Cole Kirkpatrick
Photo: Shan Moore

For those attending the National Enduro be sure to swing by the Moose Racing semi in the pits to say hi to everyone and to check out some of the newest items from Moose Racing!

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is asking a key U.S. House panel to include motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in any future study of ethanol-blended gasoline.

In a letter sent July 11 to the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, the AMA, along with its partner organization, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA), urged subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-Md.) “that on- or off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) be part of any scientific study by the NAS” related to ethanol-blended gasoline. NAS stands for the National Academy of Sciences.

The subcommittee held a hearing on July 7 entitled “Hitting the Ethanol Blend Wall: Examining the Science on E15.” The hearing focused on E15, a new gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent alcohol by volume. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in October 2010 approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). In January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-2006 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.

No on- or off-highway motorcycles or ATVs are currently approved.

At its hearing, the subcommittee indicated that it may require the EPA to arrange with the NAS to study a full range of issues related to E15.

In the letter, AMA Washington Representative Rick Podliska said the AMA and ATVA have concerns about: E15 being put in motorcycles or ATVs mistakenly and damaging engines; the continued availability of gasoline that has no ethanol, or gasoline with only a 10 percent blend that is safe for use in motorcycles and ATVs; the possibility that “blender pumps” — which dispense multiple grades of gasoline through a single hose — could introduce enough ethanol into gasoline to be used in a motorcycle or ATV to damage the vehicle; and that ethanol absorbs water, which could be harmful to motorcycles and ATVs.

“In conclusion, to address our concerns, the AMA and ATVA urge that on- or off-highway motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study by NAS,” Podliska wrote. “Not only should the study focus on the short- and long-term impacts on vehicles and engines, but should consider financial implications of increased ethanol use in gasoline on consumers; fuel producers, distributors and retailers; vehicle and engine manufacturers, dealers and service facilities; and the environment.”

To read the letter, click here: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Libraries/Rights_Documents_Federal/Harris_NAS_Ethanol_7-11-2011.sflb.ashx?download=true.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

“There is no one better to articulate the importance of riding with your family than the very kids who will be impacted by the unintended consequences of this law,” said AMA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. “The Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest will put a real face on the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, which is known as the lead law and threatens the availability of kid-sized motorcycles and ATVs.”

The home-made videos will be used to help deliver this important message to lawmakers. The winning video will be a key component of an AMA-organized “AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb” in Washington, D.C., on May 26. The media event and lobbying effort will urge lawmakers to exempt kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs from the CPSIA.

“Lawmakers need to understand that these are real kids, and real families, being hurt by the lead law,” Moreland said. “This two-pronged approach — the video contest and the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb — will deliver the message that a legislative fix, such as H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, is the best solution to this problem.”

For full details concerning the Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest and the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/KidsJustWantToRide.aspx.

The CPSIA bans the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under that contains more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part, including kid-sized dirtbikes and ATVs. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is responsible for implementing the law, has delayed enforcing key portions until after the end of the year. Unless the CPSIA is changed by then, the sale of kid-sized dirtbikes and ATVs will effectively be banned.

Moreland added that the best way to fix the CPSIA is H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.). The Kids Just Want to Ride Act would exempt kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs from the CPSIA.

All motorcyclists, ATV riders and their families are encouraged to attend the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb. For information to help with their visit, AMA and All-Terrain Vehicle Association members should contact the AMA Grassroots Team at (202) 742-4310 or email grassroots@ama-cycle.org.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

“My heart and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters of Japan. Please join the Honda community and the Red Cross in supporting Japan’s recovery efforts.”

Sincerely, Johnny Campbell

Since the tragic events began unfolding in Japan, Honda has been
overwhelmed by the support and generosity of our business partners, asking
how they can join Honda in supporting the relief effort.

Working in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Honda has established a
special microsite to accept donations online from those wishing to partner
with Honda in the relief effort. The funds will not be matched but given
as a total “Honda Community” donation. The contributions will benefit the
American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.

Thank you for your consideration and for your support of Honda and the
people of Japan.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

To donate, please visit the site below:

http://american.redcross.org/hondaacura-emp

Truth MX’s sister company C28 has also set up way to support Japan thru purchasing a special designed praying for Japan T Shirt.

http://www.c28.com/shopping/productdetails.asp?recordid=227051&adid=PrayForJapan_3-21-11

Factory FMF/KTM rider Mike Brown landed on the podium at the third round of the WORCS held in Lake Havasu, AZ after earning 5-3 podium results from the two-moto format weekend.

