The NRA/Springfield Armory M1A Match will make its debut at the 2007 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio. And it may be the most prize-rich High Power event ever. Springfield Armory has put up a total of $25,000 in cash and merchandise awards for the match.

"This is a unique arrangement, one that may never happen again," said Mike Krei, Director of NRA's Competitive Shooting Division. "Springfield wanted to encourage more use of the M1A, and they were willing to sponsor all of the needed cash and product awards to make it happen at Camp Perry. So we worked together to create a brand new match that we are certain will be very popular. Not only will the match give current M1A owners a new competitive opportunity, it will stimulate renewed interest in a highly respected firearm."

"It's a natural progression," said Bill Dermody, Marketing Manager for Springfield Armory. "For many years, the M1A was the firearm of choice for rifle competition. It's fitting that for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Camp Perry as the home of the National Matches, we are going back to our roots to use these rifles again."

NRA 1st Vice President John Sigler added, "Springfield Armory is to be commended for its dedication to Camp Perry. Their desire to play a major role in making the Camp Perry experience more meaningful for NRA’s competitive shooting community sets an example for other individuals and companies to emulate in the future. On behalf of all NRA shooters, I want to thank Springfield Armory for stepping to the plate in a truly meaningful way and for their sponsorship of this truly unique event. With partners like Springfield Armory, NRA intends to make the National Matches at Camp Perry a truly world-class event, this year and every year."

Any configuration of the M1A will be allowed in the new match. The course of fire will be 50 shots for record shots at 300 yards on the new MR-65F target, as follows:

• 5 sighters
• 20 shots slow-fire, prone
• 10 shots rapid-fire, prone
• 10 shots rapid-fire, kneeling or sitting
• 10 shots slow-fire, standing

The breakdown of awards is as follows:

Winner -- Civilian	$2,500 Cash
Second -- Civilian	$1,500 Cash
Third -- Civilian	M1A Rifle
High Military	$500 and Springfield Pistol
High Woman	$500 and Springfield Pistol
High Senior	$500 and Springfield Pistol
High Junior	$500 and $500 to Shooter's Junior Club
Place Winners	Any competitor, Lewis Class, depending on number of entries -- $200 cash to 20 competitors
Medallions	M1A match medallions to top 50 competitors
Special Drawing	"Beat Rob Latham's Score." All competitors who shoot a score better than Rob Latham will have their name entered in a drawing for a Springfield TGO pistol valued at $3,000.
General Competitor Drawing	All competitors eligible. Three Springfield rifles and three Springfield pistols. Competitor number will be drawn.
NRA Gun Raffle	One engraved Springfield rifle and one engraved Springfield pistol. Proceeds to help offset volunteer expenses.

The match is tentatively scheduled for August 5, to be held right after the popular M1 Garand match, since it fits that vintage rifle venue. The 2007 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Matches are scheduled for early July through mid-August. Visit www.nrahq.org/compete/nm_campperry.asp for more information. To learn more about Springfield Armory, log onto www.springfield-armory.com.

NRA's Competitive Shooting Division is developing a complete package of sponsorship options for all its major championships. For more information, call 703-267-1502.