With the Minnesota State Championship Series making a comeback and
teaming up with its border state peer, the Wisconsin Off-Road Series, to
put on a race, it promises to be an exciting mountain bike race season.
Photo by John Pedersen. Minnesota MTB series
looks to grow in 2005
MNSCS and WORS join forces behind
July 3 Eau Claire race Minnesota's premier mountain bike racing series is back with nine events
and an ambitious plan to increase participation in 2005. The Minnesota State Championship Series (MNSCS) faced a steep challenge in 2004. Due to the loss of a series director and the subsequent disbanding of the individual races from the series platform used in 2001 and 2002, there was a substantial decline in participation.
The goal of MNSCS promoters this year is to increase overall participation in the series by 20 percent, increase the number of citizen
and women racers as well as those under 18 years of age, and reward those who participate in six of the eight events.
It's an ambitious agenda after 45 percent fewer racers took part in the individual MNSCS mountain bike races in 2003 than in 2002. Race promoters at the end of 2003 were left with no operating capital, no one to direct the marketing efforts required to rebuild participation in the races, and no one to coordinate the series.
In order to rebuild participation in the MNSCS, Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) and Erik's Bike Shop began working with promoters at the conclusion of the 2003 race season. QBP began facilitating monthly meetings to help the individual race promoters trim expenses and re-establish the series. Erik's Bike Shop stepped in to provide seed money and marketing support as the MNSCS Series Host.
As a result, the MNSCS was re-established, and 2004 was a year of
growth. Last year participation was up 17.5 percent over 2003.
By carefully monitoring expenses, the MNSCS promoters were able to finish the season with funds banked for the 2005 season. QBP hosted a very successful season-ending awards party attended by more than 150 racers, parents and supporters. Racers were genuinely thankful to have the series back and expressed gratitude to both Erik's and QBP for their involvement in re-establishing the MNSCS and a successful 2004 season.
QBP director of advocacy, Gary Sjoquist, will once again facilitate the MNSCS with the help of series host Erik's Bike Shop and the individual promoters. Information will be available on the series Web site www.mnscs.com, or specific questions regarding sponsorships can be forwarded to Sjoquist at 952/941- 9391, Ext. 1288, or by e-mailing garys@qbp.com.
What's new this year
For the 2005 season, there will be nine race events in the MNSCS and once again the MNSCS will be a NORBA affiliate. The MNSCS will also serve as the official Minnesota State Championship Series for NORBA.
MNSCS race dates are evenly spaced throughout the summer and have been carefully chosen so as to avoid conflicts with the Wisconsin Off-Road Series (WORS) in Wisconsin.
One race, however the July 3 Chippewa Valley Firecracker in Eau Claire, Wisconsin will be included in both state series.
In mid February, the two state mountan biking race organizations announced their joint endorsement of the new WORS race and addition to MNSCS series.
"With the loss of the Cherry Bomb event for 2005, we were hoping to add a suitable race to keep the MNSCS at nine events," Sjoquist said. "We're pleased to be working with WORS in this joint effort."
WORS director Don Edberg added, "This alliance speaks well for future cooperative efforts between the two series and may even lay the groundwork for a regional series."
Particular attention will be paid to building the citizen and women's race classes as well as increasing the number of racers under the age of 18. Promoters are using a variety of incentives, including reducing fees for all racers under the age of 18 and implementing a rebate program that
rewards established racers for bringing new racers into the series. Another focus will be on making the events less technically challenging for citizen racers.
MNSCS marketing efforts for 2005 will be focused on attracting new riders (nonracers) to the series. Through the use of carefully selected databases, marketing efforts will be aimed at mountain bike purchasers from the past year. A secondary marketing effort will communicate more
often with both racers and enthusiasts during the season.
For individual race and contact information, go to www.mnscs.com.
2005 MNSCS Race Schedule
Saturday, May 7: Race #1, Erik's Spring Cup at Buck Hill, Burnsville, MN
Sunday, June 12: Race #2, Afton Avalanche, Hastings, MN
Sunday, June 26: Race #3, Dirt Spanker Classic, Duluth, MN
Sunday, July 3: Race #4 (WORS Race #5), Chippewa Valley Firecracker, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Sunday, July 10: Race #5, Bluff Riders Charge, Mankato, MN
Sunday, July 24: Race # 6, Muddy River Rock-n-Roll, Red Wing, MN
Sunday, Aug. 7: Race #7, Metric Auto Parts Welch MTB Jam Welch, MN
Sunday, Aug. 21: Race #8, Powder Monkey, Duluth, MN
Saturday/Sunday, Sept 3-4: Race #9, Laddie's Loppet Stage Race, Callaway, MN
Saturday, Sept. 24: MNSCS Awards Party at QBP, Bloomington, MN
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