‘Liiiiiiiike a glove!’

As a young ATV rider, I didn’t care if I wore brown jersey gloves (you know those ones that cost a little more than a buck?) when I rode my old Honda four-wheeler. As a young kid in the 1980s, we wore whatever we had on hand to keep warm in the winter or to add comfort. When my riding career took a more “professional” approach in 1998 — that’s when I started at ATV Sport — I soon realized motocross gloves were so much better than a cotton or knit glove. Duh, right?! Plus, they look a lot better with the rest of the MX gear than those ugly brown mitts or your grandpa’s leather work gloves.

However, after a dozen years of riding ATVs, I’ve also come to the conclusion that all MX gloves are not created equally. This glove topic comes up because I recently lost one of my favorite EVS SX Lite riding gloves at the Alexandria Wal-Mart. I was wearing it as a “light spring glove” and it fell out of my jacket pocket. I’ve had the EVS gloves since they were introduced and they were one of the best pairs gloves I’ve ever worn. They held up and showed minimal wear, even after several rides, trail races and other uses (digging in the garden and mowing the lawn – seriously they were that versatile). Perhaps their only flaw was the lost of the silicon grips on the fingers (peeled off), lack of palm padding and excessive top finger padding. Even so, I loved them and I am saddened by the loss.

My all-time favorite MX riding glove, however, has to be the FOUR Mission glove, by O’Neal. What a clever concept, to actually craft a riding glove for ATV riders, those guys and gals who need to use their right thumb to engage their quad’s throttle. It featured a stretch Spandura right thumb for quad riders and eliminated a significant weak spot (see below) in MX gloves. The patent-pending custom Gel pad lined right thumb is my favorite feature as it produces all-day comfort. Palm padding and stitching are an added bonus. My red-black-and-white Mission glove (dated) offers a perfect fit and ATV comfort to go with it. If my entire MX glove collection could feature these attributes, I’d be a happy quad rider. Looks like I’ll have to order some new 2010 gloves (right).

MX Glove’s Typical Weak Spots

Over the years, I’ve found MX gloves have certain weak spots at least according to my testing. And like I previously stated, some gloves are better than others. Neither the FOUR glove nor the EVS glove have had these problems.

• The No. 1 problem has to be sizing. I wear an XL and I’ve had some gloves fit too tightly and others fit too loosely and create fold spots and blisters.
• Area between the index finger and thumb. It HAS to be stretchy for ATV riders because ours thumbs are stretched out while we ride. More often than not, this is wear an MX glove fails for me.
• Finger tips. I’ve had several gloves come unstitched here or have holes in the finger area. Once this happens, it’s time for the trash.
• Palm area. After a long riding day, testing or racing some gloves just can’t hold up and develop holes in their palms. However, others MX gloves are tough and never seem to get thin in this area.

Do you have a favorite riding gloves? Let me know the brand and why you like them.

How To Further Your Racing Career

Over the years I’ve interviewed hundreds of ATV racers, from little 6-year-olds to aging former pros turned business owners and I can tell how well each self promotes. I’m not talking about bragging to the media here, but more like understanding the importance of every interview and doing it in professional manner and realizing that each sponsor and face time counts. This self promotion goes further than interviews. It also includes pit presence, attire, attitude and even your posse. If you really want to “hit it big,” you must act like a professional.

Clearly, it takes some riders longer to mature than others, but it can be done. Here are some tips to try if you’re trying to sell yourself and grow your ATV racing career:

1. Interviews: Realize they are important for you, your family and your sponsors. Try to provide solid answers (not just “yes” and “nos”). Don’t pimp yourself out, but do try for press when you achieve something important in your career.

2. Clean your ATV. Keep it clean and polished at all times. Again, it’s about creating an image and capturing attention (from sponsors, media, fans and other racers). Have you ever seen a pro quad look battered and dirty when it goes to the line or sits in the pits?

3. Dress like a pro. I’m not talking a black-tie outfit, but a suit and tie at a banquet is a great addition to your professional appearance. At a race, wear your pit shirt/race team attire and skip wearing your MX outfit all day. Also, clean your gear so you can look good on the track, too. The cleaner you are, the better chance you have to get photographed.

4. Pits. Keep your area clean and put up your sponsor banners or even create one professional banner with all your sponsors on it.

5. Control your anger. If you think you’ve been hosed by another rider or cheated, stand up for yourself but keep a cool head.