Both Brown and his teammate, the reigning WORCS Champion Kurt Caselli, got off to a good start both days of racing. On Saturday, Caselli took the holeshot followed closely by Brown. The two riders led the beginning of the race before both suffered from arm pump near the halfway point. At the end of their hour long battle, Caselli would come in 4th and Brown earned 5th in the first moto.

Determined to improve upon their results, the FMF/KTM riders again put themselves in a good starting position within the top three off the start of Sunday’s moto. This time, Brown and Caselli stayed closer to the two lead bikes of Taylor Robert and Bobby Garrison. Brown and Caselli remained even closer to each other. The two teammates battled the entire hour long race with Brown eventually earning the final podium spot taking a 3rd overall for the day while Caselli matched his first moto performance with a 4th overall.

Brown’s 5-3 moto results earned him 3rd overall for the race while Caselli’s 4-4 placement earned him 4th overall at the Lake Havasu round.

Now three rounds into the series, Caselli sits 3rd overall in the point standings while Brown is currently ranked 5th.

Next Round: Round 4 – April 15-16, 2011 – Anza, CA

Overall Results –
Taylor Robert
Bobby Garrison
Mike Brown – KTM
Kurt Caselli – KTM
Kyle Summers
Justin Soule
Robby Bell
Colton Udall
Ryan Abbatoye
Gary Sutherlin

Overall Point Standings –
Bobby Garrison – 136
Taylor Robert – 134
Kurt Caselli – 123
Kyle Summers – 107
Mike Brown – 91

Factory FMF/KTM Team riders Charlie Mullins and Cory Buttrick landed on the podium at the third round of the GNCC Series in Morganton, NC.

Rain the night prior had made the course quite muddy as the riders lined the start of the Steele Creek GNCC. Both Mullins and Buttrick got off to a good start coming around the first corner in 2nd and 3rd position respectively. Two spots back was the third member of the team, Kailub Russell. Three-time National Enduro Champion, Russell Bobbitt, garnered a mid-pack start and began his charge toward the top ten.

Early leader, Josh Strang, led the first lap before being passed by Mullins quickly after the first lap mark. Mullins led the next four laps of the race with Strang close behind. Mullins pit quickly on the fourth lap and maintained his lead. On the fifth lap he was passed briefly by Strang. Later that lap, Strang pit for the first time and Mullins was able to get back by. Strang popped out right behind Mullins after the pit and the two riders began a major battle for the remaining two laps. “We were side by side throughout the majority of the race but those final two laps were so close. Anytime one of us made a mistake the other was right there to capitalize on it,” remarked Mullins.

With only a few corners to go, Mullins still had a bike length lead on Strang. As they came around the second to last corner, Mullins had the hot line. Unfortunately, in the final corner Mullins washed the front end just feet from the finish line. Strang rode around Mullins to take the win while Mullins quickly recovered to finish 2nd.

“Charlie definitely had a great ride today and I know he was disappointed in his finish. It is these days that make you stronger for the next race and help you learn how to handle the pressure,” stated Factory FMF/KTM Team Manager Antti Kallonen.

Finishing about a two minutes behind Mullins was his teammate Buttrick who had a strong ride to finish 3rd overall. Kailub Russell, who was as far back as 8th at the beginning of the race, moved his KTM through the pack as the race progressed to finish approximately 20 seconds behind Buttrick. Bobbitt and Nathan Kanney also put their KTM’s into the top ten finishing 8th and 9th overall.

KTM riders also had success in the XC2 class where KTM support rider Brad Bakken finished 2nd while KTM privateer Andrew Delong finished 3rd. Podium regular, Steward Baylor had a mechanical problem and finished 5th.

In the Women’s Pro class, reigning Champion, Maria Forsberg, took her second win of the season. This time the RPM/KTM rider won her race with a five minute lead over the next closest competitor.

