Kawasaki's Joe Haavisto Wins Open Pro & Pro-Am Championship at NEATV-MX

Irvine, CA (10/16/2008) - Kawasaki’s Joe Haavisto finished out a dream season at Jolly Roger Motosports Park in Lempster, N.H., earning championships in both the Pro-Am and Pro classes of the New England ATV (NEATV) Series. Despite an injury at the end of August, Haavisto battled to a 3-1 finish to take the overall in the Pro class for the weekend.

Not 1 but 2 Championships
Haavisto set high goals at the beginning of the year, desiring to be champion of the two elite classes in the NEATV Series. He definitely accomplished those goals, clinching the Pro-Am championship one round early and the Pro championship after one moto at the final event.

“It feels great to accomplish the goals I had set at the beginning of the year,” said Haavisto. “With Kawasaki putting a lot of support not only into me personally, but the series too, I took it as my responsibility to make sure that Kawasaki was on the podium at every race. And I ended up with the two championships at the end of the season.”

A Good Day
Not only did Haavisto earn two championships, he ended the season with an overall victory in the Pro class going 3-1. He didn’t race the Pro-Am class since he clinched at the last round and his knee is still recovering.

“It was a great way to end the season,” said Haavisto. “I haven’t had any practice since I injured my knee at the ATV Open Invitational at Steel City over six weeks ago. I wanted to ride the Pro-Am class, but I didn’t want to irritate my knee anymore.”

Props to the KFX®450R
With the success he has had in 2008, Haavisto was sure to give some of the credit to his green machine.

“The KFX450R has been great all year,” said Haavisto. “I didn’t have any problems with the bike at all and never had a DNF. I felt really comfortable on it from day one and was able to work during the season to get it to handle perfectly. I’m really looking forward to riding it next season.”

A Growing Series
The NEATV Series continues to grow in entries and next year will continue to grow in competition. Haavisto plans on being ready to defend his titles.

“This series has grown tremendously since I first started racing it in 2000,” said Haavisto. “Next year I have the same goals to win both titles. I know it’s going to be tough with a few national riders coming into the series, but I am excited for the challenge and know that I will have to train and work harder.”

Monster Energy Kawasaki ATV Rider Josh Creamer, AMA Pro ATV

Season Finale, Almost
The race at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch marked the last points-paying race of the AMA ATV National Motocross Championship. Creamer finished the season in fourth, while Little and Shumaker were 13th and 14th.

“It’s good to have the points season over and just go to Steel City looking to have fun and do well,” said Little. “I’ve won there before and I think it’s a great way to round out the season.”

Next Race…
The last official race of the season will be in three weeks as the ATV riders join the AMA Motocross Championship at Steel City Raceway. The event will take place after the last motocross moto on Saturday night and will feature some of ATV’s biggest names. Last year, Creamer finished just off the podium in fourth and is looking to make his mark this year.

“I can’t wait for that race,” said Creamer. “It’s on my birthday and I’m ready for a big birthday present. I really liked the track last year, so you can say I’m excited!”

Loretta’s is Cold?
Most people that attended the amateur motocross event last week would not believe that the weather at Loretta Lynn’s was absolutely beautiful all weekend. After a week of extreme humidity and heat during the amateur national, the teams and spectators were greeted with amazing temperatures and even a cool breeze.

AMA Pro ATV Championship Series: Loretta Lynn’s Ranch – Hurricane Mills, Tenn. - August 10th, 2008

ATV Pro Class (Moto Finishes)

1. Chad Wienen, Galena, Ill., Suzuki, 1-2 2. Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 4-3 3. Josh Creamer, N. Stonington, CT, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 2-6 4. Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 10-1 5. Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 3-5 6. Pat Brown, Pittstown, N.J., Yamaha, 7-4 7. Cody Miller, Greenville, Texas, Can Am, 8-7 8. Harold Goodman, Romulus, Mich, Honda, 11-8 9. Greg Gee, Simcoe, Ontario, Can Am, 12-9 10. Jeremy Lawson, Battletown, Ky., Can Am, 6-17 14. Keith Little, Spruce Pine, AL, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 15-13 17. Russel Shumaker, Bristol, WI., Monster Energy Kawasaki, 20-11

ATV Pro Class Points:

1. Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 438 2. Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 371 3. Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 352 4. Josh Creamer, N. Stonington, CT, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 298 5. Jeremy Lawson, Battletown, Ky., Can Am, 277 6. Chad Weinen, Galena, Ill., Suzuki, 268 7. John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am, 263 8. Harold Goodman, Romulus, Mich., Honda, 259 9. Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 227 10. Pat Brown, Pittstown, N.J., Yamaha, 187 13.Keith Little, Spruce Pine, AL, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 179 14. Russel Shumaker, Bristol, WI., Monster Energy Kawasaki,164