GNCC Racing Television In HD on Versus Network

Morgantown, W. Va. (March 18, 2009) — Racer TV, the host program of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, returns to the Versus Network to cover the 2009 GNCC Series this April. The new season will mark the ninth year of GNCC Racing airing on television, and for the first time ever, the GNCC races will be broadcast in High Definition.

All 13 GNCC bike and ATV rounds, 26 races in total, will air on Versus Network in 30-minute episodes. Each race debuts on Saturday afternoon and then re-airs on Tuesday afternoon, with the opening episode airing Saturday, April 4th, at 2:30 p.m. EST and re-airing on Tuesday, April 7th, at 3:30 p.m. EST. That adds up to 26 hours of GNCC Racing on Versus Network, with additional re-airs planned.

This year’s television shows will be produced in house by GNCC series’ producer Racer Productions, following in the footsteps of the popular Racer X Motocross Show episodes from the AMA Motocross Championships. Jason Hooper, Director of New Media for Racer Productions, spearheads the effort.

“We think year’s shows will be cooler, livelier, and more fun than ever,” says Hooper, a former motocross and GNCC racer. “Our crew learned a lot from the Racer X Motocross Show, and we’ll apply the same principles here: action, fun, personality and cool angles. Plus, the shows will look incredible in HD!”

Jason Weigandt will handle hosting duties for the show. Weigandt, also the host of the AMA Arenacross Series on SPEED, the Supercrosslive! Presented by Parts Unlimited Web cast on supercrossonline.com, and the Racer X Motocross Show, has been with the GNCC Series since 2001, and joined the TV broadcast team in 2003.

The Racer TV production crew includes Mike Holbert, a former GNCC pro-class racer on bikes and ATVs. Holbert has been a part of the GNCC TV team since the shows began airing in 2001. Jeremy Saylor, who produced the GNCC shows for Gear Marketing and Media for the last three seasons, also remains on board.

The Can-Am GNCC Series is the only off-road racing series in America airing weekly cable TV programs. Racer TV sponsors Can-Am, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC and Yamaha have contributed to the 2009 television program.

This year’s shows will focus on the battle for the GNCC XC1 and XC2 pro class titles. On ATVs, Yamaha’s Bill Ballance aims for an unprecedented 10th-straight GNCC Championship, with contenders such as Chris Borich, Adam McGill, Brandon Sommers, Taylor Kiser, Bryan Cook and William Yokley aiming to knock him off. On Bikes, the wide-open championship field includes Paul Whibley, Josh Strang, Nathan Kanney, Charlie Mullins, Jimmy Jarrett, Kurt Caselli, Barry Hawk and Thad DuVall.

2009 GNCC Racing TV Schedule on Versus Network
All Times Eastern Standard Time
Schedule Subject to Change. Check Local Listings

