Frank Connell brings years of sales and customer service in the paintball industry to Vanguard that we need to bring the Demon to the next level.Frank and his sales team will be heading up all USA & Canadian business going forward.Vanguard will be setting up Service Centers located all over the USA & Canada, there will be a distribution network on the east coast and also a full warranty center, so there won’t be any need to send anything back to the UK for repair.

We feel that having a network of Service Centers and trained Dealers all over, will only help and support all of the Vanguard users out there.  Over the next couple weeks Vanguard will be signing contracts with paintball businesses for service centers. Vanguard’s goal is to have a service center within a one day ship to everyone in the USA. Vanguard’s new business direction is going to take some time to form so we ask for your patience. If there is anything that is needed please contact Frank@Vanguardpaintball.com

What this means for our customers and Dealers:

Effective immediately the US customer service and warranty center is closed. Any guns that are currently in for basic repair will processed as normal and you should expect to be getting a call or email from Kat in the next few days. If your gun is in for Warranty repair you will need to contact the UK office of Vanguard directly for more information as to what is going to happen with your warranty claim and when to expect your gun back. All markers currently in the US warranty center or on their way in are being shipped to the United Kingdom immediately If you have recently placed an order with vanguardus.com you will be receiving your products as normal and our online store will remain open for any parts you need. The business line will remain open as we use it for other parts of our company and all vanguardus.com emails will be active for the time being but any/all questions about customer service or warranty issues need to be sent directly to Vanguard Paintball UK.

Both Eric and I have thoroughly enjoyed running the customer service and warranty center for the past 2 years and all of the interactions that we have had with our customers. We will now be focusing more on our custom gun anodizing business as well as looking for lots of new products for our online store at aggressivesports.net. We look forward to providing the same great customer service as we’ve always offered, just in a brand new way!

Kathlynn & Eric Roysdon

Owners

Aggressive Sports Distribution

Vanguard US

Contact:

951-427-5046

customerservice@vanguardus.com

• Still recovering from “Galaxy Wars” this past weekend…Waverly’s side won, but nobody really cared. The big news is that over $4600 for Peyton and her family. Well done! Check out the pictures here: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/photos-from-galaxy-wars-the-pb-new-year-bash-are-up/
• In Quintana Roo, Mexico it’s being reported that Keith Idema has died: http://www.expedientequintanaroo.com/2012/01/expediente-idema-se-rego-el-sida-en.html
• My Spanish is crap, but from what I understand it appears to be a legit story. Davidson and Fast Eddie ought to be resting easier these days…
• Meanwhile TechPB’s Mike Phillips is learning all sorts of cool things about his FN 303: http://youtu.be/8qyLLSpDu-w
• Valken is stepping up to support the RPL: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/valken-to-sponsor-the-rpl/ I thought I heard Shawn giggling….
• Empire Paintball re-signs with Dynasty: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/empire-paintball-re-signs-san-diego-dynasty-for-2012/
• G.I. Sportz stepped up to sponsor The UWL: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/g-i-sportz-to-support-the-uwl/
• The Critical Wrecking Crew went pro.
• No Jon-Paul, you can’t recruit my wife.
• Kreisman dropped by, petted the Death Kitties and mentioned that Empire was on CMT: http://www.cmt.com/show/sweet_home_alabama/season_3/series.jhtml
• Vinson Flores came by after Kreisman left, to announce the Saskia Burke Memorial Game at Jungle Island Paintball February 12^th, 2012. It’s a game to benefit a SoCal player who lost his daughter in a vicious home invasion.
• I wonder if they still have the real tanks out there….Ashley and I really need to hit up some SoCal ‘ball…
• The NPPL has brought Tony Mineo on as Commissioner: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/nppl-announces-tony-mineo-as-commissioner/
• Houston Heat is making a comeback too!
• CPX is giving away a Black Card…check here for the details: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/cpx-to-give-away-one-cpx-vip-card-to-a-lucky-winner/
• The UWL announced that you can pre-order your Valken paint any of this year’s UWL events and not only NOT have screw with shipping your event paint in, but you get special pricing!
• I get to finally experience what a UWL event is like in March, when they have an event at SouthEast SuperField Low Country Paintball.
• Yendall came through the house like a tornado, not only managing to avoid Bo The Happy Puppy and his wrath, but the Death Kitties and The Dark Child as well with this: “PBL sat down with Richmond Italia, CEO of GI Sportz and ProCaps, to explore his history in paintball, the most recent turn of events, and the future. Richmond has just re-claimed the helm of his creation; the ProCaps facility. In this episode, PBL explores the many reasons for the sale of ProCaps as well as its recent re-purchase. PBL also explores some of the major headlines in the industry with Richmond.” Check out the video here: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/season-2-gab-fest-home-sweet-home-featuring-richmond-italia/
• McClain Motorsports and The Ford Report came to an agreement over this past weekend for McM to sponsor and support the Report. Houston McClain, the owner has this little Subaru that is absolutely frightening. He’s a genius with turbos. All I can say is if you want some forced induction in your life, he’s probably the guy you need to talk to!
• The 7^th and final installment in the “Harry Pottier” series is going off March 2-4 at Low Country Paintball. Http://www.locopaintball.com for all your info. Pre-Registration will start very soon!
• Speaking of scenario games, SBP Scenarios’ Mike Wilkins will have some spare time to write “4Real 2” as he had surgery this past week to remove an inflamed appendix. His wife informs me that the surgery went well, and he’s at home recovering comfortably. Sign up for the game at http://www.sbpscenarios.com
• The PSP wants to know if your team is registered for Galveston, since fees increase in 2 weeks.
• Team Vicious re-signs with Empire Paintball.
• TSSOC announces their upcoming scenario game “Rome 2045”. Get the details here: http://tristatespecops.com/rome.asp
• Empire announces the “Reactor 4” regulator for their Ultra bottles.
• For those of you who snow ski, DYE can hook you up now: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/dye-snow-launches-new-website/
• I got a phone call from an industry leader today who wanted to know what was going on with me, since he’d heard that I’d given up on paintball, gotten rid of TFR and SHM, and was just doing the copier thing full time. He was a bit surprised to learn that I not only was still doing The Ford Report and editing Shooting Hot Magazine, but that I’d moved to Georgia and gotten remarried. Obviously someone’s speaking out of turn, but that’s okay. If it becomes necessary I’ll write a piece for TFR detailing my life during the course of 2011 and how much better things are now as compared to last year.

