Press Release

Yamaha was in the power position heading into the Soo International 500 snowmobile race in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. on Saturday, February 5. For the first time ever, a Yamaha snowmobile earned the pole for the brutal 500-mile long event when Joel Diamond of J&M Racing drove his RX-1 to a sizzling 93.63-mph qualifying lap.

Diamond and co-driver Gordie Postula were strong in the early part of the race, then the Mike Gentz Racing/Meyers Enterprises Yamaha driven by Mike Gentz and Brady Dyrdahl moved into the lead for 54 circuits of the one-mile ice course. Still another Yamaha, the Todd Krikke/Chad Gueco Pierce Racing machine, led the most laps overall, and looked strong until Gueco began to fade from physical exhaustion late in the race.

Meanwhile the Gentz/Dyrdahl machine continued to click off fast laps; running with failed radio communications, Gentz was unaware that as the checkered flag loomed, he was running in second place – just 29 seconds behind the eventual winner. Krikke and Gueco eventually finished a fine third.

Congratulations to all the Yamaha teams for a great effort!

As excitement and enthusiasm continue to build for Canada’s First Annual Canadian Powersports Dealer Expo Canadian custom parts and accessories distributor Denis Babin has added yet another incredible feature to the show.

Denis Babin’s National Sales Director Andrew Gowers announced today the attendance of the biggest name in the custom motorcycle world at CPDE. “As Canada’s leading distributor of custom and big twin motorcycle parts and accessories we are pleased to have Arlen Ness Motorcycles join us at CPDE. Denis Babin is proud to offer a full line of Arlen Ness products available to Canadian Powersport Dealers.”

Obviously Arlen Ness Motorcycles is sure to attract the attention of not only the entire Custom and Big Twin motorcycle industry in Canada but the general media as well. CPDE’s John Hildebrandt had this to say about the Babin announcement, “This kind of commitment to Canada’s first and largest Dealer Expo by Denis Babin Parts and Accessories emphasizes the excitement we’re seeing from every corner of the Powersport Industry. From the biggest Warehouse Distributors and Importers to the largest Manufactures of aftermarket products, the response to this show has been amazing. It’s safe to say the First Annual Canadian Powersports Dealer Expo will be a must attend event for Canadian Powersport dealers and retailers.”

Dealers should keep in mind pre-registration and attendance at CPDE continues to offer benefits. Pre registration at CPDE.ca or calling 705-286-3304 entitles dealers to gain free admission ($20.00 at the gate), a chance to win Free West Jet air fare, a Big Screen TV, A European Adventure Holiday and more.

Making attendance even more attractive are incentives from Denis Babin Parts and Accessories including discounts on show bookings based on distance traveled to CPDE. Denis Babin is also offering a chance to win free air fare to Toronto and accommodation at the Offical Show Hotel – The Radisson Suites.

Press Release

(Barrie, Ontario-February 7, 2005) The CSRA National Snocross Event held in Barrie this past weekend had an unfortunate mishap as the event took a sad turn for the worst during the Sunday afternoon racing program.

This past weekend’s CSRA National Snocross Event held at the Barrie Event Center had an unfortunate turn of events. During a Pro 440 stock final, the CSRA lost one of our own through an accident that took place during the National finals on Sunday afternoon.

Oliver Polok, “Oli”, a caution flag-man working one of the turns of this weekend’s snow cross course was struck by a sled when a rider came off the sled near the official’s position track side. The un-manned sled struck the official, resulting in him taking the brunt of the hit to the chest. The sheer impact and force of the collision wound up tossing him several feet from his flagging position. On site EMT and emergency medics attended to the incident prior to the injured official being transported to Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

“Oli” who was an experienced staff member, has been with the CSRA for several years, and working the events each weekend was something that he loved to do at every opportunity. Oliver was a fundamental part of the CSRA family and was always a cheerful sole to both the staff and riders alike on the CSRA circuit.

Oli is survived by his mother, sister, and fiancé’ Amanda Martin.
He will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his family, all his friends, fellow workers at CP Rail, and all the CSRA staff, and Racers.

Oli…You will always be in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Funeral information will be available on the CSRA web site www.snowcross.com

The Canadian Powersports Dealer Expo (CPDE) set for March 11th and 12th at the Toronto Congress Centre has added another incredible incentive for dealers across Canada to attend this premier event. Retail Design Associates (RDA) of Roseville, California, President and Founder, Jim Rasmus, will deliver two information packed retail seminars per day covering retail store design, retail marketing, advertising and maximizing sales and profits for Powersport Industry dealers. Jim has been a featured speaker at the Indianapolis, Indiana, Indy Dealer Expo the past 11 years.

Rasmus commented on the Canadian Powersports Industry: “I am truly excited to be able to communicate with Canadian Powersports Retailers at CPDE. I’m convinced Canadian dealers can benefit from the concepts and principles I’ve shared with thousands of Powersports retailers across the continent. Each seminar is an intense 90 minute presentation which is sure to trigger inspiration and ideas with dealers in attendance. Come ready to learn and increase your profitability!”