Next Event: GNCC Round 4 – April 9-10, 2011 – Union, SC

Overall Results XC1 Class –
Josh Strang
Charlie Mullins – KTM
Cory Buttrick – KTM
Kailub Russell – KTM
Paul Whibley
Simo Kirssi
Jimmy Jarrett
Russell Bobbitt – KTM
Nate Kanney – KTM
Mike Lafferty

Overall Results XC2 Class –
Jason Thomas
Andrew Delong – KTM
Brad Bakken – KTM
Scott Watkins
Steward Baylor – KTM
Zackery Smith – KTM
Shane Obanion – KTM
AJ Stewart
Shane Hufford – KTM
Morgan Moss

Overall Point Standings XC1 Class –
Josh Strang – 73
Charlie Mullins – 70
Paul Whibley – 58
Cory Buttrick – 54
Nathan Kanney – 44

Overall Point Standings XC2 Class –
Jason Thomas – 76
Steward Baylor – 71
Andrew Delong – 58
Jesse Robinson – 58

Morganton, NC (March 27, 2011) – After three hours of intense action, the FMF Steele Creek GNCC was decided in the final turn. And it couldn’t have been a crazier finish.

With spectators crowding the barriers to get a better view, Charlie Mullins led Josh Strang into the final stretch of winding trail that led to the finish. As the two riders got closer to the checkered flag the intensity picked up, with Strang showing Mullins a wheel at every turn. Mullins guarded his lines and held Strang at bay, looking clearly to have his second win of the season in the bag. That is until the final turn when the FMF/KTM rider fell down. At that point a stunned Strang cruised across the finish line to take his first win of the year. The win was the FMF/Makita Suzuki rider’s third straight at Steele Creek and it gave him the series points lead to boot. To top things off, Strang also won the $250 Motosport.com Holeshot Award to start the race.

“I got pretty lucky there when Charlie went down,” said Strang. “It was unfortunate for him but I’ll take the win for sure. I went down myself on the last lap so I had to ride hard to catch him. When I caught him I had to try to get by him as quick as I could because we were close to the finish. I tried to go inside him in a corner and after that I was ready to settle for second, but then he went down. I was shocked and a little bit relieved.”

Until that point, Mullins had ridden a mistake-free race.

Photo By: Shan Moore
Charlie Mullins lost a close one.

“It was a great race and I felt like I rode a good race,” said Mullins. “The only mistake I made all day was right there at the finish and it was a big one. I’m kind of disappointed in myself and I don’t know what to say. I’ve never thrown away a race like that.”

Cory Buttrick rode his strongest race of the year and battled early on with Mullins, Strang and Am Pro Yamaha’s Thad DuVall. At mid-race the FMF/KTM factory rider settled into his own private race in third, after Mullins and Strang picked up the pace and DuVall crashed out of contention.

“I got a pretty good start, which I’m happy about, and I was right behind Strang and Mullins,” said Buttrick. “I made one little mistake and DuVall got around me, but then he went down and I moved back into third. After a while, Charlie dropped the hammer and then Strang started inching away. After DuVall went down I just rode hard to stay where I was.”

Kailub Russell finally put things together after suffering problems at the first two rounds of the series. The FMF/KTM rider finished fourth despite taking a couple of laps to find his rhythm on the rough North Carolina course.

Photo By: Shan Moore
Cory Buttrick was third.

Round-two winner Paul Whibley had what he called an “off day”, finishing fifth on his Am Pro/FMF/Yamaha. The 2009 series champ got a bad start and was last into the first turn, but managed to work his way back into the top five.

Meanwhile, Finland’s Simo Kirssi is gradually acclimating to the series and had his best finish to date with a sixth on his FAR Husqvarna.

Jimmy Jarrett put his JG Off-Road/GEICO Powersports/Honda into seventh, finishing ahead of FMF/KTM’s Russell Bobbitt and WMR/Planet Fitness/KTM’s Nate Kanney.

Eight-time National Enduro Champion Michael Lafferty rounded out the top 10 on his factory Husaberg.

Jason Thomas was not happy at all with his first two races of the season, but he seems to have his house in order and took a dominating win in the XC2 class at Steele Creek. The FAR Husqvarna-backed rider ran as high as third overall at one point in the race, but ultimately settled into a pace that carried him to a nearly six-minute margin of victory over second place. The victory also gave Thomas the XC2 points lead.

Photo By: Shan Moore
Kailub Russell was a strong fourth.

“The first two rounds didn’t go too good for me, and we knew why they didn’t go good, and we straightened that problem out,” said Thomas. “I was confident today and I got out front and just picked good lines, that’s all it took.”

Thomas shared the podium with a pair of newcomers to the series, Andrew DeLong and Brad Bakken, both top National Enduro riders. DeLong took the runner-up sport behind Thomas, while Bakken finished third.

