FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2010

Media Contact:  Jenny Stickley jenny@hatcherfoundation.org

2010 Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car ON EXHIBIT AT SIXTH ANNUAL KRASL ART CENTER COnCOURS on the BLUFF

Chattanooga, TN:              The special-edition Hurst Mustang serving as the 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Series Pace Car will be on display this weekend at the 6^th Annual Krasl Art Center Concours on the Bluff in St. Joseph, MI.   After its run with the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge, this unique and highly-collectible Pace Car will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January 2011.

Proceeds from the sale of this Mustang will go to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer.  “The Austin Hatcher Foundation is proud to be partnering with Hurst Performance, the Larry H. Miller Dealership Group, Whelen Engineering, BF Goodrich Tires, Ford Racing and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Series to sponsor the 2010 Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car,” said Jim Osborn, Chairman of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.  “The Foundation’s focus is on empowering families faced with pediatric cancer to thrive, and we hope to bring excitement to these families through Hurst’s history of unique muscle cars.”

The stunning Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car comes equipped with 20” BFGoodrich KDW tires for maximum performance and attitude, 20” Hurst polished, forged aluminum wheels and a Hurst Competition/Plus shifter with a black T-handle.  The engine pounds out 550-horsepower, which is approximately 200-horsepower more than the race Mustangs, and 542 lb.-ft of torque, courtesy of the Ford Racing polished supercharger, Ford Racing FR500S stainless-steel cat-back exhaust and K&N filter.

This is a great opportunity to get an up-close look at a piece of Ford Mustang Series history.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for a carefree childhood was formed in 2006
after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer.  The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment, as well as those who have lost children due to cancer.  The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families function within their community.  All services provided by the Foundation are free of charge, funded solely by the generous donations of its supporters.

Hatch’s house of hope is a unique Austin Hatcher Foundation concept designed to empower children and families affected by pediatric cancer to thrive. The landmark cancer care center equips children and their family members with the educational, emotional and social skills necessary to succeed.  Specifically, these services include Problem Solving Skills Training, neurocognitive testing, educational programming to help effected children overcome their cognitive and learning deficits, emotional counseling for the cancer affected child, their siblings and parents, and marital and financial counseling to ensure a safe environment to maximize the family growth as a whole.  All services at Hatch’s are free to its guests, funded entirely by donations.  Erlanger Medical Mall in Chattanooga, TN, is the site of the first Hatch’s house of hope, which opened September
18, 2009.  This Hatch’s is the model for other Hatch’s in the planning stages nationwide.  For more information, visit www.hatcherfoundation.org or www.hatcherfoundation.org.

HURST ANNOUNCES BUILD OF 50 LIMITED PRODUCTION

REPLICAS OF ITS 2010 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE PACE CAR

Hurst /Austin Hatcher Mustang Makes Debut as Official Pace Car

for Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Series

Irvine, Calif. (May 5, 2010) – Hurst Performance, a company with a long standing racing history, announced today that it will build 50 limited production replicas of its 550 HP supercharged 2010 Hurst/Austin Hatcher Foundation Mustang Pace Car.

The stunning Hurst/Austin Hatcher Foundation Mustang Pace Car replicas are distinctive, with painted gold racing stripes and gold official “Pace Car” logos on a traditional black paint scheme. The exterior delivers a solid Hurst identity with subtle detailing features including real metal badges and a Hurst AIR-SPEED rear deck spoiler. Other special Hurst details include a Hurst leather interior with contrast top-stitching, embroidered logos, and Hurst-logoed floor mats.

The engine pounds out 550-horsepower, nearly 200-horsepower more than the FR500S race Mustangs and 542 lb.-ft of torque, courtesy of the Ford Racing polished supercharger, Ford Racing FR500S stainless-steel cat-back exhaust and K&N filter. Helping keep all four wheels on the ground is a special race bred suspension by Ford Racing. Going fast does no good if one can’t stop—an upgraded braking system featuring 14″ rotors and 4-piston calipers, also from Ford Racing, helps bring this special car to a standstill.

