Fairfax, Va. –- (gunsandtactics.com) — The NRA National Action Pistol Championship, also known as the MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup, returns to Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club outside Columbia, Missouri, from May 23-26, 2012.
In 2011, the Bianchi Cup earned the NRA President’s Trophy, which is awarded to the championship with the highest percentage of growth. This year, nearly 325 of the top action pistol shooters from around the world will descend upon Columbia to compete in this prestigious championship.
MidwayUSA serves as the competition’s title sponsor and will award $15,000 in cash prizes for first-time Production Class shooters. First-time Men, Women and Junior competitors achieving the highest aggregate score of all (4) four Championship Events with a production firearm will take home $2,500 for 1st place, $1,500 for 2nd place and $750 for 3rd place.
“Our goal has always been to put on the best championship possible” said Dennis Willing, Director of NRA Competitive Shooting. “The continued generosity of our sponsors has increased the prize table for the Bianchi Cup substantially, fueling growth and bringing even more prestige to this internationally recognized match.”
This generous sponsorship brings MidwayUSA’s total cash contribution to $65,000, significantly adding to the more than $300,000 in cash and prizes that will awarded this year. Event sponsors include Colt, Safariland, Sig Sauer, Blade-Tech, and Universal Coin & Bullion. Action Target returns as the official target sponsor of the 2012 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup with the additions of Aimpoint, ATK/Federal, and Woolrich serving as the official optic, ammunition, and garment sponsors, respectively.
Named for founder John Bianchi, the NRA Bianchi Cup has retained its original course of fire since its inception in 1979. The Championship consists of four events: Practical, Barricade, Moving Target and Falling Plates. Speed and accuracy is the key to winning the competition. Each event is timed and worth 480 points, equaling a total of 1920 possible points.
The 2012 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi also includes the Colt Speed Event and Celebrity Pro-Am Speed Event. This year’s Pro-Am will include personalities such as actors Tim Abell, Marshall Teague, and Mark Christopher Lawrence and mounted cowboy action shooting champion Kenda Lenseigne.
For more information on the 2012 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup, or the NRA Action Shooting Program, contact Damien Orsinger at 703-267-1478 or [email protected]. For more information on NRA Competitive Shooting Sponsorships, please visit www.nrasportsponsors.com or contact Woody Arenas in the NRA Competitive Shooting Division at 703-267-1469 or [email protected].
