ATV DIGEST
E-TON, GE Offer Private label Credit Card Program
The Retail Sales Finance unit of GE Consumer Finance has signed a multi-year agreement to offer a new consumer credit card program through E-TON America, LLC.
Headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., E-TON America is the North American subsidiary of Ji-ee, a Chinese manufacturer of ATVs, scooters and motorcycles. E-TON America currently distributes Viper and Yukon ATVs, the Beamer scooter, and a line of helmets and accessories. The new E-TON consumer finance program will be available through more than 600 qualified E-TON dealers in the United States.
“We believe the new credit card program will build awareness of our brand and promote add-on sales,” said Steve Murph, E-TON’s Vice President. “Cardholders will have access to frequent promotions and special offers. They also extend their purchasing power without tapping into their other credit cards.”
Retail Sales Finance, Kettering, Ohio, is part of GE Consumer Finance of Stamford, Conn., and provides private label credit card programs, marketing, installment lending and financial services for national and regional retailers in key industries. GE Consumer Finance has more than $150 billion in assets.
For more information about E-TON, visit the company online at www.etonamerica.com.
Hatfield-McCoy Plays Host to Suzuki Dirt Days
The Hatfield-McCoy trail system in West Virginia was host to the Suzuki Dirt Days event from June 22-26.
The Dingess-Rum trail system was one of the two trail systems highlighted during the five-day event, which was open to ATVs and dirtbikes.
“The Dirt Days event highlights both our Dingess-Rum and Browning Fork Trail system,” said John Fekete, Hatfield-McCoy Director of Field Operations. “Both provide the trail user with diverse trail experiences.”
Participants had access to a mud pit, two poker runs, a hillclimb, a dragstrip test and tune event, and a city fair in Logan. Exhibitors and vendors also took part to show off their latest wares and offer demonstrations.
Visit www.trailsheaven.com. to learn
more about the event or the Hatfield-McCoy trail system.
Gander Mountain to Open 11 New Stores in 2005
Gander Mountain Company has signed leases for 11 new outdoor lifestyle specialty stores scheduled to open in the summer and fall of 2005. The company has already opened eight new stores in 2005, and says it plans to open a total of 18 to 20 new stores this year.
Gander Mountain offers a broad assortment of equipment, apparel and services for hunting, fishing, camping, boating and other outdoor pursuits.
Most of the new stores are 60,000 to 65,000 square feet, plus outside selling space. Gander officials say all the new stores will include ATV sales and service, an in-store professional gunsmith, a full-service archery shop with shooting lanes, and a Gander Lodge meeting space available to local organizations free of charge.
“We are looking forward to introducing the Gander Mountain brand in four new states this year, Arkansas, Kansas, North Carolina and Maryland, all of which are home to many outdoor enthusiasts,” said Mark Baker, president and CEO. “Entering these new markets furthers our goal of diversifying our store base geographically.”
The new stores, scheduled to open between June and October, will be located in the following markets: Baxter, Minn. (replacement); Sherman, Texas; Greensboro, N.C.; Sherwood, Ark.; Greenwood, Ind.; Texarkana, Texas; Johnstown, Penn.; Wichita, Kan.; Joliet, Ill.; Woodbury, Minn. (replacement); and Salisbury, Md.
ATVs Near Mount Hood Face Fines
Officials at the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon have closed 11,000 acres on the northeast side of Mount Hood to ATVs.
The crackdown comes after ATV riders have defied forest-service officials and continued to build and maintain trails in areas where off-road motor vehicles are prohibited. Officials say the environmental impact is just too serious. They warn that riders could be fined up to $10,000 for entering the area.
Coincidentally, the closure is in the Gibson Prairie area, where horseback riders recently developed Gibson Prairie Horse Camp about 17 miles south of Hood River.
Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival, June 17-19
The Second Annual Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival is scheduled to take place June 17-19 at the Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie County, Va.
The Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival is made up of eight villages filled with activities, seminars, demonstrations and exhibitions of industry related products.
Check out the latest accessories, gear and gadgets for hunting, fishing and camping from a wide range of local, regional and national exhibitors; test drive the latest ATVs on a specially designed dirt track complete with mud pits, hills, ruts and logs; paddle a canoe or kayak and testing your casting abilities in the Fishing Village; experience archery at the Suzuki Archery Village; see elite canine athletes from all over the country competing in the DockDogs Big Air Competition; test the latest shotguns, rifles and handguns at the Dodge-sponored Shooting Sports Village; or simply visit with local, regional and national conservation organizations in the Conservation Village.
Bring the kids, too, because each village is filled with activities and equipment for young outdoor enthusiasts.
For additional information, contact the Festival hotline at 323/782-2978, Ducks Unlimited at 901/758-3858 or visit www.dugof.com or www.ducks.org.
A Record-Breaking Ride
If the Guinness Book of World Records gives the nod, Hurley, Wis., will now be known as the place of the world’s largest ATV parade.
On Memorial weekend, 687 ATVs and riders participated in a two-mile parade that stretched from Hurley to the neighboring town of Kimball. Previously, Amity, Ore., held the record when 262 ATVs paraded through the town.
The parade kicked off the 20th annual Iron county Memorial Day ATV Rally, which was co-sponsored by the Hurley area and Mercer chambers of commerce.