Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/343790
FOCUS PSB UTV-Sport www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • July 13, 2014 • 25 increased participation in the events. More than 50 competitors took on the mud bog on Satur- day, while more than 300 participated in Friday evening's poker run. While the nightly concerts weren't completely full due to chilly nighttime temps, the hills near the obstacle course were packed on Friday, with people lined up to watch competitors battle mud, tires and logs. "Polaris Industries and Can-Am/BRP both did demos, and I know they both stayed busy. They did the maximum number of sessions they had planned for the weekend," Engi said. Reports that Powersports Business received from vendors early Friday were already mostly positive, and Engi said she heard much of the same as the weekend progressed. "They were all very happy. I had a great group of vendors. This year a lot of them were repeats from last year, which says a lot because we didn't have a tremendous amount of people last year, and it's always a gamble for them," she said. "From everyone I talked to, their sales were pretty good, and the traffic through their booths was pretty good." Area convenience stores, gas stations and other small businesses also reported steady traf- fic that boosted their sales that weekend. "We've had nothing but great things to say about that whole area because they welcomed us with open arms, and the DNR has been really good at working with us as far as every- one stays in compliance and is still able to have a good time," Engi said. The local Northwoods ATV Riding Club also offered a hand, providing volunteers to work the event. With 2014 running so smoothly and already attracting more people than the year before, High Lifter Mud Nationals has already set dates for 2015, with the third annual event scheduled for Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14. Engi said if the event continues on its cur- rent growth trajectory, Mud Nationals Events will look at adding more days to the event and including more activities as long as attendance supports those changes. "We wanted to go back. We like the area," she said. "We think there's a great potential because of the number of ATVs registered in the Wisconsin and Minnesota area." With High Lifter's Quadna Mud Nationals in Minnesota and ATV Mud Nationals in Texas (March 25-29) already set for 2015, there is potential for one more Mud Nationals event to be added in the near future. Engi said the plan is to continue to grow the Texas and Minnesota events and hopefully add a third annual event to the roster. PSB The 2014 event saw increased participation in the obstacle course. The mud bog once again was a popular event for participants. A QUADNA ENDO During Friday's obstacle course challenge at Quadna Mud Nationals in Hill City, Minn., one competitor got more than he bargained for as his front tires hit one of the log obstacles, causing the rider to slowly roll off the front of his ATV. He was uninjured, but the event made for great video. To see that clip, check out this issue's digital edition or visit http://bit.ly/VlepsV.