In an effort to keep fans, friends and supporters of Blair Morgan up-to-date following his serious injury during a practice in Montreal last week, his wife Terri has forwarded the following message to the media.

I wanted to first say thank you for the overwhelming support, well wishes as well as the lovely flowers Blair has received. The room smells wonderful, much like a botanical garden and we have run out of counter space. Just knowing how many lives he has touched is so wonderful.

Terri Morgan

Press Release –

Yamaha snowmobiles stole the show with nine pro wins at three different grass-drag events in Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21. Most importantly, Hauck Power Sports driver Jim Jones gave the new 2009 FX Nytro XTX its first pro-racing victory at the third round of the 2008 NSRA grass-drag series in Douglas, Minn., then added three more victories on Apex and Nytro machines. Greg Omasta also contributed three wins for Yamaha on his Apex and modified SRX sleds in Ohio, New York, while Bryan Eckel racked up a pair of wins on his Apex and RS Vector in Presque Isle, Penn.

After scoring a third and a red-light DNF in two previous attempts on the new FX Nytro XTX, Jones found the third time was most definitely the charm when he took Sunday afternoon’s 600 Single Pipe final at the 14th annual Great Southern Grass Drag Nationals in rural Minnesota.

Empowered by this victory, he went on to score a win in 600 Stock aboard his Apex, and now remains undefeated in the class this year. Before the afternoon was over he had also added wins in 600 Improved on a modified Apex and in 500 Stock aboard a RS Nytro. As well as being the defending champion in all four classes, Jones now leads the NSRA points in each of them this year.

Eleven hundred miles due east in Ohio, New York, the annual Ohio Ridge Riders Club event was in full swing, with racing on both Saturday and Sunday. 17-year old Chris Omasta made his Pro class racing debut by putting the hammer down on his dad’s modified Omasta Racing SRX on Saturday, taking wins in Open Mod 700 and Heavy Mod 700 as well as a second in Pro Mod 700.

Chris then returned on Sunday with his Apex to win Stock 600 and take a close second in Stock 700. Of course, Chris’ dad Greg was proud of his son’s driving, but Greg also had good things to say about the Yamaha Apex. “The big Apex really launches hard and it’s got extremely long legs on the top,” he said. “If we come out of the gate strongly it’s all over, and even if we come out late it runs ‘em down on the other end.”

Down in Pennsylvania on Sunday, the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club offered racers a chance to do what many have dreamt about – race on a golf course. Configured especially for snowmobile drags every summer, the Mound Grove Golf Course pulled in a huge crowd excited to see snowmobiles run – and to test-ride Yamaha ATVs at a factory display.

In the finals, Bryan Eckel’s Apex dominated the 700 Stock event and finished a tantalizingly close second in 600 Stock. The Eckel Racing driver likewise finished a tight second in 600 Single Pipe on his FX Nytro before taking a convincing final win in 500 Stock on his RS Vector. “The Apex is so smooth – it’s just wonderful to run down the track,” he praised. “There’s also no load-up problems like in the two-strokes, and it’s very forgiving when there’s heat in the motor.”

NSRA Grass Drag Race Results – Rochester, MN

Pro Classes:

Stock 600
1st: Jim Jones / Yamaha Apex
2nd: L. Hauck
3rd: C. Erhart
4th: M. Golaski

Stock 600S (Single Pipe)
1st: Jim Jones / Yamaha FX Nytro XTX
2nd: M. Golaski
3rd: A. Phelps
4th: D. Parcel

Stock 500
1St: Jim Jones / Yamaha RS Nytro
2nd: L. Hauck
3rd: M. Lamire
4th: J. Hurley Jr.

