The Coastal Racing team of Scott Kiger, Mark Holz, RJ Anderson, Rob Utendorfer, Tyler King and Brian McLean raced to victory in the UTV Pro class at the 2013 Baja 1000.

In its first ever Baja 1000 appearance, the Coastal Racing team piloted its No. 1934 Polaris RZR XP 900 to the finish line in 27 hours, 16 minutes and 57 seconds – nearly 24 minutes quicker than the second place Jagged X team.

MX Sports Pro Racing and the ATV Promoter’s Group (ATVPG) have revealed the 2014 schedule for the Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA. The nine-round series is down one event from 2013 and kicks off March 22 and 23 at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, Ga., and concludes on August 9 and 10 with the historical Loretta Lynn’s season finale in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Many of the series’ traditional stops will return in 2014, including Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tenn., Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, Ill., Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania’s High Point Raceway, RedBud in Buchanan, Mich., and New Berlin, New York’s legendary Unadilla.

Brothers Hunter and Cody Miller notched three overall wins and five total podiums at the 2013 Oklahoma Gold Rush event near Tulsa, Okla. The Louis Powersports / Can-Am racers each recorded a win with their Maverick 1000R X rs side-by-side vehicles. Hunter won the UTV XC race, while Cody Miller took the overall in the UTV Super Moto event.

“Hunter and Cody Miller had an outstanding weekend in Oklahoma, winning three total classes and showcasing the versatility and capabilities of the Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle,” says Jeff Leclerc, racing project leader, Can-Am.

Tim Farr raced his Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs to victory at the season-ending AMSOIL Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Ind.

This was the first victory of the season for Farr and his wife / co-pilot Julie, but the second overall win for the JB Racing / Can-Am team. Farr, starting from row three, held the lead after the first lap and rode a steady race to record the victory. He won by more than 40 seconds over second place and finished the year in sixth place overall in the XC1 UTV class. The NC Powersports / Performance East / Can-Am teams of Stuart Weeks and Devon Steedley also recorded top 10 XC1 class finishes in Indiana.

Racer Productions has announced the dates for the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series. The 13-round schedule will once again kick off March 8 and 9 and run through the last weekend in October.

The full schedule complete with race venues will be announced next month at the GNCC Awards Banquet.

Can-Am Maverick racers are coming off a very successful weekend, sweeping the podium in the UTV 1 Open class at Round 5 of the Woods Extreme XC Racing (WEXCR) series in Amesville, Ohio and taking the checkers across the country at the DWT Pure 250 in California City, Calif. Can-Am ATV racers also participated in round 11 of the New England ATV Motocross series, earning 15 total podium finishes.

“I was pleased to learn that Can-Am Maverick racers won two growing race series this past weekend. We had the top four finishers at the WEXCR event, which clearly proves the Can-Am Maverick Side-by-Side is becoming the vehicle to own for cross-country racing” says Jeff Leclerc, racing project leader, Can-Am. “To hear Jim McKay won the PURE 250 overall his first time competing with his Maverick 1000R is great because it proves BRP offers a true high-performance Side-by-Side purpose built for racing, no matter the environment.”

The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series will go pink at the season-ending Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Ill. on Oct. 26-27 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nearly 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the race.

The goal of Ironman’s pink-effort is to raise awareness and funds locally for breast cancer care and research, while also bringing the GNCC Racing community together for a cause that transcends racing. The pink livery will make a dynamic contrast to the woods, hills and mud of the iconic Ironman GNCC.

Chris Borich looks for his record-tying 67th win this weekend. (Photo by Ken Hill)

The 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series makes its debut in Northwest Pennsylvania this weekend for the inaugural running of the Car-Mate Gusher GNCC. Taking place on the property of Foxburg’s picturesque RiverStone Estate, Round 11 of the 13-race series will showcase all-new terrain with freshly cut trail alongside the wild and scenic Allegheny and Clarion Rivers.

Four-time XC1 Pro ATV Champion Chris Borich heads into Round 11 with more than just a race win on his mind. On Saturday, the Pennsylvania native will attempt to tie nine-time GNCC Champion Bill Ballance’s all-time record of ATV overall wins with a 67th career win at the Car-Mate Gusher GNCC. Of course, Borich is also vying for a fifth consecutive title as he currently leads the National Championship standings with seven overall wins this season.

Can-Am 4×4 ATV racers won five classes at round 10 of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series in New Berlin, New York.

Can-Am Renegade racer Michael Swift outdueled fellow U2 class competitor Rob Smith for the class victory and the top spot on the 4×4 podium at the Can-Am Unadilla event. JB Off-Road / Can-Am racer Jarrod McClure earned a third-place podium finish in the XC1 ATV Pro class aboard his DS 450 ATV. Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs pilot Kyle Chaney also earned a victory this past weekend, winning the QR1 class at round seven of the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series in Tennessee.

An amazing 1,971 ATV and motorcycle racers competed this past weekend at the recent Unadilla GNCC in New Berlin, NY, setting a record for the 38-year-old series.

This comes after the highly successful season in 2012, where the Grand National Cross Country Series generated the second largest total of rider entries in the history of the series. With over 10% increase in participation from the previous year, the 2012 season nearly topped the all-time high mark set in 2007.

Chris Borich looks for his seventh win of the season at the Unadilla GNCC. (Photo by Ken Hill)

Following a two-month summer break, the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series returns to racing this Saturday for the ninth running of the Can-Am Unadilla GNCC. Held at the legendary Unadilla Raceway in New Berlin, NY, the Unadilla GNCC serves as Round 10 of the 13-race series.

