ATV Racing In Reverse – Crazy Concept That Will Never Happen

I read an online story about Britain holding its first backwards running championships. Yes, you read that correctly, backwards running. And I guess it’s growing in Europe/Britain. I’ve been running more frequently and have trouble pushing it while running forward and can’t think of how it would be to run a mile backwards. I guess the winner – an Irish reverse runner Garret Doherty (who was the previous world backward running world champion) – has it figured out. He finished a mile in 7 minutes 30 seconds to earn the title.

As entertaining as it would be to watch people run backwards (blah!), I think it would be much more entertaining to watch cars or ATVs race backwards. Riding in reverse on an ATV can be difficult enough, but to have every0ne do it in a race would be completely insane (though funny and full of crashes).

Although there have been backwards car races, I’m not sure there’s ever been an ATV race that forced riders to race in reverse gear. I can’t imagine ever wanting to race backwards, but have found plenty of use for reverse gear over the years. Whether it was a GNCC race (getting unstuck or around another rider who was stuck) or backing out of a mud hole or reversing down steep hills, I have experience reversing an ATV, but prefer to ride where I’m looking and do it as comfortably as possible. At least you’d have a way to finally use that reverse override button that some ATV manufacturers add to their 4×4 quads (clearly I know it’s good for mud and snow use, but … come on!).

I’ll think I’ll have to decline any form of backwards racing. It looks like that leaves a few other championship contests for me to explore in Great Britain or elsewhere. Maybe I’ll enter the Shin Kicking Championships or better yet, the World Gurning Championships, which is a fierce competition that asks entrants to make absurd facial expressions/distortions. Kinda of like the one I made when I discovered there was such a thing as backwards racing!

Custom Race Quads: CRF-powered ATVs With Aftermarket Chassis Coming Soon

I was recently told of a rumor that could turn out to be more true than fiction. For those who spend a lot of time in the ATV racing trenches — sharing news and notes, tips, setup secrets and knowledge about aftermarket products — probably have some inkling of the news I’m going to share. However, the vast majority of ATV racing fans and amateur racers may know nothing about this rumor.

A self-proclaimed “old fart” with plenty of ATV racing expertise hinted there’s a good chance we could see riders on custom-built, made-to-order, American-made race quads complete with Honda CRF engines and aftermarket frames in 2011.

CRF450R engine could find its way into an ATV chassis. (Honda image)

This rumor has been in the development phase for the last three years, said the ATV codger. He said he couldn’t give me a name of the ATV, but it’s very similar to a popular ATV motocross pro’s name. I learned this mystery ATV will actually come in four different four-stroke options (450cc/250cc/150cc) and various racing specific configurations (MX/XC) for both “pros” and amateurs. The Pro model will wear higher quality shocks, A-arms and other components and retail a little higher. Speaking of retail, the hope is to sell the Pro quad (which would debut first in a 450MX setup) for just over $12,000 and the Amateur machine for just under $10,000.

I was told this isn’t a pipe dream and the company behind “isn’t operating on a shoestring budget.” It freed roughly $1.2 billion to make it happen. “Two prototypes exist,” my source says. He also told me the ATVs will have the best of everything on them and buyers can custom order (special order), too. “Once they get brake calipers figured out and the finish their spread sheets, they fill out the completed details and start taking orders,” he said.

Building a complete race quad from scratch and using the ATV aftermarket to do it is a gigantic undertaking. That means the quad builder must get bids from several aftermarket companies on parts, from A-arms and frame to tires and wheels. To assist with this process, the company was said to have polled ATV customers and racers to find out what they use on their quads, what they wish they had and what’s currently popular in the industry. We’re talking contacting shock builders, chassis makers, plastic manufacturers and everything in between. “The first order will be 1,000 of every part they need,” said the source, “and nothing is ‘custom’ or a one-off. That way riders can work with these aftermarket companies, too, to get replacement parts, too.”