6. Create a racing resume and keep it updated. Avoid the cute approach and go for the professional, clean look.

7. Send “Thank You” letters. At the end of the season, regardless of your results thank every sponsor and those other who may have assisted you.

8. Remain humble and be yourself. No matter what level of success you achieve, remain approachable and kind to all.

9. Make every effort not to burn bridges. I know separation is sometimes the only solution, but try to do it cordially. It’s best for everyone.

Have any other tips you’ve learned by interacting with other racers, sponsors, media or race promoters?  Add a comment about some of the steps you’ve taken to further your ATV racing career.

GNCC Pro ATV Results: 2010 Round 2

Well, two rounds are complete and the points race is extremely tight in the 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Pro ATV class. With the action from the opening weekends of racing in Florida and Georgia, which saw Chris Borich win the opener and follow that with a second at Round 2 in Georgia, I’d bet the entire season goes this way. As expected, reigning champion Chris Borich is on top on his Suzuki, but Yamaha’s Taylor Kiser has the same amount of points (55), but is listed in second. Kiser, who ended Borich’s nine-race win streak, won for the first time since the 2009 Florida opener (13 races).

Right in the mix are Can-Am’s Adam McGill and multi-time GNCC champion Bill Ballance, who is racing what is said to be his final full season. McGill, his first season on the DS450, is 16 points behind and made the podium in Florida. For McGill, he hasn’t won a pro overall since Round 10 of 2008, but continues to challenge for the podium. Ballance reached the final stair of the pro podium in Georgia and now trails by 18 points. Can-Am’s other pro, Chris Bithell, sits comfortably in fifth, is just three points back of Ballance and 21 behind Borich after his twin top five showings.

Round 2 Movers:

Up: was stuck in eighth place after the first lap and still in sixth with one lap to go. However, the highly skilled racer kicked it into another gear and moved into fourth.

Down: Bithell led the race for the first three laps, but fell fell to fifth on Lap 4 and could not regain any positions. Brent Sturdivant dropped from ninth to 15th and then couldn’t finish the final lap.

Biggest news to me thus far:

1. The biggest surprise is seeing less than 20 pros line up for the races. There were 16 in Florida and just 15 in Georgia. Meanwhile the Pro-Am class has had 23 and 24, respectively.

2. I guess this one shouldn’t be a surprise, but … Walker Fowler might want to move to the Pro ranks now! The proven racer may be young, but he finished eighth overall and beat 8 pros in the process. Sure, in Florida he had a rather uneventful ride, but that’s racin’.

3. Brandon Sommers, currently in 11th, is out of the top 10 in points. I know he has the skills and I expect him to climb the ladder and get back in the top six.

4. Jeffrey Pickens has been a pleasant surprise on his Yamaha with two seventh-place runs. He’s a crafty GNCC vet, has the speed, but can he remain consistent?

5. Where are all the Hondas? Four pros ride “Red,” but have failed to crack the top five at either event.

Top 10 XC1 Pro  Points (2 Rounds complete)

Rank, make, number, name, total points (wins)

1. SUZ 001 CHRIS BORICH, 55 (1)

2. YAM 002 TAYLOR KISER, 55 (1)

3.  CAN 003 ADAM MCGILL, 39

4. YAM 004 BILL BALLANCE, 37

5. CAN 013 CHRIS BITHELL, 34

6. YAM 015 JEFFREY PICKENS, 28

7. POL 010 JARROD MCCLURE, 27

8. KTM 005 BRYAN COOK, 26

9. YAM 012 JOHNNY GALLAGHER, 26

10. YAM 007 DONALD OCKERMAN, 23

For complete results and individual classes, visit www.gnccracing.com.

Unusual Mud Protection: 6 Quick Tips

If you had plans to go riding or racing and the weather snuck up on you (although I can’t quite fathom in this day and age how that could happen), then try these tips to help your sport quad survive the slop.

1-gallon Milk Jugs

These make for quick-fix handguards if you failed to install or pack yours. We’ve seen a few racers install these makeshift protectors. The larger jugs work best because they are more flexible and easier to custom fit to your quad’s bars. Talk about recycling!

Scratch Pads

Some racers I know add kitchen scouring pads to act as a makeshift glove cleaner. In a really muddy race, your gloves will get wet and muddy, but by adding a pad like this to the top or upper rear section of your helmet, you could keep riding instead of stopping for new gloves.

