Jan. 26, 2006 – Distributor Report

U.S. marshals, attorneys, a locksmith and a representative of the Joe Rocket apparel brand recently converged on a San Diego storage facility and seized counterfeit products.
The raid stemmed from a federal lawsuit that Randy Robison, president of Robison’s Inc., filed against suspected counterfeiters before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Robison’s, Inc. is the owner of the Joe Rocket brand.
The court immediately ordered a seizure of the counterfeit jackets, which had the Joe Rocket logo, and issued a temporary restraining order against the counterfeiters. The storage facility location was found with the assistance of a private investigator.
“Our brand is our livelihood and there is no way I will allow it to be stolen, misused and outright desecrated like this,” Robison said. “Perhaps the scariest thing is that persons unknowingly may have thought they were purchasing a genuine piece of Joe Rocket apparel equipped with the many features that our technology affords.
“I want our Joe Rocket customers and our dealer network to know that we will not allow our brand name to be compromised whatsoever.”
Dynojet target of counterfeiters
Las Vegas-based Dynojet Research, Inc. has discovered counterfeiters producing and distributing jet kits falsely attributed to Dynojet. Dynojet has already received numerous technical support calls on counterfeit kits.
“We do not know where these kits originate,” Dynojet’s Nelson Yee told Powersports Business. “Until we realized there were counterfeit kits out there, we were providing tech support and replacing jets for these kits.
“A shipment happened to lose its shipping label in Australia and was ‘returned’ to us when the shipping company opened the box to see what was inside. Since it appeared to be our packaging, it was sent to us.
“Before this, we noticed that a private seller had kits online for near distributor prices and we didn’t know this person. We figured someone went out of business and unloaded their stock until we received the fake kits.”
Most of these kits are labeled for 2000-2003 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88, Dynojet part No. 8121. Yee asks dealers to be on the lookout for the fake kits.
“Beware of prices that are half of the suggested retail price, especially if the merchant has an inventory of the same kit,” he said. “The counterfeit box sleeve uses our older flag logo, which was discontinued in 2004. The logo image itself appears flat. The background lines end around the logo instead of continuing behind as in the real package. The actual logo on the older genuine packaging had an embossed effect.”
Nac’s Racing Sold
Nac’s Racing, a fixture in the ATV aftermarket for the past 17 years, has announced the transfer of ownership. Founding owners Jim and Shirley Naccarato have sold the company to employee Douglas Bruck and his family.
Bruck has worked with Nac’s Racing for the past 15 years as a salesman and mechanic. He also has helped prep dozens of Nac’s Racing race team quads over the years. The past five years, Bruck has served as the company’s general manager, where he has gained knowledge of the day-to-day operations.
Bruck announced in a newsletter that he planned on continuing the Nac’s Racing tradition of “maintaining the business objectives to provide top quality, brand-name products and a high degree of service to ATV enthusiasts.”
Under the name Nac’s Racing Motorsports, Bruck will expand the business to include utility quad products and full-service restoration of ATVs as well as full-on, custom-built race quads.
Bruck plans on continuing a legacy Nac’s Racing established by furthering the company’s ATV racing support and sponsorship program. Nac’s helped further the return of factory-backed ATV racing by signing a factory deal with Cannondale in 2002. Negotiations are under way to sign a few top national-level ATV racers to compete under Nac’s banner.
The Nac’s Racing logos and trademarks will be retained, as will the company’s current location in Saugerties, N.Y.
ADP Lightspeed, PowerSports Network Plan Interface
ADP Lightspeed and PowerSports Network (PSN) have agreed to a strategic relationship to develop an interface between LightspeedNXT software and PSN’s dealer Web sites. The first phase of the project will allow orders placed on PSN dealer’s Web sites to be imported into LightspeedNXT for processing and fulfillment. Order status also will be updated from the dealer management system (DMS) back to the dealer’s Web site.
The two companies also are discussing plans to expand interface capabilities in the future to help dealers more effectively manage the data exchange between LightspeedNXT and their PSN Dealer Web Site.
“Many of our dealers have been requesting that we develop an interface with LightspeedNXT and we are pleased to have a strategic
relationship with ADP Lightspeed to develop that interface,” said Nick Avgoulas, vice president/principal of PowerSports Network.
“This partnership between two leaders in the powersports industry will deliver real benefits to dealers,” said Laurn Rice, vice president of sales and marketing at ADP Lightspeed. “We believe that it’s critical to invest the resources to develop and maintain an effective DMS/Web Site Interface, and PSN’s position as the powersports industry’s leading Web site provider makes them the ideal partner in this project.”
WPS Offers Hummer H3
Idaho-based Western Power Sports has a new dealer program offering a yellow 2006 Hummer H3.
The H3 is outfitted with the Hummer Adventure Package (off-road suspension), a seven speaker Monsoon Sound system with amp XM Satellite Radio, KMC Rockstar 20” Alloy Black Wheels, 305/50-20 Michelin Cross Terrain Tires, a Gobi Roof Rack and Rack Ladder, four PIAA 520 Series Spot Lights, a K&N FIPK Cold Air Intake Kit, and Hummer Factory Front Bumper Guard, Taillight Lens Guard, Nerf Bars and Floor Mats.
To qualify, a dealer must purchase at least 20 Michelin street or 30 Michelin dirt tires from WPS on one order. During the program period — Sept. 1, 2005 to March 31 — qualified dealers will receive one entry into the raffle for every 20 street or 30 dirt tires purchased. Five finalists will be picked, and the drawing will be held April 7. All finalists will receive a trip to the Las Vegas Supercross and given a chance to try their key during the supercross weekend. The finalist whose key starts the Hummer wins it.