April 04, 2009 River Ranch ATV Premiere 2:30PM
April 07, 2009 River Ranch ATV Repeat 3:30PM
April 11, 2009 River Ranch Bike Premiere 2:30PM
April 14, 2009 River Ranch Bike Repeat 3:30PM
April 18, 2009 General ATV Premiere 3:00PM
April 21, 2009 General ATV Repeat 4:00PM
April 25, 2009 General Bike Premiere 2:30PM
April 28, 2009 General Bike Repeat 4:00PM
May 02, 2009 Steele Creek ATV Premiere 2:30PM
May 05, 2009 Steele Creek ATV Repeat 4:00PM
May 23, 2009 Steele Creek Bike Premiere 2:30PM
May 26, 2009 Steele Creek Bike Repeat 4:00PM
May 30, 200 Big Buck ATV Premiere 2:30PM
June 02, 2009 Big Buck ATV Repeat 4:00PM
June 06, 2009 Big Buck Bike Premiere 2:30PM
June 09, 2009 Big Buck Bike Repeat 4:00PM
June 13, 2009 Loretta Lynn’s ATV Premiere 2:30PM
June 16, 2009 Loretta Lynn’s ATV Repeat 4:00PM
June 20, 2009 Loretta Lynn’s Bike Premiere 2:30PM
June 23, 2009 Loretta Lynn’s Bike Repeat 4:00PM
June 27, 2009 Titan ATV Premiere 2:30PM
June 30, 2009 Titan ATV Repeat 4:00PM
July 04, 2009 Titan Bike Premiere 2:00PM
July 07, 2009 Titan Bike Repeat 4:30PM
July 11, 2009 Mountain Ridge ATV Premiere 2:00PM
July 14, 2009 Mountain Ridge ATV Repeat 4:30PM
July 18, 2009 Mountain Ridge Bike 2:00PM
July 21, 2009 Mountain Ridge Bike Repeat 4:00PM
July 25, 2009 John Penton ATV Premiere 2:00PM
July 28, 2009 John Penton ATV Repeat 4:00PM
August 01, 2009 John Penton Bike Premiere 2:30PM
August 04, 2009 John Penton Bike Repeat 4:00PM
August 08, 2009 Snowshoe ATV Premiere 2:30PM
August 11, 2009 Snowshoe ATV Repeat 4:00PM
August 15, 2009 Snowshoe Bike Premiere 2:30PM
August 18, 2009 Snowshoe Bike Repeat 5:00PM
Summer Break
October 03, 2009 Unadilla ATV Premiere 4:00PM
October 06, 2009 Unadilla ATV Repeat 2:30PM
October 10, 2009 Unadilla Bike Premiere 4:00PM
October 13, 2009 Unadilla Bike Repeat 2:30PM
October 17, 2009 Yadkinville ATV Premiere 4:00PM
October 20, 2009 Yadkinville ATV Repeat 2:30PM
October 24, 2009 Yadkinville Bike Premiere 4:00PM
October 27, 2009 Yadkinville Bike Repeat 2:30PM
October 31, 2009 St. Clairsville ATV Premiere 4:00PM
November 03, 2009 St. Clairsville ATV Repeat 2:30PM
November 07, 2009 St. Clairsville Bike Premiere 4:00PM
November 10, 2009 St. Clairsville Bike Repeat 2:30PM
November 14, 2009 Ironman ATV Premiere 4:00PM
November 17, 2009 Ironman ATV Repeat 2:30PM
November 21, 2009 Ironman Bike Premiere 4:00PM
November 24, 2009 Ironman Bike Repeat 2:30PM

Pro Armor ProAm Series Front Bumper

Pro Armor has launched the ProAm Series Front Bumper! This bumper was made specifically for the Rockstar, Makita Suzuki Championship team riders of Dustin Wimmer and Doug Gust.

The ProAm Series bumper adds a “factory look” to your quad. Made from 1-inch lightweight, durable aluminum, this bumper is built to punish the competition. It’s also available in powder-coated black.

The ProAm Front Bumper can be purchased from your local dealer, by contacting Pro Armor direct at 888/312.7667 or go to www.proarmor.com.

Don’t forget that Pro Armor is also offering FREE MONEY! Simply purchase $100 of Pro Armor or ProAm product from your local dealer and Pro Armor will give you a $20 gift certificate (purchase $200 and get a $40 gift card) good towards Pro Armor or ProAm products. Visit www.proarmor.com/freemoney for complete details.

Dunlop’s ‘Download Magazine’ Offers Interactive Reading

Dunlop has put out two issues of Download Magazine, a fully interactive digital publication. Dunlop says its involvement in literally hundreds of powersports activities each year, from racing to rallies and more has allowed it to provide hardcore enthusiasts with even more industry news. Dunlop Download, a monthly publication, is distributed directly to customers, media outlets, dealers and others in the powersports field.

The yellow bars on the layout signify the ability to link to original content and press kit materials.

2008 12 HOURS OF PONT DE VAUX

14 Americans take on the world!

By Bill “WBGO” Lanphier

           One very exciting surprise entry was the KTM 525-mounted team of multi-time US champ Tim Farr, plus KTM team riders Taylor Kiser and Adam McGill, both top-ten GNCC Pros. The Europeans won’t soon forget Tim’s participation 10 years ago at the 12 Hours. Accompanied by Shane Hitt and Harold Goodman and riding a Laeger’s Honda 330R, the dream team (as the Europeans still call them) demonstrated to the world just how fast Americans really are. They ran a near perfect race and won by 12 minutes. This year, would Tim’s KTM hold up in its maiden voyage at PDV?