Extra Lens

Many GNCC racers tape an old goggle lens on to their visor to improve its length and mud protection. Roost is one of the biggest culprits of slowing you down. Another rider can roost you with mud, which always finds a way of hitting you in the face, goggles and hands. This longer custom visor can help you, but it can also get super heavy if too much mud comes your way.

Duct Tape

I know it can be used for practically everything, including clothes, automotive repairs and wallpaper, but I’m talking about covering parts of your ATV. I’ve seen several racers run duct tape on their front bumper to the plastic and then coat it with PAM cooking spray to act as both a radiator guard and anti mud shield.

Paper Towels

Believe it or not, if you keep a few extra (and dry) paper towels in your waterproof jacket (if you wear one), you can also improve your hand grip – at least temporarily – by using the paper towels as grip covers. I’ve seen several of the top ATV racers go through their pits and grab two paper towels for the final lap instead of stopping to clean their grips or get new gloves.

Garbage Bag

Yes, this one is for you more than your quad, but any heavy-duty yard waste bag will work as a rain poncho during a long race. The downside? Someone may call you trashy or toss you to the side of the curb. Oh, and it gets really warm under one of these plastic sacks.

These are just some of the basic off-road racing/riding tricks I’ve learned over the years. Although some of them are quite simple and rather obvious, many riders can forget to pack parts and accessories and need fast fixes. Do you have any tips of your own to improve your sport quad’s mudding abilities? How about something you wear during a muddy event?

Say It Ain’t So, Digger

I knew one day it could happen. I expected there would be a time – obviously – when “Digger” Doug Gust would retire (hang ’em up, walk away, call it quits). While I don’t know the real reasons behind Digger’s rumored retirement, I doubt it had anything to do with old age. An ATV legend and legitimate hero like Gust can’t stop racing —it’s not fair to the fans or me!

I’ve always been impressed with a guy, from the Midwest, who could whip other MX riders, many of which are half his age, and remain the constant professional and all-around good guy. Cockiness was always a trait foreign to him. And talk about approachable! While other past GNC Champions like Tim Farr and Shane Hitt left the game several years ago, Gust continued to pound the dirt and help raise ATV racing to another level. Sure, in recent years Gust has lost out to a the more youthful riders like Dustin Wimmer, Chad Wienen and Josh Creamer, but he still was a threat to podium and challenge for a spot in the top three at the end of the year.

What I find the most shocking about Gust’s retirement is that fact that no manufacturer or major aftermarket companies gave him a good enough deal to keep him on the track — at least to my knowledge. Suzuki went with Wimmer and Creamer and rumors of Polaris deal have yet to pan out. Like I said, I don’t know all the details and whether or not Gust has officially turned down any companies, but it will be disappointing not to see him race if that’s how it plays out.

I know Gust has the right to end his career. Clearly it’s his body, his time and his choice, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be saddened by it. Believe me, if I had the resources and funding, he’d be on my race team. His leadership, popularity and professionalism make him invaluable in my opinion.

If we don’t see No. 55 on the track in 2010, he will be missed. Oh, and I beg Doug to prove me wrong. If this is the end, he put on quite a show, deserves recognition for his contributions to this sport and a round of applause.

Growing Up Empty? Kids Without Quads

It is really a shame that my son and daughter, 7 and 6 respectively, can’t learn to love the sport that paid my bills that last decade, developed life-long friendships and given me a career others call the greatest job in the world. I’ve traveled the world and ridden OHV trails in almost every state and love to interact with nature in this manner. I’ve shared a tiny bit (two small backyard rides on an older loaner vehicle) of the ATV experience with my two young kids and loved every minute of it. Seeing them smile and learn to ride was an experience I’ll never forget. It’s also one I’ll have a hard time every reliving since the CPSIA legislation went into affect. I can’t even get the appropriate sized (50cc) youth quad for them to ride. This also means I can’t test the machine for publication (online or in a magazine). The restrictions also prevent me from aiding the industry and its manufacturers (and ultimately the consumer) by showcasing the machines and each vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses.

I’ll never let them ride a larger displacement ATV because they are too little, have too little experience and it is unsafe and irresponsible. This CPSIA lead ban needs to be reworded or rewritten to exclude ATVs and other small displacement OHVs. I can understand protecting my eighth-month-old son from ingesting lead-coated baby toys, but to eliminate family interaction and joy in both my life and my kids’ is unfair and unsafe.