Improved Stock 600 cc
1st: Jimmy Jones / Yamaha Apex
2nd: Jerry Fix / Yamaha Apex
3rd: D. Hodges-Larson
4th: S. Hartung

Semi-Pro Classes:

Semi Pro 600
1st: D. Parcel
2nd: Matt Thies / Yamaha RX-1
3rd: A. Phelps

Semi Pro 500
1st: Ron Bureinski / Yamaha Vector
2nd: Matt Thies / Yamaha RS Nytro
3rd: R. Krueger

Press Release –

Injured Hiker Rescued From Canadian Rockies After Sending GPS Coordinates and Distress Message From His SPOT Satellite Messenger

Globalstar Canada Satellite Co. reported today that on August 22, 2008 experienced hiker and Canadian oil analyst Michael Ervin, set off to enjoy a backcountry wilderness trip to the base of Mount Assiniboine, one of the highest and most distinctive peaks in the Canadian Rockies outside of Banff.

A bad fall under the weight of his forty-five pound backpack left Mr. Ervin with a ruptured quadriceps tendon to his knee, unable to put any weight on his leg and 10 kilometers from the nearest road with no cell phone coverage.

“I heard a loud snap from my leg and could see my knee cap hanging loose, lower than usual,” said Michael Ervin, President of fuel-analysis firm MJ Ervin & Associates of Calgary. “I was experiencing shock and knew I was unable to walk. I needed real help and pressed the 9-1-1 button on my SPOT Satellite Messenger to notify emergency responders of my GPS location coordinates.”

The SPOT Satellite Messenger™ is a personal safety device which enables users to communicate via satellite technology from remote locations around the globe and initiate check-in and emergency response calls independently of cellular networks.

Banff National Parks, which maintains a 24/7 rescue office, immediately dispatched a local Parks helicopter to Mr. Ervin’s exact location. He was flown to Banff Mineral Springs Hospital and underwent surgery the next day.

“As a pilot, I learned about SPOT through my membership with COPA (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association) and purchased the device because it was more affordable than other PLBs and due to its GPS location capability SPOT is far more reliable than the 121.5 ELT,” added Mr. Ervin. “Because it’s small and lightweight, I take SPOT with me on my backpacking trips to stay connected with my family and friends at home. This time, it proved vital in getting me the quick medical attention that I needed.”

Mr. Ervin is no stranger to this wilderness area. This was his third attempt of reaching the base of Mount Assiniboine by foot along the 29 Kilometer Citadel Pass Trail. His previous attempts were never completed due to a forest fire one year and inclement weather brought on by an early winter storm during a later attempt.

“This is but a speed bump on the highway of life, and after I have completed my recovery in the next few months I will try to make it back to Mount Assiniboine.”

Press Release –

Snowmobile Safety, Fashion, Gear and 2009 Sleds to be Showcased

The OFSC Go Snowmobiling, Canada’s leading snowmobile show, announced an exciting line-up of show features including: fashion shows, a display of new 2009 sleds from all the leading manufacturers, seminars on safety, a celebrity snowmobiler visit, and even a show snowmobile track!

The OFSC Go Snowmobiling Show, held at the Toronto Congress Centre, runs from Friday, September 26 th until Sunday, September 28 th, 2008.

“Snowmobile safety is top of minds for families and our event showcases seminars, information sessions and gear to ensure everyone can safely enjoy their sled this winter,” said Denise Hayward, Show Manager, OFSC Go Snowmobiling Show. “Of course, every year we also have the hottest new snowmobiles from all the manufacturers – there are some amazingly innovative and exciting sleds on our show floor including new clean-technologies and 4-stroke machines.”

Where:

OFSC Go Snowmobiling Show
Toronto Congress Centre
650 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario

What:

Lucas Oil Sled Test Track: Yamaha has provided four-stroke snowmobiles, Phazer RTX and Venture Lite, both powered by the latest in clean and fuel efficient 4-stroke technology, for test drives on a track.

Ice, Fire and Fashion Show: Arctic Cat, Polaris, ski-doo, and Yamaha fashion and gear will be featured on the runway.

Open Trail Theatre: John Blaicher, Canada’s leading snowmobile safety expert, will demonstrate how to rescue yourself or others from a sudden immersion in frigid water.