           

Can-Am’s DS 450 would also take its first shot at PDV in a team headed by Italian Sergio Gilli. Competing with Sergio would be BRP team riders Josh Frederick (‘07 WORCS Pro champ) and Brandon Smith (‘07 WPSA A-class champ). Last year at PDV, Frederick and Gilli finished third overall aboard a Suzuki 450.

           

 The Europeans had other fast Americans to worry about. The winningest rider in the history of PDV (seven times), Doug Eichner, had teamed up with former GNC Pro champ Travis Spader and former Pro Quad stadium champ Dana Creech aboard a full-factory sponsored Polaris Outlaw.

            The racing format at PDV is unique and teams have two solid hours to get in a good qualifying lap. Problem is, at least for the really fast guys, all 120 quads might be on the two-mile track at the same time. So, it’s a crap shoot trying to log one good lap without running into traffic. And, the slowest teams can be…well, pretty darn slow.

            For ‘08, there was an additional obstacle in the way of fast laps: mud. Heavy rains early in the week and then a torrential downpour the day before the race turned many parts of the course into lakes. Said Eichner, “We might wait an hour for other quads to dry out the track before

we go out to qualify.” KTM’s Adam McGill had the same thoughts, and added, “I think we can find one dry line out there, but never more than one.”

 

Soon after qualifying began, though, most teams were chomping at the bit to check out their machines, and the track quickly filled with mud-covered quads and riders. At the end of two hours, Farr’s team had logged the fastest qualifying lap.

           

Two seconds behind was a team including the Frenchman who could well be the fastest ATVer outside of the US, Romain Couprie. Though Romain has no trouble winning French championships and big races in Europe, a win at PDV has eluded him.

           

Third-fastest qualifier, just two tenths of a second behind Couprie, was the YFZ of Joe Maessen from Holland. Joe’s always a strong contender, and his team finished second.

 

 

RACING BEGINS 

For exciting race starts, it’s hard to top PDV. Hundreds of spectators have migrated from the track infield activities and crowd the front straight barrier. One hundred and twenty quads, now silent, line one side of the straight; pilots line the other side. At exactly 3 p.m., the flag drops, riders sprint across the track, fire up their machines, and thunder roars across the French countryside.

           

 Couprie’s YFZ, with the pole position earned in qualifying, takes the convincing holeshot, followed by Taylor Kiser on the American KTM. In third is Maessen’s YFZ. This is only the beginning of the 12 hours, but it’s often the most fun to watch. Fast guys up front, free of lappers, and dicing without too much worry that the other guy might do something stupid so early in the game.

  

          Six minutes in and now on lap two, Taylor has taken the lead, but the original top three are still very close. Two laps later, Taylor starts to pull away a little and Eichner works his way closer to the top five. After 20 minutes, the leaders are into lappers, but Taylor continues pulling away and, at 30 minutes, he has a big lead over Couprie, relaxes a little, and casually waves at a photographer as he screams past at near 90 mph.

           

 Around this time, though, things were not going well for Eichner. His 525 motor lost a crank and his team lost 34 minutes swapping motors. “I’ve won by that margin here before,” said Ike, “so, we still have a fighting chance. It’s a new quad and a new team, so you can’t expect everything to be perfect.”

            Things were not perfect of the American KTM team, either. The oversize oil reservoir, borrowed from a KTM dirt bike and adapted to the left side of the quad motor, sprung a leak and the team lost several minutes re-routing the oil lines to bypass it.

