~http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=12661926~

Content guidelines on children’s everyday toys. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) has effectively banned the sale of youth off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is calling for action now to help reverse the potentially devestating effect this could have on the sport of OHV recreation.

“The unavailability of youth OHVs will devastate family OHV recreation and cripple amateur competition, creating a domino effect across all aspects of motorized recreation,” said AMA Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. “All motorcyclists, whether they recreate off-road or not, need to come to the defense of our youngest riders and help ensure the future availability of youth OHVs.”

A quick and effective way to help is to write or call your representative and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and let them know petitions exist to exclude certain vehicles from the final rule governing the law. You can send your representative a letter by using the Take Action button in the Issues and Legislation section of ~http://www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com~. To contact the CPSC directly, use the contact form here.

According to section 101(a) of the enacted legislation, all youth products containing lead must have less than 600 parts per million (ppm) by weight. The CPSC has interpreted the law to apply to various components of youth OHVs including the engine, brakes, suspension, battery and other mechanical parts. Even though the lead levels in these parts are small, they are still above the minimum threshold.

In order to assure continued availability and access to youth OHVs, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and Specialty Vehicle Industry Association (SVIA) submitted petitions to the CPSC asking that certain vehicles be excluded from the final rule governing the law.

“It is critical that Congress and the CPSC know that these petitions exist and that by acting on them they will maintain a vital form of recreation for American families, preserve youth racing and protect the thousands of jobs associated with this industry,” Moreland added. “We are asking all motorcyclists to write or call their representatives and the CPSC today and ask them to approve the petition to exclude youth OHVs from the CPSIA lead content requirements.”

TORONTO, Ont. û An expanded schedule, reduced age requirement and exciting champion’s top prize are among the improvements unveiled for the Honda CBR125R Challenge for 2009.

The series for aspiring road racers is entering its second season as a support division in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship national tour. Last year’s inaugural champion was 14-year-old Raphael Archambault of St-Colomban, Que., who despite some very close battles managed to sweep all five races.

“The debut season for the Honda CBR125R Challenge provided exactly what we were looking for in an entry level division,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, which organizes the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “Every race was a nail-biter and some very talented young racers made a big impression.”

The 2009 calendar will consist of seven events, opening at Calabogie Motorsports Park May 22-24 and concluding at Shannonville Motorsport Park Sept. 4-6.

A highlight of the season will be a doubleheader in conjunction with the Parts Canada Superbike round at Calgary’s Race City Motorsport Park. The Honda CBR125R Challenge competitors will race on the Race City road course Sunday, June 28 and compete on the Varsity Chrysler Speed Park circuit adjacent to the big track the following day. That event will be hosted by the Alberta Mini RoadRacing Association.

Additionally, the Honda series will graduate to the full Mosport International Raceway road course for round five of its series July 17-19 after running on the smaller Development Track last summer.

Other rounds for the Honda CBR125R Challenge include a date at the new Circuit ICAR facility in Mirabel, QC June 12-14 and a return to Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, NS Aug. 7-9. All races will offer a total purse of $3,000, as in 2008.

In addition to the expanded schedule, efforts have been made to broaden the reach of the series with the lowering of the minimum age requirement from 14 to 13 years old.

And the year-end awards pot has been sweetened by a trip to the Kevin Schwantz School at Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham, Ala. for the Honda CBR125R Challenge champion. Defending champ Archambault will shortly be making his visit to the racing school run by the 1993 Grand Prix World Champion.

“We think the changes to the 2009 Honda CBR125R Challenge will make the series even more appealing to Canada’s up-and-coming racers,” said Honda Canada’s Kim Moore. “The AMRA is a very successful organization and offers us a strong partnership, and what young racer wouldn’t be thrilled to have the chance to learn from a world champion like Kevin Schwantz?”

The Shannonville-based RACE organization will offer a school for Honda CBR125R Challenge competitors on May 15 at a cost of $250.