Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/698493
FOCUS PSB UTV-Sport 40 • July 11, 2016 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Hendershot Performance teams up with CFMOTO for car in Penton race Hendershot Performance and CFMOTO have joined forces to create CFMOTO'S first GNCC side-by-side racing team. Larry D. Hendershot, owner of Hendershot Performance LLC, is the team manager and will be conducting R&D this race season. The Hendershot Performance/CFMOTO team descended upon the historic Sunday Creek Raceway in Millfield, Ohio, in May, with anticipation high for the debut of the ZForce 800 EX EPS in the GNCC John Penton race. It ran in a Lites class, where modifications could be made to engine and suspension, but Hender- shot chose to compete with a box stock engine with stock suspension. The only thing added to the car for competition was safety equipment. "As the start grew close, we knew we had made every preparation to make this car com- petitive on 800cc national cross country cir- cuit," Hendershot said. Driver Mike Wittekind and co-pilot Matt Hendershot were ready for a dusty, muddy day of racing. The car was set up for deep ruts in soft areas and flat, hard, dusty motocross track conditions. At 4 p.m., UTVs went to the starting line. The Lites class was staged in Row 13. When the green flag dropped, the Hendershot Perfor- mance/CFMoto ZForce #339 took the holeshot and entered the woods in second place. "We knew we had a competitive car," Wit- tekind said. "We entered the woods in second place and could not make the pass until we got to the hillclimb. While first place went around the hill, we took the Z straight up the hill to regain first place." As the race continued, the track deterio- rated, and rocky terrain showed its ugly face. In a field of 89 cars, the ZForce placed 49th overall. And captured first place in the Lites class. "It was a great honor to win the first ever GNCC race for Hendershot Performance/ CFMOTO," Wittekind said. "We look forward to the summer break to tweak the car and make it even more domineering." During the summer, the ZForce will be rac- ing the local WEXCR circuit. The next GNCC UTV race will be Oct. 2 at Powerline Park in St. Clairsville, Ohio. "We are very pleased and proud of the CFMOTO USA-sponsored Hendershot Perfor- mance team and their first place finish in the rugged John Penton GNCC race. They certainly turned some heads and represented our brand very well," said Chris Chu, marketing manager of CFMOTO USA. The CFMOTO ZForce 800 EX EPS comes competitively built with roof, CVTech clutching, alloy wheels, independent A-arm suspension, electronic power steering and a 3,000-pound winch, all stock, at an MSRP of $11,599. PSB Stock ZForce 800 EX claims first GNCC win Mike Wittekind, Larry Hendershot and Matt Hendershot helped CFMOTO turn heads in its GNCC race debut. CFMOTO's ZForce 800 EX made a memorable GNCC racing debut, winning the Lites class at the John Penton race.