plus 4, NASCAR, partners plan up to 500 branded campgrounds - CNN Money

NASCAR, partners plan up to 500 branded campgrounds - CNN Money
NASCAR, Morgan RV Resorts and Silver Companies Announce Plans to Bring ... - Carolina Newswire
Arizona RV dealership lays off 51 employees - Fresno Bee
Public Safety Log - Burlington County Times
December 2009 - Watertown Daily Times

NASCAR, partners plan up to 500 branded campgrounds - CNN Money

Posted: 18 Dec 2009 10:43 AM PST

* Will help campgrounds stand out in $5 billion industry

* Campers will watch NASCAR races, attend tailgate parties

By Ben Klayman

CHICAGO (Reuters) - NASCAR plans to roll out up to 500 branded campgrounds in the United States in a move to build consumer loyalty to the U.S. auto racing circuit and attract a new generation of fans.

The sports organization, known for its three stock car and pickup truck racing series, said Friday it is teaming with Morgan RV Resorts and real estate investor and developer Silver Companies to open 13 locations this spring. The goal is to expand over the next decade.

"The NASCAR fan is an avid camper. Some numbers have put it over 60 percent are RVers. It's a perfect fit," Robert Moser, chief executive of NASCAR RV Resorts and co-owner of Morgan RV resorts, said in a telephone interview. "When you drive through our properties, you see that there's avid NASCAR fans.

"It's going to be a lot bigger for NASCAR than everybody's thinking right now," he added, saying the new facilities would introduce the sport to millions of consumers. "NASCAR and camping, you can't get more American than that."

Morgan RV Resorts, the largest private owner and operator of recreational vehicle facilities in the country, also sees this as a way to stand out in the $5 billion campground industry, he said. About 30 million Americans go camping every year, according to the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is a licensing agreement under which the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing would get a royalty.

NASCAR, with an estimated 75 million fans, is one of the most popular U.S. sports, but it has been hurt by the recession as consumers cut back on attending races and companies reduce their sponsorship spending with race teams.

The RV sector also has felt the pain as U.S. motorhome makers saw demand for their vehicles evaporate as a result of the weak economy and related credit crunch. Still, Winnebago Industries Inc said Thursday that demand for its biggest motorhomes showed signs of life.

While some tracks that host NASCAR races own adjacent campgrounds, the plan is to roll out the NASCAR RV Resorts further away from racing facilities in order to bring the racing experience to campers not at or near the tracks.

NASCAR, citing data from Simmons National Consumer Survey and Scarborough Research, sees opportunity as its fans are twice as likely to stay at campgrounds and twice as likely to own a motor home.

"In a sense, NASCAR has been in the camping business for more than 60 years," said Blake Davidson, NASCAR's managing director of licensed products. "The infield of any NASCAR Sprint Cup track demonstrates NASCAR fans' strong association with camping and RV ownership."

Before the 2009 racing season, NASCAR signed Camping World as the title sponsor for its truck racing series and officials said they would explore ways to leverage that relationship at the new campgrounds.

The branded venues will offer campers live NASCAR races shown on giant screens through DirecTV, tailgate parties, race weekend content available only at the campgrounds such as driver meetings, and NASCAR-themed activities, games and merchandise.

Morgan RV owns about 45 campgrounds, but the NASCAR campgrounds will be rolled out at non-Morgan facilities as well, Moser said. The plan is to rebrand existing campgrounds as well as build new ones.

(Reporting by Ben Klayman; Editing by Richard Chang)

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NASCAR, Morgan RV Resorts and Silver Companies Announce Plans to Bring ... - Carolina Newswire

Posted: 18 Dec 2009 09:39 AM PST

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Arizona RV dealership lays off 51 employees - Fresno Bee

Posted: 18 Dec 2009 09:17 AM PST

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Public Safety Log - Burlington County Times

Posted: 18 Dec 2009 07:58 AM PST

Bensalem

Arrests/Citations

Tereance Thomas Wynne, 23, 2500 block Paris Ave., 12:16 p.m. Fri, outstanding warrant on 2500 block Paris Ave., released to county sheriff.