That’s why I’ve taken the step to contact member of Congress and let them know why they need to alter this legislation. I signed the petition at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo, but don’t want it to stop there. I’ve also contacted members of Congress on my own. I no longer want my kids to miss out in the sport I love.

Here’s are some key points the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) said we nee to point out to our members of Congress:

Excerpt from Russ Ehnes’ article in the NOHVCC newsletter:

“Enthusiasts and other stakeholders should reinforce three key reasons why youth ATVs and motorcycles should be excluded from the CPSIA’s lead content provisions:

1. The lead content poses no risk to kids. Experts estimate that the lead intake from kids’ interaction with metal parts is less than the lead intake from drinking a glass of water.
2. The key to keeping youth safe is having them ride the right size vehicle. Kids are now at risk because the availability of youth ATVs and motorcycles is limited due to the lead ban.
3. The lead ban hurts the economy for no good reason when everyone is trying to grow the economy and create jobs. MIC estimates that a complete ban on youth model vehicles would result in about $1 billion in lost economic value in the retail marketplace every year.”

You can also check out this info from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). Here’s how you can let your voice be heard. Visit Stop The Lead Ban and do your part.

2010 GNCC ATV Pro Class Results – Round 1

It looks like Chris Borich is still the rider to beat in the GNCC XC-1 Pro ATV ranks, as the Sunbury, Pa., racer won the opening round of the 2010 GNCC series in River Ranch, Fla on his Suzuki.  Mounting a come-from-behind charge, Borich passed his way into the lead on the final lap and never looked back. Out of 16 pro riders, Borich was in fifth place after lap one and still “stuck” in fourth place as late as lap three. However, the reigning champ kick it up a notch after that moving to second place and then first on the final lap.

Multi-time champion Bill Ballance earned fifth aboard his Yamaha. Ballance’s teammate, understudy and Florida-native, Taylor Kiser finished second on the YFZ450X (roughly a second behind).  The Can-Am tandem of Adam McGill and Chris Bithell finished in third and fourth, respectively.  McGill ran a great race aboard his DS450, leading the first four laps and earning the third stair of the podium.

Other notables: The top Polaris rider was Jarrod McClure in sixth. KTM’sBryan Cook, in his debut race on orange, earned 10th. The top Honda rider was Brent Sturdivant, who took 11th. Brandon Sommers – overcoming his sickness, earned  12th in front of Harold Goodman, who has said he compete at all the GNCCs this season. The biggest position changes during the race were recorded by Johnny Gallagher (from 14thto eighth) and Donald “Big D” Ockerman (Holeshotwinner; third place on lap one and ninth at the end). For the complete Round 1 wrap-up, click here!

For complete 2010 Can-Am GNCC ATV racing results, visit GNCCRacing.com

Westgate River Ranch

River Ranch, FL – Round 1

XC1 Pro – Class Results

Place Nbr Name Hometown Brand Laps Elapsed

1 001 CHRIS M BORICH SUNBURY, PA SUZ 5 02:05:14.437

2 002 TAYLOR M KISER ALVA, FL YAM 5 02:05:15.843

3 003 ADAM K MCGILL WEST UNION, WV CAN 5 02:05:17.656

4 013 CHRIS P BITHELL IRWIN, PA CAN 5 02:06:10.359

5 004 BILL V BALLANCE SMITHS GROVE, KY YAM 5 02:09:51.953

6 010 JARROD M MCCLURE KASKA, PA POL 5 02:13:55.171

7 015 JEFFREY E PICKENS UNIONTOWN, PA YAM 5 02:14:44.359

8 012 JOHNNY F GALLAGHER AURORA, OH YAM 5 02:15:28.515

9 007 DONALD S OCKERMAN MARSHALL, IL YAM 5 02:17:04.171

10 005 BRYAN COOK CASAR, NC KTM 5 02:17:44.203

11 149 BRENT STURDIVANT MONTROSE, WV HON 5 02:22:06.937

12 006 BRANDON SOMMERS MILLERSBURG, OH YAM 5 02:24:09.250

13 708 HAROLD L GOODMAN ROMULUS, MI HON 5 02:36:00.484

14 040 CRAIG A BOWMAN LEBANON, IN HON 5 02:39:50.875

15 023 TODD S DEMAREE VERSAILLES, IN SUZ 5 02:40:01.093

16 330 SLOAN JACKSON LEBANON, IN HON 3 01:33:47.140

The morning podium consisted of two women and one talented Super Senior class racer. Lexie Coulter won the overall on her Can-Am. The Suzuki mounted Glenn  Pritchard took second ahead of another Women’s class racer in Jennifer Albright. See more Amateur results. Levi Coen (90 Mod 12-15) won the youth division.

