Zakowski Motorsports' Kevin Trantham Wins at Steele Creek GNCC
Can-Am GNCC ATV Racing - Round 3 - Steele Creek - March 26, 2011

Menasha, WI (3/31/2011) - It’s a good thing the track ran through the water at the FMF/Steele Creek GNCC in North Carolina because Zakowski Motorsports rider Kevin Trantham lit the field on fire during the 2-hour race, taking a back-to-back 3rd utility overall finish and claiming another 4x4 Lites Class win. As Kevin’s fire roared, no one could mistake the smell of burning rubber coming off fellow teammate Zac Zakowski’s Kenda Tires, after going 3-0 for 4x4 Open hole-shots at round number three.
Kevin placed himself in utility overall contention at the past two rounds, all while running half the horsepower of his fellow competitors. With the top overall finishers riding up to 850cc power-plants, Kevin has been nipping at their heels on his small but mighty Ron Woods/Can-am Outlander 500EFI, finishing only three seconds behind 2nd place, a huge level of accomplishment for the North Carolina native.
“I am truly amazed to make it up on the utility podium in 3rd for the second time in three races. It takes a near perfect set-up to put a 500 up against all the 800’s out there and stand on the box. The Zakowski Motorsports/Can-Am Outlander is truly a creation equivalent to that of a mad scientist and hopefully the results will continue to show that,” stated Kevin.
The #990 of Zac Zakowski has his quad dialed, taking all three 4x4 Open hole-shots to date. Zac led the class into the woods where a vine caught his tire, resulting in an unfortunate “get-off” and a broken tether-cord. After struggling to get the quad started, Zakowski was back at it with thirteen minutes separating him from the leaders. Ending the day with his head up, Zac strived forward and got some necessary points.

Zakowski had this to say afterwards, “The start of this year has been rough on me so far with my injury in Florida and bad-luck here. By the time I got my quad fixed and back running, I was just too far back to make any headway. I have never had good luck at the start of the season but if my previous years show anything I should be gaining momentum here soon, so cross your fingers and hope to see me up there with Kevin! Oh, and by the way, Kevin is nuts on that 500!”
Heading into South Carolina, Kevin currently holds a five point lead with three wins for the 4x4 Lites championship. With Kevin’s confidence and Zac back to 100%, the team is ready to make some noise. Look for Zac and Kevin to make their UTV racing début next weekend in South Carolina, with Zac piloting their all new #990 Can-am Commander 1000X in the premier UTV Modified class. If you don’t see it, you’ll hear it!
Zakowski Motorsports would like to thank our 2011 partners:
Can-am/BRP, Countryside Auto Transport Inc., Kenda Tires, Amsoil Synthetics, Ron Woods Racing, Moose Racing, Custom Axis, JET Suspensions, Tire-Balls, STM Clutches, Rath Racing, CP-Pistons, All Terrain Research, Fasst Company., Wicked Bilt, Straightline Performance, FrogzSkin, Strike Grafix, Scott USA, OMF Wheels, Spider Grips, Janssen Motorsports, Richardson Racing Products, ASV Inventions, Bopp Race Components, DP Brakes,Carbo-Rocket Atvriders.com, X-Country Photos

Zakowski Motorsports Welcomes European ATV Racer Marko Jager

European Pro Utility ATV Racer Marko Jager aboard a Zakowski Motorsports Can-Am Outlander 800

Zakowski Motorsports is happy to announce some news for round number 10 of this year’s GNCC circuit. In an attempt to help the sport of utility ATV racing grow and think outside-the-box, Zakowski Motorsports has expanded their efforts across our borders and over the seas to the very beautiful European Country of Slovenia where one of Europe’s best utility racers rests his head, dreaming of one day racing at a GNCC. Zakowski Motorsports was able to make his dream come true as he has flown here to race Unadilla on the fully ZMS supported #15 4x4 Open Can-am Outlander 800 along with Zac Zakowski.
Marko Jager, a 30 year old Service Manager for one of the largest BRP distributors in Europe from Prebold Slovenia, is a common topic in the homes of many ATV enthusiasts across Europe, known as “The” fastest utility racer around. Throughout his career, Marko has won some of the most prestigious races in Europe such as the 2011 Rally Albania, 2011 Red Bull ERZBERG, and the 2011 Enduro Masters in Austria.
Having won everything there is in Europe, Marko and his Entourage have finally come here to the USA to see if they have what it takes to run with the best in America’s toughest off-road racing series. Determined to come and race the best series on the best equipment, ZMS was who they called to have the opportunity of a lifetime to build this partnership.
“Having Marko and his crew here has truly been an honor. This is a huge step forward for utility racing and I hope that this will help the sport. Having ridden with Marko for the past week I really feel that he is just as fast as the rest of us in the GNCC’s and I can’t wait to see him get this Zakowski Motorsport/Ron Woods Can-am Outlander 800 on the podium!” stated Zakowski.
 Make sure to keep posted on the results of “Mad-Man” Marko Jager and the entire ZMS team this weekend to see a little European style and watch as Kevin Trantham and Zac Zakowski chase down the championship.

Zakowski Motorsports back on the podium Zac Zakowski lands a 3rd overall finish

 With the points chase coming down to the wire, 4x4 Open rider Zac Zakowski was back to lighting fumes and burning rubber this weekend as the GNCC’s headed to Somerset, PA. Zac not only took his 9th straight holeshot, but swept the 3rd place spot, taking 3rd overall, 3rd overall utility, and 3rd in 4x4 Open. With a season where nothing seemed to go right, with injury and pure bad-luck, this finish was long awaited in the ZMS pits. Taking the holeshot, Zac led the field for much of the first lap before settling into third in the freight train. Feeling comfortable with the pace, Zac kept tight with the leaders just waiting to make a move.
Once in 2nd, the crosshairs were set on the number one spot with two laps to go. The pits were humming as Paul Zakowski and crew made a last minute call to not stop for fuel. Only 15 seconds behind first place and gaining, a flicker in the engine made everyone’s heart stop.
With one lap left Zac was not just able to hold on until the finish, but with an engine struggling to stay together he would fight tooth and nail all the way until the end with 2nd, not losing much time on 1st in doing so.
“Man I’m so happy to be back up here on the podium, problems aside. I had an awesome race going and even when I had half the power at the end I was still able to keep up with these guys and swap some paint! I definitely don’t want to get off of the podium from here on out!” stated Zakowski.
Lites rider Kevin Trantham took control of the holeshot, trying to synch the Lites championship early on. Kevin strutted his stuff as he led the pack to the first rock section. Halfway through the grueling rock garden, a rock would jar the front end just right, breaking a steering component and leaving Kevin stranded.
With the typical ups and down of racing, ZMS and racers are finally starting to get back into the right grove and make it happen. With Zac back on his game, Kevin ever so close to a championship, and the success of Marko Jager, ZMS is on the move and not about to go anywhere.
Zakowski Motorsports would like to thank our 2011 partners:
All Terrain Research, Can-am/BRP, Countryside Auto Transport Inc., Kenda Tires, Amsoil Synthetics, Ron Woods Racing, Moose Racing, Custom Axis Shocks, JET Suspensions, Tire-Balls, STM Clutches, Rath Racing, CP-Pistons, K&N Air-filters, Kali Protective’s, FLEXX Handlebars, Wicked Bilt, Straightline Performance, FrogzSkin, Strike Grafix, Scott USA, OMF Wheels, Spider Grips, Janssen Motorsports, Richardson Racing Products, ASV Inventions, DP Brakes, Carbo-Rocket, Atvriders.com, X-Country Photos