Kawasaki to Give Consumers a Chance to Race Rickey Gadson Irvine, Calif., Dec. 9, 2011 — Four consumers will be given a chance to race nine-time AMA Drag Bike Champion Rickey Gadson to win a 2012 Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-14R, the world’s quickest production sportbike. Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. is asking potential contestants to submit an essay to www.kawasaki.com/zerotohero explaining why they should race Gadson in the “Zero to Hero” promotion, beginning Jan. 1, 2012. Finalists will travel to Rickey Gadson’s Drag Racing School where they will receive two days of instruction from the nine-time champion, while also qualifying for their own NHRA Bracket license. Once qualified, the four will race against each other in elimination-style rounds and the quickest contestant will have a chance to race Gadson for a brand-new 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R sportbike. “The ZX-14R is the quickest production sportbike available today and the Zero to Hero promotion allows us to display that power on the race track,” said Kawasaki Marketing Communications Director Chris Brull. “Rickey is one of the fastest drag racers around and his school has helped many riders become top-level racers. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the new ZX-14R, than to give our riders a chance to race against Rickey.” Eight semi-finalists will be chosen after essay submissions close on Feb. 14. The public will be introduced to the semi-finalists on www.kawasaki.com/zerotohero, from Mar. 14 through Apr. 14, where they can vote for their favorite. Shortly after Apr. 14, the field will be reduced to four finalists. In May, those finalists will travel to Las Vegas, where one of them will go from “Zero to Hero!” No purchase necessary to enter or win, nor will making a purchase increase your chances of winning. Contest entry submission begins on Jan. 1, 2012 and ends on Feb. 14, 2012. Must be a legal resident of the U.S. or the District of Columbia, of the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction of residence, at least 18 years of age or older, and have a valid state-issued driver’s license with a valid motorcycle endorsement as of the date of entry. For additional eligibility requirements see full official rules at www.kawasaki.com/zerotohero. Sponsor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Void in Puerto Rico, all U.S. territories and possessions, and where prohibited by law. Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and personal watercraft through a network of more than 1,350 independent retailers, with an additional 8,000 retailers specializing in Kawasaki power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with 300 of them located at KMC’s Irvine, California headquarters. Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.™”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand has become synonymous with powerful, stylish motorcycles for over four decades. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.