NASCAR Driver Kyle Petty and Victory Motorcycles Kick Off Charity Fundraiser At Daytona Bike Week
Victory Motorcycles to Donate One Dollar for Every Victory Test Drive; Petty Challenges 50,000 People to Take a Test Drive
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 6 -- Kyle Petty, known for racing around NASCAR tracks at high speeds for big bucks, took a much shorter, but equally exciting ride today -- for $1. Victory Motorcycles teamed up with Petty during Daytona Bike Week to kick off the Victory Challenge -- a test- ride program that encourages people across the U.S. to visit a Victory dealership or demo-ride location and raise money for kids by taking a test ride on a Victory motorcycle. The program, which runs from March 5 through June 29, donates $1 for each test ride taken on a Victory motorcycle. Petty took the inaugural ride on a new 2003 Victory Vegas at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona to raise the first dollar. After the ride, he encouraged 50,000 people to take the Victory Challenge and ride a bike for tykes.
"The Victory Challenge is a great way for people across the U.S. to get involved and help raise money for kids simply by taking a test-ride on a Victory Motorcycle," said Petty. "The goal of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is to provide money for sick and hospitalized children, and thanks to programs like the Victory Challenge, we are able to make a real difference in their lives."
Victory issued the Victory Challenge as part of its increased commitment to the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. For the past five years, Victory Motorcycles has been a sponsor of the charity ride, which takes 250 motorcycle riders cross country to raise money for kids and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
In addition to participating at one of Victory's 300 dealerships across the country, people can take the Victory Challenge at demo-ride locations during Daytona Bike Week, through March 9; Laughlin Bike Week in Laughlin, Nev., April 24-May 8; Myrtle Beach Bike Week in Myrtle Beach, S.C., May 13-18; and at Americade in Lake George, N.Y., June 2-7.
"Victory has a tradition of supporting charitable causes that assist children in need," said Mark Blackwell, general manager of Victory Motorcycles. "The Victory Challenge is a great way to expand that mission, because it allows our customers and owners to feel personally connected to our charitable efforts and make a contribution of their own."
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual motorcycle ride that raises money for children's hospitals and the Victory Junction Gang Camp -- a summer camp for children battling chronic and life-threatening illnesses that Petty and his wife, Pattie, created in memory of their son Adam. Each year, more than 250 motorcyclists from around the U.S. join Petty on the cross-country trip and have raised more then $3 million dollars to date. This year, the ride will take place from June 22 through June 29. Along the way, Petty and the bikers will stop to visit with motorcycle and NASCAR fans across the U.S. and spread the word about the ride and the mission to raise money for children's hospitals and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
About Polaris
Information about the complete line of Polaris products is available from authorized Polaris dealers or from the Polaris homepage at polarisindustries.com .
Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all- terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, Victory motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use. The Polaris Professional Series, a line of heavy duty Workmobiles(TM) targeted at lawn and landscape companies, equipment rental companies and construction operations, marks Polaris' expansion into the commercial equipment marketplace.
With annual 2001 sales of $1.5 billion, Polaris is the largest snowmobile manufacturer in the world and one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of ATVs and personal watercraft; while Victory motorcycles represent the first all-new American-made motorcycle in nearly 60 years. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. Consumers can also purchase apparel and vehicle accessories anytime at polarisindustries.com .
Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "PII," and the company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index.
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