Through the mud

If I cut myself now, it would bleed Wera green!

Although street-legal in Germany, these vehicles remain rare and are still a rare sight on German roads.

The All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or Quad bike as it is commonly known, is designed to handle a much wider variety of terrain than most other vehicles. Quad bikes travel on low-pressure tyres and operate very much like a motorcycle, with the extra wheels giving it more stability at slower speeds. By design Quad Bikes are most at home in the dirt and mud and excel in rough and rugged terrain. Despite being a street-legal vehicle in Germany, spotting one is unlikely as they are still relatively rare and not often seen on German roads.

Allow us to introduce Mr Franz-Josef Schneider, Branch Manager at Detlev Louis Regensburg, a known dealer for Motorcycles and sporting goods. After 12 years of Army service, he started anew as a salesman at Louis in 2008 and worked his way up, with the aim of eventually running the company. Four years later, his goal became a reality and is now the proud Branch Manager for the Detlev Louis outlet in Regensburg.

However, this alone does not make him a Tool Rebel…

Franz-Josef is an avid motorcyclist, and found it incredibly difficult to “hang up his motorcycle gloves” despite being injured in a serious incident in 2000. A few years after the accident, an opportunity arose, which he could not resist – to test drive a Trike and Quad through a local motorcycle dealership. He immediately re-discovered his passion for all things bike related, more specifically an obsession for Quadbikes.

“Somehow it was like I was born to ride on 4 wheels from the beginning.”

Accordingly, it did not take him long to become the proud owner of his first ATV, a 200 Yamaha Blaster – A two stroke, air cooled 200cc monster! As they say, this was just the beginning for Franz-Josef… ATV Sport models are built with performance, rather than utility in mind. To be successful at fast trail riding, an ATV must have light weight, high power, good suspension and a low centre of gravity. So, investing in a faster vehicle, Franz-Josef starting competing. The investment in a faster vehicle paid off, so that in the years 2013 and 2014 he became the German champion in quad sports.

After the championship title could not be defended in 2015, 2016 begins with new energy and enthusiasm to reclaim the title!

During our interview with Mr. Schneider, it became apparent that the ATV Racing scene in Germany is very much a family affair, before, during and after the race. There is a deep camaraderie between fellow racers, not only between the teammates, but also between opponents, but like every profession, funding and money plays a major role.

As everywhere, money plays a major role here too.

The ATV Racing scene in Germany, unlike in the US, is not particularly well known and sadly does not attract many sponsors.

Drivers are usually on their own. Quads, spare parts, and entry fees must, in most cases, be covered personally. Young drivers, in particular, struggle with the high costs they have to bear.

„I am a person who takes action and cares.“

When his passion for quad sports began in 2004, he founded the first quad club in Regensburg and led it until 2014.