Timeline: February 25,26 2012

It’s been over a year since the humans crash landed on the Skaarg home planet. After endless battles and losing warriors on both sides, the humans have finally set up
a suitable stronghold. Under the command of their new leader “Captain Rico” (Rick Fernandez of Top Gun Productions), the humans have refreshed their goal of trying to get
off the planet successfully. Unfortunately, standing in the way are the Skaarg alien force. Headed by their recently appointed general, “The Gwaltinator” (Jeff Gwaltney of the SE IYAOYAS).

After losing his family and his alien force weakened in the struggle with the humans over the previous year, The Gwaltinator and his newly appointed forces have no intention of letting the humans leave his planet without exacting his revenge.

Much to the dismay of The Gwaltinator, a ship was seen by Skaarg scouts flying over the camp and landing a few miles from their village. At the same time the human scouts report the good news
to Capt. Rico.

And so it begins! Which force will track where the ship has landed and reach it first? A will those who occupy the ship be friend or foe? Choose your side wisely. Will the humans get to go home or will the Skaarg get
their revenge? Join us for this action packed game. Elite missions and special effects included!

• Apparently people are getting REALLY excited about Galaxy Wars this weekend: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/darth-skeletor/
• Valken and Viper team up: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/viper-paintball-and-valken-sports-join-forces/
• Meanwhile, NPPL Pro Team St. Louis Avalanche is now New England Avalanche: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/st-louis-avalanche-becomes-new-england-avalanche/
• Speaking of Pro Teams, San Antonio X Factor and Valken team up for the 2012 season: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/pro-paintball-team-san-antonio-x-factor-signs-with-valken-sports-for-2012
• Paintball Extravaganza 2012 has released their exibitors list: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/exibitor-list-for-paintball-extravaganza-2012/
• Meanwhile, the game this weekend at LCP is pretty simple…Good vs. Evil: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/galaxy-wars-good-and-evil/
• I’m told that after the photo shoot, Georgia Joe and Ashley were in his yard lightsaber fighting…
• In more Pro news, Empire wants to sponsor you like a Pro: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/empires-get-sponsored-like-a-pro-program/
• The always charming and noteworthy Craig Miller dropped me a line. Check it out here: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/procaps-paintball-now-open-under-old-management/
• Insiders at ProCaps tell me that they’ve been going bat poo-poo insane getting everything sorted out to get back open. Transitions are always a pain in the butt…trust me, I know!
• The NPPL has released their field layout for HB.
• So has The RPL!
• Blue dropped by, and pleasantly surprised me by NOT kicking my door in: “EMR is looking for Commanders for both our WESTERN WARS game and QUEST for the Holy Grail game and leaders for the defense of the PUMP ONLY CASTLE CONQUEST and the Fall CASTLE CONQUEST. If interested contact Blue@BluesCrewTV.com . Kick off your season at EMR’s March Meltdown, a 7 hour scenario “DOCTOR WHO:FIGHT FOR EARTH” produced by Tyler “TYGUR” Gurdak of team Dogs of War. James “MUNKY” Bamert of Team Blue’s Crew will be Doctor Who and command the good forces against Matt Delhauer of Team Zombie Defense Force who will command the Dalek Forces who are bent on ruling the universe and eliminating all other races. For more information, check it out at www.EMRPAINTBALL.com .”
• Go Bounty Hunting at Galaxy Wars next weekend! For $25 put out a bounty on whoever you want, and a group of Bounty Hunters will go out and hunt them down! If you’re being hunted, pay $30 to send the Bounty Hunters away! All proceeds to go to charity. Sign up today for Galaxy Wars at http://www.pbnewyearbash.com !
• Frank “Da Tank” Connell has already had a bounty put on his head by Rico Fernandez, and rather than having Bounty Hunters shoot them up, they’ll go out on the speedball field at LCP and shoot each other up. I got my people in Vegas trying to get the line on the fight…
• The PSP is a little concerned that hotels for Galveston are filling up, so they’ve found some more hotel deals…
• The Maltese Militia has released their 2012 Prize Package: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/the-maltese-militia-announces-our-2012-custom-prize-package/
• TechPB’s Mike Phillips is heading to Canada later this year to command a side in Viper’s “Canadian Carnage” event.
• This came on the heels of TechPB announcing that they’re sponsoring LL5 this year. Mike’s staying busy!
• Konstantin Federov has left Russian Legion.
• ProPaintball.Com reports on rumors of a new pro team out there, Chicago Heat.
• RAP4 announces their “Weapon of the Week” promotion, where they have a special on a package deal every week.
• Pre-Registration for Living Legends 5 is now live.
• My Sainted Father will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow…Happy Birthday Dad!
• “Madam Director” and I will be leaving our Valdosta, GA area residence after work tomorrow night, so it’ll be fairly late before we arrive on-site. Even though we’ve both been working our tails off all week, I got a feeling we’ll both be absolutely WIRED for this weekend. GOTTA find a local field to play at so we don’t get so wound up….

Head HERE to check them out!

