MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS INSTITUTE NAMED "OFFICIAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE"
OF ALL HARLEY® DRAG RACING ASSOCIATION/SCREAMIN' EAGLE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
PHOENIX, Ariz., April 15, 2009 — The All Harley® Drag Racing Association (AHDRA®) has named Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) the official technical institute for the 2009 Screamin' Eagle Championship Series. MMI is a division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), a leading provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. MMI prepares students to become entry-level motorcycle technicians.
Beginning as a club racing organization in the late seventies, the AHDRA has now grown into a national racing sanction that hosts hundreds of Harley-Davidson® (H-D®) competitors and thousands of spectators at state-of-the-art facilities across the United States. Drag racing is unique in motorsports today, giving fans direct access to the competition. Each event ticket is a "pit pass" that allows fans to circulate the pits, meet the race teams and get an up-close look at their high-powered machines.
"MMI is the first technical institute with which AHDRA has aligned and we are extremely excited they are on board for the 2009 season," said Craig Tharpe, AHDRA general manager. "AHDRA secures relationships with only the best organizations in their respective industries and MMI is the recognized leader in motorcycle technician training. We see great things coming from this relationship."
"This series is heavily attended by Harley-Davidson racing enthusiasts, dealers and MMI alumni, making our association with AHDRA and its legion of fans a perfect match for MMI," said Terry Emig, director of motorsports and event marketing for Motorcycle Mechanics Institute. "Aligning creates a great opportunity to increase visibility for AHDRA, as well as MMI and its Harley-Davidson sponsored and supported technician training programs, among individuals who are interested in motorcycles and motorsports."
Five-time National AHDRA champion Bob Drapp and teammate Jim McMillan, now MMI instructors for the Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle Performance Program, connected MMI with AHDRA.
"I know that racers are always looking for technical advantages and MMI is a great place to get an education to become an entry-level motorcycle technician," said Drapp. "Many MMI graduates have gone on to work in the racing world."
Stop by the MMI event trailer at the AHDRA events this season to meet Drapp, McMillan and MMI staff, and learn about technician training programs and career opportunities throughout the industry.
AHDRA competitors are looking forward to the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Gypsy Rendezvous Nationals season opener at Gateway International in St. Louis, Ill the weekend of April 18 and 19.
About Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) is a division of Phoenix, Ariz.-based Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), a leading provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, collision repair, diesel, marine and motorcycle technicians. With campuses located in Phoenix, Ariz. and Orlando, Fla., MMI is supported, equipped and endorsed by all six major motorcycle manufacturers -- American Honda, American Suzuki, BMW, Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA and Yamaha Motor Corp. USA. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. also offers specialized technical education programs at eight other campuses across the country through several well-known brands -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). For more information, visit www.uti.edu.
Contact: Connie Hanson for Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
SSA Public Relations
602-956-6776 Connie@gotossa.com
About the AHDRA
In 2009, AHDRA is entering its 32nd year of drag racing. With sixteen different classes - ranging from the 232-mph Top Fuel Nitro methane class to the highly competitive Sportsman gas classes - competitors have a wide range of choices in AHDRA competition.
What started out as a club racing organization in the late seventies has now grown into a national racing sanction that hosts hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators at state-of-the-art facilities across the United States. This extreme sport is unique in motorsports today, giving fans direct access to the competition. Each event ticket is a "pit pass" that allows fans to circulate the pits, meet the race teams, and get an up-close look at their high-powered machines. For more on AHDRA, visit us online at www.ahdra.com.
Contact: Craig Tharpe, AHDRA
336-924-2095 media@ahdra.com
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