            Even the race organization had issues. Just an hour and a half into the first of the three race sessions, the crowd in the infield, primed for Caleb Moore’s upcoming back flips, couldn’t help notice something very peculiar on the track itself: racers casually cruising around at quarter speed. An uncharacteristic but major computer scoring glitch had forced the promoters to stop the first session at the half-way point. The solution was to change out the defective transponders, tighten up the scoring chicane to slow the speeds there, and score the first session at the point of the glitch. That put Couprie in the lead, followed by the American KTM, and a British YFZ team, all on the same lap. 

 

INTO THE DARKNESS

            Eichner’s team, finishing sixth in the first session, hoped for better luck in the night session. “I go good at night,” said Eichner and then laughed, “You don’t worry as much because you can’t see what you’re going to hit. I’ve raced PDV so much, I know the braking points and when to get back on the throttle. Racing at night’s easier because it’s cooler, the moisture starts to come up for better traction, and the motor runs cooler.”

            But, as he spoke and the night session wore on,  teammate Creech pulled into the pits with the motor making a terrible racket. “That doesn’t sound good,” said Ike. Probably in a rush earlier to swap motors, the headpipe wasn’t secured properly. An oil seal and tranny problem on the bone stock and untested new motor would eventually put the team out of the running.

           

 Frederick’s Can-Am team also lost time at night fixing a light bracket and swapping batteries. “The little things cost you,” said Frederick. Then, even more little things cost them, as the quad came back into the pits for ten minutes to repack the muffler (the race organization takes noise regulations seriously).

            But, up front, the American KTM team was on fire, leading every lap of the long, five-hour night session, even running an hour without rear brakes. Plus, they posted the fastest lap of that session.

            “I never thought the track could get so rough,” commented teammate McGill. “The holes look like a dozer dug them up, and they don’t give an inch. I could relax only on the fast straights and in the air.”

  

          McGill also admitted he enjoyed taking full advantage of the team’s killer lighting system. “It’s interesting pulling up behind someone and having your lights overwhelm his and cast a huge shadow right where the guy is trying to see.”

            Following the KTM in the night session was Couprie’s trouble-free team, and then a team of PDV veterans piloting a Honda 450. But the more important results are the combined standings from the first two sessions. This put the KTM in the lead but on the same lap as Couprie. In other words, less than three minutes apart. In third, but four laps (12 minutes) down were reigning and two-time PDV champs, the French Piron brothers. As in the previous two years, they were running a consistent and flawless race. 

SESSION THREE

The next day at 1 p.m., the quads that were still running, about 100 of them, rocketed into the final four hours of the event. At the end of lap one, Couprie was in the lead, followed by Piron and the lone Yamaha Banshee in the field, piloted by North Ireland’s Justin Reid.

           

 But the American KTM was nowhere near the front of the pack. In fact, when the session began, the KTM went straight to the pits-repairs can be made only during race sessions- for a new rear brake system, the original system a victim of the high speeds and consewquent overheating. The team lost two laps and sent the quad back on the track, only to discover they still had no rear brakes. Because they couldn’t afford another pit stop, and because most braking power is in the front anyway, the team decided to see if they could make up the two laps, reclaim the lead, and win PDV using only front brakes.

            An hour into the session, and with three hours left in the event, the KTM was still two laps behind Couprie. With two hours left, same thing. With an hour left, two laps down but closing in. As Tim Farr endured lap after lap of the pounding (his back still hurts him from an ‘05 crash), and the final minutes ticked down, his crew went wild at the pit wall. A KTM pit board for Farr exclaimed, “You can do it!”

           

But it wasn’t to be. When the checkers fell, Couprie’s team took the ‘08 PDV win by less than a lap over the KTM. Riding the top Suzuki at PDV, three French guys finished six laps down in third. Expressing just how consistent they were, 19 year-old teammate Julien Valentin explained, “We stopped only for fuel and rider changes. No stops for tires, air filter, or even for tightening the chain. All three of us posted exactly the same lap time, lap after lap.”

            PDV is consistency, but it’s also about speed. The competition is tougher and, even to the casual observer, it’s clear that any team anywhere near the top five is on the gas hard. You gotta be consistent at PDV, that’s for sure, but you also gotta be screaming.       