• The January 2012 issue of Shooting Hot Magazine it out! Hit us up at http://www.shootinghotmagazine.com to get in on the goodness!
• Meanwhile, everyone going to “Galaxy Wars” next weekend is spooling up and getting their game faces on, including the Secret Weapons: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/lcp-scenarioss-galaxy-wars-secret-weapons/ Frankly, I’m rather impressed with the hand-picked killing machines both Generals picked.
• Not sure who’s in bigger trouble, Da Tank or The Beast. Don’t even get me started on Winter….my people are telling me he’s the one who supervised the reason I got delivered to the medical droid in a bag…
• Out in Oklahoma, Valken becomes the official paintball for Oklahoma D-Day: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/valken-is-official-paintball-for-oklahoma-d-day/
• Sean Scott tells me that this year’s Living Legends Commanders have been announced: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/living-legends-v-the-dark-age-commanders-announced/
• Spyder announces that the MRX is now available: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/the-spyder-mrx-is-now-available/
• Shoreline Paintball’s Tim Barnett is running a contest bring over a certain American hottie to one of his games: https://www.facebook.com/groups/190489074351163/258168994249837/
• Make sure you go and ‘like’ that post!
• Speaking of Tim, Suzy, P and the Super 6, check out their E-Mag for the series: http://www.joomag.com/magazine/Super6_1_D10_eMag/0012999001325956310
• PSP Affiliates CFPS and Vicious Series announce 2012 schedules.
• Muller kicked my door in to let me know that Viper and Valken have joined forces: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/viper-paintball-and-valken-sports-join-forces/
• Jeff Stein retires, taking the NE Hurricanes with him. I’m told the remaining players on the team went over to Avalanche.
• Looks like Valken’s on a roll…they’ve teamed up with Camp Pendleton as well: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/valken-and-the-paintball-park-at-camp-pendleton-team-up/
• The NPPL rolls out some more hotel and flight discounts…and while they were at it, they’re also having an NPPL Day at CEPP Paintball next weekend.
• Bussler from Tippmann’s PR group let me know that they’re having a contest on Facebook: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/tippmann-launches-facebook-profile-pic-contest/
• DXS/GI Sportz beast Aaron Yendall had this to say: “Where paintball takes us is a hot new action packed web series that follows the world’s best players as they take their skills to the next level…. abroad! Our cameras are rolling as these extraordinary Pro and Amateur players live the dream of discovering new places and people on and off the field around the globe. So pack your bags as the adventure begins this year as “Where Paintball Takes Us” aims to bring you all the exclusive stories and action from all over the world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCtUdv1XcTY to watch the show.
• They ought to talk to me….the places I’ve been because of paintball…
• The guys over at ProPaintball.com heard the rumor that Tom Cole has left the NPPL, and then I see a post on TechPB saying that he’s joined up with The PSP.
• **blink**
• Greg Hastings goes on tour: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/the-greg-hastings-field-and-store-training-tour/
• Andy Van Der Platts sent me a link to the first “Stars and Stripes” of the year for D-Day: http://issuu.com/dorsai/docs/stars_and_stripes_january_2012