Josh Creamer won both the Pro and Pro-Am classes at round nine of the New England ATV Motocross series in Pennsylvania. The reigning Pro and Pro-Am class champion used his ITP Quadcross motocross tires to grab three of four holeshots and win all four motos he entered.

“Josh Creamer is a true professional who put in another dominant performance this past weekend in Pennsylvania,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support for ITP. “Even with more competition in both classes, Creamer won all four of his motos and the top two classes in the New England motocross series using our premium ATV motocross tires.”

(Photo courtesy UTVUnderground.com)

Team Murray Racing / Del Amo Motorsports / Yoshimura / Can-Am rode its Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs to victory at the 540-mile Vegas To Reno race.

“It was an incredible weekend for Can-Am in the Nevada desert. Despite a grueling 500 mile-plus course, drivers Derek and Jason Murray, their teammates and the Can-Am Maverick 1000R outlasted the Nevada desert to earn Can-Am its first-ever Vegas To Reno victory,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Considering the fact that the Murray’s are essentially using a stock engine and are competing against fully built race engines, this makes the win even more spectacular for both Can-Am and the Murray team.”

Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers won three ATV classes, one UTV class and put another team on the Open UTV podium at the sixth-annual GBC Heartland Challenge in Iowa. In New York, Can-Am Pro Travis Moore rode his DS 450 ATV to victory at round six of the NEATV-MX series.

“We had several Can-Am racers battle in the thick dust at the Heartland Challenge event in Iowa, and came away with victories in the Pro 4×4 Ironman, 4×4 Open, ATV Ironman and UTV Unlimited classes. Mike Penland’s team also earned third-place in the prestigious Open UTV class with the Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “DS 450 racer Travis Moore also continued his successful NEATV-MX season with another overall Pro class win at round six.”

Team ITP ATV and Side-by-Side racers competed in both the 2013 AMA Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Series and the World Off-Road Championship Series this past weekend. At the final round of the ATV MX series in Tennessee, ITP-supported racers won four classes, earned more than a dozen podiums and wrapped up eight individual amateur national championships. ITP Side-by-Side pilots earned two podiums at Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California.

“We’re very pleased about winning eight amateur AMA ATV motocross national championships. We could have had more titles, as we had 15 runner-up finishes and seven third-place finishes as well, but that’s racing. Our riders battled to the very end with their ITP tires and we’re proud of all their efforts and the titles,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support. “Our racers had a bit of bad luck at the WORCS event in California, but we still came away with a couple podium finishes, including John Pacheco’s third-place run in the challenging SxS Pro Production class.”

Chad Wienen will try to wrap up the ATVMX championship this weekend at RedBud MX.

ing down, Chad Wienen will try to secure his second straight title as the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Series, sanctioned by AMA, heads to the legendary RedBud MX in Buchanan, Mich. this weekend.

Wienen (Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer ) won the 2012 National Championship after returning to action only nine months after undergoing back surgery in June of 2011. Since then, Wienen has bounced back to claim seven of the eight overall wins in 2013, where he holds a commanding lead over the rest of the field heading into Round 9.

Since just about everybody seems to carry an electronic device or two at all times, being able to charge them on your ATV or UTV would be a bonus. Unfortunately, normal USB chargers can get covered with mud, dust and water. 3BR Powersports has solved this problem with a sealed USB charger so you can keep your smart phone or GPS charged up while out on the trail.

3BR’s TAPPTM, TAPP-Lite and Panel-TAPP are designed to stand up to the dual problems of dirty conditions and dirty electrical power. A patented, weatherproof connector system is included that works with all USB charging cables and the electronics are designed to work with the modern USB charging requirements of iPhone, iPad, Droid, Samsung, LGChem and Blackberry.

With only two rounds remaining in the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA, the battle for the Rookie of the Year award is going down to the wire.

A rider is eligible to receive this esteemed award if he is in his first full year of competition in the ATV Pro MX circuit. The rider who scores the most championship points in the AMA Pro division is award Rookie of the Year.

Can-Am DS 450 racers earned an impressive 17 podium positions and seven class wins at round eight of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Series in New Berlin, NY. As well, Can-Am Maverick riders found the podium at the World Off-Road Championship Series event in Pala, Calif.

“Can-Am Pro and amateur class racers put in some of the best overall weekend performances recently with the DS 450 ATV, winning seven classes and a total of 17 class podiums. Josh Creamer was untouchable in moto two and equaled his best overall finish of the year with second place in the Pro class,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “We were pleased that three Can-Am Maverick racers earned top-five finishes in California, highlighted by Pablo Veglia’s third-place podium finish in the SxS Pro Production class.”

GBC Motorsports supported riders competed in Round 6 of WORCS Racing this past weekend, earning a pair of class victories. Weather was favorable out at Pala Raceway, however the rough track proved difficult for many racers both in the SXS classes as well as the ATV classes.

Mitch Guthrie topped the SXS 1000 class at WORCS Round 6.

RJ Anderson got off to a great start on his GBC Dirt Commanders, converting a second place start off the line into a solid lead throughout the race. Mechanical issues late in the race dropped Anderson to an 11th place finish. Coming off of back-to-back wins, Anderson holds onto the sixth spot in the season standings.

Zak Zakowski won the UTV overall, as well as the Open UTV and Open Utility classes at the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series.

Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs pilots picked up more victories this past weekend at the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series and the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series, while Can-Am DS 450 racers reached the podium at the Steel City ATV MX National.

