2012 LUCAS OIL OFF-ROAD EXPO ANNOUNCES THE OFF-ROAD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (ORBA) AS CHARITY OF CHOICE

Simon | October 1, 2012

POMONA, CALIF. (October 1, 2012) – The 2012 Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire will return to the Pomona Fairplex Saturday, October 6 through Sunday, October 7, with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) as the official event charity. Advance tickets purchased with the special promotion code ORBA at www.offroadexpo.com will net $1.00 for every ticket sold to ORBA.

ORBA is a national non-profit trade association of motorized off-road related businesses formed to promote and preserve off-road recreation. ORBA proactively protects recreation access and opportunities by ensuring that America’s families are not arbitrarily denied the right to responsibly recreate. ORBA provides leadership in addressing land use issues by advancing policies that conserve the environment while at the same time providing off-road recreation opportunities.

The Off Road Business Association has been a leading driver behind the 29 Palms Marine Base Expansion opposition efforts. ORBA and Off Road Expo’s fundraising efforts pre and post event will go in part to ORBA’s efforts to save the Johnson Valley OHV area.

“Off-Road Expo is the perfect opportunity to educate the public on the various threats our community faces on a regular basis, and showcase some of the campaigns industry leaders participate in from a business perspective,” said Greg Adler, Chairman of the Board of the Off Road Business Association.

The off-road community as a whole has gathered around the 29 Palms Marine Base Expansion opposition efforts. This effort has been centered in the SaveTheHammers.Org project, an online fundraising and awareness effort to protect the Johnson Valley OHV area from the expansion of the Marine Base.

Johnson Valley has been a popular designated OHV area since the 1980’s, is the largest off-highway vehicle area in the United States and plays host to over 42 events throughout a calendar year including the annual King of the Hammers off-road race. The 29 Palms Marine base is the 2nd largest military base in the world, touting 932 square miles of desert. The expansion of the base will impact 84% of the OHV area threatening hobbyists and the industry at large.

ORBA has been at the center of the opposition efforts:
· Worked to engage the largest OHV user groups in California under the California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC)
· Capitalized on political relationships with key legislators in Washington DC
· Traveled to Washington DC to meet with Legislators, the Department of Interior, and Lobbyists
· Employed environmental attorney through Ecologic Partners to comment on the Environmental Impact Statement
· Created an economic impact study that has been vital to supporting the claims of the business and enthusiast community

For more info on ORBA or the 29 Palms Marine Base expansion, visit www.ORBA.biz or www.SaveTheHammers.org.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Expo powered by General Tire has everything off-road including new vehicles, thousands of parts and accessories, racing demos, freestyle motocross action, movie premieres, RC Racing and more. With more than 300 exhibitors showcasing all the latest off-road toys, technologies, parts, gear and accessories, Off-Road Expo promises to be one of the biggest shows yet.

Off-Road Expo will take place Saturday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Held at the Pomona Fairplex, located at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona, Calif. Advance discount tickets are available now at OffRoadExpo.com for $10 adults and $5 children (ages 6-12). Kids 5 and under are free. Tickets may also be purchased on-site for $14 adults, $5 children. A Family Four Pack is available for $20 and includes admission for two adults, and two children (available online only through Friday, October 5).

For more information, visit www.OffRoadExpo.com. Follow Off-Road Expo at FB.com/OffRoadExpo and at Twitter.com/OffRoadExpo.