The Buzz – Happenings Around the Industry Week of August 12
Lead-Law Finally Fixed
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that the lead law has finally been fixed. On August 1, 2011, H.R. 2715 was introduced by U.S. Reps. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), chair of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), ranking member of the same subcommittee. The bill would exempt kids’ off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the lead law that will effectively ban the machines at the end of the year.
As you may know, a similar bill, S. 1448, is under consideration by the U.S. Senate. Both bills would provide the categorical exemption of youth OHVs as included in H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, which was introduced January 25 by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT). The riding community’s overwhelming support of H.R. 412 has helped contribute to the fast tracking of these new bills.
The AMA and All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA) applaud Reps. Bono Mack and Butterfield for introducing this bill and ask that you and anyone you know who cares about the future of kids motorized recreation call your Representative today to urge a ‘Yes’ vote for H.R. 2715.
Alpinestars New Product Line
Alpinestars officially launches their new Fall Technical Product Line on August 20th and includes their new Carbon BNS, Tech 8 Light MX Boot, and Venture Jacket. Aside from technical product, their site will boast a variety of cool bits from the sportswear line such as beach towels, cooler bags, socks, tees, hats and wallets.
Check all the goods out here: http://www.alpinestars.com/.
Bad News for ATV Video Gamers
Terrible news is breaking for those who get their off-road kicks via the small-screen, as it appears the popular MX vs. ATV video game franchise may be going extinct!
Video game industry website, Industry Gamers, broke the news that that THQ, announced some sweeping changes to its business model late Tuesday.
The publisher is realigning its internal studios system and moving away from the licensed kids and movies-based titles. Additionally, the company has decided “not to actively pursue further development of the MX vs. ATV franchise at this time.”
It’s not clear if that means MX vs. ATV is officially dead or just on “hiatus.” Regardless, the move means that THQ has also closed two studios in Australia, and shut down a development team at the company’s Phoenix location. All told, the actions by THQ will result in about 200 layoffs. Times are tough but this is the first time we recall downsizing in the video game industry!
Racing News
New England ATV-MX Series
Motoworks / Can-Am ATV racer Josh Creamer overcame the excessively muddy conditions to win the Pro class round eight of the New England ATV Motocross Series in Lyman, Maine. Creamer also won the Pro-Am class aboard his Can-Am DS 450 ATV. BCS Performance / Can-Am DS 450 racer Cody Miller earned two podiums as well, taking third overall in each class.
The next round takes place in Englishtown on the 20-21 of August. http://www.neatv-mx.com/.
ATV-MX
Only ten points separate current leader John Natalie second place holder Josh Upperman as the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series presented by DWT wraps up this weekend, August 13 and 14, at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Loretta Lynn’s is a prestigious stop on the 11-race tour, as the track is untouched for all but two weeks out of the year. ATV Motocross participants get an exclusive chance to race a track built for the most elite racers in the country on both motorcycles and ATVs.
Amateur classes will practice on Friday and race on both Saturday and Sunday. Pros will run two timed practice sessions on Saturday morning and race in the afternoon as part of a full schedule of amateur racing, including classes for Youth, Women and Veteran riders. Tickets on Saturday are for spectators ( for ages 6-11), and admission includes full pro-pit access and an autograph session. For more information, visit www.atvmotocross.com/.
WORCS
WORCS racing returns for Round 6 in Washougal MX Washougal, WA August 20-21.
Entry is per person per day weekend pass, youth 12 and under weekend pass. http://www.worcsracing.com/.
LOORRS
RJ Anderson continues his quest for an off-road short course championship competing in both the TORC and Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series’ (LOORRS). With new sponsors Dethrone Racing and Oakley joining the team and a fresh new engine in the #637 Walker Evans Racing Polaris RZR, RJ and team had some extra juice heading back to the west coast after a long journey back east to Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Driving the Holz Racing/Walker Evans Racing RZR XP 900, RJ Anderson took first place in Unlimited UTV Class both Saturday and Sunday in Rounds 9 & 10 at the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series held at Glen Helen Raceways in San Bernardino. RJ earned the pole position Friday with the fastest qualifying time in Unlimited Class of 51.905.
RJ will take a small diversion August 20 when he will pilot his new Holz Racing-built XP 900 at the World Off-Road Racing Championship Series Round 6, August 20-21, in Washougal, Washington. RJ will race WORCS Round 7, September 16-18, in Devore, California, then return to the Lucas Oil Series, Rounds 11 & 12 in Devore, California September 24-25.