“'Vintage Trailer Jam' at Auto Museum this week - Saratogian” plus 4 more

'Vintage Trailer Jam' at Auto Museum this week - Saratogian
Camping World Launches "Cash for Campers" Recycle & Save Rebate ... - Market Wire
Selinsgrove Speedway Returns with Four Division Show August 15 - Who Won
Magna awarded $40 million in stimulus funds - Star-Press
A feeling of Community - Gillette News Record

'Vintage Trailer Jam' at Auto Museum this week - Saratogian

Posted: 09 Aug 2009 02:15 AM PDT

The iconic rounded body of a vintage Airstream travel trailer reflects the endurance and simplicity of RVs of the 1940s, '50s and '60s. (Photo courtesy of The Saratoga Automobile Association)

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nearly 100 classic vehicles will be parked in an encampment at Saratoga Automobile Museum's second annual "Vintage Trailer Jam" Aug. 12 through 16 at the museum in Saratoga Spa State Park. The exhibit repeats a popular event from last summer.

Many of these vintage vehicles, dating from the 1940s through the late 1970s, will be open to visitors Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Among the vehicles on display will be travel trailers and motorhomes by Airstream, Spartan, Tagalong, Serro Scotty, Shasta, Frolic, and Argosy. Most of the vehicles will be occupied by their owners during the event.

The Vintage Trailer Jam will also include seminars for owners and would-be owners, on topics such as restoration, travel destinations, RV history and buying vintage trailers.

Walk-in admission to the seminars is $35, but the open house on Saturday is free to all.

The Vintage Trailer Jam will also include a judged concourse event with prizes and a vintage parts flea market. Early parking is available for participants on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

During the Vintage Trailer Jam, the Saratoga Automobile Museum will be exhibiting a display of convertibles from the 1940s, '50s and '60s in "Mid Century Marvels — The Dennis Dammerman Collection."

Saratoga Springs is a great location for everyone, with world-class spas, museums, great restaurants, bicycling, dozens of attractions, and great camping in nearby state parks.

Please note that activities, invited speakers and amenities are subject to change prior to event dates.

For more information or to register, go to www.vintagetrailerjam.com. For more information about the Saratoga Automobile Museum, go to www.saratogaautomuseum.org

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Camping World Launches "Cash for Campers" Recycle & Save Rebate ... - Market Wire

Posted: 11 Aug 2009 12:00 PM PDT

SOURCE: Camping World

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL--(Marketwire - August 11, 2009) - Camping World, the nation's largest RV and outdoor retailer, today announced their unique effort to mirror the government program "Cash for Clunkers" currently supported by the Automotive Industry and Department of Transportation.

Camping World's self-funded recycle and save initiative called "Cash for Campers" is aimed at current Recreational Vehicle owners. This program is focused on improving the quality of vehicles currently in circulation as well as stimulating the economy in heavy hit manufacturing states such as Iowa and Indiana. The "Cash for Campers" program incentivizes RV consumers to transition into new and more fuel efficient motorized RVs when they trade in an older, less fuel efficient model.

Camping World has aligned itself with the three top selling motorhome manufacturers in America: Damon, Winnebago and Four Winds. All are currently leading the charge towards improving environmental issues; with efforts in such areas as chassis selection, fuel savings through design and long-term durability. These changes are evident in their current motorhome line-up such as the View, Navion, Avanti and Serrano to name a few.

Marcus Lemonis, Camping World Chairman & CEO, commented, "As the market leader, Camping World currently retails over 18% of all new motorhomes sold in the U.S. We believe that an accelerated transition of the current installed base ultimately accomplishes several important goals; to remove less fuel efficient models from the roads, increase the demand for new and more efficient motorhomes which will ideally result in assisting the RV manufacturers in putting people back to work."

Camping World also plans to permanently retire less fuel efficient models ages 1984 and older through a salvage process. Lemonis further detailed, "If a consumer owns a less fuel efficient and less technologically advanced motorhome and is interested in trading it in through the 'Cash for Campers' program, their unit is eligible for a cash allowance towards select new models at Camping World."

The company expects to launch similar programs in the near future on recycling towable models as well as select RV accessories with more details to be released as plans get underway.

More details about the program can be found at www.CampingWorld.com/cashforcampers.

About Camping World

Founded in 1966, Camping World is America's largest direct marketer and specialty retailer of recreational vehicles and outdoor camping accessories and services. The company grew from a single point location in Bowling Green, KY to operating successful nationwide Supercenters.

Over the last five years, Camping World has progressively expanded their products and services offering therefore providing consumers with a vast selection, convenience and value. Camping World now operates under the department store model as a one stop shopping destination providing services to enhance and protect the RV lifestyle including: Recreational Vehicle Sales; RV Rentals; RV Service & Collision; over 8,000 RV & outdoor accessories; Performance & Tow centers; Detail & Refurbishment centers known as RV Spa; President's Club customer loyalty program; Campground reservations & directories; RV Finance and Insurance; RV Tours & Travel; and a nationally distributed magazine called RV View.

The dynamic Camping World retail network headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois, currently operates in 33 states and serves over 4 million RV enthusiasts.