The cars come equipped with 20″ BFGoodrich g-Force™ T/A®KDW tires for maximum performance and attitude, 20″ HRE/Hurst polished, forged aluminum wheels and a Hurst Competition/Plus shifter with a gold handle, centerpiece of the interior for both manual and automatic cars.

Each limited edition production car comes with a commemorative edition etched metal dash badge, autographed signatures from the Hurst Team in the trunk and a Certificate of Authenticity confirming its collectability and provenance.  Every Hurst buyer is invited to take delivery at the Hurst Performance Center in Irvine, Calif. to meet the Hurst team and tour the facility.

“At Hurst, we try to build vehicles that are fun to collect and even more fun to drive. In this case, we are quite privileged to have the opportunity to build a car that will also embrace our long-standing history in the world of racing,” said Nate Shelton, President and Chairman of Hurst Performance Vehicles.

The original Hurst/Austin Hatcher Foundation Mustang made its debut as the official pace car at the season opening Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race on April 25 at Virginia International Raceway. After its run with the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge, this unique and highly-collectible Pace Car will make special appearances at the Hot Rod Power Tour, at numerous Larry H. Miller dealerships across the country and even at SEMA, before being auctioned for charity in January 2011.

Proceeds of the auction will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, to fund the Foundation’s landmark group of educational, emotional and social skills development programs that are essential to helping cancer stricken children and their families succeed within their community.

The Hurst/Austin Hatcher Mustang Pace Car replicas are available immediately for purchase.  Please visit www.hurst-performance.com or call (949) 261-5500 to order your car or make inquiries.

Additional images posted: http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/media/photoset/72157623821365505/

www.mustangchallenge.com

Highly Collectible Pace Car to Benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer

Irvine, Calif. (April 20, 2010) – Hurst Performance Vehicles, a company responsible for some of the most iconic pace cars in racing history, will once again debut a special-edition Mustang built to serve as the official pace car for the 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Series.

The 2010 Hurst Mustang pace car will debut during the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race at Virginia International Raceway on April 25, 2010.

After its run with the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge, this unique and highly-collectible Pace Car will make special appearances at the Hot Rod Power Tour, at numerous Larry H. Miller dealerships across the country and even at SEMA, before being auctioned for charity in January 2011. Proceeds of the auction will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, formed to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment, as well as those who have lost children due to cancer.  Through Hatch’s house of hope, the Austin Hatcher Foundation provides a landmark group of educational, emotional and social skills development programs essential to help cancer stricken children and their families succeed within their community.

Additionally, the 2010 Hurst pace car’s paint scheme and likeness will be used to create promotional items sold by the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Series at various race events and online, including a run of limited edition replica skins for their Miller Cup Pinewood Car kits.  As one of several ongoing initiatives to support the Austin Hatcher Foundation, Mustang Challenge has integrated a fund-raising Miller Cup Pinewood Derby car race into the season-ending championship banquet at Miller Motorsports Park.

Larry H. Miller Dealership Group has confirmed that it will partner with Hurst Performance to donate the vehicle for this project. Other partners of the project include Whelen Engineering, Ford Racing, BFGoodrich Tires.  Motorsports artist Roger Warrick will create original art for promotional items.

“Hurst has a history of creating unique, high-quality, emotionally-charged muscle cars and the 2010 Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge pace car is no different,” said Nate Shelton, Chairman of Hurst Performance Vehicles. “We are so proud to have yet another opportunity to set the pace for others to follow and give something back to a deserving organization.”

The stunning Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car comes equipped with 20” BFGoodrich g-Force^™ T/A^®KDW tires for maximum performance and attitude, 20” Hurst polished, forged aluminum wheels and a Hurst Competition/Plus shifter with a black T-handle.