Kyle Chaney dominated the QR1 class in his Maverick at round six of the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series in Tennessee. Zak Zakowski won two classes and the UTV race overall in the Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series. At round seven of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Series, DS 450 racer Travis Spader won two classes, while Nick Gennusa earned his first career Pro-Am class podium finish aboard his Can-Am.

“Can-Am Maverick 1000R side-by-side racer Kyle Chaney put in an outstanding effort in miserable conditions to dominate the UTV Rally Raid event at Windrock OHV park. I was thrilled by Zac Zakowski’s double victory in Iowa, which included his first official UTV overall with his new Maverick 1000R X rs,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “We had tougher luck and spotty weather at round seven of the ATV MX Nationals, but I was excited for Nick Gennusa’s moto-one victory and first career Pro-Am class podium finish.”

Kyle Chaney took the checkers at the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series this weekend.

Team ITP racers won seven classes and earned a total of 21 podiums at round seven of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National in Pennsylvania. At round six of the UTV Rally Raid Northern Series, Kyle Chaney (JB Racing / ITP) drove his ITP Terracross-equipped side-by-side vehicle to victory in Oliver Springs, Tenn.

“Our ITP ATV racers once again put in an outstanding effort, winning seven classes and recording numerous podium finishes. After seven rounds in the books, our riders are in the running for several class championships and that fact alone validates the performance and design of our tires,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support. “Team ITP racer Kyle Chaney put in an outstanding performance in wet, muddy conditions to win another off-road event with Terracross tires.”

Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc racer Rob Smith won the U2 class and earned his first career 10 a.m. morning overall at round nine of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series in Snowshoe, W.Va. Fellow U2 class competitor and Renegade pilot Michael Swift joined Smith on the overall podium, 4×4 overall podium and U2 class podiums at the Snowshoe GNCC.

Can-Am ATV racers also won the other four 4×4 classes at round nine and Bryan Buckhannon extended his 4×4 Open class winning streak to nine races. At the first side-by-side event in the AMA Mid America Cross Country Championship Series, Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs racer Matt Rowell won the UTV Modified class in Nashville, Ind.

“Can-Am ATV racers again dominated the morning session, winning all five 4×4 classes in spite of the wet, muddy and rugged conditions at the Snowshoe GNCC. Rob Smith and Michael Swift had a great battle for the top spot on the overall morning podium, the U2 class win and class points lead. We have several Can-Am racers who have good control of their class points lead heading into the GNCC summer break,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Matt Rowell won his first race in the Maverick 1000R X rs in the MAXC series, proving the flagship Can-Am Maverick 1000R is truly a race-ready side-by-side.”

Coming into the historically tough Snowshoe GNCC in the mountains of West Virginia, Team UXC Racing’s Michael Swift prepared for the worst. His Can-Am Renegade X xc had been specially prepped to take on the long high-speed sections as well as the many rock gardens littering the lower sections of the course.

“We started into the dirt from the paved section third in our class and passing to first place before the two mile marker,” says Swift.

Swift was also able to catch and pass the open class riders before the five-mile mark on the first lap to try and pull away just a little. The plan was to pit early to insure enough fuel in case of any possible mishap that could prevent a pit late in the race. The second lap around was the scheduled pit and with a brief stop for fuel the second place rider in the U2 class was able to slip by. After getting back out in front of his class Swift made a line choice that narrowed too much for the Renegade to squeeze through. This kept the Team UXC racer behind his competition.

Adam McGill finished fifth in the XC1 Pro ATV class.

Team ITP racers won four classes and earned 10 total class podiums at round nine of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series held in West Virginia. Dave Simmons, Brian Schmid, Mark Batson and Jordan Digby each won their class at a muddy Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, WV, while ITP Pro Adam McGill earned fifth in the XC1 Pro class.

“To come away with four class victories and 10 total podiums at a very rugged, muddy and difficult Snowshoe GNCC course is a nice accomplishment. Unfortunately, a few of our top riders had some issues at this round, but we’re pleased with our season so far going into the GNCC summer break,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support. “To have this many racers leading their class in points or owning the most class overall victories is rather impressive. We anxiously await the second portion of the GNCC in September as we make our final push for multiple championships.”

Modeled after the historic Blackwater 100, the Snowshoe GNCC features some of the roughest terrain on the 2013 schedule, offering racers rocks, tight woods, hills and, of course, mud. Heavy rain prior to the event and a downpour during the afternoon session only enhanced Snowshoe’s infamous reputation and made for slick, challenging conditions.

With no GNCC or ATV motocross action this weekend, Can-Am ATV and Side-by-Side racers turned their attention to mud and desert racing. The team earned class victories and numerous podium finishes in both the inaugural 2013 High Lifter Quadna Mud Nationals and the 2013 PURE desert racing series.

Can-Am mud racers won four classes and garnered 13 total podium spots in the EPI Mud Bog at Quadna Mountain Park in Hill City, Minn. Can-Am Commander 1000 X racer Aaron Juarez won the Pro Production 1000 class at round two of the new DWT PURE Side-By-Side Off-Road Championship series in California City, Calif.

“It was fantastic that Can-Am mud racers dominated the first-ever High Lifter Mud Nationals North at Quadna Mountain Park in Minnesota. The Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am race team was the top performing team of the weekend, earning the most podium finishes,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Rookie driver Aaron Juarez and co-pilot Derek Murray had a great weekend at the PURE 300 desert event in California, winning the Pro Production 1000 class with the Murray Racing / Can-Am Commander 1000.”

