Introducing Clutch Industries

Clutch Industries “Mix Up Series” Leatt brace.You may have seen the new Clutch Industries web banners floating around on ATV Scene and wondered what the newest company in our industry is all about.

Clutch Industries is a graphics and apparel company created by accomplished ATV motocross racer Ross Dantonio. Not, your ordinary decal outfit, Clutch Industries sees no reason that someone pitting from the back of a pickup truck can’t have the same professional image as the full-blown high-dollar factory race teams.

Recently I met up with Cale Downen in Florida and noticed his new neck brace had more style than most that I’ve seen. A closer look revealed that Cale’s Leatt brace featured the handiwork of Clutch Industries. I’ve always had a deep respect for anyone with creativity and originality, and after seeing Cale’s way-cool Leatt brace, clearly Ross Dantonio’s Clutch Industries brings outside the box design to what is currently available in the moto-graphics scene. With that said, I thought it would be a good idea to get the lowdown on Clutch Industries from Ross himself, here’s what he had to say in our interview…

Congrats on your new company. After years of watching you doodle with Photoshop I knew it was only a matter of time before you got serious about your talent. Didn’t you also go to school to study graphic art?
Thank you. Yes, I went to Bowling Green State University and studied under the BFA Graphic Design program.

I would imaging going to school has helped you tremendously.
Absolutely, anyone can pick up the Adobe Suite and create an ad or graphic design, however few have the education in typography and color theory to make things professionally pop. With my ATV background and what I’ve been learning in the digital graphic field I think I have a good grasp on what people will want in the ATV moto industry.

What do you mean by “Graphic Innovation” and what will Clutch offer that the industry currently doesn’t?
While we can and do offer “standard” graphics kits, I want to create something that is unique and will stand out against every other company out there. In short, Clutch Industries offers riders a creative image along with a level of professionalism formally reserved for just the top teams in the industry.

Clutch allows riders the choose from an almost endless amount of color choices. Their designs are 2d in nature. This way when sponsor stickers are applied they will automatically pop, providing an efficient way for riders who can’t afford custom kits, to

 

“Flash Series” Leatt brace.Talk a bit about some of the products in the photos seen in this interview.
The highlight of what Clutch Industries has to offer is what we are calling our Flash Series. The inspiration for this graphic line can be found all over your local tattoo parlor’s walls. Nothing like this has ever been done in the motorsports industry. We also take pride in our Inked Series, which is originally designed to be more subtle and easier for riders to slap sponsor stickers on but still have a custom unique look. And our CMYK Color Scheme will be a hit as well. I think we’re really going to turn a lot of heads for sure.

 Just Quads?
Actually while I was at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo a couple representatives from Parts Unlimited took notice of some of stuff we had on display and wanted us to produce the kits for dirt bikes as well. They said that they firmly believe that Clutch Industries can give everyone currently in the moto graphic industry a good run for their money. So we may go down the two-wheeled road, but right now I’m concentrating on my passion, which is ATVs.

Good for you on the positive feedback at Indy.
Thanks. It was really cool to get positive reinforcement from Parts Unlimited, especially this early in the game. It totally boosts my confidence.

How does someone go about getting the goods?
They can go to our site, clutchind.com, but as of right now it’s still not quite done, so for those that need something right now they can just e mail me at ross@clutchind.com. Dealer applications are available as well.

Clutch Industries Flash Series graphics seen here. Complete graphics kits like this one are available for most sport ATVs on the market.

 

It looks as though Clutch will be offering graphics kits for not so ordinary places.
Exactly, we plan to snazz up the ATV race scene. We will be producing graphics for all sorts of stuff that hasn’t been thought of before, including neck braces, tool boxes, pit boards, sponsor strips, motor mounts, and more.

You mentioned more than graphics. What else do you have up your sleeve?
Yes, Clutch will not be limited to graphics. I’m probably letting the cat out of the bag too early here, but we are in the middle of some interesting prototype testing right now. Hopefully by the end of the 2009 season we will have developed and released the first holeshot device for quads. I need to be pretty tight-lipped about this one, but I assure you ATV Scene will be the first to hear about this once we go to production with it.

Here’s something unique. They’re Beadlock Cap graphic kits. These kits are fully customizible with rider number or sponsor and shop logos. They come in a set of two and retail for just $10.50.

You have my curiosity and I can’t wait to see what this is all about. Speaking of the future, what are your long term plans for Clutch Industries?
I want Clutch to be the first company that riders and people in the industry think of when they need custom-looking graphics, number-plates, etc. I plan to use my design education to set a new standard in ATV graphics.

