For the past 15 winters, Rock Maple Racing has sanctioned snowmobile races across the northeast. In the fall of 2006, they tested the waters of ATV racing with a six-race mini-series sponsored by Can-Am ATVs by BRP. The feedback was positive, and for 2007, it’s full steam ahead with a 10-race, points-paying schedule.

Can-Am, the new name for what was formerly known as Bombardier ATVs, has returned as title sponsor. A new yet familiar and high-profile marketing partner has also come aboard for 2007, as the series will now be known as the Can-Am RMR Series, Presented by the New England Dodge Dealers. The good folks from Dodge realized their customers are also fans of ATVs (Dodge has sponsored RMR’s snocross program for six seasons), making this an ideal arena for their summer-time promotional programs.

Based on the format used by the World Powersports Association’s
(WPSA) Powersports ATV tour, RMR’s Can-Am Series offers riders two separate divisions in which to compete. The popular MX division is for rear-wheel-drive, race-bred machines, while the Utility division is for entry-level riders with 4×4 or utility-style ATVs. A separate course is built at each event for 4×4 competition, known as the QuadTerrain Challenge.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about RMR’s Utility division is the fact you can take your everyday, fresh-from-the-showroom machine and compete without any modifications. Whether you choose to ride Can-Am, Honda, Arctic Cat, Polaris, Suzuki or Yamaha, the ATV in your garage is race-ready. Rock Maple has a class for all engine sizes and ability levels, offering the average consumer a chance to compete in a challenging yet safe environment.

Tracks in the MX division are similar to those built for motocross.
Tracks for the QuadTerrain series are one-quarter to one-half mile in length. From 20-foot climbs to wisely-placed obstacles, mud pits and more, each rider and machine is put to the test. RMR’s ATV tracks also have bypass areas to make the course suitable for all ages and ability levels.

This new series will feature the same family-oriented competition that exists within RMR’s snocross fraternity. The sanctioning body sparked new interest in ATVs last fall with its inaugural season, and hopes to expand upon that interest in 2007.

The 2007 Can-Am RMR Series, Presented by the New England Dodge Dealers kicks off the 10-race campaign on Sunday, May 6, at Crow Hill Motor Sports Park in Templeton, Massachusetts. The tour will visit eight tracks in four states before concluding the season on Oct. 6-7 at the famed NHSA Grass Drags & Water Crossing in Fremont, New Hampshire. Along the way are stops in Minot, Maine (Hemond’s MX); Fort Plain, NY (Twister Valley); South Edmeston, NY (Thunder Ridge); Savannah, NY (Savannah MX); and Williamstown, NY (Thornwood MX).

RMR is partnering with the New York-based Outlaw ATV Series to sanction a four-race combination point series within their own eight-race 2007 schedule.

There are countless talented ATV racers throughout New York, and this joint effort should bring teams from both groups together to produce some terrific competition on the track.

In addition to Can-Am and the New England Dodge Dealers, Rock Maple’s ATV series is also proud to have associate sponsorship from Bickford’s Sport Center; Dasilva Motorsports; Ingles Performance; CDB Motorsports; Scott USA; PowerMadd; New England Racing Fuel; Stadium Suspension and Rick’s Motorsports Electrics.

Rock Maple Racing is the eastern affiliate of the World Powersports Association (WPSA), the national sanctioning body for snocross and ATV racing. For more information on RMR and our sponsors, please visit us online at www.rockmaple.com.