The Buzz – Happenings Around the Industry Week of September 9th

Awards, new wheels, and lots of racing news comes our way as the first full week of the 9th month comes to a close.

Field & Stream Recognizes Can-Am Commander

BRP received the coveted 2011 “Best of the Best” Award in the Side-By-Side ATV category from Field & Stream magazine with its Can-Am Commander 1000 side-by-side vehicle.

The Best of the Best awards, now in its 14th year, have a stringent list of prerequisites and recognize products relevant to the hunting and fishing industry. The side-by-side award, which is based on merit and is not necessarily awarded annually, honours ATV and off-road vehicle manufacturers for their dedication to offering machines that meet the demands of the competitive hunting and fishing consumer.

The magazine editors said the award will also firmly establish the Commander side-by-side’s credibility in the competitive ATV hunting and fishing market. Winning products not only have to survive the testing, but also have to stand out and take the industry to the next level to be bestowed with the honor.

The Best of the Best award recipients are judged by strict criteria, including: the significance of the innovation; the quality of the design and the finished product; the originality of thought; and the ambition and scope of the project. The Can-Am Commander 1000 XT side-by-side vehicle, like other winning products, was put through a rigorous three-month testing session by the Field & Stream test crew.

ITP Delta Steel Wheel Arrives for the Grizzly

Many owners of Yamaha’s popular Grizzly ATV will be pleased to learn they now have more options when it comes time for wheel replacement. ITP has just added two more choices to its proven Delta Series line of steel wheels, designed specifically for the 2007-2012 Grizzly 550 and 700. Until now, steel wheels were not available anywhere for these models. ITP is a longtime expert in steel wheel manufacturing, and in fact is the only source for steel wheel fitment in today’s ATV/UTV aftermarket.

ITP’s Delta Series steel wheels are made in the USA and feature a lightweight D-window center design that is both attractive and strong. Combine this high strength center with precision rolled rims and Delta steel wheels are in fact 35% stronger than OEM wheels. Perhaps most importantly, Delta steel wheels are priced very competitively against OEM wheels.

These Grizzly 550/700 wheel replacements are now available in 12×7 sizing and two color options: Silver (part number 1221753032) and Black (part number 1221753014).

These are both powdercoat finishes, which are much tougher and more corrosion resistant than standard paint. Chrome and black center caps are available for a final custom touch.

See your local ATV/UTV dealer today for even more information on ITP Delta Series steel wheels or head to their site: www.itptires.com

BFGoodrich Recognizes Wyoming Trail

Located in Clark, Wyoming, Morrison Trail was honored this past weekend by BFGoodrich Tires as one of the 2011 Outstanding Trails. Off-road enthusiasts and members of the Magic City 4-Wheelers, Inc. were in attendance as BFGoodrich Tires presented a grant of ,000 to the club. The grant will be used to preserve the scenic off-highway trail system and continue conservation efforts for one of America’s most beautiful areas for off-roading.

Lucas Off-Road Expo Coming in October

The 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire will invade the Pomona Fairplex Saturday, October 8 through Sunday, October 9, with everything off-road including new vehicles, thousands of parts and accessories, ATV test rides, freestyle motocross action, movie premieres, RC Racing and more. This year’s expo is bigger than ever with more exhibitors showcasing all the latest off-road toys, technologies, parts, gear and accessories from more than 350 of the industry’s leading manufacturers, dealers and distributors.

Off-road manufacturer representatives will be on-site to demonstrate and educate attendees on all the latest vehicles and accessories. In addition to the line-up of trucks, Jeeps, UTVs, ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, sand rails, rock crawlers, parts and accessories on display, the expo will come to life with exciting entertainment features.

The 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire will take place Saturday, October 8, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Held at the Pomona Fairplex, located at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona, Calif. Tickets purchased on-site will be for adults, for children (6-12) and free for children under six. A Family Four Pack is available for and includes admission for two adults, and two children (available online only). For more information and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.offroadexpo.com. Follow Off-Road Expo at www.facebook.com/OffRoadExpo and at www.twitter.com/OffRoadExpo

Racing News

Rick Cecco to Return to GNCC

After taking the last two rounds off from the 2011 GNCC series, Cecco Racing’s Rick Cecco made the announcement that he will be returning in full force for the final five rounds of the season and is ready to take on any and all contenders for the podium.

After round six in Patton, PA, Cecco decided to take some time off to spend with his wife Deni and son Kane. “I took a short break from racing to concentrate on my family. I am glad to say the time off was well worth it and that we are coming back to the final five races 100%,” stated Cecco.

Round 10 Approaches

Round number nine of the 2011 GNCC series will be heading to Unadilla in New Berlin, NY on September 10th, where Rick Cecco will be going for the 4×4 Open win and the overall podium as he makes his return to the series for the final five rounds of the season.