Do you plan on sponsoring any riders?
Yes and I have a plan in the works that I’m calling the Clutch Mid-Pack Program. I plan to award a set of graphics and number plates to a chosen overall 4th-8th place finisher in a select class at each motocross national. Most of the time the guys finishing up front already have the support they need, it’s the mid-pack guys that are hoping to catch a break. They’re the ones that are looking for someone to take a chance on them and show them some support, and that’s the kind of rider that I want to help out. I think every racer can understand where I’m coming from, as everyone has been in that position at some point of their career.

So your sponsorship is more of a don’t-call-us-we’ll-call-you” program?
Not necessarily, we’ve already signed on a few riders like Cale Downen, Sage Baker, Andrew Pruzinsky, Angela Butler. Jamie Jones, Mitch Reynolds among others. Clutch is currently looking for riders to sponsor, and unlike other companies in the industry our sponsorship season is always open. So if you want the hook up, send a resume to ross@clutchind.com or stop by my trailer at the races.

These are just a few of the ever evolving T-shirts available from Clutch Industries. All styles are available in small to extra large.

It sounds like you’re going to be pretty busy in the future. Do you plan to hire some help?
Right now I’m the guy calling all the shots. As the company grows our staff of fulltime artists will grow as well. I plan to have some artist series graphics out soon where we will feature the artwork of various artists in our industry. I think those designs will be a big hit with the recreational and dune crowd as well.

Why did you choose the name Clutch Industries?
I thought long and hard about this one. In regards to a quad or bike the clutch controls the power. It delivers the power to put you in the corner first, or to flip you over and leave your ass in the dirt. Clutch Industries wants riders to have total control over their image. One controls that image by how they represent themselves on and off the quad. I want to use my graphic design education to help riders and companies market themselves better and become more successful. You can only go as far in your racing career as you imagine. I’ve always been a firm believer in attacking your dreams, not just reaching for them. Hopefully Clutch Industries can help people attack and control their dreams.

 I think you’ve got a big winner here. And this is certainly going to take up a lot of your time. Are you still planning on racing the nationals?
Absolutely, I’m not ready to give my racing up yet. In fact, I recently accepted a sponsorship offer from KTM. I’m super stoked to be racing their new 450SX this year. I’m especially excited to be able to race a pretty-much bone stock quad at the Nationals. I didn’t think we would ever see the day.

What class this year?
I’ve been hitting the gym like a madman, but unlike most of the Pro-Am riders now days, I haven’t gotten a lot of track time this Winter. With all of the work involved in starting a business I haven’t been able to ride as often as I would like. So I’m going to start the season out racing in the A and 16-24 class. If I’m doing well there, I’ll include a Pro-Am class in the mix as well. Regardless, I’m going out there to have fun and promote my sponsors. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. Thanks Lone Star Racing, Flexx Bars, HMF, Scott USA, O’Neil MX, Moto X Nutrition and PEP, Thanks guys!

What’s your opinion on the upcoming race season?
It’s going to be interesting one for sure. I think we will see less racers and vendors. It’s a tough call, ATV Motocross is growing by leaps and bounds, however the economy is in the toilet and therefore everyone has to make cutbacks. For years the aftermarket companies kept our sport alive. Currently, due to our economy, I feel that now we need to lean on the OEMs to keep our heads afloat during these tough times. In the future I would love to see the factories dig deep and find a way to spend a little more to support the sport even further, meanwhile the aftermarket companies would be able to focus on setting up their teams and promoting sponsors. Can you imagine what the races would be like if we had a dozen or so Media All Star-like teams? Exposure and progression would launch through the roof!

I know you want to play an active part on ATV Scene, what are your plans there?
Yes this has always been my favorite ATV website, so I want to provide its readers with a behind the scenes look at what the racers go through throughout the year. I plan to provide features from behind the scenes at photo shoots, bike builds, practice sessions and of course the general shanagains and pranks that surround this industry. Basically I want to provide a fun-filled backstage pass to what happens in the life of a quad racer and I think people will dig it.

Any parting words?
Yes, with the economic forecast of doom and gloom predicted for 2009 I hope riders and families can find a way to continue to do the things they enjoy. I hope to continue to see all my friends at the Nationals. Car pool, camp out at the track, do whatever it takes – just show up and enjoy the sport.

www.clutchind.com

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