KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN™ RACERS CLINCH SIX GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RACING TITLES

IRVINE, Calif. -- Despite injuries that sidelined some of its top motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) off-road racers, Kawasaki Team Green™ finished up the 2003 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) racing series with the six championships, including two motorcycle titles and four ATV titles.

In the motorcycle Pro class, Team Green racer Fred Andrew's injury just prior to the eleventh round meant that he would have to sit out the remainder of the series. Team Green had additional winners in the waiting, however, with Scott Watkins clinching the 200A class championship title at round 12 aboard his Kawasaki KX125. Though the competition was close -- Watkins' nearest competitor was only one point behind him in the final standings -- Watkins closed the '03 GNCC season with five wins and three second-place finishes.

Watkins' teammate, Heather Wilson, dominated the Women's motorcycle class, winning 10 of the 11 races she entered on her KX250. In fact, her "lowest" finish of the season was third place at round three in North Carolina.

In the ATV classes, Team Green's Mike Penland clinched the ATV Utility Stock class championship title aboard his Prairie® 700 4x4, while teammate Scott Kilby rode his Prairie 700 4x4 to ten consecutive wins to seize the ATV Utility Modified title.

In his first year as a Team Green ATV racer, Bryan Hulsey seized the ATV Vet class championship title aboard his KFX™700 V Force™ sport ATV. In similar fashion, Adam Howell's four wins and consistent finishes aboard his V Force earned him the ATV 4-Stroke Stock crown.

In the ATV Utility Unlimited class, Team Green's Brock Parker exploded onto the scene to win the first five events of the year on his V Force only to be sidelined by an injury in round six in Tremont, Penn. And while the eventual class champion was not a Team Green rider, privateer Roy Lippencott rode his V Force to victory with seven podium finishes and a 14-point lead over his nearest competitor. Notably, six of the top eight points leaders in the ATV Utility Unlimited class were racing Kawasaki ATVs.

Reid Nordin, Team Green manager, commented that the 2003 GNCC season was an important year for showcasing the capabilities of the V Force.

"We said at the beginning of the 2003 season that we expected the V Force to set new standards in sport ATV performance, and this year it has definitely proven to be an effective racing machine," said Nordin. "We're very proud of the accomplishments Team Green racers have made on these new machines and are looking forward to doing it again next year."

Nordin added that numerous privateers -- backed by Team Green contingency money and trackside assistance -- have made significant contributions to the racing success of the V Force.

"Kawasaki put together a generous racing contingency program this year and Team Green technicians worked hard to provide the best possible trackside assistance for privateers," said Nordin. "Combined with the outstanding performance of the V Force, it's no surprise that a lot of privateers were giving our own factory-supported racers a real
run for their money."

Nordin also confirmed that the new four-stroke KX250F motocross bike will be campaigned in the 2004 GNCC season.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, JET SKI® watercraft, MULE? utility vehicles, power products and small engines. Kawasaki's tagline, Let the good times roll?, is recognized worldwide for the spirit of fun, adventure and high performance that characterizes the Kawasaki recreational vehicle line. Kawasaki product lines are sold through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers. The company and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with approximately 400 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.

RJ

 

Congratulations to Kawasaki and Team Green. A special congrats to Greenteam, our own inside atv connection forum member, Adam Howell. Looks real good for our VForce to stand up this tough the first year in production and make such an impact in the GNCC.

 

Yea, a big congrads adam... Job well done man.. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]