LOS ANGELES – March 11, 2008 – Adding to an already impressive list of North
American off-road trails, BFGoodrich® Tires announced today, the continuation of its Outstanding Trails program and six new trails for 2008. Over the past two years, the Outstanding Trails program has recognized 11 off-road trails in 10 states and one in Canada. Launched in 2006, the Outstanding Trails program is dedicated to the responsible use, and preservation of, off-road trails while providing aid in the trails’ conservation efforts.
BFGoodrich Tires, in collaboration with Tread Lightly! and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), is proud to present the trails for this year’s program:
Blacktail/Wild Bill National Recreation Trail, Mont.BFGoodrich Tires, in collaboration with Tread Lightly! and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), is proud to present the trails for this year’s program:
Superstition Mountain, Calif.
Blacktail/Wild Bill National Recreation Trail, Mont.
Iron Range, Minn.
Pritchett Canyon, Utah
Quinn Trail, Ontario, Canada
Beasley Knob, Ga.
“North America is home to some of the most beautiful, picturesque and enjoyable off-highway vehicle areas in the world. The trails chosen this year are truly outstanding and deserve this recognition,†said Joe Mazur, light-truck marketing manager, BFGoodrich Tires. “At its core, the Outstanding Trails program was created to highlight the best trails in the country, to honor the clubs that keep them maintained and to help in the conservation efforts.â€
From the desert, to the mountains and hillsides; from rock, dirt, water and sand, the 2008 Outstanding Trails are tough, they’re fun and they’re also beautiful. The trails were selected by UFWDA, Tread Lightly! and BFGoodrich Tires.
During the course of the program, which runs May through October, BFGoodrich Tires will host several events at these trails to highlight the individuality of each location as well as educate off-road enthusiasts on the responsible use of each trail. To help aid with costs associated with the trail’s conservation efforts, BFGoodrich Tires will also present a grant to a selected off-road club at each trail event.
Below is a closer look at each trail:
Superstition Mountain is located in beautiful Southern California, near San Diego. Superstition Mountain is a 13,000-acre open area that presents an array of challenging off-road riding opportunities from sand dunes to rocks to mud hills. The trail has been classified by many as “demanding†and attracts skilled off-roaders.
Blacktail / Wild Bill National Recreation Trail is located near the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in northwest Mont., and was one of the first OHV areas to be recognized as a National Recreational Trail by the U.S. Forest Service. Providing 4x4 beginners and experts with several obstacles and spectacular views throughout, the trail also offers opportunities for dirt bikes, ATVs snowmobiles and mountain bike enthusiasts to enjoy the 13-mile journey through the Flathead National Forest.
Iron Range is located in Gilbert, Minn., and features a system of 36 trails and 1,200 acres of recreation in a north woods setting with scramble areas, training hills and rock crawls. The Iron Range system provides riding opportunities for many skill levels on varied terrain – rock, dirt, mud and hills.
Pritchett Canyon Trail is located near the picturesque area of Moab, Utah, and is known as one of the toughest off-road trails because its difficult obstacles have little or no bypasses. Off-roaders and locals consider Pritchett Canyon a gem due to its views of the steep canyon walls, large side-canyon pour-offs and a pool-speckled creek near the bottom of the canyon. Throughout the journey through the canyon, off-roaders are also treated to spectacular views of rock formations as the trail climbs through the lower part of the canyon and exits via a side canyon over a divide into the Hunter Canyon system.
Quinn Trail is located near Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. There are two ways to get to the end destination, which is Quinn Lake. Stock rigs will take the “front door,†which consists of dirt, mud, tight turns and some blind elevations. Those looking for a serious challenge will take the “back door†to Quinn Lake. The large rock formations, steep hills and rocky creek beds make for a great challenge.
Beasley Knob is located just outside of Atlanta, Ga., and has a well-developed system of eight interconnecting trails offering a total of 10.8 miles and a wide variety of riding challenges. The trails are made of steep mountainous terrain and have a difficulty rating of moderate to strenuous making it recommended for expert level riders only.
"United Four Wheel Drive Associations is proud to partner with BFGoodrich for the 2008 Outstanding Trails program. This program is a great opportunity for leaders in the four-wheel drive community to recognize enthusiasts and the impact they are making,†said Todd Ockert, director of environmental affairs, UFWDA. “The Outstanding Trails program has recognized some great trails across the country and the enthusiasts that maintain those trails. United Four Wheel Drive Associations hopes to continue this partnership for years to come."
“Tread Lightly! is honored to partner with BFGoodrich as they truly make a worthwhile contribution to the world of responsible recreation by highlighting Outstanding Trails across North America,†said Lori McCullough, executive director of Tread Lightly!. “BFG is demonstrating its commitment to the environment through this education, communications and restoration initiative.â€
Both Tread Lightly! and UFWDA are non-profit organizations dedicated to responsible and ethical outdoor recreation. BFGoodrich Tires collaborated with these two groups to select the finest North American trails, and will continue to work with these organizations on restoration and education initiatives.
Tread Lightly!® is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Tread Lightly!'s strategic educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with the needs of the environment. The federal government recognizes this by acknowledging Tread Lightly! as a sole-source service provider of education and training on how to be environmentally and socially responsible while using motorized and mechanized vehicles in off-highway settings.
United Four Wheel Drive Associations is the world’s leading representative of all-brand four wheel-drive enthusiasts. UFWDA benefits, developed and tested true over the past 30 years, include four wheel drive safety and awareness education; user ethics programs such as adopt-a-road, conservation volunteer, and volunteer trail patrol; assistance with new club formation; education seminars to aid four wheelers through complex state and federal programs affecting trail access; internet forums designed to connect members globally and instantaneously; and unrestrained member access to its full-time legislative advocate and nationally-recognized attorney working exclusively for four wheel drive enthusiasts to protect access and prevent road and trail closures. For more information on the UFWDA log on to www.ufwda.org or call toll free 1-800-44-UFWDA (800-448-3932).
Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich® Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally (Dakar and WRC) and extreme rock-crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.
###
Media Contacts: Lynne Slovick
864-458-6365
Lynne.slovick@bfgoodrichtires.com