Press Release –

Contingency offered in seven racing series

Polaris today announced its ATV race contingency program for all adult classes, in seven ATV racing series, with a total purse of about $405,800.

“Polaris is continuing its commitment to ATV racing by offering a racing contingency for 2010 that spans the most-popular racing series across the U.S. and Canada,” said Eric Nault, Product and Race team manager for Polaris’ ORV Division. “We would like to thank the dedicated riders who race our products.”

Polaris is offering contingencies in GNCC, WORCS, ATVA-AMA Motocross Nationals, ITP Quad Cross, New England ATV Motocross Series (NEATV), the Heartland Challenge and Canadian Motorsport Racing Club Series (CMRC).

Racers must race 2007 or newer quads, and utility classes must be raced on a Sportsman 850 XP or Sportsman 550. More information and complete rules about Polaris’ ATV racing contingencies can be found at www.polarisfactoryracing.com.

Press Release –

In 2010, BRP will inject US $1.6 million into its Can Am X Team ATV Contingency Program.

From Canada, across the United States, down to Mexico, Can-Am ATV racers should be eligible for a cash payout through this program during the 2010 ATV racing season.

Building on its successful 2009 Can-Am X-Team ATV Racing Contingency program, BRP is expanding the 2010 program to include more cash and more national and regional series in North America.

“Enhanced racer support from the pro racer to the amateur is our goal with this program,” says Denis Morin, vice–president, Product Development & Racing at BRP. “As racing is key to improving all of our products at BRP, it is nice to be able to expand our contingency program to reward those who have committed to continuing Can-Am success on the race track.”

In North America, BRP is committing to pay out contingency cash in 19 race series, including the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series (13 classes), the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Championship (17 classes), the SCORE International Baja 1000, the High Lifter Mud Nationals and the CMRC Canadian MX National series.

In addition to those events, BRP has pledged support to just about every major regional race series on the continent.

Racers who meet the terms of the contingency program will receive a cash payout in the amount earned based on his or her placing in the event, with payment mailed directly to the participant or legal guardian.

BRP is also awarding contingency for overall championships at the end of the season.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2010 schedule, the 2010 contingency program and DS 450 amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

Press Release –

Eighty-Nine disabled veterans and active duty military participate in shooting event

Honored American Veterans Afield (H.A.V.A.) hosted the organization’s 2nd Annual National Family Day on November 14, 2008 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas.

The event was attended by 89 disabled veterans and active duty military personnel from various military facilities in the San Antonio area. These Wounded Heroes also brought another 57 family members to the fun-filled day for a total of 146 participants.

Activities included shooting demonstrations, range time, food, prizes and musical entertainment. Veterans and active duty military from across Texas and as far away as Washington state, participated in the event, which drew both national and local support.

Twenty-three companies and organizations from within the shooting sports industry supported the event along with representatives from the Texas National Guard, V.F.W., Wounded Warriors Project, Brothers of Fallen Heroes, Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association and the USA Shooting Team. In all, more than 100 volunteers helped assure these heroes and their families had a great day.

Attendees participated in range activities that featured eight stages of fire including everything from pistols, shotguns and rifles to a cowboy stage hosted by S.A.S.S. (Single Action Shooters Society).

Children of the Wounded Warriors were able to shoot an air soft action course as well. The day also featured a shooting exhibition by professionals Jerry Miculek and Max Michel. Several participants shot with Miculek and Michel in a “fun” pro-am event.

The event was capped off with a mini concert by platinum country recording artist Mark Wills and a barbeque hosted by several area VFW units. The evening festivities also featured a raffle for the participants, where winners walked away with various door prizes including firearms from Smith & Wesson, Remington and a USA Shooting Ruger 10-22 (which was autographed by the entire USA Shooting Team).

“Our mission to serve these American Heroes was accomplished on all fronts,” said Tom Taylor, H.A.V.A. Chairman. “In our second year to host this event, we more than doubled the number of participants and had a tremendous outpouring of volunteer support from the industry and other organizations in order to make the day a tremendous success. We were asked many times if we plan to host a 3rd Annual Event and we have committed to do so on November 13, 2010.”

LtCol David Barnes of the U.S. Marine Corps Patient Affairs Team added, “We appreciated the hard work and dedication that the volunteers put into this event. The chow was great and every Marine got to shoot various events and ask lots of questions. What a great time! This was a top notch event and I would recommend it to any service member. You can count on my Marines to attend next year!”

