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Tampa Bay Storm, V-Force Customs to unveil bike

June 17, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa - Dr. Bob Nucci, owner of the Nucci Spine Institute and the Tampa Bay Storm, partnered with Vinnie DeMartino and Cody Connelly of V-Force Customs to build a custom Storm chopper to help children with orthopedic needs defy the odds. They will unveil the bike Saturday, June 21 prior to the Storm game against the Los Angeles Avengers.

"The building of this bike is such a win-win opportunity for both the Tamps Bay Storm fans and the Shriners organization that team owner Dr.Nucci didn't hesitate to stamp his approval and have Nucci Spine institute fund the project," said Tampa Bay Storm President and COO Jim Borghesi. "Teaming up with the V-force customs Vinnie and Cody to build this one of a kind bike also shows that we wanted this to be done first class all the way. Hopefully the end result is that our fans have something to be proud of and the money raised for the Shriners Hospitals."

This is the first theme bike built by Vinnie and Cody, formerly from the television show American Chopper. The bike, Storm-ONE, and its tour, "Ride out the Storm" is the initial project of the Tampa Bay Storm Foundation. The foundation will tour Storm-ONE and raffle it off donating proceeds to charity with the Shriners Hospitals for Children as the main beneficiary.

Beginning Saturday, June 21 fans will be able to purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to win Storm-ONE and to help a great cause by supporting children in need. Tickets are $50. The Tampa Bay Storm Foundation established a website, www.RideOutTheStorm.org to allow fans to track the bike during its travels and allow the purchase of raffle tickets. Information can also be found on our media partner Born to Ride Magazine's site at www.borntoride.com.

The Tampa Bay Storm Foundation will begin the tour with an appearance immediately following the game at Andreychuk's Grille, official home of the Storm after Party. The bike can also be seen Tuesday, June 24th, at Party Like a Rockstar, benefiting the DeBartolo Family Foundation at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Other Potential Tour Dates include:

- Sturgis Rally, Sturgis, South Dakota, August 4th-10, 2008

- Key West Poker Run, September 2008

- Thunder Beach Fall Rally, Panama City, Florida September 25-28, 2008

- Bikeotberfest, Daytona Beach, Florida, October 16-19th, 2008

- West Coast Bike Rally, Bradenton, Florida, October 2008

Thunder by the Bay, Sarasota, Florida, January 2009 Bike Week, Daytona Beach, Florida, February 27-March 8, 2009 Tampa Bay Motorcycle Rally, Tampa, Florida, April 2009 Leesburg Bikefest, Leesburg, Florida, April 24-26, 2009 Myrtle Beach Bike Week, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, May 8-17, 2009 Storm Players, Management, and Foundation Staff and Shriners are available for interview about the project. Cody and Vinny are available for interview off camera due to contractual obligations. Interested parties please contact the Storm Public Relations team. For more information on all of the above, log on to www.tampabaystorm.com.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 17, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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