(GunReports.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 25-28, 2011. Numerous industry sponsors contribute to the championship each year, making it one of the most prestigious shooting competitions in the world.
MidwayUSA returns as the title sponsor and will be awarding $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 four Championship Events with a production firearm will receive $2,500 for 1st Place, $1,500 for 2nd Place, and $750 for 3rd place. This generous sponsorship brings MidwayUSA’s total cash contribution for the 2011 Bianchi Cup to $65,000, substantially adding to the more than $300,000 in cash and prizes that will be awarded this year.
Universal Coin & Bullion returns to sponsor the Practical Event for the second year in a row, with Smith & Wesson sponsoring the Falling Plate Event and Safariland with the Barricade Event. The Moving Target Event is sponsored once again by SIG Sauer while Colt returns to sponsor both the Speed and Celebrity Pro-Am Speed Event.
New for 2011 is Bushmaster Firearms. As sponsor for the Tactical Carbine Challenge, Bushmaster is providing ammunition and firearms for the paper and reactive steel target side event. Also new in 2011 is Action Target, who will serve as the new official target sponsor of the MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup, providing a substantial contribution in terms of target upgrades and related equipment.
“We’re pleased to welcome our new sponsors for this year’s MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup, and we’re thrilled by the continued support from our returning sponsors. Their commitment to the competitive shooting sports and the Bianchi Cup helps to keep shooters competing and bring new people into the sport,” said Mike Krei, Director of NRA’s Competitive Shooting Division. “With over $300,000 in cash and prizes being awarded in 2011, our sponsors play a critical role in making the NRA Bianchi Cup a success.”
Since its inception in 1979, the NRA Bianchi Cup has retained its original course of fire, consisting of four events: Practical, Barricade, Moving Target and Falling Plates. Speed and accuracy are the key to winning the Championship, with each of the timed events worth 480 points, equaling a total of 1920 possible points. Action pistol competitors are permitted to use a two-handed grip, and competitors must start with their guns holstered. This dynamic type of competition makes the match more appealing to spectators.
For more information on the 2011 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup, or the NRA Action Shooting Program, contact Damien Orsinger at 703-267-1478 or BianchiCup@NRAHQ.org. 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 WArenas@NRAHQ.org.
