Nov 2006 ATV-Industry News

Updated 12/26/06

Archives: Jan 06, Feb 06, Mar 06, Apr 06, May 06, June 06, July 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06

SPORTECH SELLS COBRA LINE TO POWERMADD

Sportech, Inc. announced they will no longer be marketing the Cobra brand of snowmobile and ATV windshields. According to an online news source, the line will now be sold through aftermarket supplier PowerMadd, who is best known for its line of handguards. “We see this as a win-win move for both PowerMadd and Sportech. It enables us to focus our efforts on the OE side of our snowmobile and ATV business, eliminating any perceived conflict between the Cobra brand and the products that we produce for our OE customers,” explained Sportech President Chris Carlson.

To backup the statement that Polaris builds “The World's Toughest ATVs”, company CEO Tom Tiller has challenged the CEOs of the other major ATV manufacturers to a live, head-to-head competition to find out who really builds the toughest ATV, reports spokesperson Donna Beadle. To keep the contest fair, Pro-Motion Motorsports, LLC has been hired to build the track, purchase and validate the ATVs that will compete, officiate the event and declare the winner, explains Beadle.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched a television and radio safety campaign to reduce the number of injuries from ATVs, reports an online news source. They add, the agency proposed new regulations that include setting speed limits on youth models and requiring retailers to offer training to buyers. “Children should only ride youth model ATVs - there have been too many children killed while driving or riding as a passenger on adult ATVs,” stated Nancy Nord, the acting chairman of the consumer agency.

Cycle Country Accessories Corp. announced it has hired Randy Kempf as the company's new CEO. According to a spokesperson, prior to joining Cycle Country, Kempf worked as the Senior Vice President of Operations for Wessels Company, manufacturer of HVAC Pressure Vessels. Kempf will reportedly work as a creative, bottom line and people-oriented executive who will seek to gain results while building a successful team focused on growth and profitability.

The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) announced it will hold an offroad show at Barona Casino's Convention Center in San Diego, CA over the weekend of March 24-25, 2007. According to a spokesperson, “All proceeds will be used by ORBA to further its efforts to protect and promote the motorized offroad recreation industry.” An entire hall at the convention will reportedly be reserved for dealers and aftermarket suppliers of Yamaha Rhino products.

The new Jericho Mountain State Park in New Hampshire has drawn a lot of positive publicity and Mayor Bob Danderson hopes to keep the momentum going by adding more trails to the existing 14 miles of trail the park currently offers for ATV recreation, reports The Conway Daily Sun. Chris Gamache, head of the Trails Bureau, stated it is the state's goal to attract ATV enthusiasts from around the Northeast by providing them with two or three days worth of riding. Plans are reportedly underway to create a master trail system of 100 to 200 miles with trails ranging from easy to difficult and the final plan will be drafted in January 2007.

Volusia County Council officials unanimously agreed to opt out of a new Florida state law that lets ATVs on unpaved roads, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The county has more than 400 miles of unpaved roads, which resulted in enough noise and safety concerns for officials to reject the law, explains the Sentinel. Under the new law, anyone in Florida can ride an ATV on a dirt road during the day, as long as the speed limit is less than 35 mph and the driver has a license in those counties that haven't opted out of the law, the paper explains.

An environmental group has sued northern New York's Lewis County in an effort to reverse its law allowing the use of ATVs on parcels of land located in the Adirondack Park, reports an online news source. The Adirondack Council reportedly charges that the county failed to identify the ecological risks of allowing ATV use in the areas and notify the public about the action, which they say is required under state law. The local law allows ATVs to be used in county reforestation lands, which opens up 1900 acres of county forest land, some of which is located in the Adirondack Park, concludes the news source.

The Gypsum City Off Highway Vehicle Park is now open to enthusiasts, according to The Messenger newspaper. They explain the park, which cost over $1 million to construct, features a beginners trail, a 1 1/4 mile motocross track and 15 miles of riding trails. The park reportedly represents phase one of the intended plans for the area, while phase two includes adding another 500 acres for a wooded trail and facilities such as shelters and a shower area. “This will bring a lot of riders and a lot of people into town,” stated Larry Leiting, a past board chairman of the Fort Dodge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The discovery of a five county, multi-state burglary ring resulted in the jailing of two men, while a third could face charges, according to the WALB news channel. The men reportedly have been accused of stealing tools, trailers and ATVs in the Georgian counties of Seminole, Decatur, Early and Miller, as well as in Leon County, FL. They are facing numerous counts of burglary and theft by taking, added WALB.

Eastern North Carolina residents born after Jan. 1, 1990, are now required to complete an ATV safety course sponsored or approved by the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute before they are allowed to ride, according to The Daily Reflector. The new required safety class is a half-day, hands-on learning experience where participants will conduct a preride inspection of their ATV and learn about making quick turns, emergency stopping and how to swerve or ride over obstacles, the paper adds.

Sterling, MA's, Police Chief Gary Chamberland announced his department may soon take steps to stop ATV riders from trespassing on private property and driving on public roads, informs The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Chief Chamberland is reported as saying if an officer catches someone driving an ATV on a road, the officer will impound the vehicle and issue a fine of up to $35.

CORRECTION

COOT2 PHOTO MIX-UP

In the October issue of ATV-Industry magazine we erroneously switched the photos between Coot2 and Club Car in the 2006 Utility Vehicle feature. Coot2 President David Donaldson wants to remind dealers the company has received a Homeland Security grant for the development of a diesel engine and a remote control system for the newest versions of the Coot2. The diesel engine offers longer life, requires less fuel and provides better torque, while the remote control systems can be used efficiently by search and rescue and fire departments, added Donaldson.