The world’s top ATV motocross athletes are back in action this weekend as the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship kicks off at Aonia Pass MX Park in Washington, Ga.

The 2013 ATVMX Pro lineup boasts one of the most stacked fields in recent history with 24 riders expected to line up at the opening round of racing, including defending champion Chad Wienen (Wienen Motorsports/SSi/Walsh/Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires and Team Vollmer). With several veteran riders, past champions and new riders making their debut into the pro class, the chase for the 2013 championship title will be one to follow. Two-time champ and ATVMX veteran John Natalie contested Wienen for the championship in 2012 but was left short and finished second overall in the points chase. This season Natalie will be riding a MotoSport.com/Motoworks/DWT machine and looking to reclaim that number one plate.

American Honda, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued a recall of 2012 Honda FourTrax Rancher models.

According to the recall notice, a weld on the ATV’s front right and left upper suspension arms can separate, which can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle. About 19,500 units are involved in the recall. Honda is aware of 10 incidents of suspension arm weld failures, including one in which a rider suffered a sprained wrist.

It’s been out for about a month now, but we just stumbled upon a very cool video from American Honda about its ATV racing heritage.

Chuck Miller, Senior Manager of Product Planning at American Honda, is a multi-time Baja champion and does an amazing job of breaking down Honda’s ATV racing history. No doubt he’s got many stories we’d all be interested to hear, but one in particular stood out in this video – the 1984 Baja 1000.

“Our ATV actually got fourth overall that year, out of all the motorcycles, all the vehicles,” says Miller. “I’ll never forget Gaston Rahier, who was the motocross world champion and also Paris to Dakar champion, was riding for a factory BMW team and ended up fifth overall. And he couldn’t believe that they got beat by an ATV. He came in with his accent telling me ‘oh my gosh, I cannot believe I got passed and got beat by an ATV here in Baja!’”

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Lone Star Racing, one of the ATV industry’s biggest aftermarket manufacturers, is getting into the exhaust business.

“In an effort to continue to grow our product line, we are pleased to announce the new Lone Star Racing Exhaust Systems,” Lone Star Racing says in a release. “We teamed up with top engine builders Moto-Xperts and designed a full exhaust system that not only provides top performance through extensive dyno testing, but also great sounding exhaust and stylish accents to keep your quad looking great at the same time.”

Consumers can pre-order exhaust systems for the Honda TRX450 and Yamaha YFZ450R now. Lone Star Racing says the exhaust systems will be ready to ship in early December.

National Guard/Coastal/Bowers Motorcycle Supplies/Yokley Racing Team rider Jarrod McClure finished fifth overall and fifth in the XC1 Pro Class at the season finale of the 2013 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. There were 113 total entries including 16 XC1 Pro racers.

Summary

The format for the last GNCC of the year at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch was different as the bikes raced on Saturday and the ATVs on Sunday. Rain showers on Saturday night made the track almost perfect for the ATVs on this crisp autumn race day. The historic facility features a high-speed grass track, the national caliber Moto Cross track, trails with lots of rocks, gravel and elevation changes.

At the drop of the start flag, McClure got a great launch and the $250 Motosport.com Holeshot Award. The top five XC1 Pros ran nose to tail for the first several laps, with the lead changing hands several times per lap. McClure ran a good, smooth race and finished in fifth place at the end of the five-lap, two-hour race.