Click Here for full results

            Editor’s note: For more on PDV, PDV race machines, and Wild Bill Lanphier’s ATV escapades in Europe, check out our ATV Sport hard copy magazine, beginning with the December, ‘08 issue. For a shortened recap with additional images onATVSport’s website click here.

ATV Sport Tech Questions

Z Sprocket
Q. I just installed a 13-tooth front sprocket on my 2007 Suzuki Z400. When I went to put the retainer on, the bolt holes didn’t line up. I put one of the bolts in one of the holes and left it for now. Is there something made to make up for changing sprockets? If so, where could I find one? If not, would leaving it with just one bolt be a problem?
Anonymous, via the Internet

A.All aftermarket counter sprockets that I have installed in the past on LT-Z400s have had both holes for the retainer bolts and aligned easily, as long as you rotate the retainer in the slot on the countershaft. I would double-check that the retainer is on correctly and not installed backwards. I do not recommend running just one bolt with the retainer. Also, always use Loc-Tite on the bolts and torque to factory specs.
- Toby

LT-R450 Concerns
Q. I want to get a steering stabilizer for my 2008 R450. What is the reason that the Elka System 3 is around $500 and the other [rod like] kind is $150. Also do you think that the new non-oil air filters work as good as others?

I am also getting the [Yosh] Cherry Bomb. Can I keep it on even when I have the spark arrestor in or does it have to come out?
Caleb Keller No. 33

A.There are so many different companies that are now offering stabilizers; I wouldn’t even know where to start in comparisons. I would start by looking at your budget and decide how much adjustability you will need for the particular riding conditions. I do highly recommend a stabilizer for the LT-R; it is the best handling upgrade you can buy.

I have not had a chance to do any testing with the new non-oil air filters, but I do know they are getting great reviews.

The Cherry Bomb is a good upgrade for the EFI on the LT-R. You can use it with the spark arrestor in or out, but only with the air box lid off whenever it is plugged in.
- Toby

Bent Axle
Q. I have a 2007 TRX450R with a bent axle. Is an axle from an ‘06 the same as the one for the ‘07? Their part numbers are the same, except for the last three numbers (000 vs. 600).
Anonymous, via the Internet

A.The 2006 Honda TRX450R axle will fit in the 2007-2008 TRX450R. There could be a couple of different reasons that the part numbers are different: axles ordered or purchased from a different vendor than the prior year, slightly different material used, etc. It doesn’t take much of a change in a part for the manufacturers to change the part numbers.
- Toby

Toby Reed graduated from Orlando’s Motorcycle Mechanic’s Institute. He owns Moto-Xperts and is the new “Wrench This” answer man for ATV Sport. If you have any technical questions for Reed, e-mail him at toby@moto-xperts.com. For more info on Moto-Xperts, check out www.moto-xperts.com.

Twice As Nice

Man, times certainly have changed. Remember the late 1980s and early ’90s? If you were a young 6-year-old tyke with a Power Wheels you were the coolest kid on the block. Not anymore. The neighborhood’s top dogs now ride quality youth ATVs.

Sure, plastic Power Wheels are a great learning tool for 2- to 5-year-olds, but an electric powered ride can’t compare to the ping of a two-stroke engine and the smell of exhaust to an enthusiastic 6-year-old. We recently met with Over The Edge Racing, which had two tricked-out Apex Pro MX ATVs loaded to the hilt with aftermarket accessories and bling.

Cole Olson and Dylan Kloss have a lot of envious friends when they hit the trails aboard their Apex quads. Olson, who thumps on a 70cc Pro MX, and Kloss on his 90cc Pro MX can’t tame their excitement when out riding. The two brothers would ride all day if they could buy their own gas!

About Apex
Based in Chandler, Ariz., Apex Motor USA manufactures what it claims to be the most advanced mini ATVs available. While companies like Cobra may disagree, the Apex youth quads do come pretty trick right from the box.

Kloss and Olson kept many of the components on their quads stock due to that very reason. The front A-arms, swingarm (with OTER gussets), two-stroke engine and pipe all come race-ready stock. Over The Edge Racing gusseted the swingarm for added durability because both brothers race cross country.