Robert Ritsky, 45, 800 block Station Ave., 1:43 p.m. Sat, outstanding warrant on 800 block Station Ave., released to county sheriff.

Arianna Joy Vigo, 26, Central Ave., Morrisville, 2:48 p.m. Sat, outstanding warrant out of Philadelphia at Boscov's, Neshaminy Mall, also charged with retail theft, released to Philadelphia Police Warrant Unit, to receive summons for retail theft.

Albert Wynne Sr., 52, 2500 block Paris Ave., Trevose, 12:16 p.m. Fri, simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct on 2500 block Paris Ave., Wynne Sr. released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

David Alberto Rodriguez-Perez, 23, 1400 block N. Fourth St., Philadelphia, 12:34 p.m. Fri, simple assault, harassment, terroristic threats on 2700 block Windsor Dr., to receive summons.

Sean Myers, 24, 2500 block Knights Rd., 9:05 p.m. Fri, simple assault, unlawful restraint, harassment, criminal mischief on 2500 block Knights Rd., sent to county prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Nicholas Kirby, 32, 3400 block Eden St., Philadelphia, 12:33 p.m. Sun, fleeing/eluding police, reckless driving, careless driving, failure to drive at a safe speed, driving with a suspended license at Bristol and Gravel pks., to receive summons.

Gary Artysh, 54, 3300 block Byberry Rd., 11:52 p.m. Sat, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, public drunkenness on 3600 block Street Rd., to receive summons.

Juvenile female, 14, Bensalem, 1:12 p.m. Sat, harassment at Chancellor Cir., cited.

Vanshon Donnell Clark, 35, 800 block W. Wellings St., Philadelphia, 4:59 p.m. Fri, retail theft at Macy's, Neshaminy Mall, sent to county prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Amy Lynn Buras, 23, 800 block Highpoint Cir., Middletown, 6:02 p.m. Fri, retail theft on 3400 block Horizon Blvd., Trevose, sent to county prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Robert Affet Jr., 33, 100 block Harmony Rd., Trevose, 8:20 a.m. Sat, retail theft and driving under the influence on 3400 block Horizon Blvd., Trevose, to receive summons.

2 juvenile females, 13, 14, both of Bensalem, 10:43 a.m. Sat, retail theft on 1800 block Street Rd., both cited.

Darlene Marie Sorrentino, 39, 200 block Mill St., Bristol Borough, 2:48 p.m. Sat, retail theft at Boscov's, Neshaminy Mall, cited.

Xiomara Alexandra Tigreros, 35, 7000 block Large St., Philadelphia, 3:11 p.m. Sat, retail theft at Hollister store, Neshaminy Mall, sent to county prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Juvenile female, 15, Philadelphia, 7:32 p.m. Sat, retail theft at Hollister store, Neshaminy Mall, cited.

Anita J. Daniels, 29, 1700 block Latona St., Philadelphia, 7:37 p.m. Sun, retail theft at Sears, Neshaminy Mall, cited.

Debbie Ramos, 36, 3200 block D St., Philadelphia, 3:17 a.m. Sun, disorderly conduct on 2200 block Lincoln Hwy., Trevose, cited.

2 juvenile males, 15, 17, both of Philadelphia, 7:38 p.m. Fri, underage drinking on 2300 block Old Lincoln Hwy., Trevose, both to receive citation.

Bristol borough

Arrests/Citations

Michael Marozzi, 46, Radcliffe St., 11:35 p.m. Fri, disorderly conduct on 600 block Cedar St., cited.

Criminal mischief

Auto Tops, 300 block Howell St., 9:06 a.m. Wed, garage door spray painted, no damage value given.

500 block Bath St., 1:02 a.m. Sun, rear driver's side window smashed out of 1991 Cadillac Deville, no damage value given.

Theft

Meineke Muffler, 500 block Bristol Pk., 8:52 a.m. Dec 7, left piston, 4 car rims, 1 roll of aluminum, engine parts, no value given.