The Snowshoe GNCC is the most scenic (and toughest) race of the year. (Photo by Ken Hill)

Round 9 of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series heads to Snowshoe Mountain Resort this weekend for the toughest, most spectacular and most unique race on the whole circuit, the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC. Four-time ATV champion Chris Borich leads the field into the final race before the summer break, but Saturday’s two-hour battle through the grueling woods of Snowshoe Mountain has the potential to shake things up in the XC1 class.

Set in the upscale ski village of West Virginia’s largest ski resort, this weekend’s Snowshoe GNCC promises to resurrect pieces of XC history with its live engine starts across the paved road located in the heart of Snowshoe’s village. The in town starts pay homage to the Blackwater 100-the original GNCC-where groups of five racers take off in five-second increments, making for a spectacular scene.

Michael Swift piloted his Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc to victory in the U2 class as the Grand National Cross Country series headed to West Virginia for the Mountaineer Run GNCC.

Swift led the way, as Can-Am racers won all five GNCC morning 4×4 classes and took all 15 podium positions at the Mountaineer Run. The Masontown, WV facility also hosted round four of the GNCC SxS series, and Can-Am side-by-side pilots earned a total of four podiums in three different classes. Can-Am racers also competed in both the Canadian Quad Cross series and Texas Off-Road Nationals with good results.

“Our Can-Am ATV racers convincingly took wins in all five of the GNCC 4×4 classes. I was thrilled to see Michael Swift put his Team UXC Racing / Can-Am Renegade on the overall morning podium and to have Bryan Buckhannon extend his perfect season in the 4×4 Open class,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Can-Am racers earned a total of 20 podium finishes at The Mountaineer, which is definitely a good trend heading into round nine, right before the GNCC summer break.”

William Yokley fought off 47 other UTVs to take the checkers in the XC1 class at the Mountaineer GNCC this past weekend. Team driver Scott Kiger joined Yokley on the podium with a third place finish. Yokley’s guest passenger was his wife Tina, and Kiger’s passenger was Tyler King.

Summary

The Mountaineer GNCC course features rocks, rocks and more rocks! To do well here, you must be cautious and choose your lines carefully. The area received rain on Thursday and Friday, and by race day, the track was almost perfect. There was no mud, no dust, low humidity and temperature in the 70s.

The Polaris Coastal National Guard team of William Yokley and Scott Kiger got decent starts and entered the woods in third and fourth places. At the end of lap 1, they were 10th and 13th respectively, mainly due to the later rows making up corrected time as the machines got bunched up trying to navigate the new course.

Yamaha Racing’s GNCC University will return this year at the Snowshoe Campus. Yamaha’s top off-road ATV and motorcycle racers will be on hand as instructors of this two-day riding school, beginning on Wednesday, June 26 just three days before the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC, Round 9 of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series.

Led by Dean of motorcycles, seven-time AMA National Enduro Champion Randy Hawkins, this year’s Yamaha Racing bike instructors include five-time AMA National Hare Scramble Champion Jason Raines, reigning XC1 Champion Paul Whibley, XC1 rider Jordan Ashburn, XC2 riders Brad Bakken and Jedediah Haines, and Women’s class rider Becca Sheets.

Professor of ATVs, XC1 Pro Class rider Johnny Gallagher, will lead this year’s Yamaha Racing ATV instructors, including XC1 riders Walker Fowler, Jeff Pickens, Gabe Phillips and nine-time GNCC Women’s Class Champion Traci Cecco.

Can-Am DS 450 ATV racers fought through muddy conditions and a tight course to earn three class podium finishes at round six of the 2013 AMA Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship series in Virginia.

In the ATV Pro class, BCS Performance / Can-Am racer Josh Creamer and Jeff Rastrelli finished sixth and seventh overall, respectively.

“Round six of the AMA ATV motocross series in Virginia, was another rain-soaked event with a very tight track. The key was grabbing the holeshot and, unfortunately our racers didn’t get the best of starts at this round. Can-Am DS 450 Pro Josh Creamer and his team unfortunately missed the set-up in moto one, but overcame two mid-pack starts to capture sixth place overall,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Fellow Can-Am Pro racer Jeffrey Rastrelli had his best Pro career finish, posting 7-8 moto finishes for seventh overall.”

(Photo by Ken Hill)

The XC1 Pro ATV class has produced only two different winners in the first seven rounds of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country season, despite some of the most highly contested lead battles in recent history.

Reigning champion Chris Borich and runner-up Walker Fowler have dominated the center of the podium up to this point, but there’s a stacked field of pro riders waiting to secure a win in the remaining six rounds.

This weekend, June 15 and 16, the series heads to Masontown, W. Va. for the second running of the Parts Unlimited Mountaineer Run GNCC. Lonestar/Precision/ITP’s Adam McGill matched his best finish of the season with second place last round, giving the West Virginia native momentum heading into his home state this weekend. McGill experienced mechanical issues at the last year’s Mountaineer Run GNCC, so there’s no doubt that McGill is looking for redemption this time around.

It hasn’t taken long for the Can-Am Maverick to find racing success across the world. You can now add Baja to the mix as Cory Sappington (Desert Toyz) rode his Maverick 1000R X rs to a second place finish at the SCORE Baja 500 in Ensenada, Mexico.

A total of three Can-Am Maverick race teams competed in the 40th annual running of the desert endurance race on the Baja Peninsula.

