Powersports ATV Tour Makes Inaugural Visit To Old Dominion State
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Petersburg, Va.
Jun 29, 2007
The WPSA PowerSports ATV Tour makes its first visit to Virginia this weekend, as it hits Virginia Motorsports Park for the GBC Virginia National. The event, which features two full shows for the Pro Classes, representing Rounds 6 and 7 of the Tour, kicks off Friday with Pro qualifying. The race continues through Sunday, which will be highlighted by two complete Pro finals.
The events will be telecast on ESPN2 on Saturday, Aug. 18 at noon EDT, and again on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 1 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
Following the last two races, held in Kentucky two weeks ago, the Suzuki triumvirate of Dustin Wimmer, Chad Wienen, and Doug Gust took command of the Riders’ Championship. Wimmer (No. 191 MSR, Pro Taper, Yoshimura/Suzuki) leads the points chase, holding a nine-point margin on Wienen and Gust, who are in a numerical tie with 178 points.
Yet, as strong as the Suzuki squad has been, John Natalie, Jr. and his No. 13 Elka, Maxxis/Honda have remained competitive despite injuries sustained in crash last month in Illinois. Natalie, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his knee and severe injuries to his chest, has showcased his “Iron Man” riding style this season. Despite the injuries, he sits fourth in points, just five markers behind Wienen and Gust.
Keith Little (No. 12 Lonestar/Honda) is having what could only be considered a breakout season. After earning his first WPSA podium in Oklahoma, Little now sits fifth in points and well within the thick of the end-of-season battle.
Like its riders, Suzuki remains out front in the Manufacturers’ Championship, sitting 18 points ahead of Honda.
QuadTerrain Pro Stock
The championship chase in the QuadTerrain Pro Stock ranks is just as wild as the Series itself. Though Scott Kilby (No. 207 Warnert Racing/Can-Am) is well in front in the Riders’ Championship, a tough Jesse West is certainly within striking distance on his No. 888 West Racing/Arctic Cat.
West, in fact, showcased his strong, blue-collar will at the last race in Kentucky. After being involved in a crash on the first lap, West grabbed a new helmet from his pit area, removed a broken front axle and literally rode the race in three wheel drive to finish the final. Tired and sore, West still displayed his trademark smile after finishing.
West, who sits 16 points behind Kilby, leads an Arctic Cat train of riders trying to unseat the dominant Can-Am. Rory Beckman (No. 10 Jack Link’s/Arctic Cat) is third, ahead of defending titleholder Daryl Rath (No. 67 Jack Link’s/Arctic Cat). Keith Henshaw rounds out the top five in points.
SuperSport Side by Side
The PowerSports ATV Tour unveiled the new SuperSport Side by Side Series as a professional class at the season opener. Fans and racers alike were in awe of the capability of these race-bred machines and their drivers. Michael Kneebusch and his Rhino and Rath in his Prowler have dominated the new class thus far, which has grown in entries at every race.
All Pro Class Riders will be vying for one of the richest purses in ATV racing here. The Tour will award $45,000 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 $15 for adults and $5 for kids 6-15, will be available at the gate Friday morning.
