January 16, 2004 – In an exciting development for outdoor enthusiasts, Sea Otter Classic LLC and Infineon Raceway announced January 13th that they have partnered to present a significant addition to the Western USA recreational calendar: The California Outdoor Sports Championships.

The new event, which will grace the Sonoma Valley, May 15-16, will mark the first national cycling event at Infineon Raceway in the facility's 36-year history. This human-powered competition will showcase more of the picturesque Sonoma Valley environment and less of the big engines and 300-mph speeds that have defined the raceway thus far.

The event will feature the best in world-class cycling, including: road circuit racing, road criterium racing, mountain bike cross country, mountain bike short track, and gravity disciplines featuring mountain cross, dual slalom, and pro BMX jumping. Running events will also be offered with a unique road race using Infineon Raceway, and an off-road trail run using the same cross-country course as the mountain bike racers.

The mountain bike events will be sanctioned by NORBA (National Off-Road Bicycle Association), and will include Round 2 of the National Mountain Bike Series. Road racing will be sanctioned by USCF (United States Cycling Federation). The trail running events will be sanctioned by AATRA (All American Trail Running Association).

“We have always felt that Infineon Raceway and the Sonoma Valley offered an ideal venue for this kind of competition, but we needed the right partner to put together a world class event. In the Sea Otter group, we have found that partner and we are very excited about the potential for this event in 2004 and beyond,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway.

Frank Yohannan, president and CEO of Sea Otter Classic LLC, said: “Infineon Raceway was the natural place for Sea Otter Classic to look to – and partner with – as we grow beyond our solid 14-year foundation in Monterey. This facility is outstanding and offers enthralling conditions for both on- and off-road racing.  I am very excited about the prospects. I would also like to say that the staff at Infineon has been a joy to work with and we look forward to sharing this new event with outdoor enthusiasts from around the country.”

Infineon Raceway will be transformed into a cycling and running paradise for the four-day festival in May, complete with scenic courses carved into the hillside for road and off-road competitions.

Rick Sutton, chief operating officer of Sea Otter Classic LLC said: “California has a long and illustrious history in both road and off-road cycling and outdoor sport. Mount Tamalpais in Marin was the birth place of mountain biking. Greg LeMond, America's first Tour de France Champion, trained every spring in the hills around Santa Rosa. Just as the southeast is the stronghold for NASCAR, California is a hotbed for both amateur and professional cycling. And when it comes to running, Cal Berkeley and Stanford have a produced many champions over the years. With all of this sporting history in the area, it makes perfect sense to locate a major outdoor sports championship at a splendid venue such as Infineon Raceway.”

The best part is, even though many of the nation's top riders are expected to compete, the cycling is not limited to professionals. In addition to professional categories for the national and international cycling elite, there will be amateur divisions, so all cyclists from novice level and up will have a chance to try and tame both the dirt and asphalt courses at Infineon Raceway.

The organizers expect nearly 3,000 competitors for the first-year event at Infineon Raceway, competing in running, mountain bike, road racing and gravity disciplines.

“Because of the vast amount of room at Infineon Raceway, we will be able to create some of the most competitive courses you'll find. That will also translate into great viewing for spectators” Said Sutton.

In addition to the best in on- and off-road cycling and running, the weekend will also include the Outdoor Expo. Fans can enjoy a family-type atmosphere with the latest in cycling gear and many youth-related activities, but there will also be elements designed to educate. These are hallmarks of Sea Otter Classic LLC's way of “immersing” spectators into the world of cycling. There will be a comprehensive sports curriculum based on fun that will include a session designed to teach children the basics of riding safety and cycle set-up.