He also shared with me a few specifics about the machines

• 250R-style chassis and geometry (450MX would use a wide-style 250R frame)
• Other 250R good…plastic, seat, fuel tank and more
• CR500 link in the rear on 450MX
• 450MX estimated wet weight is 350 lbs.
• 450XC model could end up being most expensive unit, yet only weight slightly more than MX model.
• Potential for a dual-battery system and kick start on XC model
• CRF450R mill for 450MX model and looking both CRF450R and CRF450X for 450XC model.
• Prototypes are electric start
• 150 and 250 models would also be available in XC or MX formats

He hinted you might see pros riding these things with the way the ATV racing industry and factory sponsorship is going. He called prime time TV exposure the single most important way for ATV racing to grow and for its “pros” and top riding talents to get recognition. “ATV racing will be on TV because this same company will pay to have it televised,” he stated.

It appears as though this ATV racing company isn’t joking around and is seriously enthusiastic about quad racing and offering buyers what they want. The question that remains is — rumor or not — if you build it will they come? Full custom-built race quads aren’t cheap, however, but the alleged pricing seems fair. Is it enough to attract current racers and new blood into the sport? Maybe.

AMA ATV MX Championship Racers Earn Some of the Spotlight

In a recent release from atvmotocross.com, MX Sports Pro Racing’s Harv Whipple said,“By including the AMA ATV Motocross Championship alongside the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the annual awards banquet will serve as a true celebration of American motocross. The U.S. is the home of the world’s finest motocross competitors on both two and four wheels and we want to give them the acknowledgement they rightfully deserve.”

Whipple’s quote is great to read, but clearly points to the lack of respect for quad racers, especially on the pro level. What I mean is, it took a press release to announce they would be included. That makes one wonder if the were originally part of the plan (afterthought). With that being said, the invite is great to see and it’s a positive for our four-wheeled MX athletes to attend the annual awards banquet alongside the two-wheeled greats. Harv is correct calling it a “true celebration of American motocross.”

The 2010 MX Sports Pro Racing Awards Banquet is Sunday, September 12 at the Pala Resort and Casino in Pala, Calif. For tickets and more information on the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log on to www.allisports.com/motocross.

MX Sports release in full.

Take control, adjust your controls that is

Want to make your ATV experience more enjoyable?  Want to increase your ability to go those long rides with less fatigue in your arms?  Want to do all this for free?  Of course you do!  Adjust your controls my friend.

It seems so elementary but many people fail to do this after buying their machine.  Whether it s a new machine or a used one, adjusting the controls to fit your particular body and riding style will surely help you enjoy your riding that new machine even more. Here is how to do it.

First off think about your natural riding position. Do you sit most of the time your riding or do you stand most of the time? Put both index fingers straight out to rest on the levers. Adjust the clutch (where applicable) and brake levers to make as straight of a line from your finger up through your wrist, hand and arm. If your a standing is what you do most of the time make sure your in the “attack” position.

The wrong way

The right way

Adjusting your levers is somewhat subjective but a general rule of thumb is you should never have to reach way up or way down to pull in either lever.

Grassroots Racing: Fair Motocross

There may not be a deeper root in the motocross industry than the hundreds of motocross events taking places at state and county fairground across the country. As the summer season makes its exit and parents are making a mad dash for last-minute school supplies, riders all over the country are firing up their dirt bikes and quads for one last mad dash of their own. These die-hard racers will be entering their local fair race in hopes of podium glory. For them, it’s not about “national” fame, no siree, it’s the potential for victory that draws them in.

Groomed turns? Nah! (Photo by Kelley)

One can’t help but think about those Errol Morris Miller High Life commercials when you think of county fair motocross. In honor of the fair motocross racer, I’ve made up my own commercial.

“Ahh, what’s the fantastic stench burning my inner nasal cavity? I thought so … race gas! It goes well with a side of mud, motorized aerobatics and a chorus line of thunderous four-strokes. Here’s to motocross racers everywhere, especially those who aren’t overpaid and whining because their goggles are dirty. Get a grip, buck up and pin it. Just look at him, the county fair racer, he’s confident but does not boast. Ignore the duct taped fender, because this modern-day daredevil knows his way around a tool box and doesn’t pay someone to change his four-wheeler’s oil. It doesn’t matter if he’s a 40-something has-been reliving a dream or a ‘young gun’ emulating his favorite extreme athlete, we salute him. You are the very definition of a grassroots competitor.”

I’ll leave you with this Errol Morris Drink Responsibly ad for obvious reasons. Respect age restrictions and if you’re going to indulge and down a few…do it responsibly and AFTER you’re done racing. Common sense people!

