Dear Distributors,
The weekend of March 11-12 was a busy race weekend in the USA.

The Ga. 2nd round of the GNCC Series, Fla. 3rd round of the GNC ATVA MX series and the SCORE San Felipe 250 were held on this weekend.

The GNCC ATV results were very positive for Tire Ball users as all of the top twenty overall riders use Tire Balls.

1 Bill V Ballance	Oakland, KY	Pro 001 YAM 4 01:53:07
2 Chris M Borich	Sunbury, PA	Pro 002 HON 4 01:53:14
3 Chris Jenks	Washington, WV	Pro 004 HON 4 01:53:16
4 William Yokley	Tompkinsville, KY	Pro 003 SUZ 4 01:55:26
5 Chris Bithell	Irwin, PA	Pro 014 HON 4 01:56:02
6 Duane Johnson	Trenton, MO	Pro 015 HON 4 01:57:22
7 Rhett M Butler	Oak Grove, MO	Pro 018 HON 4 01:58:31
8 Taylor Kiser	Alva, FL	Pro Am 031 YAM 4 01:58:47
9 Andris Lagzdins	Baltimore, MD	Pro 008 ROL 4 01:58:48
10 Johnny Gallagher	Aurora, OH	Pro 017 HON 4 01:58:57
11 Michael S Houston	Hickory, NC	Pro 013 HON 4 01:59:02
12 Sean Neidlinger	Flagtown, NJ	Pro Am 074 HON 4 01:59:07
13 Adam Mcgill	West Union, WV	Pro 009 HON 4 01:59:16
14 Bryan Baker	Knob Noster, MO	Pro 007 HON 4 01:59:20
15 Ryan Morphew	Cookeville, TN	Pro Am 047 HON 4 01:59:41
16 Craig Reed	Crawford, TN	Pro Am 023 HON 4 01:59:54
17 Tyler Lenig	Shamokin, PA	Pro Am 036 HON 4 01:59:56
18 Brent Sturdivant	Montrose, WV	Pro Am 149 HON 4 02:00:33
19 Bryan Hulsey	Washington, MO	Pro 033 HON 4 02:01:47
20 Brandon Sommers	Millersburg, OH	4 Stroke A 784 YAM 4 02:02:23

In the Youth ATV race Walker Fowler was the overall winner continuing his dominance using the new mini quad Tire Ball kits.

The morning ATV race had Traci Cecco winning overall for the second race in a row. For some reason these results have not been posted as of this date and time.

In the bike race Tire Balls were well represented:

6 Paul Whibley	Petersburg, KY (Actually NZ)	Pro 275 HON 6 02:50:15
12 Travis Green	Vinton, OH	250 A 016 KAW 6 02:53:31
13 Jesse Robinson	Connellys Spg, NC	250 A 019 KAW 6 02:54:55
15 Stephen Edmondson	Landy, VA	Pro 015 KTM 6 02:56:04
16 Andrew Matusek	Fayetteville, GA	4 Stroke A (0-300cc) 047 KAW 60 2:56:11
17 Russell Bobbitt	Fayetteville, GA	Pro 155 KTM 6 02:58:19

At the GNC MX Tire Balls has some users worth mentioning,

In their first use of Tire Balls, John Natalie won the first moto and Dustin Wimmer won his qualifier, respectively they finished 2nd and 8th overall.

In the 70cc Production (6-11) class Dave Nevrotski finished 5th overall. After these strong finishes we will see many more new users next week, including several additional top ten pros.

Wayne Matlock and partner Chad Prull continue their domination of the desert events by winning the San Felipe 250 Pro ATV class.

After more mounting experience with the ATV MX tires, two fitment changes have been made to the Application charts. These relate to the Tire Ball recommendations for the rear mini quad tire and front 19 X 6-10 used on the full size sport quad.

The attached application charts reflect the new fitment changes. Current pressure recommendations for ATV MX use is 5.5 psig in the balls and 5.5 psig in the tire. For mini quads, 4.5 psig pressure in the balls and 2 psig is recommended for the tires.

If you have riders that you want recognized, please let us know.

All participants must register with Tire Balls to be eligible to participate in Tire Ball’s
Racing Contingency Program. Download the Registration Form and follow the instructions
on the form.

