Press Release –

In January of 2005, fans of the ATVA Grand National Cross Country Championship Series were shocked to hear that Chad DuVall had been diagnosed with a form of leukemia.

To that point the 38-year-old West Virginia native had become one of the most successful ATV woods racers in the history of the series (top 10 in the national standings 9 times, 4 times in the top 3), and was one of the most well-liked and respected racers on the circuit.

Incredibly, DuVall went on to compete throughout the 2005 GNCC Series, and even captured three top-ten finishes, including a character-defining third overall at round seven in Millfield, Ohio. The life-threatening disease and medication required to fight it was taking its toll during most events, however, and Chad decided to announce his retirement at the end of the year.

But, thankfully, we haven’t seen the last of Chad DuVall. Good doctors, medicine and his family—as well as DuVall’s fighting spirit—have gotten control of his disease, and Chad will be returning to support the sport he loves as the official Rider Representative for ITP at all of the GNCC events in 2006.

DuVall was an ITP rider during much of his career and provided considerable input into the development of numerous ITP products, making him an ideal candidate for his new position. If you have any questions concerning ITP tires and wheels, contingency, sponsorship, or just need some advice on how to win in the woods, you can find Chad at ITP’s trackside support vehicle or next to the trail.

You won’t find a more knowledgeable and personable company spokesman anywhere, and ITP is proud to have him on our team. It’s just one more way we’re demonstrating our full commitment to the sport of ATV racing. For more information, visit ITPtires.com.

Press Release –

Recreational ATV riders will be happy to hear that ITP has just released an all-new radial tire line designed specifically for sport-oriented applications.

The new ITP Trac Star tire provides all the benefits of radial tire technology—a super-comfortable ride and exceptional traction over a wide variety of terrain conditions—but with a hard-core sporting personality.

Along with its radial construction, the Trac Star is able to provide its high level of performance by utilizing a unique Z-shaped tread pattern and a natural rubber compound. This results in a tire that provides a significant improvement in cornering and overall handling compared to OEM or other aftermarket replacement choices.

The Trac Star was also designed to be extremely durable—with a 6-ply rating—yet it remains very light in weight. The wide spacing between the knobs means this is one of the best self-cleaning tires on the market making it ideal for muddy conditions.

The rear Trac Star’s staggered tread pattern provides a perfect balance of traction and control that enables it to hold a line confidently as well as slide predictably. The front Trac Star—specifically designed to match with the rear model—rides like an OEM tire but steers like an MX racing-type tire, for excellent ride comfort and precise control.

Perhaps best of all, the Trac Star represents a great value—you won’t find a sport tire this light at the Trac Star’s price anywhere else!

The ITP Trac Star is available for many of today’s popular sport ATV models.

Four rear sizes are available—20/10R-9, 20/10R-10, 22/11R-9 and 22/11R-10—while the front Trac Star comes in three sizes: 21/7R-10, 22/7R-10 and 23/7R-10. Trac Star Kits are also being offered, with front and rear Trac Star tires coming pre-mounted on ITP’s tough .190-wall T-9 Pro Series aluminum wheels—the best of both worlds!

Press Release –

Team Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Jeremiah Jones is busy planning a strong comeback after a disappointing start to the GNC 2006 Series. Rounds one and two were plagued by impact-induced structural damage that resulted in some point killing DNF’s.

Undaunted by the standings, the amicable Kentuckian is pretty happy and optimistic about the rest of the season. “We’ve had some bad luck these first two races. Now it’s just getting back on track and staying focused. I just need to put those races behind me and go forward.”

Not much could get this rider down right now. He’s a new husband and dad and couldn’t be prouder of his brand new 2½ month old son Jeremiah Nathaniel Jones. Jeremiah gained a coach as well as a beautiful bride when he married Jamie as she has some impressive racing credentials as well. “Jamie knows all about what is going on and what I should be doing. She gives me an incredible amount of support,” Jones says with a smile.

The Joneses have purchased a motorhome to travel and live in during the season. “It’s fun,” Jeremiah explains. “We bought the motorhome so we don’t have to be apart. We travel, have fun, ride and get ready for the next race.”

Jones knows all about the value of ATV riding as a family affair. He began riding at seven and started racing at 15. His parents financially backed his decision to become a pro racer and his dad tweaked wrenches for him until he signed with Team Suzuki/Yoshimura. “If it weren’t for my father and mother to set the standard, I wouldn’t be where I am,” Jeremiah reflects. “I was very fortunate to get what I’ve got, but I’ve worked my butt off too!”

