AMSOIL Ironman Wraps Up Great GNCC Season

The AMSOIL Ironman was held in Crawfordsville, Ind. last weekend with a nod to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Along with teams and sponsors getting involved to help support a great cause, there were also a lot of championships on the line for both the ATV and Bike classes. For a recap of the weeks action, you can watch the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC Post-Race Show:

Up next for Team AMSOIL is the AMSOIL Duluth National snocross opener in Duluth, Minn. on Thanksgiving weekend.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL

Teague Wins AMSOIL Thunder on the Gulf World Championships

Bob Teague has a habit of winning World Championships and that habit continued in Orange Beach, Ala. as he won the AMSOIL "Thunder on the Gulf" OPA World Championship October 23-24.

AMSOIL was the presenting sponsor of this years Thunder on the Gulf event, and Team AMSOIL took home the top honors of World Champion. After two days of testing, Teague took on surprisingly calm waters on Sunday and quickly accelerated to the lead at the start of the first 60-mile heat. Team AMSOIL was able to win both heats and was named OPA Cat Lite World Champion with Team Infinity from Norway in second place.

Up next for Team AMSOIl is the SBI World Championships in Key West, Fla. on November 7-14.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL

AMSOIL Ironman GNCC Ready for Record Weekend

The final race in the 2010 GNCC series will be the Inaugural AMSOIL Ironman event in Crawfordsville, Ind. on Saturday and Sunday.

Although the event has taken place for the past 16 years, this is the first year that AMSOIL will be the title sponsor of the largest GNCC race of the year. GNCC announcer Jason Weigandt has more on the event here.

AMSOIL will be on large display this year, as TORC Series driver Mike Oberg will have his #80 AMSOIL/BFGoodrich Chevrolet on display at this years event. AMSOIL is also supporting the GNCC's to Go Pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most of the riders will be wearing pink during their races, and those items will be auctioned off next week on eBay with proceeds go towards Breast Cancer Research. Find out more about the event and the auction next week here at the AMSOIL Racing Blog.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL

P.S. - As a gentle reminder, you can still watch the The Off Road Championships, featuring Mike Oberg and Chad Hord on HD Theater throughout the weekend. Click here for show times.

AMSOIL Signs With the Next Bite

The Next Bite Television, a world leader in freshwater fishing, has reached a sponsorship agreement with AMSOIL INC., a world leader in the manufacturing of synthetic lubricants. The new, three-year partnership will help position AMSOIL as a leader in the outdoor marketplace. The Superior, Wis.-company has a long standing association within the racing and automotive performance community, and its new partnership with TNB will strengthen its role in the general fishing and hunting marketplaces.

“Quality lubrication is important in whatever you drive, both on the highway and off,” said AMSOIL Race Program Manager Jeremy Meyer. “Since 1972, AMSOIL has offered consumers the highest quality lubricants on the market. Our partnership with The Next Bite will help AMSOIL showcase that quality in everything from boats to ATV’s and whatever you use to tow your toys to your favorite hunting and fishing spot.”

TNB is recognized as the authority in fishing education and entertainment media. A cooperative of three of the nation’s top fishing celebrities: Keith Kavajecz, Pete Maina and Gary Parsons, TNB integrates television, Internet and print into a dynamic platform that gives sponsors a wide range of advertising possibilities. Keith, Pete and Gary and are known internationally for their angling accomplishments with Walleye, Muskie and Northern Pike, as well as being acclaimed authors, educators, promoters and entertainers.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Pete Maina proudly boasts, “We are extremely excited about being able to represent a great company like AMSOIL, with a tremendous reputation and absolute top-of-the-line products that keep everything we outdoors lovers use running smoothly, efficiently and lasting longer. From ice augers, to boats and the trucks that tow ‘em, we’re proud to have this opportunity to spread the word on how well AMSOIL products keep our tools in top shape.”

The show airs on Versus TV starting in January and on WFN in Canada.

Until then, we'll see you at the races,

Team AMSOIL

AMSOIL Ironman Goes Pink

In a first for America’s largest off-road racing series, the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country tour will add a pink theme for the series’ finale, the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC. With nearly 1500 dirt bike and ATV competitors expected, the race will raise awareness and funds for breast cancer care and research and serve as the final round of the 13-stop national tour. The pink livery will make a dynamic contrast to the woods, hills and mud of the Ironman, which takes place October 23 and 24 in Crawfordsville, Indiana, just an hour west of Indianapolis.

