine's EFI system and mounts to the machine.

HITS: We tested the PCV on our project quad Yamaha 2009 YFZ450R. The PCV installed easily, and downloading a modified fuel map to the quad was as simple as downloading fuel maps from PowerCommander.com, plugging the PCV into our laptop via a USB cable and clicking send! The PCV is water resistant, and it offers the user the ability to fine-tune and adjust individual fuel map settings with a laptop. DynoJet has several ready-made fuel maps available for download for a variety of different modifications from basic to full-on race engines with different combinations of aftermarket exhaust brands.

MISSES: Many EFI quad owners, particularly YFZ450R owners, are already scrambling for the latest fuel module. The PCV is a great unit if you have "standard" aftermarket mods, such as a filter, exhaust and piston. All you have to do is download a ready-made fuel map and you're good to go. However, if you have more complex modifications done to your quad and need to fine tune your fuel map, the process is very complex and difficult to learn. If you're not electronics savvy, not just the PCV but any fuel tuner is going to make you long for the days of carburation.

THE VERDICT: DynoJet's PCV installed onto our YFZ450R quickly and easily, and downloading and trying different maps took about 60 seconds each, compared to the time involved with changing pilot jets and needle settings in the past. The PCV is easy to use, but for those who need help tech support is readily available and DynoJet approved tuning centers are located throughout the U.S. For another $259.99, you can buy DynoJet's Auto Tuner and the PCV will make automatic adjustments to your machine as you ride.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: http://www.powercommander.com/

Video - ATV Freestyle

2010-08-11T10:51:00.000-04:00

BShipmanFilms brings us this video of the 2010 Quatro Jam ATV Freestyle Show, hosted by Bart Engelstad.

For Sale - TPR Project YFZ450R MX Quad

2010-08-06T19:14:00.002-04:00

FOR SALE is a 2009 Yamaha YFZ450R ATV. Fully MX race ready!

This quad has never been raced. It has about 3 hours total on the entire build, with the exception of a Power Commander V that was just installed.

This is a National Pro-Am caliber quad. You don't have to do anything to this quad but put your numbers on it! Asking $14,000 or best offer.

Transferrable, full 5-year warrantee. Serious inquiries only, please. Quad is in Ohio. Call 330-569-4324.

Parts list:

ENGINE
JE Piston Pro Series 3-ring
YFZ450 camshaft exhaust
ATP Racing Engines R&R top end including valve adjustment; Port and polish cylinder head; Competition Serdi valve job; Custom dyno map
Motoworks SR4 full exhaust system, stainless head pipe
with aluminum muffler
DynoJet Power Commander V
Hinson Racing clutch pack plate and spring kit
Hinson Racing billet aluminum clutch cover
Twin-Air PowerFlow air filter mounting kit with filter
CV4 blue silicone coolant hoses

SUSPENSION, TIRES AND WHEELS
ATV Four-Play Maximum Ground Clearance (MGC) Gen II Long Travel A-Arms (camber, caster adjustable)
ATV Four-Play Soft Bars Gen II
Fox Shox Float X Evol front shocks
Fox Shox Podium X rear shock
RPM Dominator II rear axle

Maxxis RAZR MX M931 19 x 6-10 front tires
Maxxis RAZR MX M932 18 x 10-9 soft compound rear tires
Douglas Wheel Technologies (DWT) Alumilite Ultimate Champion In A Box Kit
Featuring Rok'n Lock front wheels and G2 rear wheels

BODY PARTS
Tarantula Performance Racing (TPR) Race Safer Pro nerf bar/heel guard/foot peg combination-black powder coat
Tarantula Performance Racing (TPR) MX front bumper
Powdercoated stock rear grab bar
B-Tek Performance SKID EZ single bolt aluminum full chassis skid plate
HMF Exhausts front headlight block off plates

CONTROLS/MISC.
Spider Grips SLT ATV Grips
Cycra ATV Stealth Handshield Racer Pack hand guards
Quad Tech SCS-H1 gripper seat cover
Galfer braided stainless steel extended front brake lines
Galfer braided stainless steel rear brake line
GYTR Tether kill switch w/TPR kill switch bracket

Tons of extra parts include: oil filters, spark plugs, Twin Air Air Filter, Hinson clutch stack, stock seat cover (immaculate), Fox shocks air pumps, etc....

All powder coating (a-arms, body parts, brackets, etc.) done by Capital Powder Coating in Suffield, Oh.

Trailer - The ATV Movie

2010-08-03T22:05:00.000-04:00

The ATV Movie is coming out this fall, and I haven't been this excited for a new quad riding video since Huevos II. Check out the trailer below and you'll see what I mean. BShipmanFilms is definitely channeling Christopher Nolan and his "Dark Knight" cinematography.

QUADTober Fest

2010-07-31T14:49:00.003-04:00

QUAD-Tober Fest at Crow Canyon ride park

Tune up your quads and mark your calendars for the 2010 QUAD-Tober Fest ATV and UTV ride weekend at Crow Canyon Motocross Race Park in Uhrichsville, Ohio.

Crow Canyon is opening up its 400-plus acres of trails, youth and full-size motocross tracks and the Action Extreme Sports (AES) ride shop for two days in October for UTV and ATV riders. QUAD-Tober Fest is set for Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17.

The weekend event will give riders the chance to take brand new KTM and Yamaha ATVs and UTVs out for a spin as part of their massive, customer friendly demo ride tours. Models available for test rides from Yamaha will include their Rhino UTV, Grizzly, Raptor and YFZ450 ATV models. KTM will offer demo rides on their sport 450cc and 525cc XC model ATVs. Closed-course trail loops will be set up for the demo rides.

The sprawling motocross track, which will be watered and prepped during the weekend, will be open to ATV riders only during QUAD-Tober Fest. The track averages a 2-minute lap time for skilled riders and offers huge elevation changes with a number of challenging double and tabletop style jumps.

Crow Canyon’s more than 400 acres of trails will be open to all ATV and UTV riders and dirt bike riders during the event. The trails range from technical to easy and offer something for everyone – from mud holes to hill climbs and tight woods sections. Both the track and trails are enjoyable for the novice rider yet offer challenges for more skilled riders.

AES, the on-site performance shop and Terracross ATV/UTV dealer, offers parts and services to keep your quad or UTV running all weekend. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. for all events. Cost is $20 per rider. Camping is free for QUAD-Tober Fest.

For more information, log on to CrowCanyonMX or call 740-922-6655.

Scroll down for a helmet cam video of the MX track at Crow Canyon!

Video - Unadilla ATV Pro motos

2010-07-31T10:35:00.000-04:00

ATP Relocates; Open for Business

2010-07-21T10:16:00.002-04:00

ATP Racing Engines has relocated and reestablished its successful ATV engine building shop in central Florida. ATP is back to what it does best: Building engines and supporting quad racers.