Jeremiah is definitely working his butt of right now. He and teammate Doug Gust are practicing together near Gainesville getting ready for the race next weekend at Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, FL.

Although they practice side by side, their riding styles are completely opposite. Jones describes Gust’s style: “Doug is a really calm, smooth, steady rider. He runs a good steady pace throughout the whole race and likes to drive the corners. I’m just wild on the track and go as fast as I can.”

Team Manager Wayne Hinson agrees laughingly. “Jones is a like a gunslinger out there! Ever since I saw him win at Unadilla last summer, I knew you just had to get him out front and watch him take off with the same kind of intensity and fire as a Wild West Gunslinger.”

Either way you ride it – smooth and precise or wild and wide open – the new team bike is built to win. The all-new 2006 Suzuki QuadRacer LT-R450 is an exciting racing machine. Now that the riders have a month of practice in, they are both really excited about it. “I think the bike is awesome,” Jones says. “It’s a true all-out performance race bike. It’s fun to ride and has a lot of really great characteristics.”

So as we approach Gatorback, Team Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Jeremiah “The Gunfighter” Jones is calm and cool. He has that same look in his eyes that you see in those old time Westerns right before someone pulls the trigger. No matter who wins and what happens, there is no question that Jones will be smiling at the end of the day. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

Press Release –

After the first few rounds of the GNC series, Team Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Doug Gust has headed to Florida to train for the next round of the series in Gainesville.

The multi-time champion from Wisconsin is getting acclimated to the heat and humidity of the south before the March 12 Pro Open event at Gatorback Cycle Park.

Gust is coming off of a 5th place finish at the Texas round. This last event could have been a “Texas Massacre” for Gust. After winning the first moto in a convincing fashion, he tangled with another rider in moto two. He was over a minute behind the pack before he got going again. He managed to work his way up from last place to 10th and card 5th overall on the day. Just ask Gust how he keeps focused when bad luck happens in a race and he’ll tell you: “I just have to focus on going as hard as I can, hope for the best, and get into the top ten,” Gust explains. It also helps that Doug consistently had the fastest lap times of the day. With his speed, Doug makes his own luck.

Looking forward to Gatorback, the “Digger” has a better strategy: “I just gotta get a better start and get out in front so I don’t get in a tangle with anyone.” Gust showed in Texas that the combination of the new Suzuki QuadRacer LT-R450 coupled with his riding skills are a hard combination to beat. As any novice racer knows the start is all important. It’s much easier racing from the front then coming through the pack.

Team Manager Wayne Hinson concurs. “The strategy is all about getting a strong start…or at least a decent one. Both Doug and Jeremiah can both blitz through the pack if they get a mid-pack start, but coming from dead last after a pile-up is tough. So we need to get out there and get in front and let the riders do their jobs. Both riders are excited to be on the new LT-R’s and that’s a big advantage.”

Gust and his teammate Jeremiah Jones are riding Suzuki’s 2006 QuadRacer LT-R450. Gust had a lot to do with the design of this revolutionary quad and even went to Japan to work with engineers. “I helped work out the way the handlebars, footpegs and seats were, so the quad would be comfortable to ride. I also tested the chassis and suspension. I really like the bike and the fuel injection system is really easy and reliable. You don’t have to do anything – it’s like being automatically jetted right and ready to go all the time.”

The quad that Team Suzuki/Yoshimura is riding isn’t much different than what can be bought right off of the showroom floor. “Yoshimura made some engine mods; they’ve got their engine management system in it and Hinson’s clutch but that’s about it on the inside. The chassis sports Walsh A-arms, Fox shocks, Tag handlebars, Blingstar’s nerfs and Galfer brakes. Compared with other bikes, though, this bike hardly needs anything. It comes out of the box almost race ready. I’m even riding on stock Dunlop tires.” Gust enthusiastically remarks.

Gust is entering his third season as a factory rider for Team Suzuki/Yoshimura. How does he feel about being part of a factory team? “The best thing is the attention and support I get. All these guys are working to help me be number one. It puts a lot of pressure on me to deliver… It’s one thing to disappoint yourself, but I mean I’ve got this whole team busting their butts. I’m really looking forward to this season. I’ve got a great bike in the ‘R450 and my whole crew is just doing an awesome job. I’m really lucky.” As previously stated… luck has nothing to do with it.