"We are honored to be involved in turning this year’s race pink," says Sasha Clements, Communications Coordinator for the FAITH Alliance, a breast cancer resource for Montgomery County, IN. "Most of our board members and their families have attended the Ironman for many years, and it’s a fun weekend that the entire community looks forward to. Almost everyone knows a family member or friend affected by breast cancer, and now the Ironman weekend is our chance to have fun and show support for all the courageous survivors and help the continued efforts to find a cure."

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and GNCC racers and fans are encouraged to get in on the action. GNCC Racing will relax number-plate background codes for the race and encourage riders to run pink backgrounds, available via PowerSports GrafX at ridepg.com. A $22.95 pink front number plate background will result in a $5 donation, and a full set of front and side backgrounds retails for $69.95, and includes a $10 donation. Ridepg.com will also sell exclusive GNCC breast cancer awareness race stickers for a minimum $2 donation. Pink wrist bands will also be sold at the track for a $1 donation. Donations will go to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in Indianapolis and the FAITH Alliance.

The race facility will be adorned in pink, including a special pink podium backdrop, which will be autographed by each podium finisher during the weekend and then auctioned off on eBay. In addition, pink-themed trophies, awards, t-shirts and plaques will ensure a memorable scene. The famous pumpkins lining the Ironman entrance gate will even be painted pink.

The GNCC Racing family always steps up for a good cause, and racers and spectators can get in on the fun by bringing and wearing pink clothes, riding gear, graphics and decorations. Combine the pink theme with the traditional AMSOIL Ironman fun—a superb cross country race track, great fall weather, and championship battles, and the weekend has the potential to be the biggest in AMSOIL Ironman GNCC history. For more information, log on to www.gnccracing.com

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL

Trey Canard Covers Racer X

Fresh off of his AMA MX Lites championship and a win with Team USA at the Motocross of Nations last month, Trey Canard is being awarded again for his efforts.

The GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda rider will once again grace the cover Racer X for the magazine's December issue. Canard will be featured riding his MXoN bike from September. Canard's last Racer X cover was in July.

The AMA Supercross Series starts January 8, 2011 in Anaheim, Calif.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL

Team AMSOIL Offshore Wins National Championship

Team AMSOIL Offshore competed in the SBI Clearwater Super Boat National Championship races last weekend in Clearwater, Fla.

Bob Teague and driver Mike Defrees knew it would be a challengeas rough seas engulfed the 4.5 mile race course in the Gulf of Mexico.

Team AMSOIL took the early lead down the first straight-away and increased their lead steadily during the race. The Team AMSOIL number 77 Skater performed perfectly in good balance carrying good speeds over the rough and sloppy seas. Team Stihl, in their 388 Skater, ran in a strong second place position the entire race. Team AMSOIL finished the 80-mile race with the second overall fastest time of all classes, only 47 seconds behind the supercharged Superboat Unlimited Class winner.

Next stop for AMSOIL team is the OPA AMSOIL/GEICO Thunder on the Gulf World Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama on October 13-17.

Until then, we'll see you at the races,

AMSOIL Race Department

Windham Signs Extension With GEICO Powersports Honda

Racer X Online - Windham Signs Extension With GEICO Powersports Honda

Story courtesy of Racer X Online

CORONA, Calif. -- Supercross and Motocross rider Kevin Windham has signed a two-year extension to stay with the GEICO Powersports Honda race team, owned by Factory Connection founder Rick "Ziggy" Zielfelder, Jeff Majkrzak, and Mike Grondahl.

"It's already been a wild off season with all the rumors going around of where riders are going so it's cool to get this deal done now," Windham said. "I'm really happy to be staying with this team. It's home. These were the guys that gave me a second chance when I came back from my broken femur in 2002 and it just feels right to stay here.

"For this team to step up and give me a two-year deal is special. We won't have to sweat going through negotiations next year. Now we're looking at a place where I'm going to end my career. I couldn't be with a better group of guys."

The 32-year-old crowd favorite from Centerville, Miss., is coming off an impressive 2010 campaign where he finished as runner-up to the Supercross championship with two wins. Additionally, Windham scored an overall race win in the Motocross series filling in for injured Honda rider Davi Millsaps.

"It's funny because there's talk of my age and of my pending retirement but in many ways I feel like there are parts of my riding where I'm just reaching my prime," Windham said. "I feel great on the bike and we showed this year we could win. The entire team had great success, with Trey (Canard) winning the 250cc championship in Motocross, and everyone else scoring wins. We put forth a great team effort and that's what it takes.

"I don't think my riding is in decline in any way. I fully expect us to be contenders next year. I'm looking forward to the challenges. We're a very tight family and I feel like this is the best team I've ever been with. They're always there for the riders, to help us excel and make us better, and that's a good feeling.