Click here to download the rules and registration form - cregistration.pdf (224k)

Congratulations Tire Ball Customers!
Quad Pro
Wayne Matlock (Chad Prull) - 1st Quad (5th overall!)
Mike Cafro (Danny Prather) - 3rd Quad (9th overall)

Quad Expert
Dave McCarroll (Brandon Carter & Eric Lemley) - 1st (17th overall)

Congratulations Tire Ball Customers!
ATV
Wayne Matlock Honda TRX-450
1st overall

Mike Cafro Honda TRX-450
3rd overall

Motorcycle
Tim Morton Team CRF-250X
5th place overall.
1st 250 Honda

Suzuki GNCC Series Results
The Klotz Ironman GNCC
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Congratulations to the Tire Ball customers (names in red)
Pro Afternoon Race
1. Juha Salminen Finland, (KTM) 02:59:42
2. Barry Hawk, Jr Smithfield, PA (YAM) 03:00:41
3. Charles Mullins Hamilton, OH (YAM) 03:01:10
4. Paul Edmondson United Kingdom, (HON) 03:02:18
5. Glenn Kearney Australia, (SUZ) 03:03:00
6. Michael Lafferty Estell Manor, NJ (KTM) 03:03:17
7. Fred Andrews Salem, OH (SUZ) 03:03:34
8. Robbie Jenks New Straitsville, OH (KTM) 03:05:44
9. Steve Hatch Scottsdale, AZ (KAW) 03:09:25
10. Jesse Robinson Connellys Spg, NC (KAW) 03:12:28 (250A 1st )
11. Scott Watkins Leetonia, OH (KAW) 03:13:03
12. Thaddeus Duvall Williamstown, WV (YAM) 03:13:14 (250A 3rd)
13. Ryan Rodgers Dover, PA (YAM) 03:16:19
14. Stephen Edmondson Hardy, VA (KTM) 03:17:02
15. Brian Lawson Adams, MA (YAM) 03:19:05
16. Nathan Alering Cincinnati, OH (SUZ) 03:19:20
17. Justin Williamson Sanford, FL (YAM) 03:19:42
18. Chris Gallt Eagle, MI (KAW) 03:19:43
19. Travis Green Vinton, OH (KAW) 03:21:29 (250A 6th)
20. Mike Mihalik Aliquippa, PA (HON) 03:22:09
27. John Maschino North Vernon, IN (GAS) Vet A 1st
29. Marty Michels Petersburg, KY (HUS) Open A 2nd

Suzuki GNCC ATV Series Results
The Klotz Ironman GNCC
Crawfordsville, Indiana

Pro afternoon race
1. William Yokley Tompkinsville, (SUZ) 02:13:02
2. Chris Bithell Irwin, PA (HON) 02:13:16 (1st Pro-Am)
3. Bill V Ballance Oakland, KY (YAM) 02:13:18
4. Chris M Borich Sunbury, PA (HON) 02:14:13
5. Matt J Smiley Kunkletown, PA (POL) 02:14:18
6. Bryan Cook Casar, NC (YAM) 02:16:35
7. Brandon Ballance Oakland, KY (YAM) 02:16:39
8. Bryan Baker Knob Noster, MO (HON) 02:17:04
9. Chris Jenks Washington, WV (HON) 02:17:25
10. John Natalie Houtzdale, PA (HON) 02:17:37
11. Jeremy Rice Fombell, PA (HON) 02:17:55
12. Rhett M Butler Oak Grove, MO (HON) 02:18:09
13. Michael S Houston Hickory, NC (HON) 02:18:12
14. Santo DeRisi Casar, NC Pro 016 HON 5 02:18:53
15. James L Wahl Shillington, PA (HON) 02:19:10
16. Andris Lagzdins Baltimore, MD (ROL) 02:19:15
17. Duane Johnson Trenton, MO (HON) 02:20:50
18. Tyler Lenig Shamokin, PA (HON) 02:20:52
19. Joshua Ribley Martinsville, IN (YAM) 02:20:55
20. Brandon Sommers Millersburg, OH (YAM) 02:21:18 (1st 4-Stroke A)
22. Craig Reed, Crawford, TN (HON) Open A 2nd

Morning Race
3. Traci Cecco, Shamokin. PA (YAM) Women 1st
6. Stephanie Parton , Malta, OH (SUZ) Women 2nd
24. Mike Penland, Raben Gap, GA (BOM) Utility Stock 1st
19. Jim Stack, Quarryville, PA, (HON), Utility Modified 1st
52. Kevin Johnston, Maiden NC, (KAW) Utility Unlimited 1st

Australia, France and South Africa have experienced Tire Ball Sales and Service Agents in place. These agents maintain inventories for both dealers and riders. Limited competitor support is available.These agents and contact information is listed below. OTG PTY LTD
(On The Gas)
PO Box 1605
Sunnybank Hills
Queensland, 4109
Contact : Rob Holloway
email : ccmcontact@bigpond.com
phone : 0 414 555 012
fax : 0 732 726 994
WER Europe
Alfortville
Contact : Lionel Auclair
email : ventes-wer@tiscali.fr
website : www.tireballs.fr
phone : 01 43 76 91 73
Matrix
Edenvale
Contact : Hilton Berry
email : theberrys30@hotmail.com
Phone : 11 609 2690
Fax : 11 609 9959

