Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/243961
m he aki on, wn do hat ns, ort ili00 20 ATV www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • January 27, 2014 • 19 DIGEST Maxxis to sponsor GNCC Series for three years Suwanee, Ga.-based Maxxis will be the presenting sponsor of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series for the next three years, beginning with the 2014 season. The new season will see the introduction of the Maxxis Victory Lane podium, with the company's name and logo featured prominently as riders accept their trophies. Winning riders will visit that podium 13 times in 2014, with rounds in the series scheduled to begin March 7-8 in Bunnell, Fla., and conclude in October. The annual Maxxis General GNCC race in Washington, Ga., is scheduled for March 14-15. "Maxxis is excited to see another great year of GNCC racing, and being the presenting sponsor only makes it even more exciting," said Nate Hamilton of Maxxis. "This is a great series for both ATV and motorcycle fans, and we look forward to seeing our sponsored riders on the Maxxis Victory Lane podium throughout the season." RANGER XP 900 EPS HONORED Polaris Industries announced that the RANGER XP 900 EPS has been selected as the 2014 American Hunter Vehicle of the Year as part of NRA Publications Golden Bullseye Awards. This is the first time a Polaris vehicle has won the prestigious award. "Polaris would like to thank American Hunter for recognizing the RANGER XP P18x20-PSB2-ATV.indd 19 900 EPS,'" said Warren Lopata, marketing director of the Off-Road Division for Polaris. "Polaris RANGER side-by-sides are highly sought after by the hunting community ,and receiving this award from such a respected name in the industry is a great honor." KAWASAKI RENEWS PBR SPONSORSHIP Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) has announced a continuation of its relationship with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series as it enters the 2014 season. KMC will be in its third year as the Official Side-by-Side and ATV sponsor of the fast-growing sport that has captured the interests of both live and television audiences. KMC has developed promotional tie-ins with top bull riders, including J.B. Mauney, the reigning world champion, and Shane Proctor. The company focuses on its fourwheel product in conjunction with PBR activities. The Teryx4 LE side-by-side is highlighted at all of the stops on the tour, which visits 18 cities in 15 states during the opening half of the season. The Kawasaki unit will attract attention from many of the 1.5 million seasonal event attendees. "Our involvement with the PBR and its Built Ford Tough Series has let us see firsthand why this sport has grown so dramatically, and why fans associate so easily with the riders," said Chris Brull, Kawasaki's director of marketing. "The top riders are very approachable, and the bulls exemplify unbelievable strength, and that combination of talent and raw power fits perfectly with the way Kawasaki positions the Teryx side-by-side." OGG JOINS UTV CANADA AS SALES DIRECTOR Edmonton, Albertabased UTV Canada Inc. has named Andy Ogg as director of sales. Ogg will be responsible for sales team leadership, sales team mentoring, driving revenue and contributing in product and vendor selection. Kawasaki will showcase its Teryx4 LE during Professional Bull Riders events in 2014. "We are very excited to have Andy join the team at UTV Canada," said Reid Nehring, UTV Canada president and CEO. "Not only will he bring a tighter focus on customer relationship quality to our sales team, but also will be a great role model for our employees and vendors who come into contact with him." Ogg comes to UTV Canada from Pro Armor in Riverside, Calif., where he was senior sales executive and directed the company's social media. He directed all Canadian sales and business development efforts, specifically targeting the franchise dealerships in western Canada. IOWA LEGISLATOR WANTS ATVS LEGAL ON PUBLIC ROADS After stalling in the Iowa Senate in late 2013, the sponsor of a bill to allow ATVs on paved and gravel public roads in the state hopes the bill will be reconsidered in the 2014 legislative session that began on Jan. 13. The bill, H.F. 619, calls for an annual fee of $50 in exchange for allowing the vehicles to travel on secondary roads and city streets where authorized. It would exclude primary highways except when needed to cross over a primary highway, or those within any city limits — unless permitted by ordinance. The bill also would amend the definition of "vehicles subject to registration" for purposes of the exemption from the sales and use tax, to exclude ATVs and off-road utility vehicles registered for operation on highways, in order to continue the applicability of the sales tax to those vehicles. More information on the proposal is available at www.legis.iowa.gov. PSB 1/15/14 12:03 PM