The engine pounds out 550-horsepower, or nearly 200-horsepower more than the FR500S race Mustangs, and 542 lb.-ft of torque, courtesy of the Ford Racing polished supercharger, Ford Racing FR500S stainless-steel cat-back exhaust and K&N filter.  With its race bred Ford Racing coil-over suspension, this car is sure to keep people straining just to see it zoom by.  And to stop all this power, the car is equipped with an upgraded braking system featuring 14″ rotors and 4-piston calipers, also from Ford Racing.

“The Austin Hatcher Foundation is proud to be partnering with Hurst Performance, the Larry H. Miller Dealership Group, Whelen Engineering, BFGoodrich Tires, Ford Racing and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Series to sponsor the 2010 Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car,” said Jim Osborn MD, Chairman of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. “The Foundation’s focus is on empowering families faced with pediatric cancer to thrive, and we hope to bring excitement to these families through Hurst’s history of unique muscle cars.”

Other signature Hurst details include a traditional Hurst black on gold paint scheme, a Hurst leather interior with contrast top-stitching and embroidered logos, Hurst-logoed floor mats and a Hurst AIR-SPEED rear deck spoiler.

***********

About Hurst Performance

Founded in 1958, Hurst Performance is one of the most recognized and revered names in the automotive performance arena. The Hurst brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering high performance products and vehicles for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. Hurst was one of the first specialty companies to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary Hurst/Olds 442. For more information please visit www.hurst-performance.com.

About Ford Racing Mustang Challenge

The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge is a new professional racing series co-developed by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park. Utilizing the new Ford Mustang FR500S and sanctioned by the Grand-Am Road Racing, Mustang Challenge is a support series to major professional road racing events across North America.  Mustang Challenge is an affordable, challenging platform for racers who want to compete in a V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive car on a level playing field that showcases driver ability in high-profile events. A competitive point structure and generous purses make the Mustang Challenge The Place to Race!

About BFGoodrich Tires

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 35 years, BFGoodrich^® Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally, 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. In 2009, BFGoodrich Tires developed a gathering place for auto enthusiasts to celebrate the thrill of GO through an online community.  Nation of GO is an online community where people with a passion for driving can celebrate and share what they love to do best at www.NationofGo.com.

About The Larry H. Miller Dealership Group

What Larry H. Miller Founded in May of 1979 with one Toyota dealership has now grown into the nations tenth largest automotive dealership group. Located throughout seven western states from; Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.  Comprised of 38 locations representing 19 brands, from Toyota to Mercedes-Benz.  Visit The Larry H. Miller group at www.LHM.com or www.drivenbyyou.com

About Whelen Engineering

Whelen Engineering Inc. was founded in 1952 by George W. Whelen III with the development of a rotating aircraft “anti-collision beacon” product that quickly found use with police, fire and public safety departments across the country and around the world.  Whelen is now the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of emergency visual and audible warning products. Whelen is the only United States manufacturer of emergency warning equipment that continues to design and manufacture all of its products entirely in the United States.  Whelen is the entitlement sponsor of three NASCAR grass-roots racing series and is the major corporate sponsor of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc., the designer and supplier of bobsleds to the USA Bobsled Team, including the “Night Train”  four-man bobsled that won the Olympic Gold Medal  at the Vancouver Olympics. Located in Chester, CT, Whelen Engineering is owned by George W. “Sonny” Whelen IV, son of the company’s founder. The company’s website is www.whelen.com.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer was formed in 2006 after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer.  The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment, as well as those who have lost children due to cancer.  The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families succeed within their community.  All services provided by the Foundation are free of charge, funded solely by the generous donations of its supporters.