“Our Can-Am Maverick 1000R X rs racing teams had a successful Baja 500, despite only one making it to the finish line. Desert Toyz’s Cory Sappington’s second place podium finish was impressive considering the gnarly race conditions,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. ”Our other two racing teams each held the class race lead at one point during the race before falling victim to Baja’s conditions and meticulous setup requirements. We see Sappington’s podium finish as a big stepping stone for the new Maverick’s success in a very demanding race environment and we look to carry this momentum over to future desert racing events this season.”

(Photo by Vincent Knakal / UTVUnderground.com)

The Jagged X/ Polaris team is cruising in the 2013 SCORE Baja championship. After winning the opening round at the 45th Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, the team earlier this year, the team followed it with a win at this past weekend’s Tecate SCORE Baja 500.

Jagged X/Polaris driver Matt Parks handled the San Felipe 250 driving duties on his own, but enlisted the help of teammate and Best in the Desert racer Brandon Scheuler for the Baja 500.

“Schueler has more UTV racing experience that anyone out there and I knew he would do a great job in Baja,” say Parks.

Defending champion Chad Wienen is hunting for his fourth straight victory as the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA, heads to Birch Creek MX in Danville, Va. this weekend the Bob “Smitty” Smith Memorial ATV National.

Smitty was the series amateur referee and involved in the ATV community for over 10 years until he lost his battle to cancer late last year. Round 6 opening ceremonies at Birch Creek MX have been dedicated in memory of the late Bob Smith, who was a Danville local and always had a special place in his heart for the Birch Creek event.

Wienen went 1-3 aboard his Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer machine two weeks ago for his third straight win. He’ll try to make it four in a row and five out of six this weekend.

Team ITP side-by-side vehicle racer Kyle Chaney won the UTV XC1 class and the UTV overall at round seven of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series in Ohio. ITP-backed Adam McGill finished second in the XC1 ATV Pro class, while Veteran ATV racer Kenny Rich Sr. won the Master 50+ class. Team ITP racers earned a dozen class podiums, which featured both ATV and UTV racing.

“I was very pleased to learn that Team ITP racer Kyle Chaney won the highly competitive XC1 Modified class and moved into a tie for second in points. It was also good to see Adam McGill finish on the XC1 Pro ATV podium. He was the front-runner all day at round seven running ITP Holeshot GNCC tires. The podium finish is a huge confidence builder for him,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support. “Our team had another double-digit performance, with a dozen podiums, and an outstanding weekend at a historic racing venue.”

Round seven of the ATV series was held in Millfield, Ohio, marking the 23rd running of The Wiseco John Penton GNCC. Round three of the popular SxS series was also held in Ohio. JB Racing / ITP SxS Pro racer Kyle Chaney drove his SxS to the overall victory and the XC1 Modified class win at round seven. He was sixth place after lap one, but passed three riders to move into second on adjusted time after lap two. Chaney rode confidently in second place until the final lap, when he made his move into first on adjusted time. It was his first victory this season. The win pulled Chaney into a tie for second overall, just 15 points behind the class leader with three rounds remaining on the schedule.

Can-Am ATV and Side-by-Side racers found success in four different series across the United States this past weekend, highlighted by Hunter Miller’s victory at round four of the Texan Off-Road Nationals (TORN) in his Maverick 1000R.

At the 2013 AMA Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship series in Illinois, Can-Am Pro Josh Creamer earned third overall on his Can-Am DS 450. Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series racer Zac Zakowski drove his Can-Am Maverick 1000R to second overall in the UTV Open class. Travis Moore earned second in both the Pro and Pro-Am ranks at round four of the New England ATV Motocross series in Pennsylvania.

“Our Can-Am racers had a great showing at several different racing series, highlighted by Hunter Miller winning the TORN series UTV Pro class overall with the Maverick 1000R and with Can-Am DS 450 Pro Josh Creamer earning third overall in the Pro class at the Mtn. Dew ATV MX Nationals.” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Our ATV and Maverick 1000R racers continue to impress by earning podiums at races across the US.”

(Photo by Ken Hill)

After chasing Chris Borich all season, Walker Fowler finally took the checkers a couple of weeks back at the Limestone 100 GNCC. He’ll try to make it two in a row this weekend as the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series heads to Millfield, Ohio for the Wiseco John Penton GNCC.

AmPro Yamaha‘s Fowler made a statement last round as he secured the Round 6 victory that also ended Borich’s five-race win streak in 2013. Fowler has been in contention for the lead all season long and the young gun looks to keep it rolling with two in a row this weekend.

Although Borich has the most wins this season, the Maxxis-backed rider hasn’t necessarily spent the most time out front. Reliable Tool Supply/Maxxis rider Chris Bithell has arguably led the most laps this season as he continues to fight for the overall win each round. However, Borich has the last-lap pass down to a science and the seasoned veteran knows what it takes to secure the win after two hours of racing. As the series reaches the second half of the schedule, strategy becomes even more crucial in winning a championship at the end of the season.

ITP-supported racers found success at the recent Limestone 100 GNCC, earning two class victories at Round 6 of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series in Springhill, Ind. Brian Schmid and Kenny Rich Sr., who each won their class, and Sam Williams tallied a total of three podium finishes for Team ITP.

“We had a tougher round at the Limestone GNCC, earning two class overall wins. However two of most successful racers – Dave Simmons and Chad Jones – didn’t compete. With that said, we are still in control or in contention for the class championship in at least a half dozen classes with seven rounds remaining,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support. “XC1 Pro class racer Adam McGill rode with the leaders all day, but just couldn’t crack the top three this time. Our riders never give up, though, and we expect better finishes at round seven, the John Penton GNCC, in Ohio.”