“I was mid-pack on the start and I just kept moving up,” said DeLong. “I was sitting third near the end and then Jordan Ashburn had problems and that moved me to second.”

In addition to his podium finish, Bakken was celebrating his 21st birthday on race day.

“This feels really good to be up here and I’m excited,” said Bakken. “I got a good start and ran up with Chris Bach for a while and I just gutted it out and finished third.”

Photo By: Shan Moore
Jason Thomas won the XC2 class.

JG Off-Road/GEICO Powersports/Honda’s Scotty Watkins got his best finish of the year with a fourth, beating out round one winner Steward Baylor Jr.

Meanwhile, KTM rider Zachery Smith was sixth ahead of $100 Motosport.comHoleshot Award winner Shane Obanion, who was seventh on a KTM.

AJ Stewart (Yam), Shane Hufford Jr. (KTM) and Morgan Moss (Hsq) rounded out the top 10.

After three rounds, Thomas leads the XC2 series standings by five points over Steward Baylor Jr. (76 to 71).

In the A.M. race, William Gilleland claimed the overall win, beating out fellow Yamaha rider Andrew Millier by a four-minute margin. KTM rider McKinnon Welborn was third overall, another two minutes back. Gilleland, Millier and Welborn were also the top three finishers in the Sportsman A class.

In the Women’s division, KTM’s Maria Forsberg took her second win of the year, beating out Yamaha rider LeeAnn Bange and Honda rider Ashley Crouch.

Tim Olson (Yam) won the Sportsman B class and Dennis Decker (Suz) won the Super Senior A division.

In the Youth race, KTM rider Levi Keller took his first-ever overall win, beating out Yamaha riders Gary Myers and Ryan Slopko in the process. Keller led every lap of the race and took the win by five minutes over Myers. “I’m from Ohio and it rains a lot there, so I’m used to this,” said Keller.

Keller, Myers and Slopko also filled the top three spots in the Super Mini (14-15) division.

In the Super Mini (12-13) class, Mack Jones took the win on his Yamaha, beating out Austin Lee (KTM) and Boston Evans (Yam).

In the 65 (7-9) class, Bryce Merrill topped fellow KTM riders Colby Burks and Matthew Harris for the win.

The 2011 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series heads to Union, South Carolina for the Pirelli Big Buck GNCC April 9-10. ATV racing will take place on Saturday, followed by bike racing on Sunday. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

XC1 Results:

1. Josh Strang (Suz)

2. Charlie Mullins (KTM)

3. Cory Buttrick (KTM)

4. Kailub Russell (KTM)

5. Paul Whibley (Yam)

6. Simo Kirssi (Hsq)

7. Jimmy Jarrett (Hon)

8. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

9. Nate Kanney (KTM)

10. Michael Lafferty (Hsb)

XC1 Standings:

1. Josh Strang (73/1 win)

2. Charlie Mullins (70/1 win)

3. Paul Whibley (58)

4. Cory Buttrick (54)

5. Nate Kanney (44)

6. Garrett Edminsten (37)

7. Michael Lafferty (35)

8. Chris Bach (35)

9. Kailub Russell (32)

10. Jimmy Jarrett (31)

XC2 Results:

1. Jason Thomas (Hsq)

2. Andrew DeLong (KTM)

3. Brad Bakken (KTM)

4. Scotty Watkins (Hon)

5. Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)

6. Zachery Smith (KTM)

7. Shane Obanion (KTM)

8. AJ Stewart (Yam)

9. Shane Hufford Jr. (KTM)

10. Morgan Moss (Hsq)

XC2 Standings:

1. Jason Thomas (76/1 win)

2. Steward Baylor Jr. (71/1 win)

3. Andrew DeLong (58)

4. Jesse Robinson (58/1 win)

5. Brad Bakken (54)

6. Shane Obanion (40)

7. Scotty Watkins (39)

8. Jordan Ashburn (36)

9. Morgan Moss (35)

10. Shane Hufford Jr. (35)

MotoSport.com $250 XC1 holeshot – Josh Strang

MotoSport.com $100 XC2 holeshot – Shane Obanion

About GNCC Racing:

The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

The hosting club, Dirt Inc, prepared nearly 110 miles of course and despite torrential rainfall in the weeks prior to the event, everything came off perfect come start time.  After having to relocate the main pit area and start location just three days prior to the race, the Dirt Inc crew, along with the NHHA, brought racing back to Idaho as the most northern stop of the series.