"GEICO Powersports also has been a key to our success. They are a great company to ride for and they understand the sport so well."

Windham will ride the team's lone 450cc entry, which will once again be flanked by four 250cc rides. Majkrzak says having Windham as his team's leader is a perfect scenario for a multitude of reasons.

"K-Dub's an excellent rider, probably the smoothest guy many of us have ever seen on a motorcycle, and he certainly has championship potential every season," Majkrzak said. "The fans love him. He always gets some of the loudest cheers during rider intros.

"What most people probably don't know about Kevin is the positive influence he has on our younger riders. He's the one that shows them not only how to compete and excel at this level, but how to be a good person, respect the other riders, take care of your sponsors, and stay true to yourself. He's an exceptional representative of our team and we plan on having him on our team until he decides to hang up his boots."

Windham will line up at the opening round of the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross on January 8 in Anaheim, Calif.

Until then,

We'll see you at the races.

Lovell Racing Fights Back For Podium Finish

Brad and Roger Lovell combined to enter and race in 27 events in 2010 and recently hit their 11th event in as many weeks. From rock racing to the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL, the brothers accomplished quite a bit this summer. The last event, however, returned the Colorado natives to their roots: rock crawling.

The We-Rock Grand Nationals were hosted by Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. Brad Lovell guided the #232 AMSOIL/Ford Ranger around the highly technical course with the complete confidence in Roger’s guidance.

On the first course, the truck got wedged into a notch and twisting the drive shaft. They were able to finish the course, but more bad luck found them on the second course. This time, the #232 found itself on its hood after a carefully planned maneuver went wrong. Despite early troubles, they duo found their confidence and scored the lowest on four of the next six courses.

Heading into the final round in fourth and had to have a perfect run to get back into podium contention. The first two sets of gates were an insane cross-sloped hump that already spilled two trucks down the rocks. The Lovell's were forced to formulate a plan on the fly and narrowly perched the Ranger on top of a tall slope. They then shimmied clear of the cones and let the BFG's grab hold and not let go when just an inch of slip would have rolled the truck 20’ down the course. They got back on track and climbed from eighth to finish third and received another Torchmate constructed trophy for the effort.
"It wasn’t the repeat championship that we hoped for but a strong finish and a positive end to the season," said Brad Lovell. "I feel privileged to have raced all over the country in a wide variety of disciplines – desert, rock racing, hillclimbs, short course, and rockcrawling. In fact, my mind is still racing with crashes, near misses, and plenty of zero gravity moments. I am very grateful and humbled to all those who helped our team."

The team does have one more event to go in 2010. Brad will be heading south of the border for the Baja 1000 in mid-November, navigating the Torchmate/AMSOIL Class 7 truck in the epic race from Ensenada to La Paz.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL

Trey Canard Helps USA win Motocross of Nations

Photo courtesy of Vital MX

GEICO Powersports Honda Team rider Trey Canard has added Motocross of Nations Team Champion to his list of accomplishments as he and teammates Ryan Dungey and Andrew Short raced their way to first place at the 2010 Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, Colorado.

Canard started off the weekend in fantastic form, with a qualifying win. In the MX1/MX2 moto, Canard went down in the first turn. He got back in the race quickly however, moving from 38th place after the fall all the way up to twelfth by the end of the race – enough to earn him the third MX2 placement in the race. In the MX2/MX3 moto, Canard again had the top gate pick, but got a bit stuck in the middle of the pack on the start, but held strong and moved up throughout the race, finishing a respectable seventh. Canard earned third place overall in the MX2 class.

“It was unbelievable – once again, I am in shock and so thankful for all that has happened the past few weeks” said an elated Canard, “Standing on the Team USA podium and hearing the National Anthem was the highlight for me – it was unreal!”

Canard came to Motocross of Nations on the heels of winning the 2010 AMA Pro Motocross Lites Championship two weeks ago in Pala, California. Canard had put in an impressive string of moto wins and podiums the second half of the 2010 season, and carried great momentum heading into the prestigious Motocross of Nations. Joining forces with 2010 450-class Champion Dungey, and perennial favorite and holeshot master Short proved Team USA a tough one to beat.

Trey Canard starts the 2010 Supercross season on January 8 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California – where he will make his much-anticipated debut in the 450 Supercross class. In 2010, Canard raced six races as a fill-in for Andrew Short on the Honda Red Bull Racing team in the 450 class. He landed a podium spot five of those six times.

Until then, we'll see you at the races,

Team AMSOIL