Honda's Joe Byrd soars whenever he's on an ATV. Born November 27, 1972 (just a few days ago before this article is published), this 34 year old makes an amazing team with his wife, Heather, both on the family-front and on the track. For the past 13 years, Joe Byrd has shown and proven to the world what ATV racing is all about. And he continues to do this with the Joe Byrd Quad Riding School , hand in hand with his wife and his staff, he spreads the knowledge of safe ATV riding among those who wish to become pros and those who just want to take up ATV as a sport or hobby.

Joe Byrd started young at the age of 13 and built his ATV racing career through a full-time mechanic. Byrd's dedication and commitment showed and sponsors believed that he could make it big in the ATV racing scene, therefore, throughout his career, he had support from many sponsors. His talent is indisputable especially when he won the ATVA MX championship; and this is when he was offered a full sponsorship from Honda.

After entering the ATV racing scene, Joe Byrd won his first race in 1994 in the AMA Grand National ATV Series where he took the 5 th spot. After a lapse of 8 years of no-wins, he did not despair. Focusing on this business and family, he slowly built his great come-back and took 2 nd place in the ATVA Grand National MX Series. From then on, Joe Byrd had his foot on the accelerator as he took the 9 th place in year 2004 and 4 th placing for in 2005 for the same championship. And if he keeps up to pace, many predict that Joe Byrd might snag one of the top 10 placing this year (2006) too! His form is admirable so far and there's no doubt that he has put a lot of effort into fine-tuning this ATV racing techniques. As the standard of ATV racing continue to rise, ATV racers who do not spend enough time sharpening their ATV racing skills will drop out of the scene. But Joe Byrd is not about to.

Joe Byrd who stands tall at 6'5” has lots to be happy about because he just spent the first year as a Red Rider. On his TRX450R, he was just 6 points shy of the third placing last year. As year 2006 comes to a close, Joe Byrd seems keen on showing the world what he capable of on his ATV – although seeing his tall frame beside his ATV is akin of seeing a giant beside a small bicycle. Right now, he is sitting on the second spot behind his Honda teammate, John Natalie.

This Tennessee native is a fantastic role model to young kids who aspire to be ATV racers and although he promotes ATV racing as a sport and career, he never fails to emphasize the importance of safety especially when it comes to kids. For someone who has been racing since he was 13, he should know what ATV safety is all about. When he first entered the ATV racing scene, he showed such caliber that many people were impressed with his talent. Although Joe Byrd failed to grab the golden ring in 2003, it was noticed that he was just four measly points away from it.

If Joe Byrd wasn't any good on an ATV, why would so many internationally renowned ATV companies sponsor him? To name a few, Joe Byrd is sponsored by Honda, Kenda, IMS, Hardkor, FOUR, Custom Axis, Pro Armor, DASA, TAG Metals, Douglas Wheels, Yoshimura, Tokyomods, Hinson Racing, Outerwears and many more.

If you are ever in Tennessee , you should check out Joe Byrd's ATV riding school where it's a known fact that he, sometimes, pops in and makes conducts classes himself. The last we heard, his class (weekend ones) costs about $400 and the many people who went there for ATV riding classes acknowledges the fact that the $400 was, indeed, well-spent. During the class, Joe Byrd teaches everything relating to ATV riding, health and nutrition, general good exercise habits and techniques to better ATV racing.

Frankly, who better to take ATV riding lessons than from someone as dedicated and committed as Joe Byrd. No one.