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By: Robert Janis
Not Just a Weekend Warrior
 For Joe Duncan, ATVs are not
just a weekend passion. They are an essential
part of his career. He manages Park X, a
motorsports facility in Hill City, Minnesota
that is owned by WPSA Racing. The facility hosts
WPSA-sanctioned snowmobile and ATV races as well
as many other events from Mountain Bikes to
offroad trucks. In addition, Duncan races ATVs
and is a member of the Arctic Cat ATV racing
team. The team also includes Daryl Rath, Kevin
Johnston, Ken Robey, and Jesse West.
The 37 year-old resident of Hill City just about
grew up on three wheelers and has been riding
ATVs since he was 8 years old. "I used to race
snowmobiles -- 500 mile cross country races,
some hill climbs, and a few snocross events,"
said Duncan. He also said, "When WPSA started
its ATV tour I knew there would not be a lot of
racers for the quad terrain for the first few
events. I knew we needed as many people on the
start line as possible because the races were
televised on ESPN. So I volunteered." His
interest in ATV racing was also peaked by his
friendship with Daryl Rath and his wife Jen.
Daryl is a championship ATV racer for the WPSA
ATV tour, and owns Rath Racing. Jen has been a
major promoter of ATV racing and the WPSA.
He noted that he did some preparation before his
first ATV race. "The Tuesday before that first
race I went to Hilltop Sports Polaris and traded
in my 700 Polaris with 1,000 plus miles for a
new one and drove for 17 hours to my first race
in Kentucky," he said. Moreover, he was already
classified as a pro in his first race. He races
in the Pro Quad Terrain class.
Duncan hooked up with Arctic Cat through his
involvement with Park X. "Arctic Cat does some
ATV and Snowmobile testing at Park X, and since
the racing is done through the company's
engineering department, I knew a lot of the guys
who were working on the Arctic Cat team project.
It all came about pretty fast. One minute I was
on a Polaris and the next I was on an Arctic
Cat," said Duncan.
He pointed out that Arctic Cat provides him with
a lot of support. "They give me mechanics, a
trailer, parts, and engineering and marketing
support," said Duncan. Moreover, Arctic Cat
selected and supplied him with a 700EFI, a 700cc
class ATV. "That is the quad Arctic Cat wanted
us to ride," said Duncan. He noted that very
little customization of the machine needed to be
done. Only tires, Douglas rims, ROX hand guards,
Rath Racing foot pegs, a Precision Steering
Stabilizer, and some Lube Tech fuel were added.
"Then we were off to the races," said Duncan.
Besides racing ATVs for Arctic Cat, Duncan has
raced the company's snowmobiles in WPSA Snocross
Racing Events.
Duncan said that Arctic Cat does not tell him
what races to participate in. However, he has
been focused on the WPSA Quad Terrain, and now
Arctic Cat is looking at other forms of ATV
racing in which to get involved.
 Besides Arctic Cat, Duncan is sponsored by Park
X, Rath Racing, Tire Balls, Douglas Rims,
Precision, ROX, and Lubetech.
According to Duncan, the best part of racing is
the camaraderie with other racers and their
families, being involved with the WPSA crew and
the Winnercomm staff that produces the events
for ESPN, the ESPN telecasts of the events, and
the spectators.
"The worst part of racing is paying for it.
Racing can be expensive; and without incredible
sponsors, it would be very hard to do what we
do," said Duncan.
For the 2006 racing season Duncan finished
fourth in points on the WPSA tour.
His favorite track site is Englishtown, New
Jersey. "It was my last race, and some racers
and I helped build and design the track," said
Duncan. "It was set up for passing and great
racing."
His favorite obstacle is the rocks. "Although
they are the toughest, I have to say the rocks.
They bit me more than once putting me upside
down, sideways, backwards, out into the fans . .
. . " he continued.
As for the future, Duncan said, "I see a very
bright future for ATV racing. WPSA has opened
doors that were not available to ATV racers in
the past including TV exposure, larger sponsors,
and more factory teams. Much more is to come. My
future? I would like to race another season. I
am hoping that I will be able to work a program
with Arctic Cat again, and I have a lot of
sponsors who have already approached me about
doing stuff for them next season."
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