HAVA to Raffle $20,000 in Prizes at NRA Annual Meeting to Raise Funds for Veterans

Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) will conclude its biggest raffle in history – including a donated Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI EPS with an assortment of SureFire products as the grand prize – on May 16, 2010, at the NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits in Charlotte, N.C.

Tickets, which were initially sold at the 2010 Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show earlier this year, will again be available for purchase directly from HAVA and its sustaining sponsors’ booths at the NRA Show.

HAVA sponsors donated the raffle prizes so that all of the proceeds can go towards HAVA and its mission of supporting disabled veterans.

“We greatly appreciate the support from our sustaining sponsors who have made this raffle possible. We expect strong support from the thousands of attending NRA members who appreciate the contribution of our disabled veterans who have given their full commitment to protecting the American way of life,” said HAVA Chairman, Tom Taylor. “We had a great start to the promotion at SHOT Show and anticipate a strong finish at NRA. We hope everyone at the NRA Show will consider buying a ticket to support this worthy cause.”

“Yamaha is proud to support the veterans who benefit from HAVA’s mission and its activities,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/Side-by-Side (SxS) group marketing manager. “As a founding member, Yamaha plans to continue to help HAVA through direct contributions and fundraising efforts such as this raffle. We encourage everyone to go to HAVA’s website to learn more and consider making a donation to help our veterans.”

The HAVA raffle prizes include the following:

Grand Prize
– Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI EPS ATV with an assortment of SureFire products ($12,000 approx. value).

1st Prizes
– Smith & Wesson M&P-15T Tactical Rifle with Leupold Mark 4 Riflescope and Crimson Trace MVF-515 fore-grip ($3,532 approx. value)
– Smith & Wesson Elite Silver Shotgun ($2,380 approx. value)

2nd Prize
– Leupold Gold Ring 10×42 Binocular ($899 approx. value)

3rd Prizes
– Four (4) Crimson Trace Laser Grips ($299-$479/each approx. value)
– One (1) Hornady Ammo Assortment ($300 approx. value)

4th Prizes
– Twenty (20) SureFire G2L Flashlights ($69/each approx. value)

Proceeds of the raffle will go toward HAVA sponsored activities including hunts and shooting events, highlighted by HAVA’s annual National Family Day. The winners will be drawn on the final day of the NRA Annual Meeting and need not be present to accept their prize.

Through support from industry leaders, HAVA continues to grow, and in turn supports more disabled veterans. The ultimate goal is to increase their confidence and hope for the future by reconnecting with their love of the outdoors and the American traditions of hunting and firearms.

Sustaining companies include: Crimson Trace, FMG Publications, Hornady, Leupold & Stevens, NRA, Mossburg, Smith & Wesson, SureFire, and Yamaha. HAVA events are run by a committee of volunteer executives from these companies, and others who donate their time to the support of these American heroes.

Challengers Aim for Creamer and Wimmer this Weekend at Sunset Ridge

Going into the fourth round of the 2010 ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship, Suzuki rider Josh Creamer has moved into the points lead.

Creamer’s win at Birch Creek moves him just two points ahead of teammate and Defending Champion Dustin Wimmer. Although the Suzuki teammates have dominated thus far this season, Can-Am’s Chad Weinen and John Natalie, and Baldwin Motorsports Josh Upperman would like to change that this weekend during round four at Sunset Ridge in Walnut, Illinois.

The Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki teammates may have dominated on the podium so far this season, but Can-Am’s Wienen is hoping to end that streak this weekend at his home track.

Wienen, who from Illinois, has been successful at Sunset Ridge in the past, including a win last year. Meanwhile, many are wondering if Wimmer will have a disadvantage at this round since he crashed and injured his shoulder last year during practice before the event. Regardless, the long and challenging Sunset Ridge facility will prove to deliver great racing all around.

The Sunset Ridge Motocross track sits at the center of a valley, utilizing the natural terrain. The dark Midwest topsoil is grainy, similar to sand, and features good natural whoops. The track is mostly made up of table tops, camelbacks, and large rolling singles.

Tickets on Sunday are $15 for fans ($10 for ages 5-11), and admission includes full pro pit access, and an autograph session.

The pro class will feature two 20-minute races on Sunday, taking place at noon and 3 p.m., with the combined scores of both races determining the overall winner.

The pro riders will run as part of a full schedule of amateur racing, including classes for Youth, Women and veteran riders. Amateurs will practice on Friday and race on Saturday and Sunday. Pros will practice on Saturday and race on Sunday.

To get to Sunset Ridge, take I-80 to exit 45, Route 40. Continue on Route 40 North for 4 miles and turn Right on Manlius Road. Continue on Manlius Road for one mile, then turn left onto CR1100.