After the company’s abrupt move in late February 2010 many believed ATP had closed. While it did take several months to restore operations, ATP is indeed very much intact and thrilled to be working on engines again for ATV racers and riding enthusiasts! ATP Racing Engines has taken an unscheduled hiatus from the AMA ATV MX Nationals this season to repurchase several essential pieces of machinery. ATP now has the majority of the engine machining capabilities that were available prior to leaving its location in northern Florida.

“It has come to my attention that many people are still unaware that we are in business," ATP CEO Mike Walker said. "Apparently there are still many rumors surrounding my company’s status and I want to reassure all of my customers and potential customers that we are up and running and taking in work daily.”

That being said, ATP has decided to offer reintroductory pricing that is well below both the company and industry standards. These budget build prices will be available for a limited time on many engine services such as competition Serdi valve jobs and complete engine tear down and reassembly. For example, all single cylinder 4-stroke head porting is priced at $300.00. This is the same race proven, high quality and high performance work that has always been offered by ATP! Again this is only for a limited time.

ATP Racing Engines, Inc has also opened a new eBay store featuring many of their custom engine components as well as several OEM parts that dealers typically don't have in stock.

ATP is currently accepting racer resumes for the 2011 race season!

You can contact ATP Racing Engines, Inc with any parts or service inquiries at the address and phone listed below:

ATP Racing Engines, Inc

230 Hatteras Ave

Clermont, FL 34711

Office phone: 407-703-3901

email: atpracing36@yahoo.com

Read more about ATP Racing Engines by clicking on the links below:

ATV.com: TPR Yamaha YFZ450R Project
ATP builds engine for TPR Project YFZ450R

ATP temporarily closes, plans to reopen

ATP leads charge on Yamaha motocross project

If you build it...

Video - Unadilla Pro Am

2010-07-20T11:11:00.003-04:00

201 Films put together this collage of shots from the pro-am ATV motocross races at Unadilla this past weekend. Enjoy!

ATV MX Round 9 - Unadilla

2010-07-19T09:53:00.001-04:00

Creamer Moves Closer to Championship
with Win at Unadilla

Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki's new recruit this year looks to be securing his first-ever pro ATV motocross championship.

Josh Creamer took the overall win at Unadilla in Berlin, N.Y., this weekend and extended his points leader over teammate Dustin Wimmer to 30 points with just two rounds left in the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship.

For a full report from Unadilla, read Christa Watson's race recap.

Industry News - Highland execs killed

2010-07-18T09:58:00.002-04:00

Tragedy strikes U.S. Highland; Three top execs killed in plane crash

DealerNews reported last week that a plane crash claimed the lives of the three top men at U.S. Highland, the fledgling ATV manufacturer that announced this year it was releasing the 450cc and 507cc ATX Quad Racer.

Read the dealer news report below:

Tragedy struck U.S. Highland, Inc. Saturday night (July 10) as founder and president Mats Malmberg, 41, and two other top executives perished in a plane crash.

Also killed in the crash were COO Charles Bales, 51; and CFO Damian Riddoch, 37.

They were returning from a business trip to Detroit when they had asked to make an emergency landing at Tulsa International Airport, but went down instead in a wooded area of a city park northwest of the airport, killing all three aboard.

"This is a human tragedy beyond imagination," CEO Steven A. Moell sad in a press release. "Our hearts and prayers go out to their families. No words can describe the loss the families are experiencing. It was an honor to work with these three men and I know they would want us to continue to build US Highland into a leading U.S. powersports company. They were all true visionaries and will be deeply missed."

The company moved from Sweden to Mounds, Okla., two years ago to take advantage of the larger American market and the capacity for R&D and manufacturing. At last report the company had about 30 employees and ambitious growth plans.

Malmberg was a former professional rider in Europe. He still designed and tested all of U.S. Highland’s prototype bikes.

The company had just announced that its hub motor was ready for production.
Bales, a part-owner, said in May that the company planned to introduce a new line of bikes at retail in a few months, and divulged its long-range plans to expand its facility to a five-building manufacturing campus.

Late Monday, Bloomberg reported that Bales was piloting the plane when it went down, and that the company would announce executive appointments Tuesday.

"I know everyone including myself at U.S. Highland will sincerely miss Mats, Chase and Damian. I always had a strong respect for their work ethic and strong level of integrity. My deepest condolences go out to their families," US Highland chairman Bengt Andersson said in the release.

Malmberg is survived by his wife and three children. Bales is survived by his wife and two children. Riddoch is survived by his wife and four children.

Editorial - ATV 'Nationals'

2010-07-17T12:36:00.002-04:00

DREAM SERIES

Re-arranging

the ATV 'Nationals'

Scott Mushin, at Mushin Racing, recently posed a question to atv racers and fans in an online forum asking how they would create a dream ATV motocross series. Predictably, the post became a bash session for everything wrong with the current "national" race series, the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship.

A few good ideas came of the discussion, however, but perhaps the one most successful idea for an ATV National Motocross series didn't materialize.

Proven by dirt bike racers, the Loretta Lynn's qualifying races held throughout the country are a successful venue for amateur racers to showcase their skills and earn a ticket to the big show - the final at Loretta Lynns AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships.

The AMA promoters and other promoter groups around the nation running ATV race series should consider a hybrid version of all their series modeled after the AMA amateur championship.

In each major ATV race series, a select few pros battle it out hard for the top 5 positions at most races, and really only two or three pros at most are close enough in the points chase to create any kind of real battle for the title. Most of these series are seeing dwindling gate sizes in the pro class due to the economy, rising traveling expenses, limited sponsor support and the dropping of factory backing from Honda and Kawasaki.

The major ATV race series around the country, including WORCS, ITP Quadcross, AMA ATV Motocross, DWT World ATV Motocross, and the NEATV-MX, should run their seasons as 'qualifiers' for a final national series held in the fall. The top 4 points finishers in the pro class for each series could then compete for a shorter series somewhere in the Midwest.

Creating a true "national" ATV series would bring together the top pros such as Dustin Nelson, Beau Baron, Joe Haavisto, Cody Miller, Josh Frederick, Michael Pilotte, Josh Creamer, Dustin Wimmer, John Natalie, Jr., and others for a guaranteed full gate of the nation's fastest ATV racers. The series could be limited to three races at the same facility or tracks within a close proximity within a weekend or one or two week span. The winner would be crowned the true ATV national champion. It could be called the USA ATV National Championship.

Such a series would be a win-win for fans and racers alike. A true national series would allow pro and amateur racers to save on travel costs by competing in their "regional" series of choice, such as the ITP Quadcross or NEATV-MX, while using their performance there to qualify for the USA Nationals. This final series would create exciting racing for fans by throwing together the fastest quad racers from around the country, some of whom would not have the edge of seeing their competitor's moves week after week. The racing would be sure to be fast and close.

I doubt any of the promoters would consider this, as many are driven largely by ego and want their own series to be considered the one that crowns the world's fastest ATV racer. But such a collaboration would allow for greater exposure to fans and racers through joint promotion, shared resources and a truly "national" existence.

Such a move very well could be what launches ATV motocross racing into the mainstream.