Go Snowmobiling 101: This seminar will focus on how to get started in snowmobiling including rules and regulations, where to rent, where to ride, how to dress and safety.

When:

Friday, September 26: 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 27: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 28: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission:

Adults: $12.00
Juniors (Ages 6 to 15): $7.00
Seniors (60+): $7.00
Children (under 6 years) : FREE (adult accompanied)
Family Pass (2 adults and 2 juniors): $28.00

About Go Snowmobiling 2008

A one-of-a-kind show, visitors can view the newest snowmobiles, trailers, accessories, gear, clothing, accommodations, travel packages, sled rentals and more!

Snowmobilers and spectators can check out cutting edge seminars, obtain trail permits, mingle with industry personnel, scope the latest runway trends, or take a turn on The Lucas Oil Demo Track that showcases Yamaha sleds.

Complete show information is available at: www.snowmobileshow.ca

Press Release –

Helmetlight, Inc., the manufacturer of the LEAD-DOG Helmet Light has teamed up with the Tesoro Iron Dog Snowmobile Race to sponsor the World’s Longest Snowmobile Poker Run.

The recreational class ride is from Big Lake to Nome which is half the distance of the 2,000 mile Iron Dog Race.

Helmetlight, Inc.’s president, Bill Fischer, said that their reasoning for putting on such an event, was “to increase participation in the recreational class and get these rider’s additional glory “.

The poker run seemed to be the perfect idea in order to reward the recreational class rider’s for their efforts in getting to Nome traveling the same grueling trail that the Pro Class Riders take.

Fischer state’s, “after I rode the trail break crew from just Big Lake to McGrath, let me tell you about a tough ride!”

Each recreational class rider gets to pick a card at the start of the race/ride, three cards along the trail, and the last card in Nome at the Half Way Banquet. The top three hands then split the prize purse which looks to be around $15,000 this year.

The LEAD-DOG Helmet Light is a helmet-mounted halogen spot, tail and brake light. Because it’s mounted on the helmet, the light shines where you are looking, not just where your machine is pointing.

That’s a marked improvement for riders searching for trail markers, signs and hazards that can come out of nowhere. You’ll be seen by other riders at greater distances, from all angles, and on uneven terrain from up to a mile away from the glowing red housing. The integrated brake light lets other riders behind you know your intentions.

The LEAD-DOG Helmet Light works for all 12-volt systems, AC or DC. Its lightweight (8 ounces) because it operates off the vehicles own electrical system or battery. No bulky battery packs.

Its compact sizes allows storage in a coat pocket and it is attached to the helmet with a proven VELCRO system. The average handyman can easily install the LEAD-DOG Helmet Light in an hour using ordinary hand tools.

It’s wired into the existing headlight and brake system with a simple connection of three wires.

Already tested during Alaska’s grueling dark winters, this rugged light is a must have for serious riders. Retail price is $ 84.95 US.

Press Release –

As most of you know Blair has suffered a substantial injury due to a crash while practicing for Montreal Supercross at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

During Saturday afternoon practice in Montreal, Blair sustained substantial injuries to his middle back.

A surgery was performed and went well, however it was soon discovered that as a result of the vertebrae separating from each other on impact, Blair’s spinal cord was severed, leaving him with paralysis from his middle back down.

He was taken off the ventilator soon after surgery and has been progressing well since.

This afternoon (September 22, 2008) he was moved out of ICU to the orthopaedic floor and arrangements are now being made for his transfer closer to home.

He is resting now and he is focused on recovering and working closely with the physiotherapists.

I know as most of you do as well, Blair is a fighter and this incidence will not keep him down for long.

Special thanks to everyone for their well wishes, just so you know there are so many people rooting for Blair and we really appreciate it so much.

Please feel free to e-mail your questions and well wishes to Blair at:
blairmorganrecovery@gmail.com