1st Place – Kurt Caselli (center), 2nd Place – Jake Argubright (left), 3rd Place – Destry Abbott (right).  Photo by Mark Kariya

Off the start, it was the FMF/KTM of Kurt Caselli, followed closely by the Purvines Racing’s Honda of David Pearson.  As the two made it through the fence and onto the race course, three Kawasaki’s of Destry Abbott, Jacob Argubright, and Robert Underwood all flew through together and followed the leader’s dust.  It would be a little over an hour before the leaders were spotted again and when they headed down main pit row, the pits were buzzing with excitement.

Caselli came in first, followed only seconds later by Pearson, who was immediately trailed by both Destry Abbott and Jacob Argubright. The Kawasaki pits couldn’t buy enough help and both mechanics worked to get their riders out before the next.  Immediately out of the pits, Argubright made the pass and a cat and mouse game began.

Out front and only a few hundred yards ahead, Pearson made a move on Caselli and took over the lead.  From this point, Pearson would catch the hare and collect the $500 cash reward for first past the hare.  At mile marker 60, Argubright and Abbott would make the pass on Caselli and the Factory KTM rider would find himself in 4th.

A late crash by Pearson would let the following three by, and Caselli slid his way into the lead yet again.  Running second, Off Road Support’s Jacob Argubright would make a pass and physically lead for the first time in 2011.  Holding on with the ISDE ace only feet behind, Argubright gave it everything he had but blew a turn and fell over handing the lead back to Caselli with only 5 miles to go.

At the finish line, it was Kurt Caselli followed approximately ten seconds later by Jacob Argubright, and about another ten seconds later by the Monster Energy Kawasaki of Destry Abbott, who is now the only rider to podium at all four rounds in 2011.  Pearson would recover from his crash and finish fourth while Robert Underwood would have his best finish of the year in fifth place.

It was back to business for the Vet Pro Class as David Fry and Dan Capparelli went at it yet again here at Round 4.  After the full 110 miles, it was David Fry and his Purvines Racing Honda who took the win at 14th overall and first place Vet Pro.  Knowing how important points can become at the end of the season, Capparelli rode equally hard finishing at 16th overall and second Vet Pro.  As the only Vet Pro racer to finish all 4 events, Capparelli holds on to his points lead with his second place here at Round 4. Senior racer Jake Vainio finished first place in the 40+ class and third Vet Pro, while Idaho’s Nick Steinbach and Washington’s Kelly Hill rounded out the top 5 in the Vet Pro class.

David Fry takes the Vet Pro Class win on his Purvines Racing Honda.  Photo by 43 North Photography

The stacked 250cc class this year has had it’s share of excitement.  With two riders coming into the finish line side by side as 7th and 8th overall, the first 250 would be that of Elko, Nevada’s Levi Hutchings and second place would go to local rider, Lane Buchert.

Levi Hutchings takes the 250 Class win.  Photo by 43 North Photography

Racing in his first ever National Hare and Hound, 16-year old Tuffy Pearson (cousin to David Pearson) would finish a respectable 9th overall! Rounding out the Top 15 would be 6.Justin Morrow, 7.Levi Hutchings, 8.Lane Buchert, 9.Tuffy Pearson, 10. Brett Saunders, 11. Chris Morrow, 12.Clay Davies, 13.Skyler Howes, 14.David Fry, 15. Ricky Brabec.  Great job guys!

Idaho was all business as Blais Racing Services rider Shayla Fulfer rode hard in her home town race to take a commanding victory.  With a generous 10 minute gap at the finish line, Fulfer led from start to finish to take the win in the Woman’s Pro Class.  Off Road Support’s Sarah Kritsch rode to a well deserved second place after her bike wouldn’t start on the line.  Starting the race physically last off the expert line, Kritsch passed the other 8 woman in the largest Woman’s Pro turnout of the year.  After running in third place for most of the event, Three Brothers KTM’s Kelly Barbosa took a spill in the water crossing at the end of the race and let Idaho local, Tresa Worrell, get by for third place.  Barbosa would recover for 4th place and Mckensee Thomas would round out the top 5 in the Woman’s Pro class.