Video - Women of NEATV-MX

2010-07-17T10:49:00.000-04:00

201Films gives us a look at the top contenders in the women's class in the 2010 NEATV-MX series. The video features #537 Angie Maher, #67 Paige Whipple, #103 Amy Thompson and #838 Laura Pilotte.

Video - PAMX Thor Spring Series

2010-07-12T09:42:00.000-04:00

Here's a highlight video from 724FILMz on the PAMX Thor Spring Series. The shots are from tracks mostly in Pennsylvania, including Steel City and Pleasure Valley Raceway.

Interview - Ryan Dungey's mechanic

2010-07-10T10:48:00.000-04:00

Mike Gosselaar has won championships by turning wrenches for Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed and now, Ryan Dungey. Check out this interview with "Goose" from Makita Power Tools.

Motosode 11 - Pleasure Valley Raceway

2010-07-08T21:41:00.000-04:00

Check out the video action from the pro ATV motos at Pleasure Valley Raceway, courtesy ATVision.

PVR - Pro Am Production

2010-07-07T00:21:00.001-04:00

Fate deals Casey Martin and his Polaris a win

Mechanical failure plagues Hetrick; mishap for Snapp

Call it luck or call it fate, but either way Casey Martin walked away from the Pro-Am production moto 1 at Pleasure Valley with a win Sunday, and after his performance in the second moto Martin cemented the weekend overall on his Rath Racing backed Polaris Outlaw MXR450.

The Fourth of July weekend gave Martin his first overall win of the season and bumped him up to fifth in the points chase in the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship.

With just three rounds to go, Martin is now just 23 points behind class leader Joel Hetrick.

In the first pro-am production moto, Suzuki-mounted Chase Snapp grabbed the holeshot. Kawasaki-mounted Joel Hetrick soon began biting at Snapp's rear tires. The pair hooked up and began pulling away from the rest of the class.

Perennial front-runners in the pro-am classes Chase Snapp(22) and Joel Hetrick(88) settled in to their usual spots and started to gradually separate from the pack.

But soon fate, or bad luck, intervened for Hetrick. The pungent odor of burnt coolant grew each time Hetrick passed, until it became obvious he had a coolant problem when white smoke started pouring from his quad.

The mechanical failure sent Hetrick tumbling backwards through the pack. He settled for an eventual 18th place finish in the first pro-am production moto. The failure had the Hetrick crew working feverishly to replace the quad's radiator between motos. He managed third place in moto 2.

For a brief moment, Snapp seemed to benefit from Hetrick's misfortune as his pace picked up without the constant pressure from the Kawasaki rider. But it was only brief.

Out of the view of spectators, Snapp had some kind of mishap in the back section of the track. And practically everyone in the class took advantage and passed him. Whatever happened, Snapp re-mounted his quad but fell back and finished the first moto in 14 place. He left Pleasure Valley with a seventh overall finish after salvaging a sixth place finish in the second pro-am production moto.

Snapp's mistake left the door wide open for Martin, who charged right through it on his Polaris.

Casey Martin took advantage of Snapp and Hetrick's misfortunes to take his first overall win of the season on his Polaris MXR450 Sunday at Pleasure Valley Raceway.

Martin wasn't the only one to benefit from the misfortunes of the leaders. Ohio-native Aaron Meyer slid into finish second behind Martin in the first moto and backed that up with a fifth-place finish in the second pro-am production moto to take home third overall for the weekend.

Aaron Meyer cruises to a second-place finish in the first pro-am production moto Sunday at PVR.

Round nine of the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Nationals heads to Berlin, N.Y. for the Unadilla National July 17-18. For more information, log on to ATVMotocross.com.

Photos - Pleasure Valley pro quads

2010-07-06T10:04:00.001-04:00

Here are some of the photos from the AMA ATV Motocross National at Pleasure Valley Raceway in Pennsylvania during the July Fourth weekend. Click on the photo for a larger image. Check back Wednesday for highlights from the Pro-Am races at Pleasure Valley.

PVR - Pro ATV Moto 2

2010-07-06T09:28:00.003-04:00

Another moto win for points leader Josh Creamer

Natalie rides smart to give Can-Am their first overall win

Team Motoworks Can-Am's John Natalie Jr. and Baldwin Motorsports Josh Upperman shot out of the gate at the start of moto 2 at Pleasure Valley Raceway Sunday and battled side-by-side for the holeshot. After a few turns, Upperman came away with the race lead.

But the Honda rider's lead proved short-lived. Natalie passed the Ohio native a few turns later and tried to settle in to the lead and the same pace that gave him the win in moto 1.

Pennsylvania native and hometown favorite John Natalie Jr. lead the second pro moto, but his lead would be challenged by several riders. The top five gradually broke away from the pack early in the moto with Natalie in first, followed by Josh Upperman, rookie Cody Gibson, Josh Creamer and Dustin Wimmer.

Creamer made short work of getting around Gibson, and he even got past Upperman a few laps later. But the Iron Man proved a greater challenge.

Josh Creamer reminded everyone in moto 2 why he's the current points leader. He started the moto in fourth, but Creamer quickly passed rookie Cody Gibson, who was putting in an impressive performance by hanging with the points leader and fighting off the defending champion.

Once Creamer moved into third, he set his sights on Upperman. The seasoned pro gave Creamer a good fight but eventually gave up the second spot. The Suzuki rider then closed in on Natalie, and the two settled in for a hard-fought moto that gave the Pennsylvania crowds some exciting racing to watch.

Creamer inched closer to Natalie with every lap, until finally he passed the Can-Am rider on the tabletop coming out of the back section.

It seemed only a matter of time before Creamer would guide his Yoshimura LTR450 around Natalie, but the Iron Man defended his position well and refused to open the door to the points leader. Even if Natalie relented the moto 2 win to Creamer he could still leave Pleasure Valley with the overall. Still, a big crowd was on hand and clad in shirts plastered with the Can-Am rider's name, and he surely didn't want to disappoint.

Natalie managed to fend of the challenge from Creamer long enough that the two leaders developed an intense pace that separated them from the pack.

But Natalie slipped and opened the door for Creamer, who finally made his pass on the tabletop coming out of the back section. From there on, moto 2 became the Josh Creamer show. Still, Natalie hung on for second, which gave him the overall and Can-Am's first ATV motocross national overall win.

There was plenty of action going on behind the two leaders. Jeremy Lawson put his head down and drove through the pack to get past Wimmer and Upperman to claim the third spot. Upperman finished the second moto in fourth with Wimmer in fifth.

Jeremy Lawson put his Walsh Racecraft Suzuki on the podium for the first time this season with two third-place finishes for third overall at the Pleasure Valley National.

Chad Wienen claimed the sixth spot in moto 2 following a disappointing DNF in the first moto after he blew out his rear shock. Wienen, also riding out of the Motoworks Can-Am semi, moved around several riders but still came away with just eleventh overall. Thomas Brown put his Yamaha in seventh place and was followed by Jeremy Warnia in eight. Patrick Brown and Cody Gibson rounded out the top 10 in moto 2.

