ATV Racing Goes Extreme

To reflect the fun and excitement that surrounds ATV Grand National Championship TT racing, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association has changed the name of the series to the FMF Extreme Dirt Track ATVA Nationals.

FMF Racing is back again this year to support ATV racing as the title sponsor.

The ATVA also announced changes to the 2005 schedule, some of the classes, and the race programs.

The first race, traditionally held in Orville, Ohio, will be held June 11 at Twin Creeks Raceway in Greenbrier, Arkansas. The Orville track proved to be too small to accommodate all the racers and fans. A new site has been secured for the 2006 season.

The FMF Extreme Dirt Track ATVA Nationals will wrap up with the sixth round at Bullet Speedway in Brashear, Texas, on September 24.

Concerning class changes, Youth classes have been expanded for the 2005 season. Now, there are two 90cc Production classes: 90 Junior, ages 8 to 11; and 90 Senior, ages 12 to 15. Both of these classes are limited to automatic transmissions or auto clutch transmissions — no manual clutches allowed.

Also, a new youth class has been added: 70cc Production. In 2006, 70cc Production class will be split into two separate classes: 70cc Production Auto and 70cc Production Shifter.

Another new class is Beginner/Knobby, which will be 91cc to Open. This is to allow new racers to give Extreme Dirt Track a try and join in the excitement. No sway bars will be allowed. Awards will be given but racers won't accumulate National points.

Meanwhile, the new race program for 2005 will start with practice Friday night under the lights. Saturdays will have a morning practice followed by qualifying heats and then main events. Selected classes will race their main events during the evening Pro and Pro-Am events. The exception to this change is the event at Pine Lake in Ashtabula, Ohio, July 23-24. Pine Lake will hold practice Friday during the day, and races on Saturday and Sunday.

Short track fans are advised that there will be no Short Track Nationals in combination with the FMF Extreme Dirt Track Nationals.

On another note, the ATVA has begun imposing sound limits on Pro racers. A 102-decibel sound limit will be enforced in the FMF Extreme Dirt Track Nationals Pro classes. The sound limit has already been successfully imposed on the ATVA ITP/Moose Grand National Championship Motocross Series, with some of the top racers running the quietest pipes.

Enforcement of a sound limit shows that, as a sanctioning body, the ATVA is taking steps to control noise.

"We have chosen to lead by example before we are forced to reduce sound levels by local governments," said ATVA Director Doug Morris.