Born To Ride News

Daytona Beach, Fla…Crozier Roberson Motorsports are pleased to announce that they have signed well-known road racer Jake Holden to pilot their No. 14 DNA Energy Drink Ducati 848 in the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class beginning at the West Coast Moto Jam, May 14-16 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

“We are really excited about having Jake join our team,” says team manager and co-owner Mark Crozier. “His talent speaks for itself and we feel that he will be a great asset to the team. In short, both Robbie (Roberson) and I feel that the combination of Jake and Bobby Fong will give us a very strong team.”

Born and raised in Washington, Holden has been racing since he was six years old.  Beginning with Dirt Track in the Pacific Northwest, this talented rider made the transition to road racing when he was 15. Finely honing his skills, he moved into AMA racing in 2004 and immediately began to carve a name for himself. Last season, Holden finished 10^th overall in AMA Pro American Superbike. 

“I am really happy to be a member of the Crozier Roberson Motorsports Team,” says Holden with obvious enthusiasm. “They run an excellent program and the entire team is really motivated and determined to win which is exactly my goal.”

“Having Jake on board will allow me to concentrate on running the team,” explains Crozier.  Managing the team, working with sponsors and trying to race was like trying to work two full time jobs at the same time. I decided I could bring far more to the program but concentrating on the management aspect of things. Not racing will let me put all my energy into putting DNA Energy Drink and Crozier Roberson Motorsports in Victory Lane. I know every track we race on and I will be able to help both Bobby and Jake get on the podium every time out.”

In addition to managing the team, Crozier will handle all the test riding and will compete in selected races during the season.

“I am looking forward to having Jake as a member of our team,” says co-owner Robbie Roberson. “His goals, his professionalism and determination fit right in with philosophy and I think he will be a welcome addition.”

Crozier Roberson Motorsports is sponsored by: DNA Energy Drink, Quality Brands, Inc., Arai Helmets, Race Tech, Motion Pro, Pit Bull, EBC Brakes, EK, Melillimoto Ducati, Moto-Heaven.com, XES, Thrust Company, HEL, Woodcraft, Armour Bodies, Puma, Held Gloves, GP Tech, Active, Zero Gravity and Christopher Bean Coffee.

IRVINE, Calif., Apr. 29, 2010 – Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) General Counsel Paul Vitrano testified today in support of federal legislation to stop the ban on youth-sized all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles.  The hearing held by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection focused on a proposed bill, the “Consumer Product Safety Enhancement Act” (CPSEA).  The bill, drafted by Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), aimed at resolving unintended consequences of the CPSIA, including the current ban on youth motorcycles and ATVs.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) imposed a ban on youth-sized ATVs and Off-Highway Motorcycles (OHMs) because the vehicles contain small amounts of lead that are critical to the functionality of certain components.

At the hearing, Vitrano encouraged the Committee to develop a solution that clearly ends the ban on youth ATVs and OHMs: “Our industry has already submitted clear evidence to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that we believe is sufficient to obtain exceptions for youth ATVs and motorcycles under section 2 of the proposed bill. We strongly urge the Committee to provide as much clarity as possible in developing a legislative solution so that CPSC will have no doubt that Congress intends to ensure the continued availability of youth vehicles, and will move accordingly to end the ban.” 

Vitrano testified in support of section 2 of the CPSEA, which would create an exception to the lead content provision of the original bill if lead serves a functional purpose, as is the case in metal parts of ATVs and dirt bikes.  “We have encouraged the Committee to include statutory language to provide CPSC with explicit guidance,” said Vitrano. “In the absence of such language, however, it is critical that there be report language accompanying the bill that defines the terms ‘practicable’ and ‘no measurable adverse effect’ in Section 2.” 

Vitrano pointed out that, while the lead provisions of the CPSIA were intended to protect children, they have had the opposite effect for youth-sized ATVs and OHMs since they have been effectively banned from the marketplace.  “These smaller, lighter, speed restricted models were specifically designed for youth riders with the goal of keeping them off of larger, faster adult-size units,” said Vitrano. “The CPSC has acknowledged that the ban on these youth models creates a compelling safety issue because it likely will result in younger children riding larger and faster adult-size ATVs.”

Vitrano also testified regarding the economic impact of the ban. “The ban on youth model vehicles is significantly harming the economy and costing jobs, and until corrected will result in about $1 billion in lost economic value in the retail marketplace every year.”

Following the hearing, Vitrano said, “I would like to thank the Committee for considering legislative solutions to stop the ban.  Final relief for this crucial segment of our industry must come through the legislative process, and today was an important step in that process. We encourage Congress to act swiftly to move this legislation forward. It is important both for the safety of children who ride youth ATVs and motorcycles and for the small businesses affected by the ban that it be quickly and permanently ended.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org/.