San Luis Obispo, California, Sat. October 54, 2007:

This year’s Jeep 48Straight finals brought out some of the world’s top-ranked mountain bikers, from ALL disciplines; Greg Minnaar from DH, Adam Craig from XC, Kyle Strait, Cam ZInk and Cam McCaul from freestyle and Brian Lopes from 4X and did I mention celeb snow-boarder Shaun Palmer came out for a cameo.

The well-rounded bunch showed off there skills in a course designed by seasoned racer Eric Carter. The course nuzzled in the mountains at the Madonna Inn proved effective in weeding out the true prospects during the qualifying run. Lopes demonstrated to be up for the challenge as he qualified with the fastest time, followed closely by series-point leader Cody Warren. Warren who was eliminated early on by Mike Harderer, as well as Petr Hanak, were two of the 3 potential series champions. Leaving Carter as the sole contender for the overall title.

Both Carter and Lopes eliminated their opponents skillfully, meeting up for the final round. With over 60 years of combined racing experience and a long-standing racing rivalry that dates back to BMX days, Lopes and Carter went on to put on a good show for the fans and TV cameras a like. Lopes making the step-up jump look easy and Carter hamming it up for the crowds.

The end results proved mutually successful, as Lopes took the win for the race and Carter the overall!

Congratulations to EC and Melissa Buhl for their overall win!

Big thanks to JEEP and 48Straight for elevating the sport and bringing it to homes nationwide via CBS Sports!

MEN FINAL RESULTS
1. LOPES Brian (Oakley/Ibis)
2. CARTER Eric (Mongoose)
3. MINNAAR Greg (Santa Cruz)

For more on the race got to brianlopes.com.

source: Paula Lopes

AMERICANS CODY WARREN & MELISSA BUHL HOLD TOP SPOTS IN STANDINGS HEADING INTO JEEP 48STRAIGHT GRAND FINALE ON OCT. 24-25 IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – With the grand finale of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series just two weeks away, American riders are in control of the standings, holding five of the six men’s and women’s podium spots toward the season championship. Heading into the dual slalom event, set for Oct. 24-25 in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain is the lone international athlete in the mix, but no less than a half dozen of the world’s elite racers have the opportunity to shake up the standings with an upset in this cycling haven.

Leading the pack in the men’s standings is U.S. National Champion Cody Warren of Alpine, Calif., who has a win at the first race of the season in New Jersey and a fourth place finish in Utah under his belt. Tied for second behind him are 18-year veteran Eric Carter of Temecula, Calif., a former World Champion and three-time World Cup titlist, and Czech Republic transplant Petr Hanak of Winter Park, Colo., a champion of the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series.

In the women’s standings, reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion Melissa Buhl of Chandler, Ariz., has earned a second place finish in New Jersey and a title in Utah to earn the top spot. Despite her brilliance on the dirt, she holds only a slight lead over former U.S. National Champion Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, Calif., who won in New Jersey and placed third in Utah. Griffiths, thanks to her impressive second place finish in Utah, rounds out the bunch, with U.S. Open Champion Lisa Myklak of Boulder, Colo., right on her heels.

A number of exceptional American and foreign athletes would be happy to break their way into contention, led by none other than Greg Minnaar, who won in his first-ever Jeep mountain bike competition in Utah proceeded to bring home a title. The South African has earned an astounding 35 World Cup titles, a World Championship and two World Cup Championships, yet he’s just one of many outside contenders. Also making the list include

Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach, Calif., the four-time World Champion and nine-time U.S. National Champion, and Jared Rando, the always-dangerous four-time Australian National Champion. A new name on the Jeep mountain bike scene to keep an eye on is Olympian Adam Craig of Bend, Ore., the reigning U.S. National Champion in Cross-Country and Super D disciplines. Others gunning for the title include U.S. National Champion Rich Houseman of Temecula, Calif.; U.S. National Team member Cam Zink of Costa Mesa, Calif.; 2008 Crankworx Champion, J.D. Swanguen of San Diego; 2007 Crankworx Champion Cam McCaul of Santa Cruz, Calif.; Kyle Strait of Redlands, Calif., a Sea Otter Classic titlist with several Red Bull cycling wins under his belt; and two of America’s fastest downhill racers, Duncan Riffle of Santa Barbara and Chris Van Dine of Park City. Rounding out the pack is Shaun Palmer, perhaps the most noteworthy extreme sports athlete, who has captured a mountain biking World Championship to go along with five snowboarding World Championships and countless X Games medals under his belt. He also happened to capture the Jeep 48STRAIGHT snowboarding championship earlier this spring after winning two of the three event titles.