Team Warnert Racing / Can-Am rider Chris Bithell took the XC1 Pro-class win at the Yadkin Valley Stom GNCC in Yadkinville, NC. This is the first afternoon overall for Bithell on his Can-Am DS 450 ATV, moving him to fourth in the XC1 class standings.

Bithell battled hard to take the lead on the last lap after making strategic moves on what is considered the toughest course on which to pass in the circuit. His teammate Adam McGill took fourth overall in the XC1 Pro class and sits third in the points race.

“This weekend’s result is the result of hard work on the part of the team and Chris,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Racing Manager for Can-Am ATVs at BRP. “For the team, this is the breakthrough for which it was waiting. With Bithell taking the win and McGill taking fourth, the team is ready to make a championship push.”

Team Warnert / Can-Am racer Jamie Bithell took the College A (16-24) class win on his DS 450, after the win Bithell remains the points leader of the class. His teammate, Cliff Beasley, continued to dominate the U2 class on his Can-Am Renegade™ 800R Xxc. Beasley won the class by five minutes and is undefeated in seven rounds of racing.

In the 4×4 classes, Michael Swift took the holeshot and the win in front of he 4×4 Limited field aboard his Warnert Racing Can-Am Outlander 800R XT. Swift’s teammate, Bryan Buckhannon, looked unstoppable on his Outlander 800R XT, taking the 4×4 Open. Forrest Whorton continued his undefeated streak in the Utility Sr. (45+) class on his Outlander 800R XT-P, while Mike Husband put up another win in the Senior A (40+) class on a DS 450.

Round seven of the GNCC championship sees the racers head to the Mountain Ridge GNCC ranch near Somerset, PA on May 22. For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2010 schedule, the 2010 contingency program and DS 450 amateur racer support program, please visit ww.can-amxteam.com.

3rd Consecutive Global Supplier Award for Warn from Ford Motor Company

Warn Industries, a Tier 1 supplier to Ford Motor Company, has received a 2009 Global Supplier Award from the Dearborn, MI-based auto manufacturer.

This marks the third consecutive year Warn Industries has received a Global Supplier Award. This annual recognition is given to suppliers that exceed standards in quality, cost, and delivery. Warn Industries received a Silver Award for its axle production, and was 1 of 40 suppliers to be recognized for its achievements.

WARN CEO, John McCalla said, “Warn Industries is honored to receive a World Excellence Award from Ford. Our company and its employees take great pride in this acknowledgment, and we look forward to a continued, strong relationship with Ford Motor Company.”

There are three levels of World Excellence Awards-Gold, Silver, and Recognition of Achievement. The Gold and Silver Awards are given to suppliers that excel in quality, cost and delivery.

There were 13 Gold Awards and 27 Silver Awards were presented this year. The Recognition of Achievement Award is given to suppliers that improve customer satisfaction by providing contributions in new consumer-focused technology, consumer-driven 6-sigma, durability and reliability performance, corporate responsibility, diversity and community service and warranty improvement. Eleven suppliers received Recognition of Achievement Awards.

About Warn Industries – Warn Industries is the world’s most recognized brand in off-road products such as hub locks and vehicle recovery winches. The company designs, manufactures and markets a full line of off-road equipment and accessories that enhance the performance of four-wheel-drive and powersport vehicles. Warn Industries has employees in and around Portland, Ore., Livonia, Mich., and the Netherlands.

Warnert Racing’s Chris Bithell put in the ride of his life at the recent Yadkin Valley Stomp, round six of the 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series.

Bithell started the event dead last in the premier XC1 class after his engine refused to fire up right away when the green flag waved.

On a course considered to be one of the most difficult to make passes, Bithell and his ITP-shod Can-Am DS450 steadily worked their way through the pack.

By the fourth and final lap in the two-hour race, the 22-year-old Pennsylvania native had moved all the way to the front. A battle for the lead ensued during the final minutes, but Bithell prevailed by two seconds at the finish line.

Considering it was his first win in nearly two years, this incredible come-from-behind performance could not have been more gratifying for Bithell and his team.

Bithell now holds fourth in the XC1 class point standings, just behind teammate Adam McGill, who missed finishing on the podium by a scant two seconds at this Yadkinville, North Carolina, race.

This was not the only win for Warnert Racing and ITP this weekend. Bryan Buckhannon (4×4 Open), Michael Swift (4×4 Limited) and Cliff Beasley (U2) all claimed victory on Can-Am utility ATVs using ITP tires.

Since 1982, ITP has grown into the world’s #1 ATV/UTV aftermarket tire and wheel source, and continues to provide a complete line of innovative tires and wheels for virtually all ATVs and UTVs. For a copy of ITP’s full-color product catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-859-4740. For other inquiries or technical advice, contact ITP at 930-A S. Rockefeller Ave., Ontario, CA 91761; (909) 390-1905. Or visit ITP’s website at www.itptires.com