ATV riders north of the border will be able to stay a little warmer this year. Symtec Inc., a Minneapolis company that manufacturers Heat Demon heated accessories, has partnered with Canadian distributor Kimpex of Drummondville, Que.

Through this partnership, Kimpex will have access to the full Heat Demon line, which was previously sold under the Symtec brand in Canada. This will further open the North American market for Symtec and the Heat Demon brand. Canadian ATVers will have access to a variety of heated accessories, including seats, grips, and apparel.

Kawasaki, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has recalled approximately 3,900 Mule utility vehicles due to a fire hazard.

According to the recall notice, the fuel tube can scrape against the air cleaner housing and develop holes, posing a fire hazard. Kawasaki has not received any reports of incidents or injuries.

The vehicles are model year 2012 Kawasaki four-wheeled, off-highway utility vehicles with side-by-side seating for two people and automobile style controls. Each model has a bench seat, a rollover protection structure and a cargo bed. The vehicles are available in the colors green, red, black and camouflage. The following models are being recalled: Mule 600, Mule 610 4×4 and Mule 610 4×4 XC.

Can-Am DS 450 racers picked up several class victories and podiums at the opening round of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross Championship. Leading the way was Team Motoworks / Can-Am’s John Natalie, who finished second in both Pro class motos and second overall.

Teammate Joel Hetrick won the fastest qualifier award at Aonia Pass MX aboard his DS 450 and finished eighth overall. Can-Am racers also wrapped up several amateur class wins during the opening weekend of the 10-round AMA ATV MX series.

“John battled hard in both Pro class motos and just narrowly missed taking the overall win in the final lap of moto two. He remains steadfast and determined in his title defense,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Joel Hetrick was very impressive, earning the fastest qualifying time in both Pro practices. Unfortunately, his hopes for a weekend podium were dashed after a first-moto crash occurred while he was making a pass for the lead. Both our racers were very strong and are determined to be significant contenders for the Pro class podium at every round this season.”

Defending GNCC Pro ATV champion Chris Borich (Suzuki) is looking for this third straight victory to start the season at this weekend’s FMF Steele Creek GNCC in Morganton, NC.

The Maxxis/Yoshimura rider leads the pack and the point standings heading into round three of the 13-race Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. The Steele Creek Campground hosts a variety of rough and tumble obstacles and often times the track conditions affect the outcome of the intense two-hour races. The 10-12 mile course will feature mud bogs and creek crossings, mixed with rocky hills and the fan-famous Steele Creek bridge, where thousands of spectators gather to see racers battle their way through muddy waters.

Ballance Racing Yamaha‘s Walker Fowler, the rookie XC1 pro who many expect to challenge Borich for this year’s championship, understands just how rough racing conditions can be after one of the most intense finishes in GNCC history at round two in Georgia. Fowler experienced mechanical issues just a few turns before the finish and had to push his ATV to the checkers to hold onto a podium spot. He was exhausted, but the effort keeps him close to Borich in the series’ standings. The rookie still isn’t satisfied and will be back to avenge this weekend in North Carolina.

Can-Am X-Team racers Derek and Jason Murray piloted their Murray Motorsports / Can-Am Commander 1000 X to the UTV class victory in the 2012 Best In The Desert Mint 400 race in Las Vegas, Nev. Driving the Can-Am X-Team-supported Desert Toyz Commander 1000, racer Cory Sappington finished second and joined the Murrays on the UTV class podium. The Mint 400, dubbed the single largest off-road event in the United States, allowed side-by-side vehicles to compete along side the automotive field for the first time in the history of the race.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of our guys and the way they each drove their Can-Am Commander side-by-sides in these gruelling conditions,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “It was definitely a historic weekend of desert racing for Can-Am, the Commander 1000 and our X-Team racers. The Murrays and Sappington’s team deserve a lot of credit for all their hard work and dedication that they each put into preparing their machines and for putting the Commander on the top two spots of podium in the first ever Mint 400 UTV race.”