Local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to earn a spot in the dual slalom interested in competing in the Dual Slalom may take part in an Open Qualifier on Friday, Oct. 24. The event is capped at 75 men and 25 women, with registration available at www.Jeep48Straight.com.

Other highlights of the event include the Trikke Trakk Cross Championship on Saturday leading up to the Dual Slalom competition. Off the dirt, guests are invited to visit the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists will be on hand offering $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has partnered with the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County (ECOSLO) to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. Rounding out the weekend will be free concerts featuring the Sunshine Brothers of Santa Barbara, courtesy of Trikke. And wrapping up the event will be a performance by folk/pop singer-songwriter Brett Dennen from Oakdale, Calif., who has been compared to music standouts including Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Paul Simon.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event in San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on Nov. 1.

Full event information for Jeep 48STRAIGHT, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.Jeep48Straight.com.

About Jeep 48STRAIGHT
JeepÒ 48STRAIGHT, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, is a multi-media, consumer-driven platform designed to empower individuals who aspire to connect to the outdoor lifestyle through sport, music and ‘green’ awareness and consciousness. Its unique capabilities have established Jeep 48STRAIGHT as the premiere organizers of world-class high-end summer and winter sporting competitions, as well as a top promoter of concerts that have included some of the world’s best-known musicians. The company’s global reach is made possible through 16 hours of CBS network specials highlighting year-round initiatives such as the Jeep 48STRAIGHT mountain sports/music/culture festivals; sports performance training programs; green education symposiums and a virtual outdoor lifestyle information network. In addition to Jeep, marketing partners include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Michelin, Crux Event Management & Production, Beyond Coastal, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort (N.J.), The Canyons Resort (Utah) and The Madonna Inn (Calif.). For more information on Jeep 48STRAIGHT media, event and merchandise offerings, visit www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

source: Al Sommers

http://www.jeepsports.com/

source: Kathy Sessler

Americans Cody Warren & Kathy Pruitt to Face Stiff International Competition While Defending Titles at Second Leg of Jeep 48STRAIGHT on Sept. 19-20 in Park City, Utah

PARK CITY, Utah – Heading into the first race of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series last month in New Jersey, one would have been hard pressed to pick fellow Californians Cody Warren and Kathy Pruitt as favorites to bring home a title. After taking down one renowned racer after another to earn the win and a share of the $100,000-plus cash purse, the pair will no longer have the element of surprise on their side heading into the second leg of the series, taking place Sept. 19-20 at The Canyons in Park City, Utah.

For Warren, the challengers will be arriving from near and far, led by fellow U.S. National Champions Eric Carter and Rich Houseman, both from Temecula, Calif., as well as 2008 Crankworx Champion, J.D. Swanguen of San Diego. Also in the mix from the American contingent are Kyle Strait of Redlands, Calif., a Sea Otter Classic titlist with several Red Bull cycling wins and a World Junior Downhill Championship podium under his belt, and Cam Zink of Costa Mesa, Calif. a member of the U.S. National Team who has been racing for more than half his life and dominating for most of it, including a win at Crankworx. No one will be overlooking local favorite Chris Van Dine of Park City, a rider with over 20 titles spanning all disciplines of mountain bike racing.

The foreign contingent is equally as daunting, with commitments to attend from Great Britain’s Steve Peat, Australia’s Nathan Rennie and South Africa’s Greg Minnaar. Peat is a three-time World Cup Champion, with 15 World Cup titles, eight British National Championships and two European Championships to his name. Rennie, the 2008 Australian National Champion, is a former overall World Cup Champion and Junior World Champion. Then there’s Minnaar, with an astounding 35 World Cup titles, a World Championship and two World Cup Championships, who happens to be leading the current World Cup season with one race to go.

