OnAllCylinders to Provide Exclusive Coverage from the Trip

Following the conclusion of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, members of Team Summit and the Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle/Vance & Hines team will once again visit American troops overseas. The annual trip, which is made possible by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) and Army Special Forces Association Chapter 64, is called “Operation Appreciation.”

OnAllCylinders will tag along with the racers for this year’s trip, which will include stops in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain. Be sure to look for exclusive coverage and photos from the trip the week of November 18. You can see Summit Racing’s full press release below:

Summit Racing Equipment and Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) have announced the itinerary for 2013’s “Operation Appreciation,” an annual visit by Summit Racing and Harley-Davidson racers to American troops stationed overseas. The trip is scheduled for November 18 to November 22.

After three years of visiting American personnel based in Europe, Operation Appreciation will be going to the Middle East to visit troops in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain.

“We’re looking forward to this year’s trip,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Motorsports and Events Manager. “Our troops in this part of the world work right next door to areas of conflict like Syria and Afghanistan, and in an environment that most of them have not experienced before. We hope bringing them a little slice of home will let these people know that they are appreciated.”

Giving Back to Those Who Serve
          The trip is once again made possible by the Army Special Forces Association Chapter 64 and is being led by the SFA’s Sfc (Retired) Wayne Reed.

Summit Racing drivers Greg Anderson (NHRA Pro Stock), Jason Line (NHRA Pro Stock), and Dan Runte (Summit Racing/BIGFOOT monster truck) have been on several of these trips and always look forward to visiting the troops.

“This is my fifth visit, and every year I look forward to the opportunity to thank our troops in person for everything they do for our country,” said Line. “Really, it’s a big deal and an incredible honor. We bring a little bit of home to them and thank them for all that they have done and continue to do for us. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

“This year we have the opportunity to go somewhere we’ve never been before,” said Anderson. “I’m certainly looking forward to seeing the troops. They tell us this is a morale boost for them, but believe me, it does just as much for us. This is really something special for us, and it’s something we look forward to each and every year.”

“Our troops spend so much time away from their families and friends protecting all of us at home,” said Runte. “Anything we can do to show them that we appreciate their sacrifice is time and effort well spent.”

This year’s trip is the second for Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines riders Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines.

“For me, this trip is a way to repay the troops a little bit by saying thank you and letting them know that I appreciate what they do,” said Krawiec. “It’s something small, but it’s neat to be able to do that for them and put a smile on their faces.”

“It’s an honor to be included in Summit Racing’s Operation Appreciation,” said Hines. “I’m looking forward to meeting with some of our American heroes and spending time with them. I know many of our troops are also supporters of NHRA, and it’s pretty special to be able to bring them a little excitement while they’re so far from home.”

About Armed Forces Entertainment
As the official Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel overseas, Armed Forces Entertainment and its performers have the honor of supporting soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors by bringing them the very best in American entertainment. It hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations. From muddy makeshift stages to show-stopping extravaganzas, the performances bring a piece of home to those stationed far away from home. Learn more at www.armedforcesentertainment.com

About Summit Racing Equipment
Established in 1968, Summit Racing Equipment is the leading high performance parts and accessories company. Summit Racing offers the largest selection, lowest prices, and best customer service in the high performance industry via catalogs, Internet, and Retail Super Stores. The company is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio with retail locations in Tallmadge, Ohio; Sparks, Nevada; and McDonough, Georgia.  For more information, please visit SummitRacing.com.