Good Bye 2008, Hello ‘09

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It’s the last day of the year and I can’t help but feel relieved, 2008 was a roller coaster ride that I’m glad is over, my stomach can’t handle much more. Like most roller coaster rides, it [08] left me feeling a bit queezy, yet oddly enough I’m looking forward to the next ride. I’m looking forward to a new year, new tracks, new race teams, new models, and most importantly to the new memories. ‘09 has a nice ring to it, and I think we’re in for some great racing, the GNCC side is going to get interesting with guys like McGill and Borich now pretty used to their rides, Ballance on an all new YFZ, and rookie sensation Ockerman as a full time Pro. The MX side is going to be nuts as Wimmer tries to defend his #1 plate against former teammate Wienen and his Green counterpart Creamer, Upperman is rolling, Byrd looks faster than ever, Brown is on an all new YFZ, Natalie has a year under his belt on the Can-Am, and KTM is now in the loop. The UTV thing is blowing up, and I’m predicting record numbers at the GNCC UTV rounds. Lets keep our fingers crossed, and here’s hoping that 2009 is everything we’re hoping for.

I wish you all a very Prosperous New Year.

Quick tip, installing hand grips

If your like me and you go through hand grips almost once a season, installing grips is one of those jobs that is so easy, yet sometimes frustrating that you dread doing it. You know the drill. You get all ready to install them and fight them on the bars, and then after all your muscling, you come to find out that after one ride they just spin allowing your hands to slip of the bars. Well in this article I will outline some good practices that will ease the installation and increase safety.

First remove the old grips and ALL the old glue or what ever adhesive was left behind. A little trick to removing old grips is to score with a razor knife a few times down the length of the grip. Then just peel it off the bars. A 50/50% mix of rubbing alcohol and water will make quick work of the left over adhesive. This same procedure can be used on the throttle side as well regardless of the type of throttle your using (twist or thumb), although I recommend removing the twist throttle housing to prevent breaking the housing.

Installing can be aided with use of some heat from a heat gun, a hair dryer I have found ineffective as it fails to get hot enough. Just be careful to not to overheat the grips, just enough to soften them a little. Likewise I recommend installing on a twist throttle housing with it removed.

Adhesive choices: lots of debates can be had on this subject, I personally follow the recommendations of the grip manufacture that I am using. For example, Pro-Grip brand grips, use Pro-Grip brand glue, Renthal grips, Renthal glue, and so on. Now some see this as a marketing ploy, and its possible, but in my experiences different grips are made of different compounds and various percentages of natural and synthetic rubbers, thus different glues react differently. My theory is Pro-Grip branded a formulation that best adheres to THEIR grips, likewise with Renthal ect… I have also heard people using spray paint as a grip glue. I have had mixed experiences with the spray paint method so I don’t recommend using it as the only means of affixing the grips to the bars.

Safety wire: regardless the method you use to secure your new grips I suggest using safety wire as an added protection of grips breaking loose, slipping or turning. You can use a light gauge mechanics wire or places do sell wire labeled as “safety wire”, ether way I highly recommend getting a pair of dedicated safety wire pliers as it makes the whole job easier of wrapping and twisting then cutting the wire.

Use these tips and your grip will not only be better but safer.

2008 AMA PRO ATV Racing

Here’s a photo recap of last year’s AMA Pro ATV National opener at Glen Helen in Southern California. Photos by Jerrod Kelley.

2008 ATV Pros at Glen Helen

2009 YFZ450R First Ride

ATV Sport 2009 Yamaha YFZ450R First Test

We rode the 2009 Yamaha YFZ450R at LACR in Palmdale, Calif. The video features ATV Pro Jason Dunkelberger and ATV Sport Editor Jerrod Kelley. The still photos are from Jeff Henson, managing editor.

A Word with the Champ: Dustin Wimmer

I recently asked Dustin Wimmer, 2008 AMA Pro Grand National Champion, if he would be willing to catch up for a few minutes about his successful 2008 racing season.  He graciously accepted and I picked his brain for a few minutes about his racing career and what life is like after winning the championship.

 

 

[Read more]

5th Annual ATV Fall Classic Results

Results from last weekends Fall Classic ATV event at Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park in Old Bridge NJ

Photos from the events can be seen HERE [Read more]

Divine Revelations

 

There are moments in life that teach us valuable lessons which, for better or worse, stick with us until the day we die.  Inevitable “ah ha” moments when our vision clears and we gain a greater understanding of why things are the way they are.

My first racing experience was one such occasion which I will recount for you in a series of revelations.  What I refer to as divine revelation may be old news to you, or perhaps basic knowledge that any self respecting ATV enthusiast should already know.  I must, however, share what I have learned as I feel it valuable and if nothing else, entertaining for you to laugh at my shortcomings. 

[Read more]

Still Racing in New Jersey

Most of the leaves in the Northeast have already hit the ground and the morning frost has blanketed the ground but there is still Quad racing in New Jersey. Next weekend November 8th and 9th,  Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park will host its 5th annual Fall classic event. [Read more]

Extreme Racing

 

 

 

Seemingly never ending Silly Season

It’s mid way through October and the big players are still up for grabs. Wienen is reportedly going Green, Wimmer was rumored to be changing shades of yellow (Can Am as opposed to Suzuki), but really good sources claim there’s no chance he’s leaving Suzuki, so don’t believe the hype, Creamer is supposedly still unsigned as well. Byrd is staying Red, Gust is staying on Suzukis, and Keith Little will most probably be green again as well, but under his own canopy. Baldwin’s Josh Upperman is going Orange aboard the KTM 450 SX. Polaris has been looking at Mitch Reynolds, Jason Dunkelberger, and a few others, but I have yet to confirm who has actually signed. Clay Holmes is supposedly flying into the Pro class Byrd-less and looking for a ride. There’s just so much up in the air that the industry is almost on hold.

The moral of the story; with this much money up for grabs anything is possible.

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