Pruitt will have her work cut out for her as well, led by reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion Melissa Buhl of Chandler, Ariz. Buhl lost to Pruitt in the finals in New Jersey, and will be seeking to turn the tables on the U.S. National Champion in Utah. Another top name to keep an eye on is Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain, a three-time World Cup winner who can bring home a title on any given day.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Comes to The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah on Sept. 19-20
Page 2-2

As was the case in New Jersey, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will hold an Open Qualifier for local professionals and semi-professionals, with the racers battling against the clock to try and earn a coveted spot in the dual slalom championship. The Open Qualifier, which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women, will take place on Friday, Sept. 19. Additional details can be found at www.48Straight.com.

An additional event, the 48STRAIGHT Cyclocross, presented by Scott USA, has been added to the schedule for Utah. There will be two categories of racing, including the more advanced Group A with a 60-minute race and $400 guaranteed cash payout, and the more recreational Group B, with a 45-minute race and $250 guaranteed cash payout.

Off the dirt, the activities at Jeep 48Straight include the Sponsor Expo, with great free gear from Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, as well as a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. Wrapping up the event will be a free concert by Oakland, Calif., indie-band, Rogue Wave.

Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at The Canyons will air on CBS Sports on October 12.

Following the event at The Canyons, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will head to San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Sept. 19-20 for the season’s grand finale.

About JeepÒ 48STRAIGHT
JeepÒ 48STRAIGHT, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, is a multi-media, consumer-driven platform designed to empower individuals who aspire to connect to the outdoor lifestyle through sport, music and ‘green’ awareness and consciousness. Its unique capabilities have established Jeep 48STRAIGHT as the premiere organizers of world-class high-end summer and winter sporting competitions, as well as a top promoter of concerts that have included some of the world’s best-known musicians. The company’s global reach is made possible through 16 hours of CBS network specials highlighting year-round initiatives such as the Jeep 48STRAIGHT mountain sports/music/culture festivals; sports performance training programs; green education symposiums and a virtual outdoor lifestyle information network. In addition to Jeep, marketing partners include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Michelin, Crux Event Management & Production, Beyond Coastal, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort (N.J.), The Canyons Resort (Utah) and The Madonna Inn (Calif.). For more information on Jeep 48STRAIGHT media, event and merchandise offerings, visit www.48STRAIGHT.com.

source: Al Sommers

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Brings World-Class Mountain Bike Racing, Music & Entertainment Festival to The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah on September 19-20

PARK CITY, Utah – For a second straight summer, the top professional mountain bike racers in the world will descend on The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and this time they will be accompanied by a bevy of music, entertainment and environmental activities for all ages. It’s all part of Jeep 48STRAIGHT, an event whose mission from Sept. 19-20 will be to empower Utahns to celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle while having loads of fun in the process.

The event will be headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers from across the globe battling in a dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes, Eric Carter and Melissa Buhl, as well as National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman and Kathy Pruitt, are just a few of the elite athletes expected to contend for a share of the richest cash payout in the sport, topping $100,000.

Local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to earn instant entry into the competition through an Open Qualifier time trial, which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women. Registration information can be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Off the dirt, guests are invited to visit the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $10 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has partnered with Park City’s own Heal the Snow environmental organization to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. Some of the organizations taking part in the festival include Park City Municipal Corporation, Utah Moms for Clean Air, Eco Moto, SheJumps.org and Muev Electric Bike.

Wrapping up the event will be a FREE concert by Rogue Wave, an indie rock band from Oakland, Calif., whose music can be heard on hit television programs such as Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, The O.C. and Nip/Tuck, among others.

The full event schedule includes:

Friday, Sept. 19
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Qualification for Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Competition

Saturday, Sept. 20
1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Sponsor Expo / Environmental Eco-Alley
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Competition
5:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. FREE Concert by Rogue Wave

Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at The Canyons will air on CBS Sports on October 12.

Following the event at The Canyons, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will head to San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Sept. 19-20 for the season’s grand finale.

