This Well-Rounded Group Of ATV Enthusiasts Is Dedicated To Raising The Bar For ATV Rider.
It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In the business world, having a competitor recruit your employees can be viewed in the same light. There is a new ATV magazine starting up, and its publisher chose to hire Billy Bartels and John Howell, who have helped make ATV Rider what it is today- the best ATV magazine in the market. We wish them the best, but I want to assure you, the readers of ATV Rider, that we still have a great team here that is dedicated to producing the most-informative and most-entertaining magazine available for recreational ATV enthusiasts.
Unless you enjoy reading the masthead, you likely have not noticed my presence at the magazine. I have been the publisher from the beginning, which means that I put together the plans to get ATV Rider started, including assembling the staff and setting the direction and goals. My history with ATVs extends back to the late 1970s, when my father bought one of the original balloon-tired ATC 90s for our regular trips to the Glamis sand dunes. We owned nearly every three-wheeler model sold over the next few years, including several of the groundbreaking Honda 250Rs. At the age of 14, I caught the racing bug and began competing at local tracks in Southern California. I quickly learned from some of the biggest names in the formative years of ATV racing: Dean Sundahl, Steve Wright, Mike Coe, Donnie Luce, Jimmy White and Marty Hart. After transitioning to quads, I became a regular top-five finisher and occasional winner at the AATVA Nationals and the incredibly popular Mickey Thompson series, which sold out major stadiums during the mid- to late '80s (this off-road buggy, truck and ATV series attracted larger crowds than supercross). Gary Denton, Rodney Gentry and Donnie Banks were among the guys whom I had to beat to win races. I am not telling you all of this to boast; instead, I want you to know that I can relate to your passion for the enjoyment that ATVs provide and, along with a great team of equally qualified and passionate associates, intend to continue to use that understanding to guide the direction of ATV Rider.
Technical Editor Todd Canavan has proven to be a great asset to the ATV Rider staff, drawing on years of experience in all forms of the powersports industry. His mechanical expertise helps him provide great feedback on the performance of ATVs and quality of performance parts. Staff photographer Adam Campbell is an accomplished ATV racer who has spent more than 15 years riding, racing and photographing our beloved vehicles. Despite his many years of involvement, it is difficult to find anybody more enthusiastic about ATVs. East Coast Editor Thad Josey is new to the team but is no stranger to the ATV market. He has raced ATVs for years and, from his home base in Atlanta, will be our eyes, ears and voice at the races. He will also provide great input for bike and product testing. Outdoors Editor Lee Klancher will continue to deliver entertaining outdoor, adventure and sport-utility stories from the Midwest. Last but not least, Contributing Editor Len Nelson will continue to provide a variety of stories from the woods riding haven of Burnsville, North Carolina.
This well-rounded group of ATV enthusiasts is dedicated to raising the bar for ATV Rider and packing every issue with the information and entertainment that will keep you, our valued readers, coming back for more. To ensure that we do this, I invite you to let us know what you think we have done right or wrong or haven't done. Send an e-mail to us at atvrider@primedia.com. -Sean Finley