Team USA Preps for 4th GS Trophy Slated for September 6-13

Two-Day Training Session Held at BMW’s U.S. Rider Academy in Spartanburg, SC

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 28, 2014…Threatening skies and thick, humid air did not dampen the spirits of GS Trophy Team USA members during a special two-day training program held at BMW Motorrad USA’s Rider Academy at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, S.C. 

“Rider training at the BMW Performance Center is exceptional,” explained lead instructor Harald Schmidt, who organized the event. “I think the U.S. team will benefit from the skills they learned here.”

The GS Trophy, which began in 2008 and takes place every two years, has been described as the ultimate motorcycle adventure challenge.  This year, 64 riders comprising 16 international teams will compete in seven daily stages September 6-13 in the vast expanses of western Canada.

U.S. team members Blair Young, of Belmont, N.C.; Bobby Wooldridge, of Atlanta, GA; and Ben Profitt, of Apex, N.C. earned their coveted team spots during a qualifying competition held in Spartanburg last year drawing more than 70 riders.

Joining the team and Rider Academy instructors were 2008 GS Trophy Team USA champions Jimmy Lewis and Jon Beck.  During classroom sessions and outside on the course, the duo offered their first-hand insights on what to expect in the competition.

“The thing about this competition is you never know what to expect,” said Beck, who in addition to winning the first GS Trophy, has attended all of the other GS Trophy events as a photographer and journalist. “The organizers will literally invent challenges on the fly. You have to be ready for anything.”

Rider Academy instructors included Gary Hardin and Ross McKinney, who worked with Lewis and Beck on various riding techniques in and on mud, dirt, sand, gravel, wood, rocks and hills.

“You need to be ready for it all,” Jimmy Lewis told the squad with an evil grin.

Members of the U.S. team were grateful for the training and eager to put their skills to the test in the upcoming competition.

“I gained valuable insight from Jon and Jimmy about their previous GS Trophy experience,” commented Ben Profitt.  “Since Jon has been to all three events, his knowledge is tremendous.  Seeing his photos and hearing his stories helped calm my nerves about the unexpected things that can occur.  The training was incredible. The staff at the BMW Performance Center helped our team tremendously.”

“The instructors showed us the importance of balancing the bike when in an awkward position before trying to ride off,” added teammate Blair Young. “We did a drill where we walked around the motorcycle keeping only one finger on the bike.  That was a real eye-opener!”

Lead instructor Schmidt anticipates the U.S. Rider Academy providing continued support and training for future GS Trophy teams every two years.

“We have a lot to offer here in Spartanburg,” he says. “The facility continues to expand and we have the best instructors in the country. I’m thrilled to be working with this year’s team and look forward to helping future teams bring home the trophy.”

For more information on the Team USA Training Session, contact Harald Schmidt: Harald.W.Schmidt@bmwmcext.com

For more information about the GS Trophy, visit:

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/index.html?content=http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/fascination/gs_trophy/gs_trophy_2014_event/gstrophy2014_overview.html&notrack=1

For more information about the BMW Performance Center Motorcycle Rider Training, visit:

http://www.bmwusa.com/performancecenter#motorcycle

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 and X4 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 339 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 120 MINI passenger car dealers, and 35 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

www.bmwgroupna.com

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Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwgroupusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com.