BFGoodrich® Tires Announces 2013 Outstanding Trails Winners

MOAB, Utah, March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BFGoodrich^® Tires, in collaboration with Tread Lightly! ^® and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), today announced the winners of the  2013 Outstanding Trails program.  Nominated for uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast following, the trails selected for this year's program are:

• Dutch John Trail at the Uwharrie National Forest in Troy, North Carolina
• Kansas Rocks Recreation Park in Mapleton, Kansas
• Truckhaven in Salton Sea, California

Since its inception in 2006, The Outstanding Trails program has been dedicated to the responsible use and preservation of off-road trails. In the last eight years, Outstanding Trails has recognized more than 30 off-road trails throughout the country and has awarded over $115,000 in grants in support of trail conservation efforts.

"The legacy of the Outstanding Trails program is a great source of pride for BFGoodrich," said Duane Thomas, brand communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires. "We're grateful for the efforts of the many four-wheel drive clubs and their volunteers for working with us in our quest to help maintain some of North America's most beautiful trails."

BFGoodrich Tires 2013 Outstanding Trails
During the course of the year, BFGoodrich Tires will be at club events associated with these trails to highlight the uniqueness of each location, educate off-road enthusiasts on the responsible use of the trails and present a $4,000 grant to each club to assist in the preservation of trail access.

• Dutch John Trail at the Uwharrie National Forest is a 2.1-mile trail maintained by The Carolina Trail Blazers 4WD Club, a family oriented club formed in 1971. The Carolina Trail Blazers 4WD Club was instrumental in the development of the Uwharrie Off-Highway Vehicle trails, which it has been maintaining since they were first opened to 4WD use.
• Kansas Rocks Recreation Park is a not-for-profit park open to the public, boasting trails for beginners and experienced outdoor enthusiasts alike.  The park is maintained by The Brush Beater Jeep Club and is open to all makes of four-wheel drive vehicles.
• Truckhaven is the host of the annual Tierra Del Sol Desert Safari. The trails consist of sandy washes, rocky canyons, deep gorges with near perpendicular walls and great hill climbs. Tierra Del Sol has a history with this area going back over 50 years and is involved with constant renovations and improvements for Truckhaven to improve the quality of its off-road trails.

"The three trails and clubs recognized in 2013 are some of the best we've seen to date," said Lori McCullough, executive director of Tread Lightly!. "We are excited to see the great work that these clubs will do to help improve and conserve access to these trails."

"For the past eight years, UFWDA has been honored to be a partner in the Outstanding Trails program," said Jim Mazzola, President of UFWDA. "The more than 30 grants provided by BFGoodrich as part of the Outstanding Trails program have made a tremendous impact helping preserve some of the most beautiful off-road trails available."

About the Outstanding Trails Program
The BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails program was established in 2006 to raise awareness for responsible use and preservation of off-road trails while providing support in the trails' conservation efforts. Through 2013, the Outstanding Trails program has recognized over 30 off-road trails and clubs across North America.  The program has provided more than $115,000 in grants in support of the various trails conservation efforts.

Both Tread Lightly! and UFWDA are non-profit organizations dedicated to responsible and ethical outdoor recreation.  BFGoodrich Tires collaborated with these two groups to select the finest off-road trails and continues to work with these organizations on restoration and education initiatives.

About BFGoodrich Tires
Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 40 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including sports car, 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 at www.BFGoodrichTires.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BFGoodrichTires  or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BFGoodrichTires. 

About United Four Wheel Drive Associations
United Four Wheel Drive Associations is the world's leading representative of all-brand, four wheel-drive enthusiasts. UFWDA benefits, developed and tested over the past 30 years, include four-wheel-drive safety and awareness education; such user ethics programs as adopt-a-road, conservation volunteer and volunteer trail patrol; assistance with new club formation; education seminars to aid four wheelers through complex state and federal programs affecting trail access; internet forums designed to instantly connect members globally; a legislative advocate and nationally recognized attorney who works exclusively for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to protect access and prevent road and trail closures. For more information on the UFWDA log on to www.ufwda.org, or call 1-800-44-UFWDA (800-448-3932).

About Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship programs. Tread Lightly!'s award-winning educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them.  The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment.  Tread Lightly! offers unique programs and services to help remedy current recreation issues. Individuals and businesses can commit to Tread Lightly! and protect outdoor access by becoming a member at www.treadlightly.org.

SOURCE BFGoodrich Tires