Grand Rapids Business Prepares Local Woman to Support the Land Rover G4 Challenge

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 12 -- Local off-roading experts at Land Rover Grand Rapids will give expert training this week to local woman, Kerry Potter-Nachtrieb, who will be circling the globe with the inaugural Land Rover G4 Challenge. The month-long international adventure competition starts and finishes in the United States, kicking-off in Manhattan, NY on March 30th, and culminates in Moab, Utah on April 26th, 2003.

Potter-Nachtrieb, 25, will receive specialized driver training on Land Rover Grand Rapids' off-road course from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. this Friday, before she accompanies the Challenge through the United States, South Africa and Australia. Potter-Nachtrieb, originally from Cedar Springs, will provide logistical support to the challenge participants along the route.

Blair Sharpe, Land Rover Grand Rapids Centre Manager, said, "When we heard that Kerry was going on the Land Rover G4 Challenge to support the competitors, it brought the Challenge home. We want to make sure this West Michigander has all the tools she will need to travel the world's most rugged terrain in Land Rover vehicles."

The Land Rover G4 Challenge is an adventure competition that will test competitors' ability through arduous driving, physical and mental tasks over both extreme and urban territory. The event comprises four consecutive global stages, commencing in New York City on March 30, 2003. Competitors from 16 nations will tackle the East and West coasts of North America, as well as sections of Australia and South Africa, traveling through remote areas as well as urban centers during four weeks of intense competition. While mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, climbing and rappelling, they will cover approximately 4,000 miles in their quest to take first place for the nations they represent and to win the grand prize -- a new Range Rover.

Potter-Nachtrieb will be traveling and camping with the Land Rover Challenge for four weeks starting March 30, and although she cannot win the Range Rover she does feel compensated. "I get to travel around the world doing a job that I love, I can't think of anything better."

The United States' representative in competition is Nancy Olson, 29, of Arlington, Virginia. Olson, a U.S. Marine Corps Public Affairs Officer, is one of two females competing for the Range Rover and title of 2003 Land Rover G4 Challenge Winner.

             MEDIA INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN OFF-ROAD DRIVING
  WHEN:     Friday, March 14, 2003 - 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
  WHERE:    Land Rover Grand Rapids
            1030 28th Street
            Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508

If you are planning on attending please alert Phil Colley at 866-453-2711 or Blaire Sharpe at (616) 222-0507. Photo opportunities and interviews will be available.

The Land Rover G4 Challenge web site hosts a dedicated media section where ongoing news and images for download are available on http://www.landroverg4challenge.com/pressroom .