Kona Midwest Racing heads into the 2006 season as Michigan’s premier mountain bike race team!
http://www.konamidwestracing.com
Contact Information:
Bryan Mitchell - Team Manager
21700 Connemara Dr
Northville, MI 48167
248.420.3488
bryan@bryanmitchell.com
Chris Filipiak - Team Manager
9501 Lakeside Dr
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
313.282.5404
cfilipia@hotmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kona Midwest Racing heads into the 2006 season as Michigan’s premier mountain bike race team!
NORTHVILLE, MI – MARCH 1, 2006 -- Kona Midwest racing, a southeast Michigan based elite mountain bike team, is pleased to announce its roster of riders and sponsors for the 2006 season. Seasoned semi-pros and State Champions Justin Desilets and Peter Ehmann will both return to ride for Kona Midwest in 2006. Joining the team this season will be two of Michigan’s fastest women racers, Shirlee Finch and Amanda Pilling.
Title sponsor Kona Bicycle Company has supported the team from its start in 2005 as a grass-roots initiative to one of the best teams in Michigan and the Midwest.
We've dedicated ourselves to the growth and future of all styles of mountain biking as a sport and a lifestyle. Our number one goal is always to keep things fun! We look forward to another great season of Michigan Mountain Biking Association races, Michigan NORBA (National Off Road Bicycling Association) races, along with NORBA National and regional racing.
Justin Desilets, Berkley Michigan, is the 2005 National Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) Michigan Points Series Pro/Elite State Champion. Justin also had a top 5 finish as a semi-pro in short track racing at the Snowshoe, West Virginia NORBA National and a top 15 semi-pro finish in the cross country race at the Mt. Snow Vermont NORBA National in 2005. For 2006, Justin will once again set his sights on winning the Michigan NORBA series as well as place even higher as a semi-pro at NORBA Nationals around the country.
Peter Ehmann, Ann Arbor Michigan, is the 2005 Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA) Championship Points Series Pro/Elite State Champion. Peter also competed as a semi-pro at the grueling NORBA National races in Snowshoe and Mt Snow. For 2006, Peter will also set his sights on winning the Michigan NORBA series and the MMBA series as well as place even higher as a semi-pro at NORBA Nationals around the country.
Shirlee Finch, Alma Michigan, is one of the two new additions to the Kona Midwest team for 2006. Shirlee took the third place bronze in the 2005 (NORBA) Michigan Points Series for Elite Women. Shirlee will continue to strive for podium finishes in Michigan and National races across the eastern US.
Amanda Pilling, Royal Oak Michigan, is the other new rider for Kona Midwest. Amanda’s highlight in 2005 was winning her class in the prestigious Iceman Cometh race held every November in Traverse City Michigan. Amanda looks to be competitive in Michigan NORBA and MMBA as well as a couple of the national events. She also is planning on tackling an endurance event solo and finding time to do some downhilling.
Dan Sypniewski, Rochester Hills Michigan, is the 2005 Michigan Mountain Biking Association Championship Points Series Expert 20-29 Champion. Look for Dan to defend his title in 2006.
Eric Henricks, Saline Michigan, had a strong year in 2005 taking second in his expert class in the Michigan Mountain Biking Association Championship Points Series. Not bad for his first season as an expert racer. Eric will continue to improve and strive to win the championship in 2006.
Jamie Parker, Howell Michigan, is also one of Kona Midwest Racing’s semi-pro racers. Jamie had a tough season in 2005 after a bad crash during a road race at Kensington Meter Park. He was able to come back and compete later in the season and he is now fully recovered and gearing for podium spots in 2006.
Chris “Crispy” Filipiak, Ypsilanti Michigan, is one of the team managers and has the ability to get excellent results in many mountain bike disciplines like cross country, Super D and Downhill racing. Chris is the 2004 Super D NORBA National Champion.
Bryan Mitchell, Northville Michigan, is the other team manager. Bryan’s highlights in 2005 were making the podium at the Mt Snow Vermont Super D finals with a silver medal and taking 4th place in the solo class during the 12 hours of Addison Oaks raising $1300 for a family friend who was diagnosed with cancer during the race. Bryan plans a big trip to Whistler Mountain bike park in Canada with Crispy to ride and compete in Super D and downhill.
Jim Scholefield, Northville Michigan, is living across the pond in England right now for work but plans to return to Michigan several times over the summer and will still be racing here in our great state. Jim also plans to fly the Kona Midwest colors over there and will try to win the UK National Championship in his expert class.
Kona Midwest has an impressive list of equipment sponsors for 2006. Our title sponsor Kona Bicycle Company (www.konaworld.com) will supply the team with mountain and road bikes as well as clothing. Continental Bike Shop in Hazel Park, Michigan will be the team’s local bike shop sponsor. Maxxis tires and Hayes brakes both join the team as the tire and brake sponsors for 2006. Returning sponsor Rudy Project will be the team’s official eyewear sponsor and Six Six One returns to supply the team with shoes, helmets, clothing and protective gear. Our awesome chain lube sponsor ProLink is still with us after following a few team riders and supporting them for over five years. Mavic will once again supply the team with wheels. Ford Trucks has also jumped on board for 2006 with financial support to help us get our team jerseys and with racing expenses. Pacific Health Laboratories, Leisure Time Art, Flip Loans and Intiviti Design round out our sponsors for the 2006 racing season.
The team will kick off the season in with a training camp in North Carolina, a photo shoot and the first race of the season, the Yankee Springs Time Trial near Hastings, Michigan. You can find more information about Kona Midwest Racing and keep tabs on them during the season on the team Web site, http://www.konamidwestracing.com.
