The Buzz – Happenings Around the Industry Week of September 16th
by Jason Giacchino
As we near the middle of September, the ATV industry is showing absolutely no signs of hibernating through the winter! In fact, this past week has proven quite epic from late-season new model releases to charities fighting in favor of ATV riders everywhere. Let’s waste no time in diving right into this week in review.
National Trail Group Off-Road Expo
The 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire will invade the Pomona Fairplex Saturday, October 8 through Sunday, October 9, with BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) as the official event charity. Advance tickets purchased with the special promotion code BRC2011 at www.offroadexpo.com will net .00 for every ticket sold to BRC.
Expo 2011 has everything off-road including new vehicles, thousands of parts and accessories, ATV test rides, freestyle MX action, movie premieres, RC Racing and more – all part of the BRC mission of saving trails and keeping outdoor sports alive and well. With more than 350 exhibitors showcasing all the latest off-road toys, technologies, parts, gear and accessories, the 2011 Lucas Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire promises to be one of the biggest shows yet.
Additionally, on Sunday October 9th at 11am, BlueRibbon’s own Del and Stacie Albright will host a one-of-a-kind Team Challenge for the Best Prepared Trail Rig with several teams competing in a fun challenge like a scavenger hunt on their vehicle in front of a live audience. The Team Challenge is open to the public. “Grab some buds; make up a team; stuff your rig and win some incredible prizes,” adds Del Albright, BlueRibbon Ambassador. Team Challenge application available online here:
http://www.sharetrails.org/off-road-expo/
Trailfest Coming to West Virginia
For a few days each October, the population of the tiny village of Gilbert, West Virginia multiplies exponentially. The town plays host to Trailfest—a unique celebration of ATV and dirt bike riding organized by the Hatfield-McCoy Trail Authority. Trailfest has become the premier, off-road riding event of the year. This year, Trailfest will take place from October 6-10.
The event, now in its 11th year, cultivates a great sense of community amongst off-road riders. Most attendees are repeat visitors to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails (HMT) or to Trailfest itself. The event draws visitors from all 50-states and beyond.
Trailfest participants can anticipate some serious riding and entertainment. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails are known as some of the finest trails in the country and they cater to every skill level, from novice to expert. Riders can also compete for cash and prizes in the Fishers ATV Mud Pit Run. Special guests for 2011 include: Fishers ATV World, Dirt Trax TV, On the Trail TV and more.
Ample entertainment will be available for non-riders, including an auction, poker contests, fireworks and live music. Participants can register early for a discount. Registration includes a trail pass, entertainment and some catered meals. See the Trailfest website or call (304) 752-0102 for more information: http://www.trailsheaven.com/trailfest/default.aspx
Sand Sports Super Show
Going to be in Southern California this weekend? Come on down to the Orange County Fair Grounds September 16-18 for the “World’s Biggest Sand Sports Expo.” GBC Motorsports will be there with their line of sand sport products.
The Sand Sports Super Show is the largest sand sports expo, so expect to have a great time as vendors from around the country descend on the fair grounds for a 3-day sand sports experience. Single day tickets are each, and 3-day passes are available for . Children ages 12 and under are free. Purchase your tickets at the gate or online at:
www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&q=sand+sports+super+show
Side-by-Side Association: Long Time Coming
Now that UTVs have proven they are here to stay, it’s great that an association has formed around the unique machines to ensure that so long as there are side-by-sides, they will be treated fairly.
The International Side X Side Association (ISA) promotes recreational, and racing opportunities for the UTV industry. ISA seeks to foster advancement of an international safety standard, points system, and guidelines for UTV event promoters and enthusiasts worldwide. ISA promotes awareness of land use issues, education, and the responsible use of our public lands in a family friendly environment.
More information on the ISA and their mission: http://www.isxsa.com/
STI Introduces a Pair of New Limited Edition Wheels
STI Tire & Wheel’s stylish HD Alloy wheel line has gotten longer with the introduction of the HD2se. This HD2se (special edition) comes in two dazzling new finishes. One is a head-turning gloss black with bright-machined accents, topped with a tough clear coat. The other is the stunning HD2se iChrome, produced with four layers of an iridescent paint to give the wheel a “liquid chrome” appearance unlike anything else on the market today—it subtly changes coloration and shading depending on lighting and viewing angle. Matching HD logo wheel caps are included with both of these wheels.
The lightweight STI HD2se wheels are now available in two sizes: 12×7 and 14×7 as well as several offsets and bolt patterns for application on most popular ATV and side-by-side UTV models.
