“In cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries has voluntarily recalled several hundred Ranger UTVs because of fire and burn hazards,” stated an online news site. It explained the recall covered 330 model-year 2008 Ranger RZR 800 EFI UTVs because the fuel tank could leak, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. “The CPSC has received four reports of the fuel tank leaking,” the site explained, which added that no injuries have been reported at this time. “Machines with model number R08VH76AD (red) and model number R08VH76AG (green) are included in this recall,” the site said. 

Warn Industries announced John McCalla has been appointed to the position of president and CEO, replacing Tom Giacomini, who accepted a position to work for Warn’s parent company, Dover Corporation. “Giacomini will assume the position of president – Dover Industrial Products/Material Handling Platform and will oversee several Dover owned companies, including Warn,” explained spokesperson Andy Lilienthal. He added, “McCalla will be responsible for all operating aspects of the business and will continue to focus on new product and market development.” Prior to his promotion, McCalla served as the company’s vice president where he was instrumental in helping secure several automotive OEM contracts, developing Warn’s international customer base and working with the Industrial division to build the winch and hoist business, Lilienthal divulged.

Baja Motorsports has issued a recall on 16,000 youth ATVs due to lack of equipment, which poses an injury risk to riders, reported ABC Action News (FL). “According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the ATVs lack a tire pressure gauge and flag pole mounting bracket, which could pose a risk of injury to riders,” the paper explained. The recalled youth ATV models include the Baja 90, Baja Wilderness 90 and Baja Wilderness 90u, it said, adding, the vehicles were sold in blue, green, red and camouflage color schemes with ‘Baja’ written on the side of each gas tank. Vehicle owners should contact Baja Motorsports at 866-250-7188 to receive a free tire pressure gauge and flagpole mounting bracket, ABC Action News concluded.

“Before taking a ride on an all-terrain vehicle, children and teens under 18 might think twice before not putting on a helmet,” stated KTEN news channel 10’s Web site. The site explained a new Oklahoma state law requires anyone under 18 to wear a crash helmet while operating or riding an ATV on public land. Oklahoma is reportedly the 35th state to impose safety requirements for children driving ATVs and the state believes the safety helmets will reduce ATV related deaths by 42 percent and nonfatal head injuries by 64 percent. “The new law enforcing helmets does not apply to the use of ATVs on private property; however, failure to comply with the new law on public land will result in a $25 fine,” KTEN added.

Iowa ATV riders now have a new place to ride their vehicles with the opening of River Ridge Trails, a 10 mile course overlooking the Maquoketa River in Spragueville, reported the Clinton Herald newspaper. Owner Steve Tebbe created the trail to provide local ATV enthusiasts a place to use their vehicles safely and legally, the paper explained. “In the state of Iowa, it is a challenge to find a place to ride an ATV,” stated Tebbe, who added, “This is just a wooded area, not good for anything else really, so I thought, why don’t I just open it up and make it a place to ride.” The Herald told us Tebbe’s River Ridge Trails is a slow, rough trail with lots of curves to accommodate speeds of five miles per hour. “The trail is open from 9am to dusk and Tebbe charges $10 per person. Rides can be scheduled by calling 563-357-3784 and riders must provide their own vehicles,” the paper concluded.

American Suzuki Motor Corp. announced Rod Lupusnak has resigned his position as ATV operations manager. “I will miss the day-to-day electricity of working with this company,” he said, adding, “Some exciting new opportunities have pulled me into another direction, but I will always appreciate what I’ve learned here.” American Suzuki Motor Corp. Vice President Mel Harris stated, “We thank Rod for all his contributions to our ATV growth over the past few years. His aggressiveness and valuable input on product has led to our success.”