Contact Information:
Bryan Mitchell - Team Manager
21700 Connemara Dr
Northville, MI 48167
248.420.3488
bryan@bryanmitchell.com
Chris Filipiak - Team Manager
9501 Lakeside Dr
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
313.282.5404
cfilipia@hotmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kona Midwest Racing heads into the 2006 season as Michigan’s premier mountain bike race team!
NORTHVILLE, MI – MARCH 1, 2006 -- Kona Midwest racing, a southeast Michigan based elite mountain bike team, is pleased to announce its roster of riders and sponsors for the 2006 season. Seasoned semi-pros and State Champions Justin Desilets and Peter Ehmann will both return to ride for Kona Midwest in 2006. Joining the team this season will be two of Michigan’s fastest women racers, Shirlee Finch and Amanda Pilling.
Title sponsor Kona Bicycle Company has supported the team from its start in 2005 as a grass-roots initiative to one of the best teams in Michigan and the Midwest.
We've dedicated ourselves to the growth and future of all styles of mountain biking as a sport and a lifestyle. Our number one goal is always to keep things fun! We look forward to another great season of Michigan Mountain Biking Association races, Michigan NORBA (National Off Road Bicycling Association) races, along with NORBA National and regional racing.
Justin Desilets, Berkley Michigan, is the 2005 National Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) Michigan Points Series Pro/Elite State Champion. Justin also had a top 5 finish as a semi-pro in short track racing at the Snowshoe, West Virginia NORBA National and a top 15 semi-pro finish in the cross country race at the Mt. Snow Vermont NORBA National in 2005. For 2006, Justin will once again set his sights on winning the Michigan NORBA series as well as place even higher as a semi-pro at NORBA Nationals around the country.
Peter Ehmann, Ann Arbor Michigan, is the 2005 Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA) Championship Points Series Pro/Elite State Champion. Peter also competed as a semi-pro at the grueling NORBA National races in Snowshoe and Mt Snow. For 2006, Peter will also set his sights on winning the Michigan NORBA series and the MMBA series as well as place even higher as a semi-pro at NORBA Nationals around the country.
Shirlee Finch, Alma Michigan, is one of the two new additions to the Kona Midwest team for 2006. Shirlee took the third place bronze in the 2005 (NORBA) Michigan Points Series for Elite Women. Shirlee will continue to strive for podium finishes in Michigan and National races across the eastern US.
Amanda Pilling, Royal Oak Michigan, is the other new rider for Kona Midwest. Amanda’s highlight in 2005 was winning her class in the prestigious Iceman Cometh race held every November in Traverse City Michigan. Amanda looks to be competitive in Michigan NORBA and MMBA as well as a couple of the national events. She also is planning on tackling an endurance event solo and finding time to do some downhilling.
Dan Sypniewski, Rochester Hills Michigan, is the 2005 Michigan Mountain Biking Association Championship Points Series Expert 20-29 Champion. Look for Dan to defend his title in 2006.
Eric Henricks, Saline Michigan, had a strong year in 2005 taking second in his expert class in the Michigan Mountain Biking Association Championship Points Series. Not bad for his first season as an expert racer. Eric will continue to improve and strive to win the championship in 2006.
Jamie Parker, Howell Michigan, is also one of Kona Midwest Racing’s semi-pro racers. Jamie had a tough season in 2005 after a bad crash during a road race at Kensington Meter Park. He was able to come back and compete later in the season and he is now fully recovered and gearing for podium spots in 2006.
Chris “Crispy” Filipiak, Ypsilanti Michigan, is one of the team managers and has the ability to get excellent results in many mountain bike disciplines like cross country, Super D and Downhill racing. Chris is the 2004 Super D NORBA National Champion.
Bryan Mitchell, Northville Michigan, is the other team manager. Bryan’s highlights in 2005 were making the podium at the Mt Snow Vermont Super D finals with a silver medal and taking 4th place in the solo class during the 12 hours of Addison Oaks raising $1300 for a family friend who was diagnosed with cancer during the race. Bryan plans a big trip to Whistler Mountain bike park in Canada with Crispy to ride and compete in Super D and downhill.
Jim Scholefield, Northville Michigan, is living across the pond in England right now for work but plans to return to Michigan several times over the summer and will still be racing here in our great state. Jim also plans to fly the Kona Midwest colors over there and will try to win the UK National Championship in his expert class.
Kona Midwest has an impressive list of equipment sponsors for 2006. Our title sponsor Kona Bicycle Company (www.konaworld.com) will supply the team with mountain and road bikes as well as clothing. Continental Bike Shop in Hazel Park, Michigan will be the team’s local bike shop sponsor. Maxxis tires and Hayes brakes both join the team as the tire and brake sponsors for 2006. Returning sponsor Rudy Project will be the team’s official eyewear sponsor and Six Six One returns to supply the team with shoes, helmets, clothing and protective gear. Our awesome chain lube sponsor ProLink is still with us after following a few team riders and supporting them for over five years. Mavic will once again supply the team with wheels. Ford Trucks has also jumped on board for 2006 with financial support to help us get our team jerseys and with racing expenses. Pacific Health Laboratories, Leisure Time Art, Flip Loans and Intiviti Design round out our sponsors for the 2006 racing season.
The team will kick off the season in with a training camp in North Carolina, a photo shoot and the first race of the season, the Yankee Springs Time Trial near Hastings, Michigan. You can find more information about Kona Midwest Racing and keep tabs on them during the season on the team Web site, http://www.konamidwestracing.com.
posted by Bryan Mitchell at 4:45 PM
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