Hatch’s house of hope is a unique Austin Hatcher Foundation concept designed to empower children and families affected by pediatric cancer to thrive. The landmark cancer care center equips children and their family members with the educational, emotional and social skills necessary to succeed.  Specifically, these services include Problem Solving Skills Training, neurocognitive testing, educational programming to help effected children overcome their cognitive and learning deficits, emotional counseling for the cancer affected child, their siblings and parents, and marital and financial counseling to ensure a safe environment to maximize the family growth as a whole.  All services at Hatch’s are free to its guests, funded entirely by donations.  Erlanger Medical Mall in Chattanooga, TN, is the site of the first Hatch’s house of hope, which opened September 18, 2009.  This Hatch’s is the model for other Hatch’s in the planning stages nationwide.  For more information, visit www.hatcherfoundation.org or www.hatcherfoundation.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
Contact: Jenny Stickley     
jenny@hatcherfoundation.org

Attached photo: the fund-raising efforts for the Hatcher Foundation included a pinewood derby event at the Championship Banquet at Miller Motorsports Park’s Champions Hall. Please visit www.hatcherfoundation.org to support this worthy cause.

FORD RACING MUSTANG CHALLENGE AND BFGOODRICH TIRES RAISE $40,000 FOR AUSTIN HATCHER FOUNDATION DURING 2009 SEASON

(Ooltewah, TN) November 25, 2009:  The Austin Hatcher Foundation has benefited greatly from its continued support from Ford Racing Mustang Challenge and BFGoodrich Tires.  During the 2009 year end celebration, Ford Mustang Racing Challenge Series Director Lynda Randall presented the Foundation with a check for $30,000 with an additional $10,000 donation coming from one of the series participants. 

The money was raised through the combined efforts of the series, its drivers, BFGoodrich Tires and Hurst Performance.  Along with their donations from winnings, drivers participated throughout the season in the Foundation’s diversionary therapy events designed to give families dealing with the effects of pediatric cancer a chance to escape the world of hospitals and doctors and create lasting memories together.  

The drivers not only spent time with families at the track, but also visited local children’s hospitals in cities during the race season. More 100 children and adults were served. 

BFGoodrich Tires donated a one-of-a-kind tire for a silent auction to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation during the 45th Anniversary Celebration of the Ford Mustang at Barber Motorsports Park.  

The “Mustang Tire,” truly a piece of motorsports history, bears a tread of 15 horses that represent the mustang logo.  During Ford Mustang Racing Challenge’s 2009 season awards banquet, the Austin Hatcher Foundation hosted the first BFGoodrich/Ford Racing Mustang Challenge/Husrt Performance Pinewood Derby, where close to 50 pinewood derby cars custom-built to resemble the famous “pony”car were entered in the race.  

“BFGoodrich Tires and Ford Mustang Racing Challenge’s sustained support of the Foundation and its mission has helped create lasting memories and provide much needed support for many families across the country,” said Jim Osborn, Co-Founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.  “We are truly fortunate to have the support of these world class organizations.”

The Austin Hatcher Foundation would like to thank Ford Mustang Racing Challenge, its drivers and BFGoodrich Tires for their dedicated and continual support.  Together they are helping the Austin Hatcher Foundation make a difference in the lives of those affected by Pediatric Cancer. 

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for a carefree childhood was formed in 2006 after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer.  The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment as well as those who have lost children due to cancer.  The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families function within their community.  

Hatch’s House of Hope is a unique concept designed to keep the family unit whole when dealing with pediatric cancer.  Specifically, these services include IEP neurocognitive testing, educational programming to help effected children overcome their cognitive and learning deficits, emotional counseling for the cancer affected child, their siblings and parents, and marital and financial counseling to ensure a safe environment to maximize the family growth as a whole.  Erlanger Medical Mall in Chattanooga, TN is the site of the first Hatch’s House of Hope, which opened its doors September 18, 2009.  For more information, visit www.hatcherfoundation.org.  

Ford Mustang Racing MustangChallenge is a new professional racing series co-developed by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park.  The series, sanctioned by Grand-Am Road Racing, showcases the new Ford Mustang FR500S.  Its races serve as a support series to major professional racing series across the country.  

BFGoodrich Tires is known all over the world as a top quality tire manufacturer.  Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich is involved in every type of racing, including sports car, oval, drag, drifting, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock crawling.  BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle.

Hurst Performance , founded in 1958, is one of the most recognized and revered names in the automotive performance arena. The Hurst brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering high performance products and vehicles for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding.