Subaru Extends Agreement With International Mountain Bicycling Association
-- Longstanding Partnership Continues to Create, Enhance, and Preserve Trail Opportunities for Thousands of Mountain Bikers --
CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 23 -- Subaru of America, Inc., the only car company that features symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line, today announced it has extended its partnership with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). Under the terms of the partnership, Subaru will again be the official vehicle of IMBA and the title sponsor of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew.
"Subaru is excited to extend our partnership with IMBA," said Tim Bennett, director of marketing programs, Subaru of America, Inc. "The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew is an excellent outreach program that educates thousands of mountain biking enthusiasts on how to build and maintain mountain bike trails nationwide."
Launched in 1997, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program has led more than 1,000 trail projects, trained more than 35,000 people in sustainable trailbuilding techniques, and logged half a million miles of coast-to-coast travel in its official Subaru vehicles.
The award-winning program includes two full-time, professional teams of trail experts who travel North America year-round, leading IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, meeting with government officials and land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated groups to improve mountain biking opportunities.
"Thanks to the renewed support from Subaru, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews will continue to improve trails for mountain bikers and other trail users," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "This long-term partnership continues to provide tremendous benefits for our sport."
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews travel nationwide in their Subaru Outbacks and teach "sustainable" trailbuilding, which means building trails that last and require minimal maintenance. This helps reduce trail damage, protects the environment, and enhances visitor enjoyment.
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program has inspired great volunteer trailwork across the U.S. - a big help to government agencies and land managers who have limited funding for trail construction and maintenance.
The complete 2004 Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew schedule will be announced in March. For additional information please visit http://www.imba.com/.
Subaru Commitment to the Outdoors
When a Subaru is seen driving down the road or at the trailhead, chances are it will be loaded with a kayak, canoe, mountain bike, skis or snowboard. That's because Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive provides drivers with superior performance in all types of conditions - essential for transporting outdoor sports enthusiasts to the river, the mountains and those "off the beaten path" destinations with safety and confidence. Together with its partners, Subaru hosts hundreds of outdoor events each year from coast to coast. This approach helps Subaru learn more about its customers' interests, and enables the company to demonstrate how Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive can complement their active lifestyles. Because of this commitment, many refer to Subaru as the official vehicle of the outdoors. For more information visit www.outdoorlife.subaru.com.
About IMBA
The International Mountain Bicycling Association creates, enhances and preserves trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trailwork participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, and innovative trail management solutions. IMBA's worldwide network includes 32,000 individual members, more than 450 bicycle clubs, and 400 corporate partners and dealer members. For more information visit http://www.imba.com/.