Dealers are asked to contact their WPS sales rep for all the details.
Yamaha Partners with White Brothers Racing
White Brothers Racing will be the Official Exhaust of Factory Yamaha Racing.
Alan Olson, former MotoSport Outlet liaison and father of MXA’s own Tim Olson, will now be the director of racing development for White Brothers Racing’s relationship with Yamaha. Olson will manage the day-to-day responsibilities associated with assisting Chad Reed and Heath Voss.
Relationship Severed Between VP Racing and CL Bryant
The relationship between VP Racing Fuels, Inc. and C.L. Bryant, Inc. has been terminated, and VP has signed Van De Pol Enterprises as its newest bulk master distributor.
Formerly one of VP’s bulk master distributors, C.L. Bryant is no longer marketing the VP Racing product line.
VP Racing is the official racing fuel of NHRA Championship Drag Racing, as well as exclusive fuel supplier and/or sponsor of AMA (American Motorcycle Association) Supercross; IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association); Lucas Oil Late Model Dirtcar Series; NMCA (National Muscle Car Association); SKUSA (Superkarts! USA); Star Mazda; Stars of Tomorrow; Rmax Challenge; and Toyota Atlantic, among others.
In addition to fuels, VP’s product line includes synthetic oils, performance chemicals, 2-cycle lubricants and traction compounds.
Van De Pol Enterprises, Inc., owned and operated by the Van De Pol and Atwater families, has served as a petroleum distributor for Northern California since 1946. Based in Stockton, Calif., Van De Pol will service central and northern California and northern Nevada with VP’s bulk 110 and C12, along with VP’s StreetBlaze 100 unleaded and its complete line of specialty fuels, lubricants, additives and accessories.
Motovan launches Zox Web site
Motovan Corporation in collaboration with Zox has launched a new Zoxhelmets.com Web site. The full line up of full face, open face, MX, Snow and scooter helmets are showcased on the site.
The Zox line of helmets consists of fiberglass and polycarbonate shell helmets that are Snell 2005 and/or DOT approved. Motovan will be presenting the Zox helmets at all Canadian motorcycle shows scheduled for this year as well as Indianapolis and other U.S. shows.
Rocket — a new exhaust line
Rocket Exhaust, a manufacturer of exhaust systems for late model four-stroke motocross bikes and ATVs, has opened in Lake Elsinore, Calif.
The manufacturer said it offers prices 10 to 20 percent less than current market leaders; and 45 percent dealer margins on orders for three or more, 40 percent on single-unit orders.
All Rocket exhausts utilize aerospace-quality aluminum and stainless steel material. Product is distributed by Western Power Sports.
For more information, visit www.rocketexhaust.com.
Lemans adds representation
Lemans Corporation, the Wisconsin-based company that operates distributors Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties, has hired five new product specialists, an office manager, five Parts Unlimited sales reps and a Drag Specialties sales rep.
New product representatives include Blake Dimeff, hired as a product specialist for SBS and Öhlins; Jarrod “Boo” Suber, the new Pro Circuit/Renthal brand manager; Joel Bayerl and Amy LaBouliere, new product specialists for Z1R; and Krista Benninger, new product specialist for Icon.
Heidi Mattison has been named the new manager for the ICON Portland design studio.
New Parts Unlimited sales reps include Jason Mathis and Louis Papas, both hired as sales reps for the Southeast region; Brian Weber, hired as a sales rep for the Mid-Atlantic region; and Eliot “Fish” Fisher and Jason Dunnagan, both hired as new sales reps in the Southwest Region.
Finally, Jayson Specht has been hired as a Drag Specialties rep serving the Central Region.
Bain Joins Helmet House
Helmet House, Inc., Calabasas Hills, Calif., appointment Scott Bain as National Sales Manager, responsible for sales across Helmet House’s dealer network for all of its brands — Shoei helmets, Tour Master and Cortech rider apparel and gear; as well as HJC helmets.
Bain most recently served as a top regional sales rep within the marine and personal watercraft industry. He has also guided sales, marketing and product design efforts for several water-ski, wakeboard and marine equipment manufacturers, conducted account rep training programs, and has spent time consulting on sales programs, trade shows and new product development.
“Scott’s background and skill set are a strong addition to our sales function,” said Bob Miller, President of Helmet House, “his passion for motorcycles and his extensive experience selling to and working with dealers will help us continue Helmet House’s strong growth trend in 2006 and beyond.”
TR Adds Marketing Manager
Josh Whitaker, Marketing and Dealer Development Manager for KTM North America, has joined Tucker Rocky Distributing as new multi-brand marketing manager.
“Josh is coming in with an entirely new position to take a leadership role on several of our proprietary brands,” said Bill Carter, Tucker Rocky Vice President of Marketing. While he’ll work with vendor lines, Carter said his initial responsibilities will include brand management and marketing for BikeMaster, Tucker Rocky’s new EPIC helmet line and MSR HP.
Clarification
In the Dec. 26 issue of Powersports Business, a photo of Zoom Strategic Marketing Partner and Principle David Scott was published alongside information regarding Bill Rupert, a motorcycle industry regulatory and compliance expert who has formed a strategic alliance with Zoom. Rupert’s agreement with Zoom will have him offer consulting services related to the increasingly complex regulatory landscape affecting the motorcycle industry. psb