Over the years ITP has benefitted greatly from its association with top ATV/UTV racers and teams. The feedback we receive from national-class competitors helps ITP produce the best possible tires and wheels for any terrain and machine application.

In 2008, a considerable amount of expertise and input is coming our way from Warnert Racing. St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Warnert Racing has long been the premier team in professional snocross snowmobile racing and has become a major force in ATV racing as well. Having successfully campaigned Ski-Doo snowmobiles for years, Warnert Racing is now the factory racing connection for Can-Am ATVs as well (both are divisions of Bombardier Recreational Products - BRP International). The team is modeled after the most successful auto racing operations, managing the day-to-day operations of nine ATV racers, including sponsorship, transportation, marketing, machine set-up, rider development and technology development. All teams operate out of a full race shop in St. Cloud and practice on an 80-acre track.

Brothers Mark and Ron Warnert established Warnert Racing in 1999 after selling their eight Minneapolis-area Champion Auto Parts stores, which were the most productive in the entire Champion franchise at the time. In addition to Warnert Racing, the Warnerts are involved in commercial real estate, the Warnert Promotions Group and more.

This team has created a significant presence in both the ATVA Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Championship Series and the AMA/ATVA ITP/Moose National Motocross Championship Series. And Warnert Racing's professional appearance and dedication is backed up with excellent results as well.

After six events in the 2008 GNCC Series, Warnert Racing riders occupy many of the top spots in several of the Utility ATV class point standings. Cliff Beasley has reeled off six straight wins in the 4x4 Lites class, while Michael Swift has won five of six 4x4 Limited class races; Scott Kilby and Richard Cecco hold top-five positions in the 4x4 Open and U2 divisions, respectively. In this series, the team relies on ITP TerraCross R/T XD and Holeshot GNCC tires.

On the Pro Motocross side, former National Champion John Natalie has put his Warnert Racing Can-Am DS 450 at the front numerous times during the first six events of 2008, including a moto win at Ballance MX in Kentucky and second overall at Sunset Ridge in Illinois; he holds fifth in the current series standings. Teammate Cody Miller struggled with injuries early in the season, but came back to grab a couple of top-five moto finishes and holds 11th in the standings to date. Natalie and Miller both use ITP Holeshot and QuadCross MX PRO tires.

Here are the Warnert Racing riders we'll be watching closely for the remainder of the 2008 racing season - the competitors who will likely have a big influence on the ITP tires and wheels you'll find on your favorite ATV dealer's shelves in 2009:

Clifton Beasley, GNCC

Rory Beckman, GNCC

Chris Bithell, GNCC

Rick Cecco, GNCC

Chris Jenks, GNCC

Scott Kilby, GNCC

Cody Miller, Pro MX

John Natalie, Jr., Pro MX

Mike Swift, GNCC

Cliff Beasley

Michael Swift

Scott Kilby

Richard Cecco

John Natalie (13) Holeshots