About Jeep 48STRAIGHT
Jeep 48STRAIGHT, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, is a multi-media, consumer-driven platform designed to empower individuals who aspire to connect to the outdoor lifestyle through sport, music and ‘green’ awareness and consciousness. Its unique capabilities have established Jeep 48STRAIGHT as the premiere organizers of world-class high-end summer and winter sporting competitions, as well as a top promoter of concerts that have included some of the world’s best-known musicians. The company’s global reach is made possible through 16 hours of CBS network specials highlighting year-round initiatives such as the Jeep 48STRAIGHT mountain sports/music/culture festivals; sports performance training programs; green education symposiums and a virtual outdoor lifestyle information network. In addition to Jeep, marketing partners include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Michelin, Crux Event Management & Production, Beyond Coastal, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort (N.J.), The Canyons Resort (Utah) and The Madonna Inn (Calif.). For more information on Jeep 48STRAIGHT media, event and merchandise offerings, visit www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

source:  Al Sommers

CALIFORNIA’S CODY WARREN & KATHY PRUITT CAPTURE TITLES AT FIRST LEG OF JEEP 48STRAIGHT MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES AT DIABLO FREERIDE PARK IN VERNON, N.J.

VERNON, New Jersey – August 23, 2008 – Youth and experience may be the most fitting descriptors to explain the separate paths Cody Warren of Alpine, Calif., and Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, Calif., took in snaring titles at the first leg of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series today at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J.

It was the first Jeep mountain biking win for both athletes, including past Jeep King of the Mountain mountain-cross events and this inaugural Jeep 48STRAIGHT dual slalom event, earning the pair a $5,000 cash payout and valuable standings points toward the season championship, where a new 2008 Jeep Grande Cherokee awaits.

Warren, 22, needed a fast start, some fortuitous crashes and a strong finish to bring home the win, especially considering the match-ups he faced in each round of the competition. He began the day against U.S. National Champion Gerrit Beytagh of Fletcher, N.C., winning two straight runs before meeting Chris Van Dine of Park City, Utah, a rider with over 20 titles spanning all disciplines of mountain bike racing. Warren, himself a 2005 U.S. National Champion, swept both races and moved into the semi-finals, where he faced off against current National Mountain Bike Series leader, Petr Hanak of Winter Park, Colo. After dismissing Hanak in both races, he earned a spot in the Championship Heat against young standout J.D. Swanguen of San Diego. Swanguen, only 19 but coming off an impressive win at Crankworx in Whistler, B.C., won the first race of the finals, but in the last race of the afternoon, suffered a crash that opened the door for Warren to coast home with the victory.

“The biggest difference for me from last year to this year has been learning to save my strength, maintaining consistency in each round, and being careful not to push so hard that you get sloppy and crash,” said Warren, who last year finished just off the podium in fourth place at each of the three Jeep mountain bike races. “When I saw Brian Lopes go down early, I knew it was open for everyone in the field. This win is definitely among the best in my career, and I’m happy to be going home with some good money.”

One of the most shocking developments of the day was the crash that knocked Laguna Beach, Calif.’s, Lopes out of the event. The four-time World Champion and nine-time U.S. National Champion breezed by Open Qualifier and 16th seed Lars Tribus of Milford, N.J. in the first race, and it appeared to be just another warm-up round for the veteran. In the second race, however, Lopes took a spill off his bike that allowed Tribus to ease down the racecourse for the win, perhaps impacting the outcome of the entire day’s competition.

Pruitt’s advantage heading into the day was clearly experience, and the 10-year veteran and 2007 U.S. National Champion, used every ounce of it to earn the title. In the first race of the day, she matched up against three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain and advanced with back-to-back wins. In the semi-finals against former U.S. Open Champion Lisa Myklak of Boulder, Colo., Pruitt won the first race but lost the second by a slight margin, moving into the finals thanks to the time differential advantage. There she faced prohibitive favorite Melissa Buhl of Chandler, Ariz., the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion who reached the Championship Heat having not lost a single race. Pruitt stormed to a win in a tight first race, and took advantage of a spill by Buhl in the second race to secure the victory.

“I didn’t come here with the intention of winning, but I’m really proud of myself for earning this title,” said Pruitt. “I’m really sorry that Melissa fell, but I’m glad I had a chance to go up against her in the final. We have all had our falls, and that’s the way it is sometimes. She is my buddy and my first reaction was to stop, but I reminded myself that there was $5,000 waiting for me at the bottom of the hill. This is my biggest achievement to date, and now I want to take this momentum to the World Cup circuit and see what I can do.”