AMA ATV MX Amateur Classes And Racers

A full racing season can be long and grueling, so posting an overall win (wins) is something every rider strives to accomplish. A win seems to lessen the burden of packing before and after the racing weekend. It makes cleaning up after a muddy race more worth it. Winning surely isn’t everything, but it definitely makes everything a little sweeter.

I’ve scoured the 2010 ITP Tires Moose Racing AMA ATV MX Championship Series results to find rider who posted their first win of the season at Loretta’s, and a few other important statistical facts or interesting tidbits you need to know about.

Winning At Last (Finale Victory)

Although these riders may not have won their class, they certainly won the finale in Tennessee, which gives them hope and, at the very least, something to build on for 2011.

Jeffrey Rastrelli, Palm City, Fla., has battled Joel Hetrick and Chase Snapp in the Pro-Am classes all season long. Surprisingly this young racer didn’t score a class win until he won the Pro-Am Production class at Loretta’s. He took third on the year in that class and fourth in the Pro-Am Unlimited. Combined, Rastrelli posted 10 top three finishes on the year (not something every race can boast about).

Much like Rastrelli, Dalton Millican of Drummonds, Tenn., also notched his first class victory of 2010 at Loretta’s. That capped a season which saw him score three class podiums. He also competed in the Production A class (he earned fourth with two podiums). I also have to point out that Millican missed Round 4 at Sunset Ridge in Illinois, or his points may have been better. Even so, the win makes 2011 a little more enticing.

Brandon Ruggeriero of Wadina River, N.Y., hadn’t competed at the AMA ATV Nationals all year, but chose Loretta’s as his 2010 debut event. He had to be happy with his overall in the Open C class aboard his Suzuki. Clearly budgets, work, school and family makes traveling to the Nationals challenging, but a victory (yes, even in the C classes) usually convinces a racer to try it again the next year. And sometimes it even pushes them to give it a go at more rounds.

Morehead Motorsports/Media All-Stars team racer Ryan Wheeler tallied nine podiums and second overall in the 4-Stroke C class in 2010, but it took him until the finale in Tennessee to earn his first win of the year. However, this wasn’t Wheeler’s fist taste of podium glory. He won two other racers in 2010 in the 450C class, where he finished second to Bren Marra.

Ryan Wheeler (courtesy Morehead Motorsports)

A familiar name returned to compete at Loretta Lynn’s in the College 16-24 and Open A classes. Cale Downen (Junction, Ill.), of Premis Industries Carpe Diem video fame, who last competed in the AMA ATV Pro class in 2008 raced his first national since 2009. He won the College 16-24 class and took ninth in the other class.

On his No. 106 Honda, Brian Kinczfogel of Hustisford, Wis., won his second Schoolboy class race of the year, but his first in the Schoolboy (13-15) class. He earlier won Unadilla on his No. 106 Suzuki in the Schoolboy (14-17) division, where he earned fourth on the season. Along with his 13 combined podiums in four different classes, Kinczfogel added his second win in the 13-15 ranks at Loretta’s. He ended up third in that class. Two victories and 13 podiums for this busy of a racer had to feel good.

Lakeland, Florida’s Cale Deal only competed in four 50 Limited Jr. (4-6) races in 2010, but made the podium three times, including earning the win at the series finale.

Closest Classes

The closest points race in 2010 was in the 70 SS (6-11) class between Jordan Digby (Fulton, Miss.) and Corey Heath (Wadesville, Ind.). Heath finished on the podium at every race and even won the last three rounds, but still finished one point shy of eventual class champion Digby, who had six overalls. After throw outs, the final score was 221 to 220 in favor of Digby.

Just five points separated first and second place in the 70 CVT (6-11) class. Class champion Travis Wotring (Zionsville, Pa.) held off DJ Bassani (Sussex, N.J.) by notching six victories to Bassani’s five (including two straight). After the three throw outs races – one of which was a no-show for Wotring – the final score was 230 to 225 in favor of Wotring.

Class Champions With Least Amount Of Wins

Veteran 30+ C Champion David Henderlite (Atkins, Va.) won only won race, but notched six class podium to earn the No. 1 plate. His lone victory was at Round 4 in Illinois, but he still won the class by 23 points.

