*** Nanaimo - Taking on the WORLD ***

Nanaimo, Canada -- 08/01/2004
BMX racers are looking forward to an
up-and-down weekend in Nanaimo.

That's just the way the track goes in BMX racing
- and the track's going to be plenty busy.

The Nanaimo BMX Association expects some 1,500 riders
and their families to descend on the Kinsmen Sportsplex for
the American Bicycle Association (ABA) BMX World
Championships.

It's the second time that Nanaimo has been awarded the right to
host the ABA worlds - they were also held here in 1997.
Nanaimo is the only city outside the United States that has
hosted the event.

Marie Davidson, president of the Nanaimo BMX Association,
was awarded Tourism Nanaimo's Tops in Tourism award earlier
this month for her work in bringing the world championships back
to the Harbour City.

Davidson said some families have been in town for more than a
week already, as a July 21-23 skills camp preceded this weekend's
big races.

And BMX racing isn't just for the riders.
Plenty of spectators are expected to fill
the stands to watch the racing.

"It's world level," said Davidson. "It's as good as you're going to
get."
Though the world championships don't officially begin until Saturday
morning (July 31), BMX action got under way last night.

The track hosted its traditional Race for Life event,
to raise money for leukemia research.

Last year, the Nanaimo BMX Association raised more money
($6,683) than any other Canadian club, and they aim to top
that sum this year.

Today (July 29), the track will be open all day for competitors
to practise.

Tomorrow, the times matter as the ABA All-Star Nationals
will be held. Racing begins at 9 a.m.

The opening ceremonies of the worlds are scheduled for
9 a.m. Saturday (July 31), with time trials immediately afterward.

Sunday will see the main events.

Various classes of racing should mean non-stop action all weekend.
Davidson said home-track advantage will give lots of locals the
chance to compete with the sport's elite - while having a good time.

"There's kids out there looking for a fun sport,
some competition and some self-esteem," she said.

"We nurture all those things first and foremost, and the worlds,
well, they're just a bonus because we've worked hard and
we've earned it."

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
All Things Northwest in BMX!
***** Gene`s BMX *****
http://www.genesbmx.com