Owners of all-terrain vehicles understand that because of the nature of the beast, their ATV is going to get dirty. Whether it is used as a utility vehicle on the farm, a recreation vehicle on the trails, or a racing vehicle on the track, dirt, or desert course, it is going to get messy. Also, probably ATV owners wouldn’t want it any other way.

However, then there are times when you want your pride and joy to look as shiny as it deserves. So you may rely on all purpose cleaners you can buy at the hardware store. Usually, these formulas fall short of achieving the best shine. No doubt you wonder why no one has come up with a substance that has been formulated to specifically improve the finish of ATVs.

Well, actually there is such a product. It is called Plastic Gloss, and it is offered by a company called Nova Fluids of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The owner of the company, James Anderson, owns an ATV, and he is passionate about it. He wants it to look good, and he has discovered that other ATV owners want their machines to look good, too.

So he came up with Plastic Gloss, a shine product. Once applied it acts like Teflon. Dirt and grime can be removed by simply spraying the ATV with water from a hose. He mixed the formula himself. The process evolved over time as he would keep improving the formula in the garage of his home and then test it on his compost --or recycling--bin. He had discovered that the material used for the outer portion of the bin is made of the same material as an ATV. “So I would come up with a formula and then test it out on my compost bin. As I improved the formula, I would test it on the bin. Eventually I had the shiniest recycling bin in the region.”

"This new, vibrant and dynamic ATVA logo reflects the association's mission to promote the ATV lifestyle and protect the future of the sport," said AMA/ATVA President and CEO Rob Dingman.

The ATVA's new logo is similar to the AMA's logo in type style and colors. The red, white and blue logo has a modern look with ATV in red, the final A in blue, a white outline for the letters, and the name -- All-Terrain Vehicle Association -- below the letters.

The ATVA is dedicated to increasing its members' enjoyment of riding and owning ATVs, and it is a primary source of information about recreational riding opportunities. As America's largest off-highway vehicle (OHV) organizations, the AMA and ATVA advocate for OHV rider interests with dedicated government relations offices and staff in Washington, D.C., the western U.S., and in the organizational headquarters of Pickerington, Ohio. Through clubs, promoters and partners, the two associations sanction more than 4000 recreational and racing events annually. AMA and ATVA members also receive numerous money-saving discounts from a variety of service and ATV-related suppliers.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA), as part of the American Motorcyclist Association, promotes ATV riding and protects the future of ATV riding in America. The ATVA advocates for riders' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. The ATVA is an authoritative source of information about where and how to ride, products, events, racing, and safe riding practices. ATVA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of ATV-related services, gear and apparel, transport, hotel stays and more.

"In order to win those trophies you've got to have your Cobra bikes and ATVs running in tip-top shape," said Cobra President Sean Hilbert. "The Cobra contingency program, featuring Cobra Bucks, is set up to help our racers put together the best possible bikes and ATVs for their competition needs."

Redeemable at Cobra HQ, Cobra Bucks can be earned at events ranging from the amateur MX Nationals openers in Texas (Lake Whitney and Oak Hill) all the way through the major NMA events, Loretta qualifiers and Loretta's and into Thanksgiving at the Mini Os - 10 major races and four overall series payouts for the CX 50cc and 65cc bikes is a contingency record for Cobra.

"We've really put a great deal of emphasis on Cobra contingency backing on the new CX65," added Hilbert

Cobra mini cycle contingency races and series include:

• Lake Whitney
• Oak Hill
• Vegas World Mini GP
• Sweney Cycle Park Pro/Am
• Loretta Lynn's Regional Qualifiers
• Loretta Lynn's Amateur National Championships
• Ponca City
• Baja Brawl
• Branson
• Mini Os
• American Bluegrass Championship Series
• Texas Winter Series
• Unlimited Sports Winter Am Series
• California Gold Cup

One of the first things you will want to do is decide what kind of ATV racing you want to try. There are several major types of racing including motocross, cross-country, and flat track or TT racing just to name a few.