Hey mbaction,
We are a week away from the start of the 2009 endurance season. The upcoming Jan 24 race is looking super strong and exciting. We are welcoming back the endurance legend Tinker Juarez to SoCal Endurance. I love watching Tinker “cruise” the course in the big ring! Along with Tinker are a host of endurance racings top pro's. It is truly a pleasure to have such a rich field for the first race of 2009.

 

Once again Socal Endurance welcomes the bike industry’s top companies to our world class vendor area. Some of our bike industry friends include headlining sponsor Intense Cycles plus Ellsworth, Turner and Cannondale Bicycles; Gold Sponsors Hammer Nutrition, Spinergy Wheels, Pro Motion Sportswear, Ez-Up Direct, Intense Tires, Vigor Helmets, THE and Cycopath Bike Shop, as well as AYUP Lighting, Niterider Lights, Nimbus Water, ESI Grips, Murrieta Chiropractic and Wiens Winery. That is just the short list, and many more vendors and services have given word that coming out, setting up and showing their wares. These are the people who keep SoCal Endurance on a roll, so please support them!

Because of our sponsors we have tons of stuff for the legendary 12 Hour Raffle. This will be the biggest raffle to date, with over $5000 worth of swag for our racers. Plus don't forget the 12 Hour Performance Tickets we give away. This race we will be giving away more than $500 in cash. Plus the $50 fastest lap for both men and women, and the $50 for the fastest parade lap. So stick around and collect your prizes!

For 2009 we have added a few races to our SoCal Endurance calender. My Mission is to provide Southern California with the best race experience possible. For the second race in the 12 Hour Series we will be up in the mountains outside of Big Bear, CA. That is right, on June 20 the one and only Rim Nordic Ski Resort will be hosting our second 12 Hour event of the year. The Running Springs trails are super fun and challenging, and the scenery is second to none. Rim Nordic’s first 12 hour event will be an epic adventure and is destined to be a classic. On October 3 we will host the first annual SoCal Fat Tire Epic. The Race will be held at Vail Lake resort in Temecula, CA. It earned the epic moniker because the top tier of racers will be competing on almost 100 miles of amazing Southern California trails. There will also be smaller distances to suit all riders. For all it will be a long, challenging day in the saddle that will prove to be a SoCal Favorite. Also stay tuned for a couple more exciting events on some of SoCals classic trails. There will be a press release in about a month with some exciting news for a series of races that will ROCK the SoCal Crowd! Of course we will end the year with the 12 Hour Championship at Vail Lake resort in November.

We are up and running with the Southern California Interscholastic High School Mountain Bike League. This is an amazing opportunity for us to give back to the sport we love. SoCal Endurance will host the first Race of the Year for the High School League. It will be held at Vail Lake resort on March 8. This promises to be a historic moment in SoCal mountain biking. Please check out www.socaldirt.com for more info.

A couple of notes to all racers and crews:
*Please have each team member print out, sign, and bring a race waiver to the check in. This will greatly speed up the check in process. A printable version of the waiver is available on www.12hrsoftemcula.com.
*Check in for the race is Friday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. All racers must check in prior to race. Number plates will not be given until full team has checked in.
*The pit area for the race is any grassy area around the Huck Finn Pond and pool area. Driving on to the grass in not allowed. Teams must unload and load all pit equipment in the parking lot and walk to the pit setup area. The early birds get the best spots. It is first come first served.
*Renaud Catering will be on hand to provide all your dining needs. Get ready for the best tri tip sandwiches.
*Water is available on site but please don't depend on us to keep you hydrated. Racers need to bring water!
*Intense Cycles, Canondale, Turner, and Ellsworth will be on site with full demo setups for all to try.
*Spinergy will have demo wheels on hand also.
*Cycopath Bike shop will be on hand to help with all your biking needs. Cycopath is also allowing a 10% discount on all race supplies and equipment this week. Plus I am sure they will help you out with a new bike if that is what you need! Just tell them you are participating in the race. This week the shop is even offering a $50 Temecula 12 Hour Race Tune Up.
Good luck preparing and I’ll see you this weekend!
Jason Ranoa
www.12hrsoftemcula.com
info@12hrsoftemecula.com