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Can-Am
LTE Racing's GNCC Pro ATV Racer Brent
Sturdivant |
Masontown, WV (1/3/2008) –
Can-Am Factory backed Pro ATV GNCC racer, Brent
Sturdivant, braved the elements for one last race
during the 2007 season as he competed aboard his
Can Am DS450. The weather in the region had set
the stage for one of the most brutal races one
could face, with slick mud and freezing water
turning the course into quite a challenge for
any rider. The 23 year old West Virginia native
is no stranger to rough conditions, and this would
prove to be a great test session as he dials in
his new machine.
Sturdivant was picked from the Pro ranks of
the CanAm GNCC series to pilot the new model
DS450 ATV for Looney Tuned Exhaust ATV Team,
and he will be joined by Duane Johnson. Also,
Warnert Racing has signed Chris Bithell &
Chris Jenks earlier this winter, and they have
been wringing out the DS 450 in hopes to finding
any weakness prior to the start of the 2008
season.
Speaking with Sturdivant about his new race
machine, he hasn’t had any real issues
while testing and racing, and most of his riding
time had been spent setting up his Custom Axis
suspension that now are fitted to his machine.
|
Custom Axis DS450 ATV Racing Front Suspension |
“Axis took the DS450 from us and the
next day the shocks were built and installed.
I couldn’t be happier with the way they
perform and now I can push even harder,"
recanted Sturdivant prior to the race.
This race would soon see just how well the
suspension and power would work as the green
flag flew and Sturdivant was off and racing.
Starting from almost a dead last position due
to an issue with how the DS450 starts put Sturdivant
at the back of the pack as the first turn was
cleared. By turn two, the young rider was already
looking at a long day as this tight and rough
track would be a passing nightmare.
With the first lap completed, Sturdivant was
still at the tail end of the class as a mud-hole
grabbed him and cost him time getting the ATV
unstuck. Rumors and chatter quickly consumed
the spectators as the coveted Pro looked to
be having issues at a race he was a favorite
to win. By the second lap however, Sturdivant
had settled into a pace that soon found him
clawing his way through the field of riders
and was soon in the lead and pulling away. The
rider and machine were now fluid and it appeared
that the DS 450 was indeed a runner! There was
no holding back or showing mercy as the speeds
continued to increase as the track conditions
worsened. This was the perfect place to make
or break the quad and if it could survive the
onslaught of abuse it was receiving, it could
be called race ready at the end! Just shy of
the two hour mark, Sturdivant pulled his Can
Am DS450 to the finish line taking the checkered
flag and overall win.
"I had some problems the first two laps
with arm pump and getting hung up on the first
lap, but I just put my head down and went to
the front of the pack," stated Sturdivant
at a post race interview.
Power from the Can-Am DS 450 from the factory
is on par with any machine that is raced in
the pro class, and with only the addition of
a LTE exhaust system, Sturdivant feels he is
getting close to a set up that will allow him
to compete with anyone at anytime aboard a machine
with virtually no upgrades as compared to other
models. Other add-on items include a Precision
steering stabilizer, Hiper Tech wheels, and
Super Grip tires to round out a very basic platform
which can perform at the Pro level. Discussing
the machine with Brent and his father Don, found
both extremely satisfied with the set up they
have in place.
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Brent Sturdivant presented his win trophy
to one of his race fans |
"The suspension and power work really
well together, and the handling of the DS450
is great," exclaimed Sturdivant.
With the win, which marks two in a row for
Brent Sturdivant and the DS 450 in as many events,
the outlook for the 2008 season looks bright.
Heading into the season aboard a machine that
inspires confidence and has the reliability
to win will be a huge step for this riders goal
of improving his year end position in the GNCC
series.
Brent finished out 2007 in the 12th place position
and wants badly to get himself and his new machine
on the podium at every round. With dedication
and hard work, combined with his growing talent,
his goal is obtainable and with backing from
Can Am and LTE among other highly coveted sponsors
he is well on his way to what could be his best
possible season yet.
www.lteracing.com
850 Laughlin Way
Redwood Valley, CA 95470
(707) 485-7438
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