The names TaoTao, GIO, Hammerhead and X-Moto may not currently be rolling off the tongues of local motorsport enthusiasts.
But that will soon change if Dave Psikla and Tara Darbyshire have their way.
The couple is poised to open the door to DT Motorsports in Burnt Lake Industrial Park, where they’ll sell Chinese-made dirt bikes, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles, utility-terrain vehicles and other products.
The makes carried by DT Motorsports may not be mainstream, but they are affordable, said Psikla.
“Our kids quads start at about $795,” he said, contrasting that price with better known makes that run from $2,000 to $3,000.
Chinese motorsport products have been available in North America for a number of years, he said, with their quality continuing to improve.
“Lots of people aren’t aware that they’re out there,” said Psikla. “What we’re trying to do is create an awareness that there are different options out there.”
For Psikla and Darbyshire, his common-law spouse, that awareness came after they started shopping for dirt bikes for their children. They were taken aback by how expensive the traditional options were.
“We started looking around, and picked up some of the Chinese imported units — and we really liked them,” said Psikla.
After realizing there were few local options when it came to Chinese equipment, the couple decided to market the imports themselves. They started selling out of their garage last February.
“We saw there was a demand there, so we started bringing in more and we just got to the point where the garage wasn’t big enough,” said Psikla.
Finding commercial premises took about eight months, with the search ending at Bay 3, 105 28042, Hwy 11, Red Deer County. Psikla and Darbyshire have set up a showroom and service area, and expect to open next Friday.
“I think it’s going to be a great market,” said Psikla of Central Alberta.
In addition to vehicles, DT Motorsports will carry parts, and accessories like helmets, gloves and goggles. It will service the vehicles it sells.
Becoming an authorized sales and service outlet for multiple makes “wasn’t easy,” said Psikla. Finding and preparing a bay for their business added to that workload.
“It’s been a busy last year, that’s for sure.”
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com