Comments from Tire Ball user Todd Starks:

On the advice of my friend Alan Roach (Baja Designs) I decided to run tire balls in our front wheel for the 2004 BAJA 1000. Alan advised us that he had done extensive testing with the Balls in Baja and had found that they perform well at high speeds if inflated to 16psi and used only with a small carcass tire. I will never ride or race again without Tire Balls. Even with 16psi and 49 balls in the Pirelli MT 18, the traction was superb and the tires lasted longer. When it was all over we finished 2nd place Pro 30 class #304x. The tire that we finished on had over 500 miles on it and it even did a district race after that. After changing the tires I found that there were only 6 Ball failures for the Baja 1000.

At the Best In The Desert Terrible's Town 250 we rode our Tire Balls XR650R #340 to a 1st OPEN AM. This was the rockiest race I have raced and the Tire Balls performed great. The front wheel took some HUGE hits. There is absolutely no possible way a tube could have survived. Thanks for the great product!

Todd Starks

More of the application charts have been updated to assist customers in selecting the correct size Tire Ball to fit their particular vehicle and tire choice. These application charts can be found by opening applications button on the left border and drill down for wheel and rim size.

We have found a better source for the standard inflation regulator, so we are able to lower our price from $146.95 down to $99.95.

Jeff Brest and his team did a great job of providing Tire Ball track-side assistance during the extreme weather at Steel Creek. Jeff is the Tire Ball Authorized Sales and Service Agent for the GNCC and Iowa ATV Hare Scrambles Series. To schedule an appointment for either of these events you can contact Jeff at: 815-405-2645.

The ATV event went as scheduled but the Sunday motorcycle events were postponed due to extreme high winds and falling trees throughout the morning. Bill Ballance made the finish line in 1st with 15 out of the next 17 finishers also using Tire Balls.

Tim Lenig won overall in the morning race also taking the win in the 4-Stroke Stock Class using a wheel set borrowed from Tyler Lenig who rode the afternoon race and finished 4th in 4-Stroke B. Tire Balls can take the punishment and minimize tire wear. Brandon Sommers put in another top finish in the 4-Stroke B class also using Tire Balls. Stephanie Parton out dueled Traci Cecco as they finished 1-2 in the womens class both using Tire Balls. Mike Penland finshed 1st Utilty Stock and Scott Kilby 1st Utility Modified.

Tire Ball riders take 4 of the 5 top overall positions including 1st Dustin Gibson and 2nd Jeff Cregg. Once again Travis Green put in a good 4th overall finish while winning the 250A class.

Dirt Rider 24 Hour Test May 2005 "The Sherco (4.5i) comes standard with Tire Balls instead of inner tubes!" "..they worked great throughout the test. They offered excellent traction..". "The single set of Michelins lasted the entire test and still looked great afterward."

ATV Magazine Spring 2005 "Best On The Trail Product" Awarded to Tire Balls.

Tire Ball users clean up at this round!

Craig Reed (Tire Ball) Overall Winner of the afternoon ATV race, while 8 of the top 9 motorcycle finishers were Tire Ball users. Jeff Cregg, Scott Summers, Dustin Gibson, PA Allen, Robert Patterson (1st Vet A), Travis Green (1st 250A), and John Robbins finished behind Australian world enduro champion Glenn Kearney. Other Tire Ball users also had good performances as well, Greg Elrod, Chaz Akers, Jacob Patterson, David Holleander, Wade Summers, Lupie Lambruno, Zach Nash and Cody Schoettmer. To see all of the results go to the Mid South News link to the right.

What's Holding You Up?

Online order page goes live. There are still some better photographs and descriptions needed, but you can now order Tire Ball kits lubricants and tools on line.

Ohio Tire Ball rider Brandon Sommers went down to Florahome, Florida to get some riding time in away from the cold and snow and came away with a 1st place in his class in a FTR Hare Scrambles event on 1-8-05.  In the Pro Class, Tire Ball riders Greg Trew, William Yokley and Johnny Gallagher finished 2nd, 3rd, and 4th overall. Traci Cecco won her class as well.

On 1-16-05, Brandon Sommers won the overall at a Hare Scrambles event back in Galion Ohio.  Brandon, the son of GT Thunder's Lazarus Sommers, is preparing for the opening GNCC round in Gilmer Texas on February 12th.