Creamer may have won moto 2, but the weekend belonged to Natalie, who took his first overall win of the season and gave Can-Am their first overall win since entering the motocross foray three years ago. Ever outspoken, Natalie humbly summed up the win.

"The weekend went really well for me here at Pleasure Valley" Natalie said. "I was able to grab Can-Am's first ever win in front of these amazing fans."

Natalie gets a thumbs up from a fan congratulating him on the overall win at Pleasure Valley Raceway July 4.

The next round of the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship series heads to New York and historic Unadilla. The current points standings: 1. Josh Creamer (356); 2. Dustin Wimmer (331); 3. John Natalie Jr (281); 4. Josh Upperman (259); 5. Chad Wienen (258); 6. Thomas Brown (233); 7. Jeremy Lawson (207); 8. Patrick Brown (180); 9. Jeremie Warnia (179); 10. Nick A. Denoble (146).

PVR - Pro ATV Moto 1

2010-07-05T20:37:00.002-04:00

Natalie fights off Wimmer for win

John Natalie, Jr., ripped the holeshot on his Team Motoworks Can-Am DS450 in the first pro ATV moto at Pleasure Valley Raceway Sunday and tried hard not to look back.

Natalie had to contend with pressure from Rockstar Yoshimura Makita Suzuki's Dustin Wimmer, who stayed close to the Can-Am rider early on. Wimmer settled in to Natalie's pace for several laps before making one last push to close the gap, but the defending champ couldn't get around the Iron Man.

Natalie's moto 1 win came on the heels of a third-place finish in moto 2 at the last round in Millville, Mn.

The win did not come easy for Natalie. He had to fight hard and maintain a grueling pace as the track only got hotter and dustier. Wimmer kept Natalie in reach for most of the moto, but by the end he couldn't pull the trigger.

Natalie and Wimmer weren't the only two battling hard for position, whether that battle was to maintain a spot or pass several riders.

Jeremy Lawson moved up through the pack passing several riders, including Joe Byrd, who finished in fifth. Lawson punished his Walsh Racecraft LTR450 throughout the first moto, and it held up to give him a solid third place finish, which tied his best of the season so far.

Rockstar Yoshimura Makita Suzuki's Josh Creamer, the points leader heading in to Pleasure Valley, put in a respectable effort to maintain points in moto 1. Creamer finished fourth behind Lawson.

The number nine seemed to be holding back in moto 1 with only a fourth place finish, and that became more evident as he unleashed the speed in dominating fashion in moto 2.

Creamer rode smart and didn't take his chances. Pleasure Valley only provided a few opportunities for for the quad racers to make any passes, and those who could pass took advantage in moto 1.

Mushin Racing's Thomas Brown moved his Yamaha YFZ450R through the pack as well, and he even put a textbook pass on teammate Cody Gibson in the same off-camber corner where Wimmer came close to passing Natalie several times.

Gibson didn't relent easily. He hung tight on Brown's rear wheels but couldn't retake the position and eventually faded. Still, it proved one of the young rookie's best showings so far this year, as Brown finished in eight and Gibson took home ninth place.

The French Can-Am rider, Jeremy Warnia, took home sixth place ahead of Balwin Motorsports' Josh Upperman, who finished in seventh place in moto 1.

Pat Brown rounded out the top 10 in moto 1 on his Yoshimura and Lonestar backed Honda. Harold Goodman, Cody Grant, Keith Little and Brian Baragnwanath rounded out the first pro moto, which only saw 15 pros leave the gate at PVR. The big dissapointment in moto 1 was Chad Wienen, who destroyed a Fox Podium X rear shock and ended with a DNF.

Dustin Wimmer pushed his Suzuki hard to try and catch the leader and eventual winner of moto 1, John Natalie, Jr......

....but Natalie pushed his Can-Am even harder to take the moto 1 win. "Dustin Wimmer and I had a really good battle the whole race, but I came across the finish line first," Natalie said.

Check back Tuesday for coverage of moto 2 and more photos from the weekend at PVR.

ATV MX Round 8 - Pleasure Valley

2010-07-04T22:09:00.001-04:00

IRON MAN WINS BIG!

John Natalie Jr. finishes 1-2 at Pleasure Valley,
jumps into third in the championship chase

Photo by Matt Fredmonsky

Team Can-Am Motoworks' John Natalie Jr. took home the overall win at the Pleasure Valley Raceway ATV Pro MX National on Sunday as most of the rest of the nation celebrated our independence.

Natalie recorded 1-2 moto finishes under heavy pressure in both motos from the Yoshimura Rockstar Makita Suzuki duo of Dustin Wimmer and Josh Creamer.

Check back Monday for a full race report from both pro motos and some pro-am action from the Fourth of July race at PVR.

Photo by Matt Fredmonsky

Pennsylvania native John Natalie Jr. scored some well-deserved recognition at Pleasure Valley Raceway by taking home the pro ATV motocross overall in front of a big hometown crowd Sunday. Check back Monday for a full report from the weekend's pro motos.

Pics - Graphic kit on project YFZR

2010-06-30T19:12:00.001-04:00

I've been asked to post up more pics of the Danger UK Graphics kit on the TPR project YFZ450R, so scroll down to check out the pics.

It's hard to believe that the picture at the right is where we began with this project about one year ago with ATP Racing Engines. The absolute last piece of the puzzle came together this month with the installation of the graphic kit, which you can read about by clicking on the link or scrolling down the home page.

The TPR project YFZR was a long journey that proved well worth it in the end, as you'll see in the photos. And we've still got one more story to go with ATV.com

Click on the images for a larger picture.

Video - NEATV A class practice

2010-06-29T10:10:00.000-04:00

201 Films. National and NEATV A Class riders Mike Skalaski and Mark Gehring practice at a private track in Massachusetts. Filmed and edited by Josh Cyr (201 Films).

How-To: Graphic kit install

2010-06-28T11:31:00.002-04:00

Graphic Images - Installation

Installing a graphic kit is a "bolt-on" mod any ATV owner can do. The process just requires a little patience and some solid preparation. In this post, we'll walk you through the installation of our Danger UK Graphics kit on the TPR project YFZ450R.

The real work begins with your preparation. The graphic kit you're about to install needs to be flexible, so the best way to prep the kit is to leave it in the hot sun for at least 15 to 30 minutes. We left our kit in its white shipping envelope and set it on the hood of our hauler while we prepped the quad.

When it comes to the quad, you need to remove all the stock graphic kits, any stickers or previous kit you had on the plastic. Then you'll want to soak a rag with a generous amount of contact or non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner and wipe down the plastic to remove any glue residue.

Spray a generous amount of brake cleaner or contact cleaner on a rag and wipe down the plastics to prepare them for the new graphic kit. Be careful not to touch painted parts or to spray the cleaner on the bike, as these cleaners will remove paint.

Your kit should be warm and flexible by the time you've finished prepping the quad. Now it's time to start installing it. Here's where patience comes into play.

Be sure to line the kit up a few times before you start removing the backing and affixing the graphics to the plastic. Just remove a little of the backing at a time and gradually peel it back as you press the graphics onto the plastic. A squeegie or credit card wrapped in a towel will apply sufficient pressure to work the kit on and keep air bubbles from forming beneath the vinyl kit.