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT now heads to The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, on September 19-20 for the second leg of the summer tour, with the season finale set for October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

About JeepÒ 48STRAIGHT
JeepÒ 48STRAIGHT, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, is a multi-media, consumer-driven platform designed to empower individuals who aspire to connect to the outdoor lifestyle through sport, music and ‘green’ awareness and consciousness. Its unique capabilities have established Jeep 48STRAIGHT as the premiere organizers of world-class high-end summer and winter sporting competitions, as well as a top promoter of concerts that have included some of the world’s best-known musicians. The company’s global reach is made possible through 16 hours of CBS network specials highlighting year-round initiatives such as the Jeep 48STRAIGHT mountain sports/music/culture festivals; sports performance training programs; green education symposiums and a virtual outdoor lifestyle information network. In addition to Jeep, marketing partners include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Michelin, Beyond Coastal, Trikke, Rossignol, Crux Event Management & Production, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort (N.J.), The Canyons Resort (Utah) and The Madonna Inn (Calif.). For more information on Jeep 48STRAIGHT media, event and merchandise offerings, visit www.48STRAIGHT.com.

source: Al Sommers

Jamis Rider Kathy Pruitt WINS GOLD at Jeep 48Straight - Vernon, NJ

For Immediate Release: Northvale, NJ, August 25, 2008 - Factory Jamis racer Kathy Pruitt captures victory at the opening round of the JEEP 48Straight series. Held in Vernon, NJ at Diablo Freeride Park and in front of CBS Sports TV cameras, Kathy and her Jamis Parker were able to out sprint and outride the competition to take the win. Kathy started out the day on a high note being the fastest qualifier and riding a smart strong race. With a stacked field including World and National Champions as well as World Cup winners, Kathy prevailed. My Jamis Parker is the perfect bike for this kind of race and course. Its fast, stiff and can handle the jumps!, said Pruitt. Look for the Vernon event to air on CBS Sports September 28th. And the next round of the series will take place in Park City, Utah on September 19-20. Kathy is the 2000 Jr. Womens Downhill Champion and multi-time National Downhill Champion. For more info on Team Jamis riders please visit www.jamisbikes.com For more info on the 48Straight Series please visit www.jeepmtnbiking.com

source: JAMIS MEDIA

OPEN QUALIFER COMPETITION AT DIABLO FREERIDE PARK IN VERNON, NJ

18 Mountain Bike Racers from New Jersey and Across the U.S. to Face Off Against World’s

Elite Athletes During Saturday, Aug. 23 Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Championships

VERNON, New Jersey – August 22, 2008 – With a healthy cash payout and exposure in front of thousands of race fans in person and on national broadcast television at stake, it was little surprise that Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J. was a hotbed of activity for professional and semi-professional mountain bike racers on Friday.

Vying for a coveted spot in Saturday’s

Mountain Bike Series against the top-ranked athletes from across the globe, men and women arrived from all parts of New Jersey and other states including California, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont, to take part in the event’s Open Qualifier.

At the end of the day, the 18 riders (12 men and 6 women) with the fastest times made it through. Among them include four U.S. National Champions in Cole Bangert, Geritt Beytagh, Eric Carter and Kathy Pruitt. The full list include:

MEN

Cole Bangert – Twin Lakes, Colo.
Geritt Beytagh – Fletcher, N.C.
Blake Carney – Camarillo, Calif.
Eric Carter – Temecula, Calif.
Mike Haderer – Concord, Calif.
Joseph Haley – Raleigh, N.C.
Petr Hanak – Winter Park, Colo.
Christopher Herndon – Etowah, N.C.
Phillip Kmetz – Keene, N.H.
J.D. Swanguen – San Diego, Calif.
Lars Tribus – Milford, N.J.
Chris VanDine – Park City, Utah

WOMEN

Dawn Bourque – Campton, N.H.
Allie Burch – Patterson, N.Y.
Karen Eagen – Lowell, Mass.
Lisa Myklak – Boulder, Colo.
Stephanie Nychka – Gresham, Ore.
Kathy Pruitt – Santa Cruz, Calif

The reward for these Open Qualifiers is a dual slalom date against the top-ranked mountain bike riders from across the globe, with a wealth of World Champion, National Champion and World Cup credentials. Early favorites include four-time World Champion Brian Lopes, four-time Australian National Champion Jared Rando and U.S. National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman, Banger, Beytagh and Carter. And on the women’s side, all eyes will be on Melissa Buhl, the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion, three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths, and Pruitt.

