Ontario, California – ITP-backed ATV motocross racers earned four class wins and 10 podiums at round five of the 2014 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship series held in Nashport, Ohio. JB Racing / Can-Am / ITP racer Jeffrey Rastrelli took second overall in the Pro-Am class, while fellow ITP-backed Pro Ronnie Higgerson was third. Higgerson earned the top finish for Team ITP in the Pro class, matching a career-best with sixth.

“The inaugural Briarcliff ATV MX National proved to be tougher than expected, but our racers earned four class wins and numerous podiums,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support. “We still have three racers, Josh Creamer, Jeffrey Rastrelli and Ronnie Higgerson, in the top 10 of the Pro class, and Higgerson is also leading the Pro-Am class so we’re close to where we want to be after five rounds of racing.”

The Built Ford Tough Briarcliff ATV National was held at Briarcliff MX, a private motocross track outside of Nashport, Ohio, known for its rolling hills, loamy soil and many jumps. Racers had ideal weather for the weekend. Eighteen Pros and more than 20 Pro-Am racers battled it out for the top spot on each podium on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Ronnie Higgerson (BCS Performance / Can-Am / ITP) earned the highest finish for ITP, taking sixth overall with a 5-7 moto scorecard. Higgerson, who led a portion of moto one, had two great starts, matched a career-best finish and climbed to eighth overall in the Pro class point standings. Two other ITP racers had a couple of issues in Pro class at Briarcliff. Josh Creamer started a few laps down in moto one after making a last-minute mechanical repair. He paired the uncharacteristic 16th-place finish in moto one with a more solid sixth-place finish in moto two to earn 10th overall. JB Racing / Cheerwine / Can-Am rider Jeffrey Rastrelli crashed in moto one and had to settle for 18th overall.

After a night of rest, Rastrelli rebounded from his Pro class misfortunes to take second overall in the Pro-Am ranks on Sunday. He added a hard-fought, third-place podium finish with a moto-two victory to claim second place in front of fellow Can-Am / ITP pilot, Higgerson. The BCS Performance-backed Higgerson, posted a 4-3 moto scorecard on ITP tires to not only take his fourth straight podium finish, but also maintain a 20-point lead over the field in the race for the Pro-Am championship.

Team ITP racers also scored four amateur class wins at Briarcliff. “Factory” Sam Rowe (Root River Racing / Pepsi / Rage ATV / Motowoz / ITP) did a double with wins in both the 450A and Open A classes on his Honda dressed in ITP tires. He now has six podium finishes and five wins on the season and is the points leader in both classes. Dalton Hicks took second to Rowe in the Open A division. Antoher class points leader, Dylan Tremellen, took the overall victory in the Production A class. The Root River Racing / Rage ATV / FTR Powersports / ITP racer, who is currently second in the 450A class, has seven podium finishes and five wins in two classes this year. William Cottage, on a RRR-backed Honda, notched a victory for Team ITP in the Junior 25+ class.

TEAM ITP – Briarcliff MX Podium Finishers
Pro-Am: Jeffrey Rastrelli (2nd), Ronnie Higgerson (3rd),
450A: Sam Rowe (WIN)
Open A: Rowe (WIN), Dalton Hicks (2nd)
Production A: Tremellen (WIN)
Junior 25+: William Cottage (WIN)
Schoolboy Jr. (13-15): Noah Mickelson (2nd), Westley Wolfe (3rd)
Girls Jr. (6-11) Teagan Liebe (3rd)

The 2014 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Series continues, June 28-29, at the Mtn. Dew Spring Creek ATV National in Millville, Minn.

About ITP
In business for more than 30 years, ITP has become the world’s #1 ATV/UTV aftermarket tire and wheel source. ITP utilizes its experienced staff of engineers, designers and technicians at its two American tire facilities in Clinton, Tenn., and Jackson, Tenn., to develop award-winning tire-and-wheel designs for virtually all ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. Numerous outlets distribute ITP tires across the United States and in more than 25 countries worldwide. For a full-color ITP catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-889-7367.  www.itptires.com