Cody Suggs did a similar thing in the 4-Stroke A class. He only competed in 10 of the 11 rounds. His lone win came at Red Bud in Michigan. His 169 points edged second-place racer Preston Young by 10 points and proved, once again, winning isn’t everything. Throw outs and consistency also play a key role in capturing an amateur title.

So often the pro riders get all the coverage, but it’s the amateur ranks that create the most drama and interesting points races. Here’s to more of the same in 2011.

Amateur AMA ATV MX Racer: Most Wins In 2010

While all the attention is on – and deservedly so – Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Josh Creamer and his first career ITP Tires Moose Racing AMA ATV MX Championship, there were several other AMA ATV MX class champions in 2010. You know, those “other classes” that don’t earn that true professional status. While Creamer’s six overall wins (and 10 podium finishes) are impressive, he wasn’t the rider with the most class victories this year. Nope! In fact, several riders put up double digit win totals in 2010. Some even won two titles.

The rider with the most overalls in 2010 was C-class racer Dylan Tremellen of Conestoga, Penn. Aboard his Honda, Tremellen won a total of 17 races and won two titles (Production C and 4-Stroke C). He was perfect in the 4-Stroke C class where he attended eight races and won them all. That was good enough for the title and also let him skip that class at Loretta’s and try the Production B ranks (he finished 17th). He was almost as brilliant in the Production C class, posting eight wins in the nine races he competed in. His level of success also allowed him to move up to the Open B class at the Tennessee finale (He earned 11th).

I’m glad to see him move up and try the more challenging classes and I can’t wait to see his results in the B classes in 2010, especially under better conditions (not a muddy, wet Loretta’s). Congrats Dylan and I like your website. If you keep winning like this, you’ll need a bigger one!

Dylan Tremellen won two different C class titles in 2010. (Image courtesy Dylan Tremellen)

Other riders who posted 10 plus wins (sometimes in multiple classes) in 2010 were:

• 90 Production (8-15)/90 Automatic Sr. (12-15): Chase Horton, 14
• 70 CVT (6-11)/50 CVT (6-8): D.J. Bassani, 13
• Pro-Am Production/Pro-Am Unlimited: Joel Hetrick, 12
• 4-Stroke A/Junior 25/Veteran 30+ A/B: Josh Strominski, 12
• 450B/4-Stroke B: Chase Henry, 11
• Super-Mini (13-15)/90 Modified (8-15)]: Samuel Rowe, 11
• Women’s class: Heather Byrd, 10 (lone rider with at least 10 wins in one class)

Congrats to all the 2010 AMA ATV MX Champions.

Please let me know if I forgot any rider who notched at least 1o wins this year (combined; in one or more classes).

Shane Hitt: Still Thrilling On Four Wheels

He’s a living legend and one of the fastest professional ATV racers of all time. I’ve watched Shane “Dog” Hitt, Buckhannon, W.Va., win several Pro class titles and amass several stellar years and career statistics since my start in the ATV industry in 1998. The 39-year-old mostly retired racer has eight pro titles and has also proven his all-around abilities on a four-wheeler with championships in the Baja 1000, Pont de Vaux, New Zealand and other venues.

I recently spoke with Hitt and got his thoughts about ATV racing, the EDT series, the Ashtabula EDT event and a few other things.

Shane Hitt, Buckhannon, W.Va., is one of the fastest and most successful ATV racers of all time. (Image courtesy of Shane Hitt)

Why did you decide to race at Pine Lake again?

There are a couple reasons. I decided to go to Pine Lake because it is the biggest and best EDT race of the year. We get a long practice on Friday allowing me to get use to and make changes to my bike. Also it’s a three-day weekend and I get to see a lot of old friends.

What was it like to get back out there and compete?

It was a lot of fun to get back out there and race a lot of new guys. And it’s a lot of fun to race Harold, especially when I beat him!

Why didn’t you compete in the Pro ranks? Do you feel you could have made the Pro podium?

I have mixed feeling about a guy showing up to race one time a year in the Pro class. Some idiot did it in 2007 and cost me the championship! Yeah, I feel that I could have made the Pro podium. [I] Placed second in unlimited and it’s the same riders on the same bikes.