The racers will be competing for the richest prize purse in professional mountain bike racing, topping $100,000 with additional bonuses from sponsor Paul Mitchell. The winner in New Jersey will pocket $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. Points are awarded during each race, and the overall series champion will receive the keys to a new Jeep vehicle.

In addition to the dual slalom, plenty of other action will be taking place on Saturday for race fans at Diablo Freeride Park. Non-elite amateurs and club riders can take part in the Indy-Cross event, where they’ll test their mettle on the racecourse while trying to beat a time set by one of the top racers in the sport. Off the dirt, the guests are invited to tour the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin, Rossignol, Cycleworks Bike Shop and adidas Eyewear, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Visitors may also test drive Trikke scooters and receive free safety checks for their bikes, courtesy of Cycleworks Bike Shop. The day will wrap up with an awards ceremony for the winners and a dynamic free concert by none other than Hell’s Belles, a world-renowned all-female AC/DC tribute band.

Full event information may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

In addition to the first stop at Mountain Creek, the 48STRAIGHT schedule also includes stops on September 19-20 at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
About Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Jeep 48STRAIGHT, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, is a multi-media, consumer-driven platform designed to empower individuals who aspire to connect to the outdoor lifestyle through sport, music and ‘green’ awareness and consciousness. Its unique capabilities have established Jeep 48STRAIGHT as the premiere organizers of world-class high-end summer and winter sporting competitions, as well as a top promoter of concerts that have included some of the world’s best-known musicians. The company’s global reach is made possible through 16 hours of CBS network specials highlighting year-round initiatives such as the Jeep 48STRAIGHT mountain sports/music/culture festivals; sports performance training programs; green education symposiums and a virtual outdoor lifestyle information network. In addition to Jeep, marketing partners include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Michelin, Beyond Coastal, Trikke, Rossignol, Crux Event Management & Production, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort (N.J.), The Canyons Resort (Utah) and The Madonna Inn (Calif.). For more information on Jeep 48STRAIGHT media, event and merchandise offerings, visit www.48STRAIGHT.com.

source: Al Sommers

VERNON, New Jersey – Four-time World Champion Brian Lopes is on board. So too is four-time Australian National Champion, Jared Rando. As are U.S. National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman and Geritt Beytagh. Don’t forget about newly anointed Crankworx Champion, JD Swanguen. Or for that matter, female super stars Fionn Griffiths, a three-time World Cup winner and Melissa Buhl, the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion.

These are just a few of the many celebrated national and international standouts that will be traveling to Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J., on August 22-23 for the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series. They will be chasing a share of the richest cash payout in the sport, as well as an individual event title, points toward the season championship and some serious CBS Sports exposure.

Local professionals and semi-pros also have a chance to steal the show through the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Open Qualifier, capped at 75 men and 25 women, which will grant entry to a select few into the championships. Additional details and event registration can be found at www.48Straight.com.

Whether you are a competitive cyclist, casual rider or just a fan of music, entertainment and the arts, Diablo Freeride Park is the place to be this coming weekend, as the summer version of the largest sports, music and entertainment event in the U.S. rolls into town with not only world class mountain bike racing, but also concerts and a host of social and environmental activities – all designed to empower people to celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle.

For non-professional mountain bikers, an Indy-Cross race will allow amateur and club level athletes to test their mettle and earn prizes by trying to beat a blistering pace set by one of the top riders in the sport on Diablo Freeride Park’s challenging racecourse.

Off the dirt, guests may walk the race grounds and take in the Sponsor Expo, Environmental Eco-Alley and Beer Garden, as well as a free post-race concert by Hell’s Belles, a renowned AC/DC tribute band.

Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

In addition to the first stop at Mountain Creek, the 48STRAIGHT schedule also includes stops on September 19-20 at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

source: Al Sommers