Yet through it all, a pair of stock Arctic Cat^® Prowlers, except for the required roll bars, extra night lights and King shocks and tires, beat the brutal conditions to finish first and second place in the world’s longest, continuous off-road race. It’s the first time in race history a side-by-side UTV vehicle has finished what is widely regarded as the most grueling off-road race in the world.

1st place - A stock 2009 Prowler^® XTZ 1000 driven by Bi-Polar team co-owner Jim Creagan and co-pilot Tim Wagner (followed by driver/co-driver Chris Fallon and Aaron Bahner after 409 miles) in 27 hours and 57 minutes.

2nd place - A 2009 Prowler XTX 700 EFI with three driver/co-driver combinations: Shane Morgan and Tabor Cresap, Scott Sorenson and Justin Serface, and Casey Squires and Mike Connors in 28 hours and 13 minutes. ]]> http://www.atvmodifications.com/2008/12/baja-1000-race-results/feed/ 0 http://www.atvmodifications.com/2008/12/polaris-doug-eichner-crowned-quadcross-series-champion/ http://www.atvmodifications.com/2008/12/polaris-doug-eichner-crowned-quadcross-series-champion/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:46:47 +0000 ATV Modifications Guru - Ron Smith http://www.atvmodifications.com/?p=596 Polaris Outlaw 525 S, Eichner's Outlaw was equipped with enhanced performance and exhaust by Yoshimura R&D of America Inc., front arms, axle and steering stem by Lone Star Racing, FOX Racing Shox suspension, MAXXIS Tires, DWT Wheels, GPR Stabilizer among other superior aftermarket components.]]> On November 30, 2008, the Polaris/Lone Star/Eichner Racing team prepared ATV racing legend and Multi-Time World and National Champion Doug Eichner for the ninth and final round of the ITP QuadCross race held at Glen Helen Raceway, located in San Bernardino, Calif.

Going into the final round of the Open Pro class aboard the Polaris Outlaw 525 S, Eichner’s Outlaw was equipped with enhanced performance and exhaust by Yoshimura R&D of America Inc., front arms, axle and steering stem by Lone Star Racing, FOX Racing Shox suspension, MAXXIS Tires, DWT Wheels, GPR Stabilizer among other superior aftermarket components.

Eichner held a 12-point lead entering the final round of the race series and the thought of adding another “first” in the Polaris history books by delivering the first Professional Level Motocross Series Championship to Polaris was exciting for the whole team to consider. Eichner, seemingly always cool under pressure, appeared oblivious to what was at stake and approached each Moto with his typical hard-charging style.

With 14 pros at the starting gate, it was Eichner who took command of the track with a holeshot start in Moto 1, and stellar performances in each race. Eichner secured the ITP QuadCross Open Pro Series Championship with a first place finish at the final round of the season and a 20-point lead over the second place competitor.

Eichner has been a consistent advocate of the Polaris Outlaw 525 S since his very first ride on the machine claiming it to be the best handling machine he has ridden to date. Eichner’s efforts with the Outlaw 525 S garnered him six first place finishes in the nine-race ITP QuadCross Series and a total of eight podium finishes, while boasting a flawless mechanical performance year in the Open Pro Class in the ITP QuadCross Series. Eichner also won the Pro Main Event at the WORCS Lake Havasu race and the 2-hour Saboba Grand Prix aboard the Outlaw 525 S in 2008.

Eichner received supportive efforts from friend and mechanic Todd Hunt, Cheri Hunt and Caide Hunt who made the trip all the way from Utah to be present. Yoshimura’s George Fickett and friend and and pit support, Larry Heidler, were also there to provide support and add to Eichner’s cheering section.

“Each win on my Polaris machines becomes a special memory for me and I am so honored to be given the opportunity of doing my best on behalf of all the wonderful people I have come to know at Polaris. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Eric Nault, Polaris Race Team Manager, the Marketing Team and the entire Engineering Team at Polaris, as well as Dan Fisher and his superior staff at Lone Star Racing. And, since teamwork is essential, I also wish to extend my gratitude to each and every sponsor of the Polaris/Lone Star/Eichner Racing team, crew and my family who all helped to earn this history making achievement,” said Eichner.

The Polaris/Lone Star/Eichner Racing youth rider and five-time National Champion, Caide Hunt shared some track time aboard her modified Polaris Outlaw 90 MXR. With so many competing priorities this year, George Fickett of Yoshimura and Doug Eichner were finally able to put some resources and time towards this unit and the team’s little superstar put together a performance of a win in heat 1 of the 90 cc and Above Mod Class and a near photo finish in heat 2 giving her a 1 – 2 finish and a second overall for the day. The 2009 year looks promising for this young superstar.