Fan of GNCC Racing? Off-RoadFantasy is Your Answer

GNCCracing.com let its visitors know of a cool Web site where ATV and off-road fans can play their friends and foes in a “fantasy league.” Off-RoadFantasy.com presented by SCOTT USA lets you choose 10 riders and score (earn) points based upon their finishes. The site says you can modify your “roster” (race team) for each race and it encourages you to “Compete against your friends, family and other fans for cash and prizes awarded each week.”

I’ve signed up, but have not played YET. There’s a $20 sign-up fee for each series (bike or ATV) or $40 for both. Regardless of the fees, this is a cool way to connect with your pals and bench race from the confines of your humble abode.

Let me know if you’re playing and maybe I’ll see If I can beat you.

ATV Racing Sponsorship

Don’t give up hope, young racers and ATV racing fans. It’s sad to hear the news of some racers not getting factory deals or having to retire because the level of support is no longer happening. However, we must be mindful of how much support this sport still receives. Although we have less factory support this year than in previous racing seasons, it’s good to see a few positives from the ATV racing industry. To hear about sponsorship from the ATV aftermarket and ATV manufacturers is always good. And I know there are certain “contracts” and support systems we don’t get to hear about, whether secretive or not.

I recently saw on Facebook that Lone Star Racing became the title sponsor for the Media All-Stars team, which is run by ATV racing die-hard Jorge Cuartas. Both ATV pro Pat Brown and Cody Grant will benefit from the support. This reminds me of the years before factory support, where race team names were very long and often showcased ALL the companies behind the rider. (Example: Pat Brown aboard his Lone Star Racing/Media All-Stars/XYZ/PDQ/123/ABC-backed race quad as opposed to Factory XX’s Pat Brown).

It’s also encouraging to read about Can-Am signing on with the GNCC Racing series for another three years of sponsorship and adding to its level of support. That agreement (click here) shows a level of commitment to the sport from an ATV manufacturer and also sends the message of support, the belief in ATV racing and more. In fact, any quad maker supporting the sport’s racers (like Can-Am, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, Polaris and others) and racing circuits deserves credit, whether it’s on a national, regional (Yamaha with ITP QuadCross) or even a state or niche level (example: mud racing, Baja). They all should be thanked for these partnerships.

Although the support has dwindled, we still see signs of hope and a level of attention and support we should appreciate. Sure, you could say, “They sell to racers, so they should support our sport.” That wasn’t always the case, remember? Let’s keep everything in perspective and focus on the positives and opportunities we currently have, not those we’ve lost.

Get Some GRUB: ATV Style

If you own an Apple iPhone/iPad Touch and are an “App-oholic” then I think you should go get some grub. No, not in the sense of grabbing a six-pack of tacos at a fast-food joint, but instead downloading ATV GRUB for your favorite electronic “toy.” Essentially, ATV Grub hooks you up with ATV news (blogs) from all over the Web in one location and eliminates the need to search for ATV and off-road news. The developer said the App operates in a “super clean and organized format.”

Here’s a user’s feedback about ATV GRUB: ” ATV love! — The update for this app has done justice. It runs smoother, has better animation at startup, and if you love your ATV you’ll love this app! I am so happy to see ATV apps on here finally, i look under iTunes and there is barely any good atv videos. I love my 09 YFZ450R and from this app, I can look at parts, reviews, and other cool things. Way to go ! Keep up with the updates!” Vic Ellison- Corning NY (source ATV GRUB)

ATV Grub features news feeds and posts from several ATV enthusiast blogs (including this one) and established sites like GNCC Racing and ATVSport.com, F0ur-Wheeler Mag and more.

I’m in need of a phone overhaul — with the text messages I receive but do not send — and thought about stepping up to an iPhone. If I do, I’m going to satisfy my ATV appetite with ATV GRUB.

Other GRUB APPS:

BMX

MX

BEAUTY

CYCLING

SKATE

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