With the goal of reconnecting wounded men and women from the armed services with their love of the outdoors, the H.A.V.A. organization was developed to raise awareness and further assist disabled veterans with their healing process through guided hunts, shooting competitions and other outdoor activities. Those who would like to continue on HAVA’s mission, learn more about the organization and how to contribute or see photos from past events can visit www.honoredveterans.org

Press Release –

The grounds of the historic Biltmore Estate served as a grand setting for KYMCO USA’s introduction of its 2010 two-wheel and four-wheel product lines. More than two dozen motorsports industry journalists attended the September 22-25 events.

Selected for its excellent combination of scenery and riding opportunities, the 8,000-acre estate in the North Carolina mountains is the historic home of George W. Vanderbilt with Biltmore House, the largest privately owned home in the country, as its centerpiece. Overnight accommodations and hospitality were provided by KYMCO USA at the nearby Grand Bohemian luxury hotel.

The journalists had access to nearly the company’s entire U.S. product line – and KYMCO USA will be offering 17 two-wheel models and 11 four-wheel models for 2010.

Completely new for the U.S. market are the Like 50, a scooter with vintage Euro styling, and the Maxxer 375 4×4, which blurs the line between sport and utility ATVs. KYMCO is also introducing new versions of existing models, including Limited Editions of the UXV 500 4×4, MXU 375 4×4 IRS and MXU 500 4×4 IRS.

For the Biltmore Estate event, KYMCO created separate schedules for journalists based on whether they review for two-wheel or four-wheel enthusiasts.

Activities held September 22-23 for the two-wheel journalists included scooter rides and photo/video opportunities on the Biltmore Estate grounds, as well as an afternoon ride along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. Larger and mid-size models were used for the Parkway ride, while several of KYMCO’s popular 50cc scooter models were available for side-by-side comparison rides over a closed course on the grounds.

During their own two days in Asheville, September 24-25, editors reviewing KYMCO USA’s four-wheel lineup had access to 70+ miles of trails that make up the Biltmore’s own Land Rover Experience Driving School course. Winding through a largely agricultural part of the estate not typically open to guests, the course passes through vineyards, fords streams and provides steep descents, side-hill traverses and uphill climbs that offer views of nothing but sky.

In addition to the magazine reviewers, representatives of leading industry-insider and dealer publications also attended.

The complete KYMCO USA executive team was on hand to meet with the journalists, organize in test rides, and answer questions on the spot. KYMCO USA president and CEO Eric Bondy was available for one-on-one interviews, and at the introductory press conference, he introduced a special guest from the parent company KYMCO in Taiwan, Senior Vice President Mr. Kou-Chang Su, for his perspective.

KYMCO’s Expanding Four-Wheel Product Line

On the four-wheel side, the big news for 2010 is the Maxxer 375 IRS 4×4. A true cross-over sport-utility with independent rear suspension, the Maxxer is powered by an air-cooled 366.9cc SOHC engine delivering 26hp. Weighing in at 452 pounds, the Maxxer 375 is outfitted with KYMCO’s proven automatic CVT transmission, maintenance free sealed shaft final drive, shift on the fly 2WD and 4WD, independent dual A-arm suspension front and back, hydraulic dual discs in front with a single disc in back, and 12-inch alloy wheels helping achieve 10 inches of ground clearance.

The Maxxer 375 will be available in black, red, blue and white with special graphics package options designed to appeal mainly to female riders.

In a first, KYMCO USA has introduced 2010 LE (Limited Edition) models of the UXV 500 4×4, MXU 375 4×4 IRS and MXU 500 4×4 IRS. The MXU 500 and MXU 375 LE models come standard with a 2,500lb winch, KYMCO 12-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and KYMCO by KOLPIN rear contoured cargo box, gear grips and side-view mirror hand guards. The UXV 500 LE comes with a 3,000lb. winch, KYMCO 12-inch alloy wheels, KYMCO by Seizmik soft enclosure with full windshield, and KYMCO by KOLPIN gear rail package and gas pack. All three LE models feature a distinctive black-on-black color scheme.

About KYMCO USA – KYMCO’s roots in the motorsports industry go back to its founding in 1963 as the Kwang Yang Motor Company, Ltd., with headquarters in Taiwan. Long a leader in quality, fuel economy, and versatility, today KYMCO manufactures motor scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs at five plants in Asia, including the main facility in the city of Kaohsiung.

The company’s partner in the United States is KYMCO USA with headquarters, marketing and distribution centered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. KYMCO USA is dedicated to building the brand’s reputation and market share through superior value, frequent new product introductions, strategic industry partnerships, and excellence in dealer network support. KYMCO USA has a reputation and expertise gained through over 30 years in the U.S. motorsports industry.