Wood St., 10:57 p.m. Sat, black purse, cash, Olympus camera, $300 camera value.

Lower SOUTHAMPTON

Arrests/Citations

Zhen Liu, 35, 300 block Village Way, Chalfont, 8:50 p.m. Fri, retail theft, receiving stolen property at TJ Maxx, 100 block E. Street Rd., Feasterville, $544.82 value.

Michelle Mruk, 49, 400 block Jeanes St., Philadelphia, 3:26 p.m. Sat, retail theft at Kmart, 100 block W. Street Rd., Feasterville, $104.95 value, to receive summons.

Burglary

First Choice Auto Body, 200 block Philmont Ave., Feasterville, noon Sun, forced entry made by smashing clear laminated glass of front door, nothing was taken, $150 damage value for door.

Criminal mischief

Arbor Lane Apts., 600 block Old Street Rd., Trevose, 1:52 a.m. Sat, 1996 Saturn in parking lot covered in flour, ketchup and other things, driver's side door keyed, no damage value given.

Unit block Stoltz Ave., Feasterville, 8:26 p.m. Sat, resident heard several loud bangs on east side of residence, found five or six exploded plastic bottles thrown over rear fence into yard, all had melted tin foil balls inside.

Fraud

2000 block Herrick Ave., Feasterville, 12:29 p.m. Fri, resident reported being notified by a collection agency that he owed $1,600 for a five line Verizon account that was opened using his Social Security number.

Theft

40 block Lukens St., Trevose, sometime Fri, inflatable snow globe lawn ornament with three figures that spun around inside, $150 value.

Theft from vehicle

500 block Ave. F., Feasterville, overnight Dec 6, Garmin Nuvi GPS unit, black DVD holder containing 40 DVDs, loose change and bills from center console of unlocked 2009 Honda Odyssey van in driveway, $1,004 value.

MIDDLETOWN

Criminal mischief

Foxwood Manor Apts., Levittown, overnight Fri, 2 tires punctured on 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe parked at 1700 building, $256.29 damage value.

700 block Highpoint Cir., 8:30-10 p.m. Fri, right rear tire slashed on Toyota Corolla, no damage value given.

Theft from vehicle

1000 block Walsh Ave., 8:30 p.m. Thu-7 a.m. Fri, digital picture frame, $30 value.

400 block Turtle Ln., midnight-6 a.m. Sat, sunglasses, DVDs, flashlights, credit cards from unlocked 2002 Nissan Titan in driveway, $740 value.

400 block Turtle Ln., 6:30 p.m. Fri-9 a.m. Sat, 2 pairs of sunglasses, 8-gig Apple Nano iPod from unlocked 2007 Acura TL in driveway, $375 value.

Morrisville

Arrests/Citations

Rasheen J. Northwood, 23, 1000 block Stuyvesant Ave., Trenton, 2:33 a.m. Wed, receiving stolen property at Francis Ave.

Terrell Mann, 19, 600 block New Willow St., Trenton, 2:33 a.m. Wed, receiving stolen property at Francis Ave.

Bowling Green Ave., no time or date given, warrant at Mill Pond Shopping Center, sent to county prison.

Shawn James Herzog, 31, 20 block Dewberry Ln., Levittown, 9:27 p.m. Sun, public drunkenness on 300 block Plaza Blvd., cited.

Burglary

100 block Delaware Ave., 10:57 p.m. Wed, suspicious person entered garage workshop, fled when noticed by owner.

Criminal mischief

300 block Plaza Blvd., 11:54 a.m. Sat, vandalism to vehicle parked in lot, no damage value given.

Theft from vehicle

700 block S. Pennsylvania Ave., 9:52 a.m. Sat, cash, pair of walkie-talkies from RV trailer in rear of property, $50 value.

Police from Falls, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Lower Makefield, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Penndel, Solebury, State Police at Trevose, Tullytown, Upper Makefield, Wrightstown, Yardley reported no crime.

From police reports

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