By: Robert Janis

ATV Racing Coming Indoors

Usually an outdoor sport, ATV racing will be coming in-doors with the first ATV EnduroCross officially called the AMA/Maxxis ATV EnduroCross. Set for October 7, 2007, the event will be held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma the day after the second round of the AMA/Maxxis National Enduro Series motorcycle race. The event is being produced by Pro-Motion Motorsports. Owned by Primedia, publisher of a variety of automobile, off-road and four-wheel specialty consumer magazines including Dirt Rider, and Mini Rider Magazines, Pro-Motion Motorsports owns and produces EnduroCross®, MiniMoto SX events and MiniMoto Magazine.

According to Tim Clark, manager and developer of Pro-Motion Motorsports, the purpose of the event is to “showcase the talent and skill of ATV riders.” It has been created as a result of the success of the motorcycle version of the EnduroCross. “ATVs are incredibly exciting to watch. We figure if we can bring them inside an arena and race them in front of a crowd of spectators, it should be equally as successful and fun to watch,” said Clark.

The event is open to individual racers and teams. Anyone over the age of 16 and a member of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) can participate. The entry fee is $50. “We already know of factory riders planning on attending,” said Clark.

Two categories of ATVs will be racing--utility and sport. Each category will include an expert class and an amateur class. Also, there is a purse totaling $10,000 for racers in the expert class that finish first through third. First place winner gets $2,500; second place wins $1,500, and third place garners $1,000.

In the Sport ATV and utility ATV category production rule, ATVs are required to have OEM motor and matching frame combination. Engine and frame modifications as well as frame reinforcements are allowed to permit longer rear wheel travel.

Four by four ATVs will be allowed to participate in the Utility ATV category. A 501-840cc 4-wheel or 2-wheel ATVs with drive shaft or chain driven automatic transmission/clutch that comes with racks or rack availability as standard equipment will be allowed to race. Renegade, Scrambler, Wolverine and V-Force ATVs are not eligible to compete in the utility class but can compete in the Sport class. All machines must have silencers and can be tested by officials to assure that they have a silencer at any time prior to, during, and after the event. Machine sound levels cannot exceed 99dB. Moreover, all ATVs must have a working tether cord type kill switch. Racers should expect that their ATV will be inspected prior to the race in order to check out the kill switch.

Required components include full body panels, race seats, front window crossbar (“I” or “A” shape), door crossbar and door panel, roof, front or rear bumper. A net or panel roof with crossbar is recommended.

If the machine is to be modified, the components allowed include aftermarket roll cage, aftermarket long travel or bypass system modified suspension, modify rear differential, aftermarket clutch, fiberglass fenders, carburetion jetting changes, exhaust system, aftermarket bump stops for safety, CDI box, chassis work (recommended for safety), wheelbase extension of up to 2-inches forward and 2-inches back, and replacement axles not to exceed track width total of 12-inches over stock. Dual shocks, superchargers, and turbochargers are not permitted.

ATV EnduroCross Flyer

Clark said that the elements of an outdoor race will be put inside the Lazy E Arena. “We are very careful how the track is designed and laid out. We use test riders to make sure all the obstacles are manageable and that the track flows well.” The race course will include similar obstacles as will be used in the AMA/Maxxis National Enduro Series motorcycle race but will be laid out differently to accommodate the differences between a motorcycle and ATV. These obstacles include logs, rocks, boulders and water. Clark commented that the Lazy E Arena floor is very large and allows for a wider track width.

The main arena is more than 70,000 square feet and has been used for a variety of sporting events including BMX and motorcycle races. The floor can be built into hills and berms and holes can be dug for ponds. The facility includes four permanent concession stands, eight accessible restrooms, full- service catering, and full-service bar.

The internet will be used to promote the event including the event’s website at http://www.atvendurocross.com. In addition, thousands of flyers and posters will be distributed in the Oklahoma City area and surrounding cities and event coordinators will be working with local ATV clubs. Radio spot ads will also appear starting two to three weeks before the event.

Lance Bryson, director of sales and marketing for Pro-Motion Motorsport, has aggressively sought out sponsors for the event. “I look for companies that are aggressive in the marketplace and who are involved in off-road motorsports,” he said.

ATV-related companies sponsoring the event include Maxxis Tires, Moose Racing, FMF, Geico Insurance, Monster Energy, Elka Suspension, KBC Performance, Rage ‘N Toy Haulers, Quad Tech, Cycra, Kal-Gard, Yamaha, ProTaper, Kawasaki, All Access, Motion Pro, WiseCo, Cycle News, Engine Ice, and Dirt Rider.

Any company doing business in the ATV market and who wishes to sponsor the event can contact Lance Bryson (e-mail: lance.bryson@primedia.com or call: (817) 237-0143).

Racers who wish to register for the event can do so online at http://www.atvendurocross.com.

Clark concluded that Pro-Motion Motorsports would like to produce several events like this one across the country. “Right now, however, we want to get this one under our belt and measure its success and potential,” he said.