Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, North Carolina, September 17, 2008
*Black River Stages is coming to Harrisville, NY
*Ely favored for championship but race is unsure
*Night racing makes event more challenging
The Black River Stages rally race is getting underway the last weekend of this month in Harrisville, NY. Just thirty miles from the Canadian border, the gorgeous fall leaf season will be interrupted by the roar of competitors tearing down closed roads as the final event of the Atlantic RallyMoto(tm) Cup crowns a champion.
This year the event changes its schedule and will have racing on Friday night and Saturday. Spectators who wish to catch the racing action can head to Pastamore in downtown Harrisville to pick up a guide with schedules and bios for ten dollars. The organizers have put more information for spectators and vistors on BlackRiverStages.com as well.
Odds favor Mark Ely, who is going into the final event with plenty of points. His Aprilia bike, refined and developed specially for RallyMoto(tm) events, has proven a trusty and capable steed. As long as no drastic mistakes are made, he will capture the first overall season championship awarded for stage rally competition in the United States for motorcycles.
Currently second overall is Doug Morrison. Morrison is piloting a BMW HP2, a monsterous bike with over 100 horsepower. Some say that this bike is too large to be a contender for the overall at Black River Stages. In response, Morrison said "These flowing roads are perfect for the HP2. Mark's bike just won't have the power to keep up with me." A classic BMW versus KTM battle is clearly heating up.
Mike Gilkey has been working hard on preparing his KTM for this race. Gilkey, who was running faster than current leader Ely at the most recent event till a high-side ended his day, has been upgrading his night lighting package to Baja 1000 spec HID lighting. "The night racing is just crazy" says Gilkey, "As long as I don't think about what I can't see, I'm faster than everybody. This isn't under the lights in an arena, it's the real dark of the forest at 100mph."
An entire squad of rally cars will also be competing. An entirely different method of cornering will blasting by as these beasts roar through the forest. Several great spectator areas will afford viewing of both cars and bikes all weekend.
The race still needs volunteers reports organizer Anders Green. "We still have spots open for road marshals, which puts you right on the race course close to the action. It's a really easy way to get involved, and you'll get to meet all the riders and come to the awards party. We've actually started to see some people travelling from several states away to marshal!" Green notes that the web site has volunteer contact and training information.
The first bike heads off at five o'clock on Friday night. Before that everyone can come to the Parc Expose to meet the racers and check out all the rally equipment.
FOR EDITORS:
Black River Stages is the fourth and last event of the Atlantic RallyMoto(tm) Cup
The ARC has events in SC, TN, WV, and NY
The event is sanctioned by NASA Rally Sport
More information is available at BlackRiverStages.com
For media support contact Anders Green: +1 919 697 5282 anders@pobox.com