You'll need a hard, flat tool to use in applying the kit to make sure no air bubbles form beneath the vinyl graphics. My wife's cleaning scraper for her pizza stone worked perfectly. If you use a similar kitchen utensil be sure to wash it when you're done!

As you're applying the graphics, you're going to come across some spots where the kit just doesn't line up perfectly or may be a little too large to fit in some spots. Our Danger UK Graphic kit was practically perfect, but there were a few small spots where we had to make an adjustment by trimming the kit slightly. The most obvious was the right-side gas tank panel, where the kit was a little too long and covered up the hole for accesing the stock rear shock compression adjusters.

If you have to trim your kit, use a sharp razor blade and put a piece of cardboard behind the vinyl so you don't cut into your plastic and leave a mark.

The last piece of advice has to do with air bubbles. On a quad like the YFZ450R, you're not going to be able to eliminate every air bubble. The YFZR just has too many bends, curves and lines in the plastic to adhere a graphic kit with absolutely no bubbles. If you have to leave a few, go back after you've installed the whole kit and use a sharp needle or safety pin to put a small hole where the bubble is. The hole should let the air out and let the kit adhere to the plastic.

The kit made a huge improvement on the TPR project YFZ450R. After several rides, the black plastic on the stock YFZR rear fenders started to wear and scratch to the point that it looked like a 20-year-old quad. The graphic kit covered up the scratches and gave the overall quad a brand new look again.

The carbon-fiber print background of the Danger UK Graphic kit blended nicely with the stock YFZR plastics, especially around the tank and mid section of the quad. The graphic color scheme also fit nicely with the quad's black and blue theme.

Installing graphics on an ATV are much more difficult compared to a dirt bike, which has fewer body panels that are primarily flat with almost no curves, ridges or separate lines. Our Danger UK Graphic kit fit on the front of our project YFZR perfectly despite all the different cuts and ridges in the stock nose plastic.

For more tips on installing ATV parts, check out our How-To page at the top of the site.

ATVision - Motosode 10 Muddy Creek

2010-06-24T19:43:00.000-04:00

Check out ATVision's coverage of the pro ATV motos from Muddy Creek.

Sneak Peak - Project YFZR graphic kit

2010-06-23T20:41:00.001-04:00

'Graphic Images'

SINISTER sponsors graphic kit for TPR project YFZ450R

You know what they say; the third time's the charm. And so was the case with the Tarantula Performance Racing's gnarly YFZ450R motocross build - the TPR project YFZ450R.

TPR spent months working with sponsors throughout last season getting new performance motocross parts for Yamaha's latest race quad. Twice we tried and failed to work out a deal with two different graphic makers.

Not that we didn't try, but these guys were busy and didn't recognize the opportunity. The un-finalized version of the build appeared sans-graphics on: ATVScene.com, with January Scene Girl Holly Winchester; in two stories on ATV.com on the build and the review, with a third long-term evaluation story on the way; in a killer video on ATVonDemand; and on sites throughout the world wide web.

At long last, a third graphic kit maker recognized the opportunity this build continues to afford - mass exposure. UK-based Sinister ATV Accessories hooked up with Danger for this sweet graphic kit for our quad and sent us this all the way from the UK, so I thought I'd share some pics. For now, you can check out the kit and see what could be yours.

We'll post up a build tip on installing the kit in the coming days...

Video - WORCS Round 6

2010-06-23T20:14:00.000-04:00

Check out the fastest five minutes in motorsports video coverage of Round 6 of the WORCS series at Cahuilla Creek in Anza, Calif.

Sponsor news - Maxxis

2010-06-23T20:02:00.001-04:00

Maxxis tires claim two spots on

ATV MX Muddy Creek podium

Team Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki dominated the latest round of the ATV Pro Motocross Nationals, with a victory for Josh Creamer and third place for Dustin Wimmer. Round 7 was held June 20 in Blountville , Tennessee.

Creamer took second place in both motos for the overall win, his third in a row. Yellow-label Razr MX rear and Razr Cross front tires helped him overcome a last-place start in Moto 1. “The track was pretty hard and slick everywhere and the tires hooked up well, just like the whole bike. The tires really helped me hang my lines to get by everyone in that first moto,” Creamer said.

Like his teammate, Wimmer turned in an outstanding performance at Round 7, winning both Moto 2 and the ATVRiders.com Fastest Qualifier Award. With 313 points, Creamer leads the race for the championship, followed by Wimmer, who has racked up 293.

Also riding Razrs, Walsh Race Craft’s Jeremy Lawson took fifth place overall. Riders on Maxxis took two spots on the Pro Am Production podium: Joel Hetrick earned second place, and Casey Martin grabbed third. Hetrick and Martin are also second and third in points for their class.

Maxxis congratulates Josh Creamer on his latest victory and thanks all of its riders for their fine performances.

NEATV MX - Points leaders

2010-06-22T18:37:00.000-04:00

201 Films gives us a view of the current points leaders in the A, B and C classes in the NEATV-MX series.

R&D - Part 2

2010-06-21T11:57:00.004-04:00

New foot pegs for Race Safer Pro nerf bars

Stronger, lowered pegs will make you safer and faster

In R&D part one, we explained how every product at Tarantula Performance Racing undergoes a rigorous research and development phase before it hits the market and gets bolted onto your quad. In R&D Part 2, we're going to show you the results of that process with the re-designed foot pegs on the TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars.

Before.... and after. The picture on the left shows our original design for the foot pegs on the TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars. The picture on the right shows the production design for the pegs. The re-designed pegs are made of thicker material and feature more bracing for added strength, yet the slimmer design of the new pegs did not add weight over the original.

Testing on the pegs showed they stood up well to the abuse of motocross riding, but we wanted to make them even stronger. The thickness of the material used for the pegs was increased to one-eighth inch steel. Additional bracing near the frame mount improves the peg durability for handling hard bottoming situations. The added bracing maintained the large drainage areas to allow mud and stones to fall through the pegs.

The pro-peg style foot pegs use the same mounting system, which allows the nerf bar to slide easily onto the peg bar mount. The peg teeth also retain their 5 degree angle towards the quad, which fits naturally with a rider's stance. These new pegs are also slightly lower than the original design and are a little more than one inch lower than the stock YFZR pegs. For most models, the pegs are approximately 1 inch lower than stock.

The new pegs have proven to greatly improve cornering by keeping the rider's body weight lower on the quad. The added leverage of the longer pegs allows the rider to more easily whip the rear wheels of the quad out when power sliding through a corner. The lowered pegs also greatly reduced leg fatigue compared to stock height pegs by reducing the rider's time spent in transition between sitting and standing.

The Race Safer Pro nerf bars are available for most sport ATV models, including the Yamaha YFZ450R and YFZ450 models, the TRX450R, Raptor 250, Kawasaki KFX450 and Suzuki LTR 450.

To order a set of TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars for your quad, call TPR at 330-273-3456.

