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POINTS BATTLES TIGHTEN
AS POWERSPORTS ATV TOUR
READIES FOR GARDEN STATE SHOWDOWN
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (Aug. 14, 2007)
-- With the smallest of margins separating the
top Pro riders in WPSA PowerSports ATV Tour,
this weekend's Raceway Park National takes on
added significance as the Tour makes its annual
visit to New Jersey. The event, the penultimate
round of the 2007 Tour, is scheduled for this
Saturday and Sunday at Old Bridge Township
Raceway Park.
This weekend's events will be telecast on
ESPN2 on Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. EDT.
The racing weekend will feature the nation's
top Pro riders, competing in three Classes:
SuperQuad Pro 450, QuadTerrain Challenge Pro
Stock, and SuperSport Side by Side. The
SuperQuad Pro 450 Class features big air,
motocross style racing. QuadTerrain Challenge
features larger, utility-type ATVs, competing on
an obstacle course that includes log jams, mud
bogs, rock crawls, as well as high-speed
sections. The SuperSport Class comprises
four-wheel utility vehicles piloted by a driver
and co-driver, sitting side by side. The
purpose-built racing machines compete on a
modified course that includes both big-air
sections, as well as obstacles.
The race weekend will also feature nearly 20
other classes for Pro Am, Amateur, Junior and
Women's classes.
SuperQuad Pro 450
The big story this weekend will be the battle
between Dustin Wimmer and John Natalie, Jr.,
both of whom are fighting for their first WPSA
title. Natalie (No. 13 Elka, Maxxis/Honda) took
a scant two-point lead in the last round, but
Wimmer and his No. 191 MSR, Pro Taper,
Yoshimura/Suzuki) has shown consistency this
year, which may well pay off this weekend.
Meanwhile Wimmer's teammates Chad Wienen and
defending titleholder Doug Gust sit third and
fourth, respectively, ahead of Keith Little (No.
12 Lonestar/Honda). However, the more
significant story may just be the Manufacturers'
Championship. With a victory here, Suzuki will
clinch its second consecutive WPSA
manufacturers' title.
QuadTerrain Pro Stock
"Working Man" Jesse West's dogged
efforts this season paid off in the last round
as the rider of the No. 888 West Racing/Arctic
Cat took the lead in the QuadTerrain Pro Stock
Riders' Championship. West now sits 14 points
ahead of Scott Kilby (No. 207 Warnert
Racing/Can-Am) in the chase. The Jack
Link's-backed Artic Cats of Rory Beckman and
Daryl Rath sit third and fourth.
QuadTerrain super star Chris Borich's
part-time effort this season has certainly paid
off. The rider of the No. 2 Warnert
Racing/Can-Am sits fifth in points after winning
five races, including the last four in
consecutive fashion. His winning record, in
fact, puts him atop the career win column with
five victories.
In the Manufacturers' Championship, if a
Can-Am quad finishes second or better, the
company will clinch its second consecutive
title.
All Pro Class Riders will be vying for one of
the richest purses in ATV racing here. The Tour
will award $22,500 in purse monies for the
SuperQuad Pro 450 and QuadTerrain Pro Stock
finals. The purse pays to 20th place in the
QuadMX Series and to 15th place in QuadTerrain
Challenge. The purse structure awards $4,000 to
win each QuadMX final and $2,000 to win in each
QuadTerrain Challenge final, with $15,000 and
$7,500 available in each Series final,
respectively.
Tickets, which start at $20 for adults and
$10 for kids 6-15, will be available at the gate
on Saturday.
About the PowerSports ATV Tour
The PowerSports ATV Tour is North America's
premier professional ATV racing circuit,
featuring QuadMX, QuadTerrain and SuperSport Pro
series action as well as more than 20 amateur
classes for adults, women and children. The Tour
is sanctioned by the World PowerSports
Association, North America's most respected
snowmobile and ATV sanctioning body, and a
promoter of ATV and snowmobile racing on both
the regional and national level. For more
information, please visit
www.PowerSportsTour.com.
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