Shayla Fulfer and Sara Kritsch at the finish.  Photo by Mark Kariya

The amateur classes were represented well with big Holeshot awards provided by some of Idaho’s local motorcycle businesses.  Pro Moto Billet/Fastway sponsored the “B” Row Holeshot award and Dennis Maurer took home a brand new Fastway steering stabilizer kit, the same model that Jacob Argubright used to land on the podium and lead mid-way through the event.

From the “C” Row, it was all Brendan Crow, as the California desert racer earned himself a brand new Rekluse clutch kit courtesy of the Rekluse crew.  With the local businesses stepping up to sponsor Round 4, the pits were buzzing all weekend as both companies invited the NHHA riders to their shops for tours prior to the Idaho National.

Kenda Kash was awarded here at Round 4 at the finish line to Kevin DeJongh, Dennis Maurer, Shayla Fulfer, and John Kearney who all went home winners with $50 cash in their pockets courtesy of Kenda Tires.

John Kearney takes home some Kenda Kash for the weekend.  Photo by 43 North Photography

All riders in the A and B skill levels who finish 1st or 2nd place in their respective classes will be receiving the contingency packets via email in the coming weeks as the results are made final.  Please check out www.NationalHareandHound.com for the winner’s list and please sign up and add your email address if we do not already have it.

All riders in attendance here at Round 4 will be mailed a $10 gift card from Rockymountainatvmc.com just for showing up to the start line!

Dirt Inc had the largest Pro Purse of the year here at Round 4, with $2000 dollars up for grabs by the end of the show.  Sponsored by Dan Wiebold Ford and the family of Jody Schlapia, who were in attendance, the pros were eager to come out on top.  David Pearson took home the $500 catch-the-hare prize, while the top 5 each took home their share of the Pro Purse at the finish line podium.  The race was dedicated to the memory of Jody, who lost his battle with Cancer last year, and by the look of things in and around the pits, he would have been proud of the way that his club represented his memory with one of the most exciting national’s of the 2011 season.

Bruce Meyers (left) and Ted Mangels celebrate their 1967 Baja record run with “Old Red.”

15 March, 2011: In celebration of off-road pioneer and automotive icon Bruce Meyer’s 85th birthday, NORRA founder Mike Pearlman last weekend announced that the first Baja record holder would be honored as the Grand Marshall for the upcoming NORRA Mexican 1000 scheduled for May 4-8. The unique event will once again cover over 1,000 miles in three days beginning in Mexicali, Baja, Mexico and finish in La Paz.

Bruce today with wife Winnie and the “Old Red” Meyers Manx.

The announcement was made at a birthday party attended by Meyers and over 200 of his closest friends, an event that included a large gathering of fiberglass dune buggies that he invented in the early 1960s. His creation, dubbed the Meyers Manx, mated a sleek Meyers-designed fiberglass body on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis that sparked an international automotive craze later in that decade. The Manx had an incredible off-road capability (Meyers built it with the intention of exploring the beaches of Baja, Mexico) and he, along with the late Ted Mangels, used the original “Old Red” Manx to set the first four-wheel record from the Baja cities of Tijuana to La Paz on April 20, 1967.

It was this record run that led Pearlman’s late father Ed and others to establish the first running of the Nation Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) Mexican 1000 off-road rally in November of 1967. Eventually the Mexican 1000 became internationally recognized and evolved into the Baja 1000 in the mid-1970s. While the Baja 1000 race has been organized by SCORE International since that time, in 2010 Mike Pearlman revived NORRA to sanction and promote the Mexican 1000, a unique, once-a-year three day rally that includes vintage off-road and alternative fuel vehicles. Several of Bruce Meyer’s vehicles (including the Manx, the Tow’d and the Manxter) participated in last year’s inaugural running of the Mexican 1000.

“NORRA is pleased to honor Bruce Meyers as our 2011 Mexican 1000 Grand Marshall and help celebrate his 85th birthday in this unique and well-deserved manner,” stated Mike Pearlman. “His contributions to the sport and lifestyle of off-road racing were a cornerstone to the growth of the entire industry. But, most importantly, his cars and our rally share a common thread—they were both created to provide fun and happiness for a lot of people.”

“At an age when most of my peers are looking backward at the past, I am looking so much forward to the future and taking another trip down my beloved Baja peninsula,” exclaimed Meyers after the announcement was made. “I appreciate Mike Pearlman and NORRA for this very, very special birthday gift.”