ATV MX Round 7 - Muddy Creek

2010-06-21T10:42:00.000-04:00

Creamer's win streak at 3

Suzuki's No. 9 extends points lead

Josh Creamer extended his win streak to three and extended his points lead in the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship to 20 points over teammate Dustin Wimmer during Sunday's pro motos at the Muddy Creek National in Blountville, Tn.

Team Motoworks/Can-Am's Chad Wienen grabbed a moto win and left Muddy Creek with second overall. Wienen is sitting in third in the points chase with just four rounds to go.

Check out Christa Watson's full race report from this weekend's ATV MX national.

ATVision - Spring Creek National

2010-06-21T10:21:00.000-04:00

Check out the action from Round 6 of the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship at Spring Creek Raceway in Millville, Mn.

Video - Spring Creek National

2010-06-16T11:45:00.001-04:00

If you missed the Spring Creek National in Millville, Mn., here's a helmet cam video from ml450r that puts you right in the action of the second Open A moto. Enjoy and thanks to ml450r for the coverage!

Maxxis, Matlock win in SCORE

2010-06-16T11:34:00.001-04:00

Matlock Racing has taken yet another SCORE victory, winning Class 25 of the 42nd annual Baja 500. The punishing desert race was held June 5 in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico.

Kristen Matlock photo

Riders Wayne Matlock, Josh Caster and Wes Miller conquered the 439-mile course in 10:24:35 hours. "Our race went just as planned,” Matlock said. “We had the leader in our sight for most of the first half. At the halfway point we were neck and neck, and came into our pit for a scheduled tire and rider change. With fresh tires and a fresh rider, we charged into the lead and never looked back. At the end, we beat second place by over 50 minutes. I attribute a lot of our success in Baja to Maxxis tires and the fact that we can push so hard through the rough terrain and not worry about tearing up the tires."

In all desert racing conditions, Matlock Racing equips its Honda TRX700XX with 22x10-11 Razr rears and 23x7-10 Razr fronts.

Defending champions from 2009 and currently first in the 2010 points standings, Matlock Racing also won the first SCORE race of the year, the San Felipe 250.

Maxxis congratulates Wayne Matlock and team thanks them for choosing the brand of champions.

WORCS - Round 6 youth

2010-06-16T11:25:00.000-04:00

June 4-6 Anza, CA: After spending the off-season training at the Cahuilla Creek MX Facility, site of WORCS round 6, TPR sponsored youth ATV racer Buddy Williams felt confident in a triple podium finish. Unfortunately the streak of bad luck that has haunted his 2010 campaign was far from over.

The 70cc Production Class saw Buddy out front early cruising to victory, until a decision by his crew to do a late race precautionary pit stop. The lead that Buddy had, was wiped out by a pile up on the track in which the crew was unaware of. Buddy ended up making a last lap charge, and caught all but the lead rider. The 8-15 Sport class didn’t go as well, as Buddy once again charged out into the lead, until the 3rd lap when he ran into mechanical difficulties ending his day.

The weekend ended on a positive note, as Buddy led flag to flag and claimed the 70cc Open class, putting him solidly in the points lead.

With 3 rounds remaining Buddy has his work cut out, as he needs to finish at or near the top in two of his classes to have a shot at the titles. A well deserved 6 week break, and off to Washington State for Round 7 on July 23-25th.

Pro ATV racer interviews

2010-06-16T11:14:00.000-04:00

ATV pro racers answer fan questions

Christa Watson and the crew at ATVision quiz the AMA ATV National pro class riders on the questions fans posted a few weeks back. Check it out.

ATV MX Round 6 - Spring Creek

2010-06-16T11:08:00.002-04:00

Creamer wins; Wienen takes second overall

We stand corrected here at TPR Quad Promotions. Team Motoworks/Can-Am rider Chad Wienen rose to the challenge at the Spring Creek National to grab two second-place finishes for the second overall behind the weekend's big winner, Yoshimura Suzuki's Josh Creamer.

Just hours before the first pro moto launched off the gate we posted the below editorial pondering Wienen's season and whether or not he could live up to the hype. Well, he closed the gap and moved into fifth in the points battle with five rounds left in the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship.

Check out Christa Watson's race report for the full details from Spring Creek.

Can-Am's flagship rider 71 points out of first

2010-06-13T09:24:00.003-04:00

Where's Wienen?

Here we are, at the exact mid-point of the season for the 2010 ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship, and one of the pros favored to challenge repeat champion Dustin Wimmer for the crown this year has a line of contenders in front of him.

Can-Am signed Chad Wienen at the tail end of last year, signaling Kawasaki's plan to put their ATV motocross efforts on hold. It was big news. The Galena, Il., native had bounced around from team to team showing great promise. It became clear through DNF's and mechanical issues that his one weakness had been lack of a few back-to-back solid seasons on the same quad. That's a big weakness. Very few riders can jump on a brand new quad and win a title in the same year.

Last year, Chad Wienen was the big draw under the Kawasaki tent despite having just arrived, while then-fellow Kawasaki racer Josh Creamer had already been on the team for several seasons. The year before, Wienen had found little success riding for the Rockstar Suzuki team.

This year, however, looked like it would be different. Wienen signed with the new Team Motoworks Can-Am group, and with less than a week on the new DS450 he took a stellar win at the Montreal Supercross. He followed that up with some commanding wins and by capturing the first ever title out west in the new DWT World ATV Motocross Championship during the winter months.

Wienen's arrival at Team Motoworks Can-Am as their new premiere rider in the pro class initially took the focus off Can-Am rider John Natalie Jr., who had spent two seasons on the DS450 riding for the Warnert team nabbing just a few podiums. Natalie, who unlike Wienen already has a pro championship on his mantle, seemed undaunted by the signaling of his age with Motoworks giving the younger rider the top spot. In fact, Natalie seems to have gained some new-found drive, much like Yoshimura Suzuki's Josh Creamer, by playing the role of sidekick to the supposed better rider. He's clearly snagged the spotlight back from his teammate with big race battles and four finishes just off the podium.

Round six of the ATV motocross nationals will go into the books today at the Spring Creek National, and heading into today's motos Natalie is comfortably in third place in the points chase. With 171 points, Natalie is 48 points behind Creamer and 45 points behind Wimmer in second place. In contrast, Wienen is 71 points behind first place and is currently in sixth in the points chase - not exactly where most people expected him to be with six rounds to go.

Team Motoworks Can-Am owner Johnny Leach didn't necessarily make a bad move in signing Wienen. The young rider still has quite a few motos left in his career and plenty of time to win the Big Show. But one has to wonder if Wienen is living up to all the hype. During the off-season he graced two back-to-back covers of ATV Insider magazine. He was the subject of a big profile interview in ATVRider magazine. Fans crowd his website, posting about his likelihood of winning it all this year.

But right now Chad is 71 points behind first place, and he's got defending champ Dustin Wimmer, former teammate Josh Creamer, Natalie, and hungry young challengers in Mushin Racing's Thomas Brown and Baldwin Motorsports' Josh Upperman all in front of him and all serious challengers to win it all.