Rasmus and RDA have provided services to notable businesses like Arlen Ness, Honda Lafayette, Snake River Yamaha, Ground Up Customs and are currently working with Kawasaki USA, American Iron Horse, the Spader Group and many other powersport entities.

There will be four 90 minute seminars – two on Friday, two on Saturday – available only to pre-registered and pre-credentialed dealers. There will be no walk-in registration for these Seminars.

Jim Rasmus has offered one more incredible value as part of his attendance at CPDE this year – the first 10 Powersports Stores to contact RDA directly at (916) 784-6600 will be able to book a one-on-one appointment with Jim for a private 30 minute consultation on your store!

This is an incredible opportunity to have the industry’s foremost expert on retail design, marketing and promotion evaluate your business and offer his advice – FREE OF CHARGE! Rasmus asks dealers to contact his office directly as time and numbers are limited on this offer.

Visit CPDE.ca for online dealer registration.

Sudbury was the fifth stop on the CSRA’s 2005 Regional Championship Tour. New promotional campaigns designed to increase attendance combined with a spectacular Sunday Pro and Semi-Pro racing schedule returned big dividends as crowds packed Sudbury Downs this past weekend. Racing action was fast and provided spectacular viewing from the heated indoor grandstands.

PRO RACING

Iain Hayden (OTSSF/Arctic Cat) responded to an obviously partisan hometown crowd when he put a ski on Michael Vandolder (Factory Recreation/Royal Distributing/Ski-Doo) late in the race and pulled away to win the Pro 440 final after a run through the pack. Earl Reimer (Boss Racing/Polaris) slammed his way to a third place finish despite paint swapping incidents in the middle of the pack. Out front early and eventually finishing fourth was Matt Turner (Evinrude/Ski-Doo/Supertrax) followed by 16 year old sensation Justin Walesky (Team Flintriggers/Ski-Doo) from Millington Michigan.

In Pro 600 it was Iain Hayden’s show with a strong ride and victory. Justin Walesky kept Hayden honest with a solid run up front until Hayden took advantage of the Michigan racer at the midway point. Michael Vandolder appeared capable of an assault early on but slowed and settled for a distant third at the finish with Mike Larmand (Factory Recreation/Royal Distributing/Ski-Doo) in tow for fourth. Semi-Pro racer Justin Parnell (Ski-Doo) from Ennismore, Ontario carded fifth.

In Pro Open racing 16 year old Justin Walesky (Flintriggers / Ski-doo) pulled a scathing holeshot to run out front and unchallenged for his first CSRA Pro win. Earl Reimer, Boss Polaris, finished second. Michael Vandolder appeared to challenge early on but settled for third at the checkers. Iain Hayden ran from the middle of the pack to card fourth followed by AJ Lester in fifth.

SEMI-PRO RACING

Semi-Pro Open. Lee Butler (OTSSF/Arctic Cat) made his mark this weekend by pulling amazing holeshots and acing the Semi-Pro pack into the first turn. In hot pursuit and establishing himself early on was Peter Raymer (Arctic Cat) from Keswick, Ontario. Posting his best finish this year was Billy Turner also on a (Arctic Cat) from Bancroft, Ontario.

Semi-Pro 440 was another Lee Butler (OTSFF / Arctic Cat) show with a wire-to-wire run to the checkers followed by John O’Malley (Team Northland/Ski-Doo) in a solid second place. Peter Raymer (Arctic Cat) having the best weekend of his young career, carded third.

Semi-Pro 600 gave Lee Butler another chance to bank pay dirt with a convincing ride to the checkers. Joey Sagan (Factory Recreation/Royal Distributing/Ski-Doo) who is no stranger to the winners circle carded his only top five this weekend with a solid run to second while Ryan Kenney (Boss Racing/Polaris) looked capable of moving up further but settled for third.

Semi-Pro/Pro Women was Millington, Michigan’s Jamie Walesky’s (Team Flintriggers/Ski-Doo) domain this weekend. Angela Vacchino (OTSSF/Arctic Cat) settled for second with Gravenhurst, Ontario’s Linsay Neal (Ski-Doo) posting third.

CSRA National Championship Snowcross Moves To the Barrie Event Centre in Barrie, Ontario February 5th and 6th…

ESPN’s Winter X Games is coming. See the attached PDF for the snocross schedule. Catch the action…

Click here.

Though temperatures were in the single digits on either side of the zero Fahrenheit mark all weekend, Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota played host to an exciting weekend of racing at the WSA Polaris Canterbury Snocross.

Clear skies and bright sunshine offset the frigid temps and some great racing kept the crowds warm.

Arctic Cat racer Robbie Malinoski swept the Pro classes and in so doing put his name in the record books as the first rider other than Blair Morgan or Tucker Hibbert to pull of that feat.

couple of Semi-Pro racers and Pro Women class racer got their first WSA Snocross Worldwide Championship wins and a racing legend nabbed victory in Pro Vet…

(See attached PDF for the full press release.)