As part of his Grand Marshall duties, Meyers will lead the first rally participant into each night’s overnight stop and the finish line, driving a Meyers Manx of course. The Baja veteran will also be honored during a special ceremony during the rally’s Welcome Fiesta and Driver’s Meeting the night before competition begins in Mexicali.

With just under two months until the event, there is still time for interested racers to prepare and sign on to be part of this historic race. The stage format will include overnight stops in scenic Bay of Los Angeles and Loreto. Pit assistance is available from Mag 7, so the logistics will not be too difficult even for newcomers to Baja.

Now 85, Bruce Meyers is still designing dune buggies including Manxter Dual Sport (left) and standard Manxter.

MX1 factory duo Tony Cairoli and Max Nagl rode in Cingoli, Italy in Round Three of the Italian Championship, which proved fertile ground for KTM’s Italian reigning MX1 champion. Tony scored a 3-1 result on the challenging track for a total of 200 championship points while Max finished with a 5-7 score for the day. Tony’s performance was hampered by the fact that he raced with the flu and a strength sapping fever.

Tony Cairoli: “It was a tough weekend because I was a little bit sick so I just went out and tried to do my best. I managed to get the holeshot in the first race but then I got tired and couldn’t push so I just defended third place. I felt a little better in the second race and I was happy to get that win. Now I need to get two wins in the final round of the championship next weekend. It will be tough but I will try to do it.”

Max Nagl said although the results were not good he was still happy with his riding. “It was very tough race and the mud was heavy but my riding was good, I didn’t get tired and I can push on the 350. The first race was okay but I had a problem at the start of the second. Then I crashed in the first corner and was last in the field. I managed to fight my way back to finish seventh so in those conditions it was quite okay.”

Tony now assumes control of the overall standings in the competition with one round to go next weekend. Max is sixth in the overall standings after having a DNF in the last outing in Faenza during the week.

Jeffrey Herlings in flying form in Dutch Champs
Dutch teenager Jeffrey Herlings was on top of his game in the Dutch Championship round at Halle winning both MX2 motos by a massive margin of 30 seconds and 40 seconds respectively. He had some discomfort from a thumb injury after a spectacular crash last weekend at the previous round in Gemert. Second in both races was factory teammate Jeremy van Horebeek of Belgium showing both these riders are itching to get down to business in the MX2 World Championship.

Jeffrey Herlings: “Everything was perfect today. The track was great. It was fun to ride and I won both motos”. Jeffrey said he had taken the week off to heal the thumb and an impressive array of bruises after last week’s crash. He will now concentrate on training in the last two weeks before the first GP in Bulgaria. The Red Bull Teka KTM Racing MX2 team for the 2011 World Championships also includes Ken Roczen who has returned to Europe after delivering some spectacular rides in the USA in the AMA SX Lites West competition.

Jeremy van Horebeek was also positive after his two second places on the typical Dutch sand track. “I am not really a specialist on the sand but I have been training with Stefan Everts on the sand in the winter and this result has helped to give me confidence. I want to try to get one more race in before the start of the GP season son I can continue to get my rhythm,” he said. Jeffrey and Jeremy were 1-2 at the start of the first moto and quickly pulled away to put a big gap between them and the following pack. Jeremy was third at the start of the second moto and while he still finished second he said the sand was getting quite tricky and he did not want to take any unnecessary risks.

Steffi Laier holds her own amongst strong field of MX2 riders in Genk, Belgium
Red Bull Teka KTM WMX factory rider Steffi Laier was also on the track this weekend in an international MX event in Genk, Belgium on Sunday and put in a courageous and impressive performance competing amongst a strong field of top MX1, MX2 and MX3 riders.

Steffi, the reigning WMX world champion rode in the Dutch Woman’s Championship last week but won by such a big margin she decided to test herself alongside the men for some essential track motivation ahead of the opening GP in Sevlievo, Bulgaria in two weeks. Riding on a track heavy from recent rain that offered few overtaking possibilities and lines, Steffi won respect for her efforts. In race one she was fifth out of the start gate and although hindered with some arm pump problems still finished 14th. She was back at eighth after the start of the second race and eventually finished 13th for overall 15th in a field of more than twice that number of strong male riders.

Steffi Laier: “I never rode a track that was as rough as it was today, so I was a bit nervous about giving it full gas.” Steffi will continue training and testing to complete her final preparation ahead of her campaign to defend her world championship title.