Summer is here in Ohio!

2010-06-01T10:01:00.001-04:00

Gone Riding...

It's June 1, and even though summer doesn't officially start until June 21 here in Ohio we've been enjoying clear, sunny skies and 80-degree days. And that means the long winter and wet spring is over and it's time to go riding!

You may have noticed the updates here at Tarantula Performance Racing Quad Promotions have slowed in frequency, but that's because I've actually been out riding the TPR project YFZ450R after spending the winter staring at it in my garage. It's not that I don't want to keep you guys informed on the latest quad-world news, but the winters are long here in Ohio and when you can ride you take every opportunity.

That doesn't mean you won't be hearing from us during the summer. TPR has some exciting things in the works, including our Race Safer Pro front bumper line. Our re-designed Race Safer Pro nerf bar foot pegs should be finished soon, and you'll see pictures of the pegs here first. And we'll be attending the ATV MX pro national at Pleasure Valley Raceway July 4, so you can expect to see coverage of the race here.

Don't be discouraged if you find fewer posts this summer. I know our page hits have been down in the past few weeks, and that probably means you're out riding, too! For now, get off your computer, enjoy summer while it's here and get on your quad. Because until next time, I'm gone riding...

Borich wins again!

2010-05-25T10:54:00.000-04:00

Chris Borich is looking like he's going to wrap up his second championship in the GNCC ATV XC1 pro class with another win this past weekend at Goose Mountain Ridge.

Check out Shan Moore's full race report.

ATVision - Motosode 5

2010-05-22T11:43:00.001-04:00

Check out Motosode 5, "Cribs." The ATVision crew tours the rolling coaches of pro ATV mx racers Keith Little and Dustin Wimmer.

WORCS - Round 5

2010-05-22T11:19:00.001-04:00

Click on the link to check out some video action of Round 5 of the WORCS racing series at Honey Lake. It's the Fastest Five Minutes in Motorsports.

R&D at its finest

2010-05-19T11:46:00.002-04:00

New foot peg design for TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars

Your feet are about to get much more comfortable.

Intense. That's the best way to describe the research and development efforts we put forth here at Tarantula Performance Racing. And our latest batch of hard work is about to pay off for you in a big way.

The extended, pro-peg style foot pegs available on every set of TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars were just put through an extensive re-design to improve their strength while retaining their unique, superior gripping characteristics.

Tarantula Performance Racing's Race Safer Pro nerf bar, shown on the TPR project YFZ450R.

The peg teeth retain their 5 degree angle towards the quad, which fits naturally with a rider's stance. Additional bracing increases the strength along with the use of a thicker material to shape the pegs themselves. The mounting system has been retained and still bolts on just as effortlessly as before.

But now, the most secure ATV nerf bars on the market just made your ride even safer. So splurge on yourself with a set of TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars. Your riding boots, and your feet, will thank you.

And that's why we test, test and test again. We work at the shop, behind the welder mask, at the track and on the computer to improve our products so you have the best part available. Sometimes it takes a crash to test durability. Other times, a good solid day of pushing the limits at the track is enough to prove we've got a part to make your seat time that much better. Because when our parts hold up to our demands, we're happy. And we know you'll be, too.

To order a set of TPR Race Safer Pro nerf bars for your quad, call TPR at 330-273-3456.

ATV MX Round 4 - Sunset Ridge

2010-05-17T19:41:00.001-04:00

Upperman takes first pro overall win

Baldwin Motorsports' Josh Upperman took his number 20 Honda to the top step of the podium Sunday for his first ever pro ATV motocross overall win at Sunset Ridge.

"Everything fell into place this weekend for me," Upperman said. "It feels so great to be up front running with these top guys. "It really was a great race. Mark Baldwin and Wayne Mooradian had the bike working perfect for me. I couldn't be happier."

Christa Watson turned in this race report from the Illinois ATV motocross national documenting Upperman's win.

I, for one, couldn't be happier for my fellow Ohio racer. Upperman has come close to an overall win countless times in his career, which has only improved each season. Sunday's win at Illinois is sure to be another stepping stone in this impressive rider's young career.

ATVision - Motosode 4

2010-05-13T10:58:00.002-04:00

The upcoming reality series ATV-24/7 premieres this weekend. Krista Watson and the crew of ATVision caught up with its stars to talk to them about the show in this motosode. If you have access to this hard to get cable channel, you should definitely watch the show!

'Revolutionary' ATV video preview

2010-05-10T10:35:00.001-04:00

BShipmanFilms posted this teaser of the upcoming ATV ride video "Revolutionary" over the weekend. If the rest of the film is as good as this segment with Dustin Wimmer, then I'm sold. The release date is planned for this fall.

Be sure to check out or subscribe to BShipmanFilms for more great quad and motocross-related videos.

GNCC Round 6 - ATVs

2010-05-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

Bithell Wins MotorcycleUSA.com Yadkin Valley Stomp

Yadkinville, NC (May 8, 2010) - Chris Bithell claimed his first win in almost two years, and the first of the year for Can-Am, with an impressive and exciting come-from-behind performance at the MotorcycleUSA.com Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC in Yadkinville, North Carolina - round six of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series.

Click on the link to read Shan Moore's full race report.

ATVision - Motosode 3 Birch Creek

2010-05-07T10:03:00.001-04:00

Check out the video report from round three at the Birch Creek AMA ATV Motocross National by ATVision. Congratulations to Yamaha/Mushin Racing's Thomas Brown, who snagged third overall for his first podium appearance as a pro ATV motocross racer. The series goes to Illinois next weekend, May 15, where Team Motoworks/Can-Am's Chad Wienen will be competing in his back yard. Let's see if home track advantage spells a win for Wienen.

Editorial

2010-05-03T11:11:00.006-04:00

The Midas Touch

Everything turns to gold for team Suzuki

By Matt Fredmonsky

It's good to be under the yellow tent these days. Suzuki is dominating practically every form of off-road racing this year.

In the ATV motocross national series, teammates Josh Creamer and Dustin Wimmer have won all three races so far this season. After three rounds, defending champ Wimmer is two points and one overall win behind his teammate, Creamer. They finished one-two at Birch Creek this weekend. Just three rounds in, not too many other racers have had much to challenge these two with. Every big team but the Yoshimura Rockstar Makita Suzuki squad has experienced some kind of mechanical issue that affected a race outcome this year.

Team Yoshimura Rockstar Suzuki riders Dustin Wimmer and Josh Creamer are dominating the ATV MX nationals so far this year.

In the woods, defending champion Chris Borich is dominating the GNCC ranks on his Yoshimura-backed LTR450. Borich has four wins on the season and a comfortable lead over Yamaha's Taylor Kiser in the points battle. Like the motocross scene, Borich hasn't had much of a challenge presented to him this year.

On two wheels, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey wrapped up the Supercross title well ahead of the final in Las Vegas later this month. Granted, injuries to James Stewart, Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto surely helped the young rookie grab his first SX title, but no matter what that's not an easy accomplishment. This year's supercross title for Suzuki comes on the heels of the dirt bike national outdoor title, which Reed nabbed aboard a yellow machine last year.