For more information, visit us online at www.campingworld.com

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Selinsgrove Speedway Returns with Four Division Show August 15 - Who Won

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 07:40 AM PDT

Selinsgrove Speedway & Raceway Park
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Selinsgrove Speedway Returns with Four Division Show August 15

by Steve Inch

SELINSGROVE, Pa.-- Following the fifth rain out of the season last weekend, Selinsgrove Speedway will return to racing action at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 15, with a four division show of 358 sprint cars, late models, pro stocks, and roadrunners. Track gates will open at 5 p.m.

The speedway will hold the final open practice session of the season this Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 6:30-9 p.m. There is a $100 entry fee per race car to participate; grandstand admission is free.

Only five point races remain this season (Aug. 15, 22, 29; Sept. 5, 12) to determine the 2009 track champions in each of the speedways weekly four divisions.

Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove leads the A&A Auto Stores 358 sprint car standings by 95 points over Nate Snyder of Halifax. Heimbach won his second race of the season on Aug. 1 and gained a slim margin over Snyder in the chase for the championship. Heimbach is seeking his third career sprint car track title at Selinsgrove, while Snyder is gunning for his first career championship.

Pat Cannon of Etters, who clinched last years title, is the leading 358 sprint car winner with four victories entering this weekends action. Cannon returned to the 358 sprint car division in late May following an early-season stint in 410 sprint car competition.

Jeff Rine of Danville strengthened his points lead in the MAPCO Machine Shop late models standings with his seventh win of the year Aug. 1. Rine has a convincing 725-point lead over Tony Adams of Sunbury, who moved into the runner up position in the standings and will be seeking his first win of the season this Saturday. The Late Models will take the spotlight in the 11th Annual Late Model Open on Saturday, Sept. 5.

In the Salem RV Center pro stock standings, Jason Smith of Williamsport continues to maintain a healthy lead in the standings with a 490-point margin over AJ Hoffman of Richfield. Dan Jensen of Nescopeck, 11th in the standings, became the divisions eighth different winner on Aug. 1.

Bob Bussey of Northumberland recently reclaimed the top spot in the Collier Paving & Construction/Byers Built Engines roadrunner standings. Bussey has a mere 20-point lead over Cory Long of Selinsgrove entering this Saturdays race. Marlin Dunham of Selinsgrove, who recorded his first career win Aug. 1, is also a title contender in fourth, trailing Bussey by only 105 points.

Selinsgrove Raceway Park returns to action at 7 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 14, with a program of go kart and micro sprint car racing. Three-time winner Todd Hoover of Mt. Pleasant Mills has a 120-point lead over two-time winner Ken Duke of Selinsgrove in the Selinsgrove Ford micro sprint car standings.

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Magna awarded $40 million in stimulus funds - Star-Press

Posted: 06 Aug 2009 02:15 PM PDT

MUNCIE -- A company with a southwestside Muncie plant will receive $40 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds meant to boost the development of electric cars.

Magna E-Car Systems -- part of Magna International, which opened its Magna Power Train plant on Cowan Road in Muncie in 2006 -- will get $40 million, although the White House announcement specified the money was for Magna in Muncie and Holly, Mich.

The good news for Magna came as part of President Barack Obama's announcement of $2.4 billion in stimulus funding for batteries and electric vehicles. Obama spoke Wednesday in economically hard-hit Elkhart County in northern Indiana, and the Hoosier state will receive more than $400 million in funding.

Magna E-Car Systems will receive funding for "increasing production capacity of advanced automotive electric drive system component manufacturing plants."

Magna deferred questions about what the funding would mean for the local plant and whether it might generate new jobs.

"At this point, it would be too premature to comment on potential job creation and/or any other related details," Magna spokesman Tracy Fuerst said.

But news that federal funds would be earmarked for a local manufacturer was heartening to officials.

"That's great news," said Terry Murphy, vice president for economic development for the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. "Magna is going to be a survivor of this whole automotive downturn. They stand to pick up some of the business lost by others in the industry."

In Muncie, Magna employs about 140 people, a smaller number than the 400 employees forecast when the plant opened three years ago.

"They're just a victim of (downturns in) the automotive industry," Murphy said. "Their sales are down, they're hurting like everyone else, but they're a strong company worldwide."

Murphy said the local Magna plant has been performing parts machining work for the automotive industry, including General Motors. Fuerst said the Muncie plant "assembles and machines powertrain components and sub-assemblies" while the Michigan plant is where electric drive modules are assembled.

Ball State University economist Michael Hicks said it was hard to gauge the impact of the federal funds on the local manufacturing scene.

"I'd think they'd want to spend more money here in Indiana than Michigan given the tax climate, but that would depend on the differences between the two plants [in Muncie and Holly, Mich.] and what the grant is for," Hicks said.

Other Indiana companies and federal funds they will receive, as announced Wednesday, were:

EnerDel, Indianapolis, $118.5 million.

Delphi, Kokomo, $89.3 million.

Allison Transmission, Indianapolis, $62.8 million.

Remy, Pendleton, $60.2 million.

Magna E-Car, Muncie, $40 million.

Navistar, Wakarusa, $39.2 million.

The president made Wednesday's announcement at the former Monaco RV plant in Wakarusa.