For Registration Info & Updates Contact: Bill and Dianna Miller A-1 Upholstery Repair 6905 E. North Ridge Road New Lothrop, MI 48460 (989)-845-7906 (989) 845-7923 fax a_1upholstery@hotmail.com	A-1 Youth Achievement Award The Youth Achievement Award Winner for 2007 Zachary Gross from Davison, Michigan. Here is Zachary's Entry: My age is 19 and I was born on 8-8-88.  I would like to be considered for the Award because I am always trying to come up with new ideas of making things for the snowmobiles.  With the Award I can further my education and create new products to patent and further the sport of snowmobiling.    Hi I'm Zachary Gross and I would like to be considered for the A-1 Youth Achievement Award.  I started snowmobiling when I was about 3 or 4 years old when my Dad bought me an Arctic Cat Kitty Cat snowmobile.  He couldn't keep me off of it and that started my love of snowmobiles and dirt bikes.  I have rebuilt a few project sleds with my Dad when I was younger and as I got older I started buying my own.  A couple of years back, I wanted a Arctic Cat zrt in the worst way.  I found one, but it needed a lot of work.  Someone caught it on fire and melted everything on the sled that was plastic.  I ended up purchasing the sled and found some snowmobile salvage yards that had some zrts they were parting out.  After 3 months of working on itl after school and on weekends, I finally had a working, showroom condition 1996 Arctic Cat zrt.  I ran it for one winter and decided to sell it and look for something that wasn't so hard on gas.  The neighbor kid down the road bought the sled and has been running it ever since.   This year my project sled has been an '85 Manta twin track snowmobile purlchased from Al's Snowmobile out on the east coast.  The previous owner had used it for racing, which had left it in sad shape.  A few of the many things that need work on this sled were a makeshift rollover system (*which was removed as soon as I got it), modified the hood for racing exhaust, and an engine department and cockpit left out for dead.  I have found another hood and installed a 2003 Arctic Cat Pantera 550 touring engine in it.  With the newer engine installed this thing is wicked fast.  Hopefully by this winter I will have made new jackshafts and a modified Arctic Cat chain case with reverse installed so moving this in dead end trails won't be so tiring.  The restoration of the sled is close to being done, but still a work in progress.  I will be bringing the Manta along this weekend to show it.   Right now, I am attending Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan for an associate degree in Mechanical Operations Technology, which is an applied science.  I am currently on the Dean's list in the upper 10 percent holding a 3.875 GPA.  Also, I am a fourth generation farmer.  Look forward to seeing you this weekend.  *****  Zachary submitted pics of the two sleds he restored.  He was given a trophy and a certificate for the $500.00 Savings Bond contributed by UEMSI Motorwerks.   Many thanks goes to Dana and Jannis Wiltse for the Special Trophy thats in the memory and decication to Jason Wiltse and Eddie Barlow. We want to thank Rick Dresang from UEMSI - WI. for contributing a $500.00 Savings Bond (to be used for specialized schooling and/or college for the winner this year). *********************************** We have had many individuals and businesses come forward to contribute to the 2008 Youth Achievement Award.  They are as follows: Frank Sadlon - Engineered Graphics - WI. Nikki Lange - Oscar Mayer - WI. Coca Cola - WI. Nord-Ride Motorsports - MI. Jim & Marlene Musselman (Woody's) International Eng. - MI Mike and Judy Meagher - VSCA - MN. The Warning Family - IL. Ron Sheppard - Ontario, Canada Jim Hilmerson RV and Marine - MN. Terry Bashoor - B & B Small Engine - Ohio Steve and Sherry Landon - The Winning Edge - MI.   Contributions towards the A-1 2008 Youth Achievement Award program will accumulate throughout the year and again be presented to the winner/winners at the A-1 2008 Event on Friday night, November 7, 2008.  Contact Diane Miller at A-1 if interested in donating  to this great program for the youth. About the Youth Achievement Award With the loss of our grandson Eddie Barlow and the loss of Dana Wiltse's son Jason Wiltse.  It was mentioned that we would give out a trophy and money for future schooling and/or college in memory of Eddie and Jason.  Dana and I decided we would like to work helping youngsters in a way that all of us can take part in.  At the A-1 2006 event we announced that starting in 2007 we would be accepting information to qualify for the Youth Achievement Award from young men and women that are the ages of 13 through 19, and from theU.S.A. or Canada. In order to qualify, Youth must be active in at least one of the following: 1. Have raced in 2007 -  Antique, Vintage, or New Snowmobile, Motor Bike, Mini Bike, ATV, or PWC. 2. Have been enrolled in a school sponsored mechanics class (hands on) in 2007 of  Antique, Vintage, or New Snowmobile, Motor Bike, Mini Bike, ATV, or PWC. 3. Have restored an Antique, Vintage, or New Snowmobile, M otor Bike, Mini Bike, ATV, or PWC.   In order to qualify, they must send a photo, along with pictures of their project from start to finish, or picture of racer and machine, a complete write up about their project from start to finish, or race accomplishment, as well as a letter telling A-1 why they feel they should be considered for the Youth Achievement Award.  This must all be submitted and received by A-1 no later then October 31, 2007.   Please Send Submissions to: Bill and Dianna Miller A-1 Upholstery Repair 6905 E. North Ridge Road New Lothrop, MI 48460 (989)-845-7906 (989) 845-7923 fax a_1upholstery@hotmail.com The Youth Achievement Committee will decide on the winner of the award and will be announced at the program on Friday evening, November 2, 2007.  At that time they shall receive their trophy in memory of Eddie and Jason, and money (This year  UEMSI Motorwerks located in Wisconsin will be providing a $500 savings bond for the winner).  Rick Dresang will try to be present to announce something special for A-1 2008.     At A-1 we feel that by working with the youth, perhaps this will keep them busy with a project and off the streets, give them a sense of worthiness and pride that goes along with their accomplishment, help maintain the family structure that we have so strived to keep, and lastly, help to keep the youth interested in our sport and hobby enough to continue where we leave off  for generations to come.     We are also adding a consigment lot auction for the first time this year.  We have been asking people to bring an item they want to donate (for the Youth Achievement Award fund for 2008).  If they just want to sell an item without giving to the Youth fund, they can do that also for a percentage.  That information will be posted at the Consigment Lot. We would like to encourage people to contribute to the Youth Achievement Program for 2008.  The impact upon these kids could be life changing.  Please aid in supporting our valuable cause, and feel free to contact us with any questions.