“We are all extremely proud and excited at Polaris with the success Doug Eichner and his team have brought to Polaris,” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris. Doug brought Polaris our first Professional Level Win in 2007, and successfully demonstrated the unique abilities of the Outlaw 525 IRS including the ability to jump the IRS an unofficial 207 feet. We congratulate and thank Doug Eichner, his team and sponsors for the superior efforts in 2008 securing the following year-end results:

• World Off-Road Championship Series UTV National Championship – RANGER RZR
• ITP QuadCross Open Pro Series Championship – Outlaw 525 S
• Numerous Pro Wins and a Top-Five National Finish – Outlaw 450 MXR
• World Off-Road Championship Series – Women’s Championship-Outlaw 450 MXR”

Polaris is looking forward to the return of legendary and Multi-Time World & National Champion, Doug Eichner and five-time Youth National Champion, Caide Hunt, to return in 2009 to continue their efforts to provide professional and successful performances on behalf of the entire team of sponsors.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

Champions in disciplines ranging from land-speed racing to motocross to trials and everything in between were honored at the end-of-year banquet. In addition, a number of special awards were presented to those who went above and beyond this season to elevate 2008 to one of the most memorable in recent history.

The AMA Racing Athlete of the Year award was awarded to Ricky Dietrich, top American at the 2008 International Six Days Enduro in Serres, Greece, as well as the champion of the 2008 AMA Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series. Dietrich, who wrapped up the EnduroCross title the same night of the banquet, led the Team USA Trophy Team to its best finish in years at the ISDE after an injury took overall leader and Team USA Captain Kurt Caselli out of the race.

Harold Goodman was honored with the ATVA (All-Terrain Vehicle Association) Athlete of the Year award. Goodman, who was competing in the Baja 1000 the night of the banquet, won four of the seven rounds of the Duro Extreme Dirt Track ATV National Championship Series en route to the title.

Destry Abbott was honored with the AMA Racing Sportsman of the Year award. Abbott demonstrated utmost sportsmanship when one of his competitive rivals, Josh Morros, was seriously injured and knocked unconscious in the next-to-last round of the AMA FMF Racing National Hare & Hound Championship Series. Abbott, who was racing for the title at the time, remained with Morros to aid the injured rider as best he could until medics arrived. Abbott ultimately continued and finished fourth in that round to clinch his fifth AMA Hare & Hound National Championship, tying the record held by Danny Hammel and Dan Smith.

“This is definitely a highlight for me. It’s something I’ve never gotten before,” Abbott said. “I’ve always tried to represent the sport well, and it’s neat to be recognized for that. The important thing, though, is that Josh is doing a lot better. He has a tough road ahead, but he wants to be back on a bike. I told him he’s welcome to come to Phoenix and train with me as soon as he’s able.”

The AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year was Leslie Porterfield. Porterfield became the official fastest female motorcyclist in America this summer at the International Speed Trials by BUB with a top speed of 232.523 mph.

“It was something that took a lot of determination and hard work,” said Porterfield. “I had a really great crew and friends and family behind me. It’s an honor to get this award.”

Heather Byrd was honored as the ATVA Female Athlete of the Year. Byrd was the champion in the Pro-Am Women class in the ITP Moose Racing ATV National Motocross Series. She claimed the title in impressive fashion, winning all 10 rounds of the series.

“Racing just gets in your blood, and it becomes something that you just do,” Byrd said. “People who leave the sport for whatever reason, always come back. I’m just proud to be part of the sport. You meet so many great people in AMA Racing and the ATVA. It’s just great to be a part of it.”

The AMA and ATVA Youth riders of the Year were Anson Maloney and Jesse Skvarek. Maloney, who moved up from the mini-bike ranks and topped the field in the 200 B class in the AMA Western Hare Scrambles Championship Series, scoring four wins in the five rounds he contested. Skvarek received the ATVA award for a performance that landed him the 90 CVT class in the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Championship.

Other special awards were presented to Jeff Fredette, AMA Racing Vet/Senior Rider of the Year; Ken Marcou, ATVA Vet/Senior Rider of the Year; and Thomas Brown, ATVA Amateur Rider of the Year.

In addition to top competitors, the AMA Racing end-of-year banquet honors those whose contributions to the sport are made off the racetrack. Winners of these awards were National Enduro Promotions Group, AMA Racing Off-Road Organizer of the Year; Belleville Enduro Team Inc., Track Racing Organizer of the Year; MX Sports LLC, Motocross Organizer of the Year; Red Bud Recreation Inc., ATVA Organizer of the Year; and Mark Kariya, AMA Racing Journalist of the Year.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.