MEDINA, Minn. — December 14, 2015 — Indian Motorcycle®, America’s first motorcycle company, recently announced its continuing sponsorship of the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis for 2016 and is, in fact, expanding its level of sponsorship this year. A veteran from the inaugural event was surprised to receive the gift of a customized Indian Scout by the Veterans Charity Ride and Champion Sidecars & Trikes last Friday at the International Motorcycle Show in New York City. Veteran Marine Sean Carroll, wounded in the first Iraq war, participated in the 2015 ride and was positively affected by the motorcycle therapy provided by the ride.  

“While serving in Iraq in 2004, 21-year old Sean was gravely injured from an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), resulting in the loss of his right leg and several fingers. Injuries such as this can take years to recover from. We wanted to do something special for Sean, giving him back a part of his life and his love of motorcycles,” says Dave Frey, founder of the Veterans Charity Ride and producer at Full Vision Productions. “Veterans Charity Ride and our supporters were so moved by his story, and seeing the results of the inaugural ride, we donated the money to purchase a new Indian Scout for Sean. We contacted Champion Sidecars & Trikes, who had donated the sidecars that Sean rode in, and they were immediately onboard with providing the first prototype trike kit for the new Indian Scout so that Sean could ride a motorcycle again.”

“Appreciation and support for our military and our veterans is core to the Indian Motorcycle brand,” said Steve Menneto, President of Motorcycles for Polaris Industries. “The success of the program was clear to us in Sturgis last year as these brave men and women rolled in to town. Helping our veterans after serious physical and mental injuries is an important cause, and we’re proud of offer our continued involvement and support. We look forward to the positive effects and results of this program year after year.”

Craig Arrojo, president of Champion Sidecars & Trikes is also committed to the Veterans Charity Ride in 2016, and had this to say, “The popularity of the Indian Scout and the request to do this trike project for Sean was an easy ‘yes’ for us. Dave Frey and this program really showed us how our products can be a big part of a veteran’s recovery. Our design engineering team and staff stepped up to get this project fast-tracked so Sean could ride with his fellow veterans next year.”

The epic ride and adventure departs Los Angeles on July 30 en route to Sturgis, SD and culminates at the 76th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Over the course of the nine day journey, 15 veterans will ride America’s most scenic backroads, experiencing iconic landscapes from the seat of an Indian motorcycle as an important part of their personal healing process. Several of the Indian models will be customized with Champion sidecars to accommodate riders who are unable to operate a motorcycle themselves due to their injuries.

Veterans seeking assistance and those wishing to view videos and stories of the past ride can logon to www.VeteransCharityRide.org for more information including details on partner organizations offering assistance and services for veterans and their families.

ABOUT FULL VISION PRODUCTIONS

Located in La Crescenta, California, Full Vision Productions was founded in 1994 by producer/director Robert Manciero.  Since then it has grown into a full service production company and agency with 11 Emmy awards and several festival awards to their credit. Originally specializing in extreme sports, Full Vision Productions has expanded into commercial, promotional and documentary film work for networks, major corporations and government agencies. Please visit www.fullvisionproductions.com for more details.

ABOUT CHAMPION SIDECAR & TRIKES
Champion Sidecars & Trikes, established in 1984, located in Garden Grove, CA. is the largest sidecar and trike manufacturer in the United States. Champion has achieved recognition throughout the motorcycle world for innovation, leadership and advancement of motorcycle sidecars and three-wheel motorcycles.  Champion will continue to break ground in the motorcycle industry by delivering the highest value sidecar and three-wheel experience to motorcyclists around the world. For more details visit http://www.championsidecars.com.

ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), is America’s first motorcycle company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.

ABOUT POLARIS® INDUSTRIES
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2014 sales of $4.5 billion.  Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER® and RZR® side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.

Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory® and Indian Motorcycle® and Slingshot® brands.  Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories and Apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Kolpin®, Cycle Country® and Pro Armor® brands.

Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.

Source: http://proridersmarketing.com/veterans-charity-ride-presented-by-indian-motorcycle-and-champion-trikes-donate-custom-indian-scout-to-wounded-marine/

​Published: 14 December 2015 | Written by Digits
An event that added an interesting motorcycle layer to the Sturgis Rally in 2015 was the Veterans Charity Ride. Built around a ride from Los Angeles to the Sturgis motorcycle rally, organizers hope it raises awareness and support for wounded and severely injured veterans across the nation.