ITP-backed XC1 Pro racer Adam McGill (Lonestar / Precision) came out at the start within the top six, but quickly joined the top four racers in a four-lap battle for podium. After lap one, McGill was just four seconds behind third place and waiting for one of the other racers to make an error. However, the top two racers found more speed and McGill dropped off the pace by the third lap. He ended up fourth overall in the XC1 class and is currently fourth in the point standings, just four points behind third.

The world’s top ATV motocross racers head to Walnut, Ill. for the Sunset Ridge ATVMX National this weekend, round five of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA

Defending champion and current points leader Chad Wienen (Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer) is looking for his third straight overall victory in front of his hometown crowd this weekend in Illinois. Wienen has historically performed well in front of friends, family and fans at his local track, winning in 2011 and 2012.

Two-time National Champion Joe Byrd has proven to be a contender every weekend after finishing second overall with a 5-2 score last round. The Joe Byrd Quad Riding School Dasa rider sits inside the top ten overall in series points and the 40-year-old Tennessee native is always a threat to the race wins.

Terracross racing made a big return last year and Polaris is back as a presenting sponsor of the Mystik Lubricants Terracross Championship for 2013.

“Polaris is excited to be part of Terracross for its second year,” says Jason DiFuccia, marketing manager for Polaris RZR. “The Terracross tracks provide an incredible challenge to the racers and are perfect to showcase the capabilities of our products.”

GBC Motorsports racers RJ Anderson and Mitch Guthrie Jr. won their respective classes at WORCS Round 5.

With temperatures breaking into triple digits, WORCS Racing descended on the small town of Taft, Calif. RJ Anderson took the holeshot and the early lead in the hotly contested SXS Pro class, as fellow GBC racers James Hill and Tommy Scranton followed behind in third and fourth. Anderson seems to be back to form as he controlled the entire race and finished with his second straight victory aboard his GBC Dirt Commanders.

Despite running in the top five for most of the race, last-lap mechanical issues dropped both James Hill to 12th place and Scranton to 16th on the day. Tim Wyatt finished ninth and Wesley Barker finished 14th.

Can anybody get to the checkers before Chris Borich? (Photo by Ken Hill)

We’re nearing the half-way point of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country season and nobody has been able to stop Chris Borich. The four-time champ looks for his sixth straight win to start the season at this weekend’s Dunlop Limestone 100 GNC in Springville, Ind.

With 64 career wins to date, Borich has already proven his merit amongst the best XC ATV racers in GNCC history as he nears the all time wins record. Eight-Time GNCC champ Barry Hawk currently holds the record with 68 total wins, which is within reach for the consistent Borich as eight races still remain in 2013.

Reliable Tool Supply/Maxxis rider Chris Bithell could perhaps be the one to break his Suzuki-mounted teammate’s win streak, leading the champ for more laps than anyone else this season. Riding aboard an all-new machine and program for 2013, Bithell continues to become more comfortable each round and looks to secure a race win this season. Bithell currently sits third overall in the championship standings, only five points below AmPro Yamaha’s Walker Fowler.

Can-Am ATV and UTV racers were competing across the country in three different series this past weekend, earning 25 podiums.

Can-Am X-Team member Mathieu Deroy won the ATV Pro class at the New England ATV Motocross series in New Hampshire. Can-Am DS 450 racers scored three class victories and eight podiums at round four of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship series in Indiana. At the World Off-Road Championship Series in Taft, Calif., Can-Am racers earned three podiums.

“The Can-Am racing team and amateur support riders had another successful weekend of racing, earning roughly two dozen podiums. It was good to see Canadian Pro Mathieu Deroy get his first Pro class win,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “We had some challenges this weekend in the AMA ATV MX Pro class and WORCS SxS Pro Production, by just narrowly missing two podium finishes, but our teams are more determined than ever to earn a spot back up on the box as soon as possible.”

Team ITP racers earned numerous class victories as they competed in round four of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship series and round five of the World Off-Road Championship Series.

In Indiana at round four of the ATV MX series, ITP supported racers earned a total of 17 podiums, winning seven classes. The West Coast WORCS UTV racers tallied three podium finishes, including the SxS Production 850 class victory, using ITP tires at the Taft, Calif. event.

“Our Team ITP racers had a wonderful time at the inaugural visit to Wildcat Creek MX in Indiana. Winning seven classes is a great accomplishment, especially at an all-new motocross track. Pro class racer Josh Creamer just missed another podium finish and continues to impress using ITP tires,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support. “Our WORCS UTV racers did a great job as well, winning the 850 production class and earning a spot on the highly competitive SxS Pro Production class.”

Polaris RZR vehicles thoroughly trounced the competition this past weekend at Honolulu Hills in Taft, Calif. for WORCS Round Five – and we do mean trounced.

Polaris Factory Racers and Holz Racers, RJ Anderson and Beau Baron finished 1-2 in the “SxS Pro Production” class. In fact, RZRs would take the top five spots in the class as well. Anderson, after a tough start to the racing season, has gotten himself to the sixth position in points with Baron sitting in first.

The “SxS Production 1000” class would be all RZR with Holz Racing’s Mitch Guthrie Jr. finishing first. RZRs would also finish in the top six places. Guthrie is leading the class in points with four first place finishes and one fourth.

Sunset Ridge MX will host the 3rd Annual Susan G. Komen Track Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness at the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA, Round 5 on Friday May 24.