Like all STI HD Alloy series wheels, this 8-spoke HD2se comes with a lifetime structural warranty. This is due in large part to the HD2se’s unique inner and outer heavy-duty wheel lip reinforcement. The HD2se is as strong as it is attractive, boasting load ratings of 700 lb. for the 12-inch size, and 800 lb. for the 14-inch models.
Despite these wheels’ strength, styling and performance, STI notes that they are value-priced for today’s consumer. STI HD2se wheels are available at finer ATV/UTV dealers everywhere, through MTA Distributing. For more information, to place an order or to locate an STI dealer, visit www.stitireandwheel.com or call: East (318) 255-0049; West (951) 272-0971.
Getting Paid to Race
A handful of ATV industry staples have announced sponsorship acceptance for the 2012 season:
Streamline Brakes:
Streamline Brakes is now accepting race support applications for the upcoming 2012 season. Please forward all race resumes by e-mail or postal mail to:
Streamline Brakes Attn: Race Support Director
9370 7th St. Suite B
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
kurtis@streamlinebrakes.com
(800) 310-5519
GBC Motorsports:
BC Motorsports will be accepting résumés from September 15th through the end of January 2012. Riders of all levels are welcome to apply. With the high number of expected applicants this year, riders can expect the review process to take up to 4-6 weeks upon receipt of their résumé. GBC asks that all applicants email their résumés and information to sponsorship@greenball.com
Vemar Helmets:
Motonation, the exclusive importer of Vemar helmets, is now accepting resumes for rider support for the 2012 season. A limited amount of support is available. Interested riders should send their resumes to:
If sending via mail:
Motonation
C/O Vemar rider support
10225 Prospect Ave.
Santee CA 92071
If sending via fax:
1-619-401-4108
If sending via Email:
jojo@motonation.com
SIDI Boots:
Motonation, the exclusive importer of Sidi boots, is now accepting resumes for rider support for the 2012 season. A limited amount of support is available. Interested riders should send their resumes to:
If sending via mail:
Motonation C/O Sidi rider support
10225 Prospect Ave.
Santee CA 92071
If sending via fax:
1-619-401-4108
If sending via Email:
jojo@motonation.com
Racing News
GNCC:
The heavy rainstorms and flooding that hit the eastern US were a big concern to everyone heading to Unadilla for Round 10 of the GNCC Series. Flooding in New York closed some of the major roads nearby, but the conditions were actually almost perfect at the historic Unadilla MX facility. The Racer Production crew shortened the course to bypass some very wet valley sections, but the remaining track was great, including parts of the AMA National Pro motocross course.
Jarrod McClure got a great start, going into the woods in 3rd place. He passed one rider on the motocross course and finished the first lap in 2nd. Jarrod had the lead on lap 2 for a while until Chris Borich passed him. He ran upfront with the top riders for the next several laps. He dropped back a few positions in the last several laps to finish 6th in the XC1 Pro class.
Team Warnert Racing / Can-Am DS 450 racers Chris Bithell and Adam McGill finished second and third, respectively, at the 2011 Can-Am Unadilla GNCC. Bithell, who led a portion of the final lap, also finished third overall on the afternoon podium. In the morning ranks, several Can-Am racers finished on their class podium at Unadilla Valley Sports Center complex, including Bryan Buckhannon in the 4×4 Open class and Clifton Beasley in the U2 class. In fact, Beasley also secured the season championship aboard the Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc ATV by notching his ninth win in nine rounds of racing in 2011.
Women’s competitor Angel Atwell was supposed to sit out this round to attend her niece’s wedding. But with the help of a few of her sponsors, she was able to hire a private jet to take her to and from the race, she was able to arrive in time and attend her niece’s wedding. This paid off in a big way as Angel would put in an incredible race to capture her second win of the year along with a second overall AM finish. This would mark her first overall podium appearance in 2011.
WORCS:
Washougal WA: In Sunday’s (Sept 11) Pro-Am Main event, Roll Design/Elka riders Chase Thomas and Garrin Fuller finished first and second respectively, with Keith Johnson finishing just outside of the podium in fourth. Thomas’s overall time bested more than half of the pro field, with a fastest lap time of 08:51.95. Fuller was forced into dealing with a flat tire, but still charged back into second.
In the Pro class, Can-Am’s Josh Frederick was first through turn one, with the MCR/Roll Design/Elka Honda of Beau Baron in chase. Baron caught Frederick in turn two, and then out torqued the #1 plate holder up hill. Baron led the first half of the race, but arm pump ensued, allowing Frederick and Jeremie Warnia to close the gap, and then pass him during a pit stop. Refreshed, Baron caught and passed Warnia, but lap traffic only widened the gap to Frederick. This was Beau Barons third podium in a row, all with second place finishes. He is currently third in Pro class series points.