Gorilla Axle / Can-Am Racers Earn 5 CMR Podiums

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney

Team Gorilla Axle / Can-Am had another good showing in the ITP Championship Mud Racing (CMR) series held at Southern Ridge ATV Park in Dozier Ridge, Ala. Three riders piloted their Can-Am vehicles to five total podiums, including second overall in the highly competitive Pro A division.

Steve Hittle has led the way aboard his Can-Am Outlander in the Pro A class in 2011 with five heat wins and an overall. The Team Gorilla Axle / Can-Am racer won round two and then finished second at round three to take over the class points lead. Hittle leads Can-Am-mounted racer Ethan LaFontaine by 10 points heading into round four. Hittle also is a major contender in the RUV class with his Can-Am Commander 1000 X. He’s currently No. 2 in that class and in the Super Modified (Open) division.

“Team Gorilla / Can-Am riders continue to challenge for the CMR title in their respective classes on ATVs and behind the wheel of the Commander side-by-side,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Can-Am race manager. “Steve had another good run in the Pro A class, finishing second and maintaining his points lead.”

Lisa Wise, who competes in Pro A as well as the Women’s class on a Can-Am Renegade 800R, is also having a good season. She finished second in the Women’s class in Alabama to secure second overall for the season with five rounds remaining. Wise is currently third overall in the Pro A class, where she earned second overall at round 2 and has three heat wins in 2011. She’s also tied for third place with her husband, Mark, in the Super Modified (Open) class aboard an Outlander 800R.

Mark, who also competes in the Pro B division, won round two and took second at round three to climb into third place in the division aboard his Gorilla Axle / Can-Am 800. He’s currently in fourth place in the RUV class in his Commander 1000 X.

“The CMR series is about riding, strategy and the challenge of getting through the pit. Going fast and winning is the rewarding part of racing, of course, but this sport is also about family and friends, too,” says Lisa Wise. “Racing for Gorilla Axle and Can-Am is awesome and they’re always open to our suggestions and they give us the equipment to go faster. We’re so proud to wear the Team Gorilla / Can-Am gear and to be racing for them and winning trophies.”

Round four of the ITP Championship Mud Racing series presented by Can-Am is scheduled for July 2, at Creekbottom Trail Rides in Doles, Ga.

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.

Lucas Cooney
Lucas Cooney

I have been working exclusively in digital media since 1997. I started out with TSN.ca, spending nearly nine years creating and editing content on Canada's leading sports website. I left to join VerticalScope, Inc., one of the world's largest online publishers, to start a number of powersports publications. While at VerticalScope, I've helped create and oversee content for a wide variety of different publications, including ATV.com, Off-Road.com, ArcheryTalk.com, Tractor.com, RVGuide.com, and many more.

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