Defending XC1 Champion, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich has swept five of the first eight rounds of racing, creating a twenty-seven-point lead over Warnert Racing Can-Am’s Adam McGill. McGill has kept Borich honest this year with two race-wins under his belt and with five rounds of racing to go, the 2011 championship will be a hard fought battle.

Due to possible severe weather in eastern Pennsylvania and New York, it may be necessary for GNCC racers and fans to alter driving routes from the east and south. Flooding situations have occurred in the New Berlin area, closing roads south of Unadilla Valley Sports Complex; however, the situation is expected to peak at approximately 6:00 pm, at which time more information will be made available concerning alternate routes. Until then, the best way to access the track is to approach from the north and west at Syracuse, along I-90, then south on Route 8. Travelers should avoid approaching from the east or south/east.

The Unadilla GNCC will run as scheduled this weekend, unless further announcements are made. Alternate travel routes will be posted as we gather more information on the weather conditions.

Rath Racing/Polaris Ready for Return of Terracross

Terracross, as seen on ESPN and formally known as Quad Terrain Challenge, is making its return to the racing world this weekend, September 10-11, at the 2011 Haydays Extravaganza. Once again, riders are going to face gnarly rocks, rough and tough log sections, mud and the absolute chaos caused by all the riders on the track at once. In the past, only Utility ATVs have run Terracross but this event will have Side-by-Sides as well adding to the action-packed Terracross craziness.

Daryl Rath is no stranger to this sport and has been diligently working behind the scenes for two years helping the ESPN X Games Promoter bring it back, not only back but to debut it in front of 35,000-40,000 estimated spectators. “Terracross was created for the ESPN Great Outdoors Games by Tes Sewell, it evolved into the professional sport of Quad Terrain, which played for two seasons on ESPN. With the original name Terracross back and the help of Rath, the large crowds at Haydays will see this thrilling action-packed form of competition,” added Joe Duncan, another key person in bringing this event together.

Polaris is excited about the opportunity to put their machines to the ultimate test, as it seems the relationship with Daryl Rath/Rath Racing will add yet another chapter in their racing books. Rath will be competing in both events on a Polaris Sportsman XP 850 EPS and a RANGER RZR XP 900.

NEATV-MX

Josh Creamer won both pro motos aboard his DS 450 ATV at round 10 of the 2011 New England ATV Motocross Series to take over the Pro class points lead. Creamer put together two come-from-behind rides winning the mud-filled first moto and also the second Pro moto to post his fifth overall victory of the season, pushing his class points lead to 10 with only two rounds remaining.

Cody Miller finished second in the first Pro class moto, and paired that with a third-place ride in moto two. His 3-2 score was good for another trip to the podium. He also finished second overall in the Pro-Am class on the day, posting 2-2 moto scores.

Two rounds remain on the 2011 NEATV-MX schedule, with Round 11 slated for Sept. 18, at the MX 101 facility in Epping, N.H.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com

Yamaha Quad-X Series Returns to Speedworld MX for Round 7

The 2011 Yamaha Quad-X Series presented by STI Wheel and Tire returns to Surprise, AZ on September 10th to race under the lights at Speedworld MX Park for round 7 of this year’s championship.

Yamaha’s Dustin Nelson leads the series with 150 points, after taking the overall victory in each of the six rounds so far this season. Nelson’s closest competition is MCR/Maxxis Tire’s Beau Baron, who sits just 26 points behind him in second. Rounding out the top three is Nelson’s Yamaha teammate Josh Row, who is looking to make up some ground as the season begins its final quarter.

With just two rounds left in the 2011 Yamaha Quad-X Championship series, racers are pushing harder than ever to make every moto count. You won’t want to miss this great racing action with some of the fastest ATV riders in the world!

For more information about the 2011 Yamaha Quad-X series, check out www.quadxseries.com

European ATV Racer Gives GNCC a Go

Zakowski Motorsports announced some news for round number 10 of this year’s GNCC circuit. In an attempt to help the sport of utility ATV racing grow and think outside-the-box, Zakowski Motorsports has expanded their efforts across our borders and over the seas to the very beautiful European Country of Slovenia where one of Europe’s best utility racers – Marko Jager, a 30 year old Service Manager for one of the largest BRP distributors in Europe – dreamed of one day racing at a GNCC. Zakowski Motorsports was able to make his dream come true as he has flown here to race Unadilla on the fully ZMS supported #15 4×4 Open Can-am Outlander 800 along with Zac Zakowski.

Having won everything there is in Europe, Marko and his entourage have finally come to the USA to see if they have what it takes to run with the best in America’s toughest off-road racing series. Determined to come and race the best series on the best equipment, ZMS was whom they called to have the opportunity of a lifetime to build this partnership.

Check out Marko’s first ride on US soil: http://www.youtube.com/czyfoto#p/a/u/0/LTQBDABMEGc