What is the modern EDT series and competition like compared to when you last competed for the title?

Competition is pretty much the same, but there are a few new guys.

Hitt competed at Ashtabula on an FRE/KTM 450 (Image courtesy of Shane Hitt)

One of your good friends Harold won two races and looked as fast as always…was it nice to see him still riding hard? How has he changed since when he first came to Ashtabula as rookie way back in the 80′s and when he used to compete with you and Timmy?

Harold went good. Harold will always be good at TTs because he knows what it takes to make the bikes work. Harold has grown about 2 foot and put on 100 pounds since he first came to Ashtabula in the late 80′s. [He's] Still the same kid that used to compete against me and Timmy [Farr] every weekend.

Speaking of Farr, how’s he healing and is that why we didn’t see him at Pine Lake dicing with you?

He is still healing his broken right arm and it will still be a couple months before it’s better. That’s why he wasn’t racing with us at Pine lake. He was there to watch and help me!

What machine did you race and why? Could your old two-stroke compete today?

I raced a brand new KTM XC450, because FRE/KTM mechanic Sam Shahan built it for me the week before the race. A brand new stock bike that JB Racing shortened the A-arms on put a Rath sway bar on it, a FMF pipe and wheels and tires. Everything else was bone stock, just the way she comes and that’s how we rode it!

My old two stroke could compete today if the let us use 300-330 kit. I competed on it last yr in pro am unlimited and got third. It’s alittle bit down on power for the start other than that it’s really good!

Shane Hitt won the 30+ class and took second in on Pro-Am class in Ohio. (Image courtesy of Shane Hitt)

Although EDT (TT) doesn’t get the same fanfare or sponor and media attention as ATV MX and GNCC, the pro classes have roughly the same number of riders (around 15). It’s still afloat, but will it survive?

I think it will definitely survive. The biggest problem with the EDT series is there’s too many generals and not enough soldiers. Every single promoter wants to do something different than the others, it’s not going to work until everyone is on the same page.

Is it cheaper, the same or more expensive to compete in the EDT series than it used to be?

I think the expense is the fuel and hotels. The bikes are pretty much the same.

If you could change one thing about ATV racing – in general – what would it be? (Back in the day, it would have been TV coverage and factory sponsorship)…

Up the purse and contingency and sponsorship as far as the manufacturers are concerned (such as KTM bucks and Honda bucks).

Should MX and EDT merge again, even for one weekend or racing? Or are the racers too sport specific for it to work?

The original series was small back in 1985 when it was put together, and I think it needed to be together. As the sport had gotten more popular and they got more riders, I think it was good to split the series. But I also think with the economy and the shape it’s in, they may have to eventually put it back together to make it worth the promoters’ time. I’d like to someday be able to put together a triple-crown week-long race which would consist of TT, motocross and GNCC racers to find out who the really best ATV riders are. But in order to do that it would have to be a really big purse and would allow manufacturers to spend time with each other to discuss how to make improvements.

Is there anything else you need to add?

Also would like to say thanks to Timmy and Julie Farr and Sam Shahan at FRE/KTM for taking the time to build me a new bike for Pine Lake and always believing in me — what I could do well! Also, [I'm] sending prayers to Josh Kirkland and his whole family. He’s a close friend and a champion on our GNCC team.

Quad MX Racing: Wienen Wins Red Bud ATV National

It took 14 races – dating back to 2009 – for Motoworks Can-Am’s Chad Wienen to earn another AMA ATV MX Championships Pro class victory. His last win was a 1-1 moto sweep at round 7 last year at Unadilla. This year Wienen, who signed with Can-Am for 2010, has been close to posting his first victory – notching three podiums, including two second-place finishes – on the DS450 sport quad. However, Sunday in Michigan, “Neverlift” Wienen looked much like the young rider who was so impressive in the WPSA Pro class a few years back. He posted the fast qualifying time during practice, the fastest lap of the weekend [2:15.043] and was extremely competitive in both motos. He was especially thrilling in Moto 2, where he charged from the fifth-place spot into first on lap four and then held off Creamer. This is the rider Can-Am signed and this is the result it expected at every round.

