Petersburg, VA (6/26/2007) -
The WPSA PowerSports ATV Tour makes its first
visit to Virginia this weekend, as it hits Virginia
Motorsports Park for the GBC Virginia National. The
event, which features two full shows for the Pro Classes,
representing Rounds 6 and 7 of the Tour, kicks off
Friday with Pro qualifying. The race continues through
Sunday, which will be highlighted by two complete
Pro finals.
The events will be telecast on ESPN2 on Saturday,
Aug. 18 at noon EDT, and again on Saturday, Aug. 25
at 1 p.m. EDT.
The racing weekend will feature the nation's top
Pro riders, competing in three Classes: SuperQuad
Pro 450, QuadTerrain Challenge Pro Stock, and SuperSport
Side by Side. The SuperQuad Pro 450 Class features
big air, motocross style racing. QuadTerrain Challenge
features larger, utility-type ATVs, competing on an
obstacle course that includes log jams, mud bogs,
rock crawls, as well as high-speed sections. The SuperSport
Class comprises four-wheel utility vehicles piloted
by a driver and co-driver, sitting side by side. The
purpose-built racing machines compete on a modified
course that includes both big-air sections, as well
as obstacles.
The race weekend will also feature nearly 20 other
classes for Pro Am, Amateur, Junior and Women's classes.
SuperQuad Pro 450
Following the last two races, held in Kentucky two
weeks ago, the Suzuki triumvirate of Dustin Wimmer,
Chad Wienen, and Doug Gust took command of the Riders'
Championship. Wimmer (No. 191 MSR, Pro Taper, Yoshimura/Suzuki)
leads the points chase, holding a nine-point margin
on Wienen and Gust, who are in a numerical tie with
178 points.
Yet, as strong as the Suzuki squad has been, John
Natalie, Jr. and his No. 13 Elka, Maxxis/Honda have
remained competitive despite injuries sustained in
crash last month in Illinois. Natalie, who is recovering
from a torn ACL in his knee and severe injuries to
his chest, has showcased his "Iron Man"
riding style this season. Despite the injuries, he
sits fourth in points, just five markers behind Wienen
and Gust.
Keith Little (No. 12 Lonestar/Honda) is having what
could only be considered a breakout season. After
earning his first WPSA podium in Oklahoma, Little
now sits fifth in points and well within the thick
of the end-of-season battle.
Like its riders, Suzuki remains out front in the
Manufacturers' Championship, sitting 18 points ahead
of Honda.
QuadTerrain Pro Stock
The championship chase in the QuadTerrain Pro Stock
ranks is just as wild as the Series itself. Though
Scott Kilby (No. 207 Warnert Racing/Can-Am) is well
in front in the Riders' Championship, a tough Jesse
West is certainly within striking distance on his
No. 888 West Racing/Arctic Cat.
West, in fact, showcased his strong, blue-collar will
at the last race in Kentucky. After being involved
in a crash on the first lap, West grabbed a new helmet
from his pit area, removed a broken front axle and
literally rode the race in three wheel drive to finish
the final. Tired and sore, West still displayed his
trademark smile after finishing.
West, who sits 16 points behind Kilby, leads an Arctic
Cat train of riders trying to unseat the dominant
Can-Am. Rory Beckman (No. 10 Jack Link's/Arctic Cat)
is third, ahead of defending titleholder Daryl Rath
(No. 67 Jack Link's/Arctic Cat). Keith Henshaw (No.
815 www.off-roadconnection.com/Arctic Cat) rounds
out the top five in points.
SuperSport Side by Side
The PowerSports ATV Tour unveiled the new SuperSport
Side by Side Series as a professional class at the
season opener. Fans and racers alike were in awe of
the capability of these race-bred machines and their
drivers. Michael Kneebusch and his Rhino and Rath
in his Prowler have dominated the new class thus far,
which has grown in entries at every race.
All Pro Class Riders will be vying for one of the
richest purses in ATV racing here. The Tour will award
$45,000 in purse monies for the SuperQuad Pro 450
and QuadTerrain Pro Stock finals. The purse pays to
20th place in the QuadMX Series and to 15th place
in QuadTerrain Challenge. The purse structure awards
$4,000 to win each QuadMX final and $2,000 to win
in each QuadTerrain Challenge final, with $15,000
and $7,500 available in each Series final, respectively.
Tickets, which start at $15 for adults and $5 for
kids 6-15, will be available at the gate Friday morning.
About
the PowerSports ATV Tour:
The PowerSports ATV Tour is North America's
premier professional ATV racing circuit, featuring
QuadMX, QuadTerrain and SuperSport Pro series
action as well as more than 20 amateur classes
for adults, women and children. The Tour is
sanctioned by the World PowerSports Association,
North America's most respected snowmobile and
ATV sanctioning body, and a promoter of ATV
and snowmobile racing on both the regional and
national level. For more information, please
visit www.PowerSportsTour.com.
World
PowerSports Association Headquarters
1863 Buerkle Road
W hite Bear Lake, MN 55110
651.209.7404
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