Sunset Ridge MX invites all racers, spectators and sponsors to “go pink” for breast cancer awareness by adorning their clothing, gear and pits in the color pink at Round 5. As supporters head out on a 1.8 mile walk around the track, net proceeds will be given to Susan G. Koman for Breast Cancer Research. Track guides will be available to answer questions and provide a safe walk and a shuttle service will be available for those wishing to ride instead of walk.

Michael Swift won the morning overall at the Mammoth GNCC.

Competing in four different series across the U.S. and Canada, Can-Am ATV and Side-by-Side racers had a busy and successful weekend.

The weekend was highlighted by Team UXC Racing / Can-Am X-Team racer Michael Swift’s morning overall and U2 class win. Can-Am 4×4 ATV racers won five morning classes at a soggy round five of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country held in Kentucky. Team Hendershot Performance won the Pro SxS race at round three of the American Woods Racing Championship Series in Pennsylvania. Maverick 1000R side-by-side team Murray Motorsports finished third in the SxS Pro class at the Best In The Desert Silver State 300 in Nevada. In the Courses VTT series in Canada, a Maverick pilot earned a podium position while three Can-Am DS 450 racers swept the ATV Pro class.

“Can-Am 4×4 racers dominated the murky Mammoth GNCC event, winning five classes. I was pleased to see Can-Am Renegade racer Michael Swift win his class, the morning overall and prove that sportsmanship is alive and well in our sport,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Our Can-Am Maverick 1000R racers continue to make strides in the new side-by-side vehicle, winning two events and earning podium finishes in others.”

For the first time in series history, the ATV Motocross National Championship Series heads to Wildcat Creek MX in Rossville, Ind.

Defending champ and current series points leader, Chad Wienen will attempt to extend his lead on a talented field of Pros this weekend in Indiana. Although the Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer rider has two of the three overall wins this season, Wienen finally grabbed his first moto-win of the season last round, which attests to the great amount of competition in the Pro division. Protecting the National title has made Wienen hungrier than ever for another race win heading into Round 4.

However, it’s still the ATVMX young gun Joel Hetrick who has the most race wins heading into Round 4 this weekend. The Corrosion Hetirck Racing rider currently sits second in overall championship points and is one of the many looking to take the overall win at Indiana’s inaugural event this weekend. After securing the moto one win, Hetrick experienced some bad luck in the final moto of Round 3, salvaging a fifth place overall and valuable championship points.

Holz Coastal Racing’s Scott Kiger and Mark Holz won the Silver State 300. (Photo courtesy Joey DiGiovanni – UTVUnderground.com)

Coming off a Best in the Desert win at the Mint 400, Holz Coastal Racing’s Scott Kiger and Mark Holz in their No. 1934 RZR XP 900 were looking to make it two in a row at the Canidae Tap It Silver State 300. They did not disappoint.

With Cognito Powersports and its RZR XP 4 900 getting the nod to start first, the teams would have to work hard through the typical high-speed, dusty conditions to overtake the leader. Coastal Racing would start right after Brandon Schueler’s Jagged X No. 1919 RZR XP 4 900 setting up a speed dual to take over the lead. With Kiger driving the morning half, he would pass Schueler and all but one of the remaining cars that started in front of him.

Kenny Rich Sr. won the Masters (50+) class at Mammoth GNCC.

Team ITP racers fought through the rain and mud to earn four class victories and seven podium finishes at round five of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series in Park City, Ky. Meanwhile, at the Best In The Desert Silver State 300 in Nevada, Team Murray Motorsports / Del Amo Motorsports piloted its ITP-clad side-by-side to third overall on the 1900 class podium.

“GNCC courses are tough enough without mud, but when you factor in heavy rain, slippery, power-robbing mud and everything that comes with it, the 2013 Mammoth GNCC was a very challenging event. Considering the conditions and the fact that 15 percent of racers DNF’d, I’m very pleased that we won four classes, had two racers finish in the overall top 10 in the morning and grabbed a total of seven podiums,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support for ITP. “The Murray brothers had a another good showing in the Nevada desert, earning third using the new ITP UltraCross R-Spec 30-inch tires in the BITD SxS Pro ranks.”

Cross country racers headed to the mountains of Kentucky for the second round of the 2013 KCCR Series and Kevin Cunningham came out a winner.

Hardwicks Creek KCCR took place on a pristine 7,000 acre plot of land that is nestled in the heart of mountain country about an hour east side of Lexington, Ky. The track was 8.5 miles long and consisted of many high speed field sections, tight technical woods, a few moderate hill climbs, and several creek crossings.

After finishing second at the AMA MAXC Opening Round co-sectioned by KCCR in Canaan, Ind, Cunningham made the most of his trip south to Hardwicks Creek. He was able to grab the holeshot in the Pro AA Class to take the early lead. Despite getting hung up and losing the lead briefly, Cunningham was able to put down an impressive charge to regain the lead to earn the win in the Pro AA Class by ten minutes ahead of second place.

Chris Borich looks for his fifth straight GNCC win this weekend. (Photo by Ken Hill)

Maxxis-backed Chris Borich has opened the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series with four straight wins. He’ll try to make it five in a row this weekend when the series heads to Park City, Ky. for the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mammoth GNCC.

With 63 career wins to date, Borich is attempting to dethrone nine-time champion Bill Ballance – who has 67 wins – to become the winningest ATV racer in GNCC history. Seven-time ATV champ and 2003 bike champ Barry Hawk currently holds the all-time win record with a combined 68 wins between both disciplines, an achievement that could be reached and exceeded by Borich in 2013.

