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Record Entries at 20th annual Loretta Lynn’s
Nearly 1,000 ATV riders lined up at the Moose/ITP GNC MX Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
As the 20th anniversary celebration of ATV GNC racing at Loretta’s kicked off, riders showed their support for a series that has undergone serious growth this season. In all, 965 entries were recorded. With the record race entries, amateur race motos were trimmed to three laps.
In the Pro class, Tennessee’s Joe Byrd won overall increasing his streak to three overalls at Loretta Lynn’s.

Quadmasters Event Nearing Completion
With five events on the schedule, the Quadmasters National ATV Challenge Tour is nearing season’s end. The final event will take place Sept. 24-25 in Sauk Rapids, Minn. The event is open to anyone who wishes to test their ATV riding skills against specific courses that are designed to challenge a rider’s skill. Riders are timed on the courses and gain points based on their time. The courses consist of eight to 10 challenges including a mud bog, rock and log crawls, brige walk and more. Eight classes are available to enter. For more information visit www.quadmasters.net.

Yasufuku opens in Nebraska
Yasufuku USA, a subsidiary of Japan’s Yasufuku Rubber Industries, Ltd. has opened an 80,000 sq. ft. facility in Lincoln, Neb.
Yasufuku makes more than 3,000 rubber and plastic parts for use in products ranging from automobiles to personal watercraft. The company began as a rubber manufacturer, but expanded into plastics in response to customer requests and changes in the market. Among the latest Lincoln ventures for Yasufuku is the production of molded fuel tanks for all-terrain vehicles.
Company officials chose Lincoln because of its central location and because of the support offered from state and local government officials. Another plus: its location near Kawasaki’s manufacturing facility.

ITP Debuts New Tires
The newest tire from ITP is designed to excel at tracks where hardpack conditions develop quickly; think Red Bud or Gatorback.
Several top pros were testing or running the tires during the last two MX nationals. Kory Ellis, Jeremiah Jones, Tim Farr and Travis Spader are just a few. Rocco Arno Jr. won the Pro-Am Production class at Loretta’s with the tire. The tires will be available in size 18×10-8.

Natalie Wins GNC Series
Going into the final two rounds of the Moose/ITP GNC MX Nationals, Honda-backed rider John Natalie had all of the pressure lifted from the long season.
In early July, Pennsylvania’s Natalie had already clinched the Pro-class points championship. In fact, going into the July 2-3 race, he had dominated by winning the seven of the previous eight rounds. By clinching the GNC Motocross series, Natalie had notched his second consecutive ATV racing championship. During the winter, he won the stadium series.
When the final event at Loretta Lynn’s in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., came around on Aug. 14, Natalie was already sporting the championship belt. Suzuki’s Doug Gust finished second and Jeremiah Jones took third in the overall standings.

Yamaha’s Bill Ballance Injured
While airing out some jumps at a Yamaha press introduction for the 2006 YFZ450, Bill Ballance crashed and injured his left ankle.
Ballance, who is the points leader in the Grand National Cross Country series, will be able to continue his GNCC championship chase when the series resumes Sept. 10-11 in Yadkinville, N.C. As of press time, Yamaha was confident he’d be able to race and still win the 2005 championship.

4-H offers ATV-related Grants
Working with American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), the 4-H Community ATV Safety Program 2005 youth grant program will provide up to $7,500 to 4-H/Extension groups willing to create or enhance local or state ATV safety projects.
The program mandates young people take the lead in the design of the project, the proposal writing process, the implementation, and the evaluation of funded projects. Adults work with youth, providing guidance and support.
Funding is provided by Honda and the SVIA. A 50% match of the grant request in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions is required for application.
4-H leaders say the program’s goals are to: 1) educate and inform pre-teen, teen, and adult ATV riders about safe riding techniques and practices; 2) help pre-teens and teens increase their critical thinking and life skills as well as enhance their abilities to assess risk and solve problems regarding the use of ATVs by youth under the age of 16 years; 3) educate parents and other caregivers to protect young riders through supervision and monitoring; and 4) help communities address issues related to safe use of ATVs.
Proposals must: 1) show evidence of youth/adult partnerships in designing and implementing activities that foster the essential elements of 4-H: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity; show an impact within three timeframes: less than one hour, one to four hours, and more than four hours; and show how educational materials would be used in conducting the project.
For more information and the ability to download a grant request template, visit www.atv-youth.org.

Gander Mountain to open in Wichita
Powersports dealers in Wichita, Kan., will have a powerful new competitor in the area retailing ATV and marine products once Gander Mountain officially opens its new store on September 9.
A St. Paul, Minn.-based sporting goods supplier, Gander Mountain hired 115 people for its newest store, an 88,000 sq. ft. location in the city’s still-to-be-renovated WaterWalk section.
Many of the 15 full-time and 100 part-time employees have assembled and stocked shelving and displays since early August. The site will offer hunting, fishing and other outdoor equipment, along with a gunsmith, archery, ATV and marine sales and service.
The opening of the store marks the start of phase two of the $130 million WaterWalk development that will include a street relocation; two restaurants; an office building; and a three-floor, 96-unit apartment complex.

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