American Suzuki's senior advertising manager, Steve Bortolamedi, said it best at the International Motorcycle Show in December.

"Suzuki products are truly industry leading and we stand behind them 100 percent," he said. "We proved that last year with our six titles."

Suzuki is definitely the powerhouse of the off-road racing world. What does that mean? Of all these racers, I'm only a true fan of Dungey. And therein lies the rub. America loves an underdog.

The ATV motocross action so far this year has been pretty exciting from moto to moto. But that excitement can lose its edge if you know that, come August, a Suzuki rider is going home with the title. The same could be said for GNCC racing or the dirt bike national or supercross titles.

The conundrum, at least for me, is that our sports could benefit more from seeing the kind of dominance greats like Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Bill Ballance, Gary Denton and James Stewart have shown. Their kind of prowess helps shine a spot light on off-road motorsports. That brings in outside sponsors, who help keep big factory teams like Suzuki afloat (think Rockstar energy drink).

Bill Ballance, left, has nine GNCC titles under his belt and has his own brand of Yamaha YFZR's available. Gary Denton, right won eight titles in his day. No other ATV racer has come close to winning as many titles as these two legends.

In January, I challenged Dustin Wimmer to be the next true ATV champion and start racking up titles like Ricky Carmichael did in order to help shine a bigger spotlight on the sport. Deep down, I'd like nothing better than to see someone like Josh Upperman walk away crowned the pro ATV motocross champion. But I'm still rooting for Wimmer because, though it may be a little less exciting, I still believe the sport of ATV racing could benefit more in the future from a name as big as Carmichael than by having a slew of underdogs take turns winning the title year after year.

The gamble is that having one rider with the Midas touch could backfire like a 450 in need of a fresh spark plug. It could actually lead to a lack of fan participation. But if precedents stand, having riders like Carmichael, Stewart and Ballance - who drew the attention of Sports Illustrated, got his own cable TV show and put his name on a special edition ATV - can only be good for the sport.

ATV MX Round 3

2010-05-03T10:06:00.001-04:00

Creamer takes win, points lead from Wimmer

Yoshimura Suzuki's Josh Creamer took his second overall win Sunday at the Birch Creek ATV MX national, round three of the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship. The win also puts creamer on top of the points battle with 131, just two points ahead of his teammate and defending champ Dustin Wimmer.

Click on the link to read Rachel Fluharty's full race report.

Interview - Ryan Dungey

2010-05-01T13:55:00.000-04:00

It's not quad-centric, but you have to give it up to the new Supercross champ. Ryan Dungey joins the king, "Showtime" Jeremy McGrath as the only two rookies to win the supercross title. Makita posted this interview with Dungey and it's worth listening to even if you aren't a fan of no. 5.

NEATV MX promo

2010-04-30T13:37:00.000-04:00

Courtesy 201Films.

Congressional hearing may impact lead ban

2010-04-28T09:49:00.001-04:00

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A U.S. House hearing scheduled for Thursday, April 29, will address the Consumer Product Safety Enhancement Act (CPSEA) of 2010. The CPSEA would modify earlier legislation that effectively banned the sale of youth-model dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles due to onerous lead-content standards.

The CPSEA hearing -- which will be held by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee under the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection -- follows persistent pressure by American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) members and others to address the unintended consequences of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008.

Read the full report at RacerX.

Maxxis helps Borich win 4th GNCC

2010-04-28T09:45:00.001-04:00

Defending champ Chris Borich racked up another victory in the 2010 GNCC ATV series, with a win at Loretta Lynn’s. The contest was held April 24 in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee .

The Razr rear and Razr 2 front combination came through in the muddy conditions for Borich. “My bike actually didn’t fire up right away, but the tires hooked up so good they got me to the first turn in front,” he said. “From there, I never got stuck. Even on the nasty hill climbs, the tires kept hooking up.”

After taking an early lead, Borich fought a tight battle with three other riders for most of the race. A pass on the final lap gave him the victory.

Borich was joined on the podium by Donald Ockerman, who took third place. Also riding Razrs to the XC1 Pro top ten were Taylor Kiser in fourth and Brandon Sommers in seventh.

Maxxis took the top two spots in XC2 Pro Am, with a victory for Gabe Phillips and a second place finish for Eric Hoyland. Walker Fowler took fourth in the Pro Am class, and Traci Cecco took her second win in the Women’s class, which gives her the lead in points.

Maxxis congratulates Chris Borich on his fourth win of the season and thanks all of its riders for their fine performances.

TPR youth WORCS race report

2010-04-28T09:34:00.002-04:00

Adelanto CA- 4/25/10: After a tough luck round 3, Tarantula Performance Racing sponsored Buddy Williams was looking to find his place back atop the WORCS podium, but the youth rider's misfortunes continued. Despite mechanical issues, Williams' left the fourth round of the WORCS series with three second-place finishes.

Buddy’s main sponsor Fox Racing Shox, made the trip down to help dial his suspension in, which was a key to his triple podium success.

Saturday mornings 70cc Prod class looked as if it might be a repeat of Buddy’s round 3 misfortunes. He led most of the race, until the last lap when the upper a arm mounts ripped from the frame, causing catastrophic damage. He was able to limp in for a 2nd place finish and retain his points lead.

Saturday afternoon 8-15 Sport class is the toughest challenge for Buddy. He ran 2nd for the first 30 minutes, and made a hard charge to catch the leader with 10 to go. Unfortunately for Buddy, a Women’s Class 450 rider refused to be passed by a 10 year old, and did everything in her power to block him throughout the 4 mile loop. Buddy frustratingly settled for another 2nd place podium.

Saturday night Buddy’s father, with the help of several friends, had to remove his motor from the wrecked quad and swap it into his other chassis for Sunday's 70 Open race. The motor swap was done just minutes prior to the green flag. A first turn wreck took out most of the field. Buddys bike was thrown upside down, and he quickly got it upright and fired up. Unfortunately he was in 7th place. Buddy charged hard and in 30 minutes managed to catch and pass the entire field, but he just ran out of time before catching the leader. All in all it was a long hard weekend that ended positive with three 2nd place podiums.

ATV-24/7 Teaser Video

2010-04-27T20:49:00.000-04:00

The reality of pro ATV motocross racing is coming to a television near you!

The first episode of "ATV 24/7," a reality TV show that will follow defending MX champion Dustin Wimmer along with Can-Am's John Natalie, Jr., will air its first show May 15.

Long Haul Productions released this teaser video Tuesday. Check it out below!

ATV-24/7 teaser from ATV-24/7 on Vimeo.

“ATV-24/7” can be viewed on Direct TV on channel 344 (ICTV). On Dish Network, “ATV-24/7” can be viewed on channels 230 (ICTV) and MAVtv. The program will also air on America One Networks, AMGTV Family Networks, Tuff TV Networks, Untamed Sports Networks and other regional sport networks to be determined.

Follow this link for a complete listing and air dates.