All Pro MX Apex quads have a CVT with HP clutch assembly, which means young riders don’t need to worry about shifting when they encounter obstacles on the trail. Both modified ATVs came with custom clutching to meet their powerband demands. A 21mm Mikuni carburetor feeds fuel to the 69cc engine, while a larger 24mm Mikuni carb is installed in the 89cc Apex quad. Both carburetors are stock.

Over The Edge Racing is known for its fondness of orange plastics – a team signature – and Apex delivered with bodywork that matched the adult ATVs on the team. Stock Apex ATVs are available with red, blue, black or orange plastics.

Modifying Mania
While stock is good for the average rider or beginning racer, Olson and Kloss wanted an edge. That’s where Jason White comes in. White is known for gaining that edge, and sometimes he goes over. We guess that’s how he developed his shop name Over The Edge Racing!

The brothers’ Apex quads were stripped to the bare frame and White went to work on a custom gusset kit for both the 70 and 90. After adding gussets to strengthen the chassis, White had the frame powder coated a candy lollipop blue color. Since youth ATVs have less ground clearance, they are subject to harsher hits during a race. But after several cross country races, White says the gussets have held up to the abuse both riders have put the quads through. “We haven’t seen much in terms of stress on the chassis,” he said.

Up front, a set of Yamaha tierods and spindles were added for durability in woods racing conditions. White retained the stock A-arms because they offer plenty of width for both riders’ machines. However, the suspension got an upgrade.

Olson’s Pro MX 70 features Works Performance Pro G Series emulsion shocks that come sans piggyback reservoirs. Kloss’ Apex 90 has the upgraded Works Performance Black Widow shocks that are fully rebuildable with piggyback reservoirs. “We couldn’t get the valving in the Black Widow’s light enough for Cole,” White said. “We decided to make a switch to the Pro Gs, which have worked out really well for him. Both suspension setups have a lot of travel. I don’t think either of the brothers have bottomed out the suspension during a ride.”

To aid in rider comfort, a set of Fasst Flexx handlebars were bolted on to both Apex ATVs. The Flexx bars are in high demand for youth quads and White said he was lucky just to get two sets of bars. Spider grips and PowerMadd handguards completed the handlebar package.

White said the stock engine is plenty powerful, so he stayed away from mods when it wasn’t necessary. “These engines are very stout stock,” he said. White swapped the stock air filter for a UNI filter to help the quads breathe a little better.

A Sidewinder chain turns on stock sprockets for both quads.

Bolt-On Accessories
With the Apex quads new to the youth scene, there aren’t a ton of aftermarket bolt-on accessories available yet. But AC Racing does make a host of parts. The nerfbars, footpegs and heel guards are custom from AC Racing, along with the bumper and grab bar. Of course, White powder coated the bolt-on parts to match the frame and make them more durable.

While the Apex quads come from the factory with quality aftermarket tires and wheels, White opted for Maxxis Razr2s front and back. The 21 x 7-10 Razr2s are bolted on the front Yamaha hubs on both quads, and highly sought after 18 x 10-8 Razrs rest on Honda hubs rear. “I had a guy come into my shop who saw the rear tires and offered to buy them right then,” White said. “I guess they are pretty popular and hard to get.”

All four Maxxis tires on each Apex quad are mounted on OMF Performance scalloped beadlocks with reinforcing ring rims. Naturally, White powder coated those orange to match the plastic. The brake pedal and kickstarter also are highlighted by the orange powder coat.

Do The Kids Like It?

Even in near 100-degree temperatures, we couldn’t peel Olson and Kloss off their quads. By the smile on their faces, it’s obvious how much they enjoy riding their Apex quads. Olson has been riding for one year and already looks like a veteran thanks to days full of endless riding.

And his brother, who has been riding for four years, provides plenty of encouragement. At every turn and jump, Olson fights to keep up with older brother Kloss aboard their two-stroke-powered fun.

After two hours of riding and chasing each other around like hyper dogs, one would think they would run out of energy. Nope, just gas!