KTM/Tire Ball rider Charlie "Hot Rod" Mullins won the overall victory at the SE & TRA Series Diamondback Hare Scrambles Event in Resaca Georgia.  Mullins lead wire to wire to edge out Team Kawasaki GNCC regular Chuckie Woodford.

KTM/Tire Ball rider Dustin Gibson took the overall victory at the Mid South Hare Scrambles Event in Luka, MS.  Gibson edged John Maschino and Jeff Cregg for the win.  Other Tire Ball riders finishing in the top 10 overall were P.A. Allen (5th) and Robert Patterson (10th).

Charlie "Hot Rod" Mullins (right) makes it 2 in a row as he took the overall victory at the Mid South Winter Series Hare Scrambles Event in Salem, KY.  The KTM/Tire Ball rider jumped out to a comfortable lead on the first lap and coasted to the victory over Tire Ball rider Dustin Gibson.  Other Tire Ball equipped riders finishing in the top 10 overall were P.A. Allen (4th), Travis Green (9th) and Sarges Cycles' Robert Patterson (10th).

The Japanese BajaBrothers.com team of Katsuhisa Mikami finished 2nd in the P-21 class at the 2004 Baja 1000 on November 20th.  They rode a well prepared Honda XR-250 equipped with Tire Balls.  Katsuhisa, pictured below left, said "Tire Balls worked perfect for us at the Baja thanks to the great feeling, great lightness and toughness.  I am writing an article for a Japanese magazine about the race and I will most certainly include how Tire Balls worked and kept us flat free for the entire event!

Team Green Kawasaki/Tire Ball rider Destry Abbott was crowned the 2004 National Hare & Hound Champion at the final round in Lucerne Valley, CA.  Destry earned the #1 plate by taking 4 wins and a second in the 7 race series.  Congratulations Destry!

Parts Unlimited/Moose Racing/Tire Ball/Honda's Scott Summers (right) was the overall winner at the final round of the AAGP Offroad Series in Sugo, Japan on 11-14-04. Summers topped a large International field of riders by 5 minutes at the end of the 3 hour event, Australian rider Damien Smith finished 2nd. The 6 mile course consisted of paved roads, gravel roads, a motocross course and technical woods sections. Scott was the guest of Honda and EK Chains, he visited the EK Factory and tested their new "Zero Stretch" chain which will be available in Scott said "Having Tire Balls was a big advantage for me, the course was rocky in places and the 2nd place rider got a flat tire!"

Team KTM/Tire Ball rider Charlie "Hot Rod" Mullins took the overall victory at Mid South Hare Scrambles Series event in Lynnville, IN  Other Tire Ball riders finishing in the top 10 were P.A. Allen (4th), Dustin Gibson (6th) and Robert Patterson (8th).

East Coast ATV's Chris Borich, Team Safari's Matt Smiley and GNC motocross star John Natalie took the overall victory on Saturday Oct. 30th at the Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America at Fort Dodge, IA.  After 12 hours of hard fought racing, they edged the Maxxis Tires Team of GNCC regulars Bill Ballance, Brandon Ballance and Johnny Gallagher by 42 seconds.  Complete results will be posted soon.  Borich's team ran the same tires the entire race with no problems.  Chris said "The Maxxis tires and Tire Balls worked great everywhere, in the woods, in the high speed sections and in the motocross sections"

AM PRO Yamaha's Barry Hawk finished the GNCC season by winning the last round at Crawfordsville, IN, Hawk won the final 3 rounds to finish 3rd in the season points after a mid-season injury forced him to miss a few events. Tire Ball riders finishing in the top 10 were Cole Calkins, P A Allen, Charlie Mullins and Scott Summers. Suzuki's Rodney Smith was crowned the 2004 season champion. For complete results and information go to www.gnccracing.com. Other Tire Ball riders winning their classes were Marty Michaels, Jerod Stoner and Thad Duvall.

Yoshimura Suzuki/Tire Ball rider William Yokley (pictured below) won Round 14 of the 2004 GNCC season in Crawfordsville, IN over a determined Chris Borich with Yamaha's Chris Jenks rounding out the podium. Rain fell all morning making the conditions quite muddy but the racing was hot with Yokley, Borich and Yamaha's Bill Ballance breaking away early. Ballance eventually had overheating problems and dropped out leaving the battle to Yokley and Borich, Borich had a bobble near the end letting Yokley get the victory by a few seconds. Other Tire Ball riders winning their classes were Jathon Seale, Chris Bithell, Doug Henke and Brandon Summers.