AMA Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series
Parts Unlimited/Moose/Maxxis/Wiseco/Klotz/FMF/Pirelli/ITP

Smiley Powers Polaris Predator to Another GNCC Podium
Mighty Matt outguns the competition down the stretch to take third

Union, SC – Team Polaris factory rider Matt Smiley is showing why the competition in the Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series calls him Mr. Consistency. The Pennsylvanian logged his third podium finish of the season with a third-place result at the Pirelli Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina.

“I’m really happy to put my Polaris on the podium,” said Smiley. “That was a pretty tough battle there on the last lap. I know they were getting tired, and I was too, but I had a little more left in the tank.”

After facing muddy conditions two weeks ago at the Steele Creek GNCC in North Carolina, Smiley proved his Polaris Predator 500 is equally effective on dry terrain, as the rough, rugged South Carolina woods couldn’t stop him from working into the top three.

Unfortunately, Smiley suffered yet another bad start at the Big Buck, but his legendary determination allowed him to work toward the front of the pack. He rode fifth after the first lap, but steadily moved into podium position. Late in the game, he locked into a battle with Four-Stroke Tech riders Michael Houston and Bryan Cook, but Smiley was able to get them both.

“Houston was in front of us all, and he ended up hitting a tree and I was right behind him,” said Smiley in front of a big crowd on the podium. “Then Bryan got around both of us. I was riding really aggressive with him, stalking him trying to find a way around. He let off for one second, and I was able to find my way around.”

The solid result moves Smiley into third in the GNCC Series point standings. After a weekend off, Might Matt and the Polaris/Safari Motorsports team will battle at the Suzuki Loretta Lynn’s GNCC in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee on April 30. Held at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and Campground, the event is perhaps the most prestigious on the 13-event GNCC tour.

Matt Smiley’s sponsors includes Polaris, Maxxis, Axis, Safari, Hyper Wheel, Roll Design, IMS, Tire Balls, Klotz, White Bros, GPR stabilizers, Cardio Stack, DP Brakes, Twin Air, Troy Lee Designs, Outerwears, Rath Racing, Tag Metals, Kellner Motorsports, Works Connection, Carb Parts Warehouse and Nicholas Racing.

The AMA-sanctioned Suzuki Grand National Cross Country series is America’s premier off-road racing series. The 13-round series is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead as many as 1500 riders through tracks ranging from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied terrain including hills, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Klotz, FMF and ITP, and riders compete for over $1.3 million in series prizes and contingency money. The Suzuki GNCC Series airs weekly TV shows on the Outdoor Life Network. Associate sponsors include Moose Utility Division, Scott, Alpinestars, Öhlins, Cometic, Outerwears, Race Tools, Twin Air, SFB Racing, Thor, Motion Pro, MotoTee’s, Warrior and Laeger’s. Media Sponsors include Dirt Rider Magazine, ATV Sport Magazine and Racer X Illustrated. For more information log on to GNCCRacing.com.

About Polaris
With annual 2004 sales of $1.8 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Victory motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use.

Polaris is the recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the motorcycle cruiser marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.