Customized `Cat Chopper' Auctioned On eBay to Benefit Victory Junction Gang Camp
RANDLEMAN, N.C. – Constructed during two episodes of American Chopper, then showcased around 32 states and in Canada, the customized Cat Chopper is being auctioned in February to benefit Victory Junction Gang camp.
The 150-horsepower, six speed show bike was assembled in 2005 for a yearlong goodwill tour on behalf of Caterpillar Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.
In May 2007, Caterpillar donated the Cat Chopper to Victory Junction Gang, a 72-acre camp in North Carolina founded by the Petty family of NASCAR fame. The camp caters to children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses.
Bidding on the Cat Chopper begins Feb. 7, 2008, at www.eBay.com/catchopper and runs 10 days. Richard Petty will hand over the keys to the winning bidder March 13 during a ceremony at the ConExpo-Con/Agg trade show in Las Vegas.
“The funds raised by the Cat Chopper’s sale will help continue our mission of providing recreation at no charge for kids who otherwise might be unable to attend summer camp,” said Pattie Petty, co-founder and CEO of Victory Junction. “Caterpillar has long been a friend to our family, NASCAR and Victory Junction Gang.”
Caterpillar has been a NASCAR sponsor since 1993, starting with Kyle Petty. Victory Junction Gang Camp has a racing theme with the sights, sounds and look of a race track. The camp was opened in honor of Adam Petty, the late son of Kyle and Pattie Petty.
Since June 2004, Victory Junction Gang Camp has offered children ages 7 to 15 a chance to participate in recreational opportunities they might otherwise be unable to enjoy because of their medical needs. Victory Junction Gang operates solely on donations. There is no charge for children to attend the camp during its weekly summer sessions and family weekends in fall, winter and spring.
The Cat Chopper was constructed by Orange County Choppers (OCC) in New York during two episodes of American Chopper that aired on the Discovery Channel in April 2005. The cycle was customized to reflect Caterpillar and its industry, including the signature yellow color, a bulldozer-like exhaust pipe and bolted front and rear wheels.
“The Chopper has become a symbol of Caterpillar’s community outreach, and we couldn’t think of a more appropriate sendoff than to auction it away for a very good cause—to help kids have fun,” said Robert Muntz, advertising manager for Caterpillar.
About Victory Junction Gang Camp
Victory Junction Gang Camp operates solely on the donations of wonderful corporations, organizations and individuals. During the summer we offer weeklong disease-specific sessions with up to 125 kids per session. During the fall, winter and spring we offer family weekends with up to 32 families per weekend. For more information on the Victory Junction Gang Camp check out our website at www.victoryjunction.org.
About Caterpillar Inc.
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2006 sales and revenues of $41.517 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at http://www.cat.com/ |
