Gates Corporation recently announced the addition of champion Cross Country/Snow-X racer Gerard Karpik to its CVT systems development group in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Gates Director of Global CVT Systems David Hanes stated: "Gates is aggressively entering the hardware side of power transmissions with the introduction of our complete Gates CVT System featuring proprietary drive and driven clutch technologies. Gerard's extensive experience in recreation vehicle design and application will enable Gates to continue pursuing growth in new and emerging markets. As a long time user of Gates products, he racked up thousands of miles doing durability and race testing for Gates drive belts as Bombardier's champion in-house racer.  Later he cofounded his family's business and they are credited with starting a suspension revolution in snowmobiling by developing a coupled long travel suspension technology and other patented forward looking chassis and suspension designs.  His company has assisted in racing and product development for great companies like Bombardier, Polaris and Yamaha. Coupling his knowledge and experience with our team's commitment to building the very best in drive-train technology will ultimately fast-track our products to world-class OEMs. This is a great matchup of experience, product and company. We're excited to have him on our team."

Karpik stated: "Over the years I've had some good offers to work with R&D groups of differing OEMs and suppliers. Knowing more work was needed to advance my own company TeamFAST, I had to pass on these offers. When Gates approached me about their program and the strides and commitments they've made to become a "hard components" supplier to the world markets utilizing CVTs, it intrigued me. With the knowledge that right now TeamFAST has its best line of suspension products ever in the M-20 Platform and the experienced team to keep advancing them, I could consider joining Gates. There's no group more knowledgeable, nor a company more committed to power delivery through CVTs than Gates. As an ongoing business owner, product developer, and marketer the opportunities here at Gates have me energized and engaged."