In just its second year hosting a GNCC, the Park Mammoth Resort offers some of the freshest trail on the circuit with plenty of single-track sections and technical terrain. Borich took the win at the inaugural event in 2012 but it wasn’t without a fight from AmPro Yamaha’s Walker Fowler as the duo ran side by side through the final turns of the race.

Walker Fowler (right) is looking for his first win of the season. (Photo by Ken Hill)

Coming off a successful weekend of racing at the Steele Creek GNCC, Team UXC Racing was amped up for the Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina. The rain had set in on Friday, but it was done by Saturday morning to build what would be epic conditions for a day of racing.

The U2 class lined up with Team UXC Racing’s Michael Swift mentally prepared to get out front and keep the momentum up for the duration of the race. Leaving the line in second place, Swift began looking for his place to strikes.

“We had no issues all day,” says Swift. “I walked the entire track Friday morning and knew we had very little places, except for maybe the field sections, to get around other riders as well as my competition.”

Michael Swift (center) celebrates on the 4×4 podium.

Following the first place rider for the first two laps, Swift made a plan to take over the lead. He would not only take the number one spot, but he would also post the fastest lap time of his class.

“I knew I had to pace myself but I kept in mind that there were fast riders right behind me and I needed to stay on my game,” says Swift.

Swift would go on to win his U2 class and take first overall in the utility ATV segment of the race. He would also post the third place position out of the entire field of 222 racers and 20 classes for the morning event.

It’s been a wild first two round of the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA, with defending champion Chad Wienen and young gun Joel Hetrick each taking a win. Round 3 of the 10-race series, the Maxxis Bluegrass National, takes place this weekend at the Ballance Moto X track in Bowling Green, Ky.

Hetrick took the overall win at Round 2 by sweeping both motos on his Corrosion Hetrick Racing machine, closing the gap on the series points leader Wienen, now trailing by one. With the speed and determination to lead the field, the twenty-year old has proven he has what it takes to contest the championship.

Wienen will attempt to protect the national title amongst a hungry field of ATVMX Pros. The Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer rider has found himself on the podium at both events thus far and continues to lead the field heading to Bowling Green.

For the first time in his pro career, Thomas Brown has found himself in the championship chase early in the season. New to the Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer team, Brown landed on the podium in the third place position each round, slowly looking to secure a spot in the middle.

Polaris RZR riders are coming off a hugely successful weekend, picking up wins at WORCS Round Four and the Big Buck GNCC.

WORCS Round Four, a bit different than most WORCS races, would consist of two laps of winding, sandy trails, rock climbs, and dune areas without the typical motocross section found at WORCS races. Taking place at the Sand Hollow OHV Park in Hurricane, Utah, the course would challenge the almost 70 Side-by-Sides lining up for the race with many cars having their race end early.

Polaris factory racers, RJ Anderson, Beau Baron and Ryan Piplic would duke it out at full tilt through the course with Piplic in the lead and Anderson on his tail. Although finishing first, Piplic would settle for second to Anderson in the Walker Evans/Polaris/Loanmart/HRP Racing RZR XP 900, due to the time adjustment. HRP/Polaris/Maxxis Racing’s Beau Baron, the current WORCS point leader, finished third. RZRs also finished at the top of the rest of the side-by-side classes.

William Yokley jumped out to an early lead before damaging his machine.

Polaris / Coastal / CST / National Guard / Yoshimura / Yokley Racing Team driver William Yokley finished 33rd Overall and 13th in the XC1 Modified Class. Team driver Scott Kiger finished fourth Overall and third in the same class. There were 49 total entries including 21 XC1 Modified teams. William’s guest passenger was his wife Tina, and Scott’s passenger was Tyler King.

Yokley Racing Summary

The Racer Production promoters always lay out a good, challenging course for the competitors. This year, the four-mile course featured a combination of technical woods sections and faster open areas with multiple racing lines. Track conditions were very good and the temp was in the 70s.

Despite rolling his machine, Scott Kiger managed to recover and finish fourth overall and third in the XC1 Modified Class.

At the drop of the flag for the dead-engine start, the Polaris Team RZR XP 900s fired right up and were at the head of the pack heading into the woods. After some initial dicing, Yokley settled into the lead with Kiger close behind. Midway through lap 1, Kiger clipped a tree and flipped over on his top. He and his passenger got out, righted the machine, and took off in hot pursuit of the lead pack. On lap 3 of 6, Yokley experienced some bad luck when his front wheel came in contact with another machine’s rear wheel resulting in breaking a steering component. Unable to steer, his day was over.

Taking a break from the Grand National Cross Country Series, Walker Fowler picked up a win in the season opener of the 2013 AMA MAXC Racing Series in Canaan, Ind. at Monster Mountain XC.

Fourteen Pro AA ATV racers lined up to do battle at Monster Mountain. Among the lineup were many of the top ATV racers in the country, including Fowler, 2012 MAXC reigning Pro AA ATV Champion Ryan Lane, Kevin Cunningham, Taylor Kiser, Johnny Gallagher, Mike Pflum and Jay Humphrey.

Despite the lead changing hands many times throughout the seven-lap race, it was Am-Pro Yamaha’s #2 Fowler who crossed the finish in first aboard his Yamaha YFZ450R ATV. Fowler had a mid-pack start and made his way up from fifth place to first to earn the win.

“The track as awesome the parking lot was the muddiest spot except the creek bed we ran, it was pretty bad,” says Fowler. “You just had to play it smart but we had to submarine it a little bit and I think the motor is pretty much toast, but I had a blast doing it!”