( WorldCarFans )- Working with Nevada's Commission on Tourism, Land Rover has chosen the Nevada Passage as one of the national selection events for the G4 Challenge. The event will take place in May 2008 and feature 20 athletes competing for a spot on the international G4 Challenge which will occur next year in Asia.
The G4 Challenge is a competition which features competing driving and outdoor adventure activities designed to test teamwork. Skills such as 4x4 driving, navigating, trail running, mountain biking and kayaking will also test the two-member teams to their breaking points.
Land Rover G4 Challenges are held every two years, with the first year dedicated to choosing national finalists to compete for the international event. This year's national selection events are being held in 18 countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey and the UK. This year marks only the second G4 event to be held in the United States.
For the first time, Land Rover will be using the event to help sponsor the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The team that wins the international G4 challenge will have a donation made to their home country's charity.
Press Release
Land Rover and Nevada commission on tourism join forces to present one-of-a-kind g4 challenge nevada passage
Land Rover North America and the Nevada Commission on Tourism announced today that this year's Nevada Passage will serve as the national selection event for the 2008/2009 Land Rover G4 Challenge.
Twenty athletes from around the nation will travel throughout Nevada competing in driving and outdoor adventure activities designed to test teamwork and skills such as 4x4 driving, navigating, trail running, mountain biking and kayaking. The top two two-person teams from the national competition advance to the international selection event in early 2009, where one team will be selected to represent the United States in the final challenge in Asia.
"When we launched the Nevada Passage in 2005, our goal was to further establish Nevada as an outdoor hotspot," Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, Nevada Commission on Tourism chair, said. "Land Rover, a brand renowned for outdoors and adventure, has selected Nevada as the nation's lone location for this prolific, global competition, further establishing this premier destination for adventurers, explorers and outdoors enthusiasts."
Recognized as the one of the world's top off-road driving and adventure events, the Land Rover G4 Challenge is held every two years with national selection events taking place in 18 countries around the world. This year marks only the second time the United States has participated in the global competition since the inaugural event in 2003. The new Land Rover G4 Challenge Nevada Passage will take place in May 2008.
For the first time in the event's history, the Land Rover G4 Challenge will raise funds for two world-class charity organizations: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The competition will culminate with the donation of a Land Rover on behalf of the winning team to their country's national Red Cross or Red Crescent Society.
"Land Rover's brand is synonymous with history and adventure, so it's truly fitting for us to participate in the challenge," Chris Marchand, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Land Rover North America, said. "We saw the Nevada Passage and Nevada's array of adventure sports activities and driving terrains as the most desirable location for this exciting landmark competition."
The Nevada Passage, first held in 2005, is the Nevada Commission on Tourism's one-of-kind, annual made-for-TV event that is designed to highlight Nevada's unique topography and showcase the vast array of adventure sports opportunities found throughout the state.
"We're looking forward to taking the fourth Nevada Passage TV program to the next level and making it the national setting for this global event," Tim Maland, director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, said. "To partner with such a highly visible and respected brand as Land Rover will provide us with a greater platform to showcase our state's incredible outdoor recreation opportunities."
The competition is syndicated on national networks throughout the country and the hour-long show is seen by more than 2 million viewers each year. Past competitions have included events such as back-country skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains, sand boarding near Fallon, kayaking on the Truckee River in downtown Reno and rock climbing in Red Rock Canyon, just outside of Las Vegas.
For more information on the Land Rover G4 Challenge Nevada Passage, or to apply to be a competitor, visit www.landroverG4challenge.com. For highlights and information on previous Nevada Passage competitions, visit www.nevadapassage.com.
Fact Sheet
The 18 participating nations:
Australia
China
Netherlands
Turkey
Austria
France
Norway/Sweden
UK
Belgium/Luxemburg
Germany
Russia
USA
Brazil
Ireland
South Africa
Canada
Italy
Spain