Some of us look at older racers and really dont understand the amount of knowledge they possess. I have several friends in the world of ATV racing, but none quite like my friend Mike Penland.
Mike and I met years ago, as I became part of his Baja racing effort for the Baja 1000. I didnt understand everything hed do to prepare for a race like the mighty Baja, but in a period of two weeks I figured out there was a purpose for his actions.
We spent hours going over the bike making sure each part worked without fail because as Mike would say, “In Baja all you have to do is finish and the wins will follow.”
As the years past and Mikes career developed I began to understand even more about this Rabun County, Georgia native. Things like his handy inventions for class leading ATVs such as the Kawasaki Brute Force and the Can-Am Outlander.
Mike has put every machine hes raced through grueling tests and developed products to help them survive. Most wouldnt know that hes also helped develop many Utility ATV air filters in cooperation with companies like Twin Air as well as small frame parts to help the chassis under your Outlander hold up to extreme abuse.
A multi time champion in the GNCC racing community as well as Baja, Mike Penland is truly a wealth of knowledge. If you have a chance to chat with guys like him do not pass up the opportunity. You might just learn something interesting about a topic you thought you already knew everything about.