(From Left) Josh Creamer, Chad Wienen and Josh Upperman are all smiles after earning spots on the Pro class podium at Red Bud. (Michael Roth for ATVMotocross.com)

“Red Bud is my favorite track, so I came out here to have fun and I am really excited to take the win. It’s a really great accomplishment and I am glad to be able to give it my best. I have to thank all my sponsors, including Can-Am and Motoworks for helping me make it happen,” said Wienen in the official Can-Am/BRP release. “I felt really good at qualifiers and my quad was running great. I was pretty happy about getting the fastest time.”

Not to take anything away from Wienen’s win, but his late-season push is too late to move him into the top two in the ITP Tires Moose Racing AMA ATV MX Championship Pro class points race. However, with another solid run at the finale at Loretta’s in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., Wienen can secure third for 2010, which is good considering it was his first season on the Can-Am and on his new team.

The Race For First

With a 40-point advantage headed into Loretta Lynn’s, Josh Creamer’s point lead is almost unbeatable. Barring injury or two mechanical failures, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider should secure his first professional ATV motocross championship in Tennessee in two weeks. His Suzuki teammate, Dustin Wimmer — the reigning two-time AMA ATV MX Champion — is the only rider with a shot at catching him. The most intriguing thing from Hurricane Mills may be how hard Creamer goes. Only three riders have accumulated 50 points (Creamer twice and Wimmer once) at a round this season. Although he’s not mathematically eliminated, Wimmer overcoming Creamer is a true long shot. Don’t think for a second Wimmer has given up; he’ll probably win Loretta’s. It probably on depends on how well both Suzuki-mounted riders do in the first moto.

Chad Wienen will have his hands full at the season finale in Tennessee. He's currently tied with Josh Upperman for third place in the points race. (Can-Am image)

The Race For Third

With the first- and second-place spots essentially wrapped up (Wienen trails Wimmer by 64 points), the focus then shifts to third place. Wienen and Baldwin Motorsports/PEP racer Josh Upperman – who has one victory this year – are tied with 341 points apiece. Just two points behind them sits Motoworks Can-Am and former WPSA Champion John Natalie Jr. You can bet all three riders and teams will be pushing hard and giving it an extra effort in order to create some distance between themselves.

The Race For Sixth

Thomas Brown (Yamaha), who finished in 15th at Red Bud, leads Jeremy Lawson (Walsh) by only five points (275 to 270) heading into the final race. And it’s Lawson who is riding with momentum right now, with three top five finishes (including one podium) in his last four races. However, at Loretta’s we have a feeling both riders will give it their all.

The Race For Eighth

Jeremie Warnia and Pat Brown are dicing it out for eighth place. Warnia on his Can-Am DS450  leads the Honda-mounted Brown by seven points. Warnia has been more impressive his last three races with a 6th, 7th and 7th to Brown’s 8th, 9th, 9th finishes.

The Race For Tenth

Second-year pro Nick DeNoble is currently 10th in the Pro class points (31 points behind Pat Brown), leading rookie Cody Grant by nine points. They’re season results are somewhat similar as both riders have three top 10 finishes this year and are averaging roughly an 11th place finish over their last four race (Although DeNoble missed Round 8). DeNoble has the best result in 2010, which was a fifth-place ride at Steel City.

For more info, visit the ATVMotocross.com website.

Josh Kirkland FRE-KTM GNCC Racer’s CaringBridge Site

Josh Kirkland, Team FRE/KTM Grand National Cross Country series ATV racer was recently hurt in an accident. His parents said he was hurt injured while practicing for a race in Pont de Vaux, France. Kirkland won the XC2 National Championship in 2009. He’s currently third in the Pro-Am class points in 2010.

Caring Bridge image

Amy McConnell sent me Kirkland’s CaringBridge link. Josh’s CaringBridge website is made possible through donations. You can make a donation to CaringBridge in tribute to Josh. Your contribution ensures your loved one receives love, encouragement and hope through their CaringBridge experience.

I suggest all ATV racing, GNCC and powersports fans visit the link and share their words of support and prayers with Josh. That’s my plan for today. Every fallen, injured rider probably feels a lot better (all circumstances aside) when they receive support from their family, friends and fans!

As of last check, 717 family and friends had visited the site. That’s good to see.

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