• I spoke with Andy Graham of NOCER Productions a couple of days ago, and he asked me to pass on that NOCER is not going to be producing “Quest for the Holy Grail” this year, and in fact he and his wife Kristie are taking some time off while they try to have another child. Their daughter is 10 now, so it’s time for sibling!
• Blue dropped by with this: “EMR Paintball Park is proud to present their March Meltdown Scenario “FIGHT FOR EARTH” produced by Tyler “TYGUR” Gurdak of Team DOGS OF WAR on March 24th, 2012. For more Details, check out www.EMRPAINTBALL.com . Also the Defender’s Spots are filling up for Spring CASTLE CONQUEST XXXIII coming up April 28th so get your pre-regs in if you want to defend.”
• Vanguard is looking for teams to sponsor….
• Registration for The RPL’s first event of 2012 ends tonight! Might want to get signed up!
• See that? The RPL knows what time it is…they schedule stuff so that it’s included in The Ford Report in a timely fashion. **FLEX**
• Meanwhile, registration for the D-Leagues’s first event of the year is now open.
• PSP Affiliates MSXL and WCPPL announce their 2012 schedules as well.
• XSV is on the hunt, and got what they were looking for: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/jt-paintball-announces-the-addition-of-jason-and-corey-bornstein-and-the-return-of-patrick-slattery-to-pro-paintball-team-xsv/
• Infamous now calls CPX home: http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/team-infamous-makes-cpx-sports-home-field-for-2012-season/
• RAP4 rolls out their new Lok-Bolt antichop bolt for the T68.
• Blue dropped by again: “BLUESCREWTV will be going to Tampa for their Gasparilla Pirate Festival the end of the Month, so keep tuned in for their Video show sometime in February showing all the highlights. We’ll also see you all at Low Country in a few weeks to hang with Billy and the Gang. “
• God help them. I lived in Tampa for 8 years, so I know what they’re in for…
• Oakland BLAST is taking 2012 off. Zack and Co. are going to concentrate on the business.
• Virtue rolls out Ego 11/GEO 2.1 OLED and Redefined boards as well as a board for the GOG Xtcy.
• Here in Georgia, Ashley and I are both climbing the walls getting ourselves ready for next weekend. Neither of us have played in awhile, and LCP’s Galaxy Wars is looking to be just the kind of paintball we need to start the year off right. Ashley’s been busting her very cute chops getting healthy so she can play the event at the level she wants to, while Waverly has been busy recruiting top players and teams all through 2011. Simply cannot wait to hit the field!

Really it’s quite simple:  Do you want the game to end like this:

With Issard finally facing justice at the end of a Jedi Light Sabre, or would you prefer to live in a Galaxy at the end of the battle like this:

With the Jedi Knights hunted down and exterminated by Issard and her agents?  The choice is yours…get signed up today at http://www.pbnewyearbash.com and choose your side:  Good or Evil!

The new year starts off with a bang with Shooting Hot Magazine’s January issue!

Dale takes on the GEO 2.1 and Shooting Hot Magazine Associate Editor Bill Murray, TB Checks in with 2012 Prophecies, and Valken Super-Rockstar Andy Potter writes this month’s Valken Corner, while Ace Reporter Seth Manchester takes a look at paintball a world away!

New European Editor Robert Naylor chimes in with news about this year’s Super 6 Series, and it looks like it’s going to be a great one!

Head on over to Shooting Hot Magazine’s website to get in on the action!