Third Team Straps-In for Rocket Racing League

LAS CRUCES, N.M., Oct. 24, 2006 -- The Rocket Racing League* (RRL) has announced the third team, and the first New Mexico team, to compete in its inaugural racing season that kicks off next year. Founded by Marc Robert Cumbow, an Albuquerque land developer, and his father, Edward W. Cumbow, a retired Air Force pilot, "Santa Fe Racing," will be joining the Leading Edge and Bridenstine Rocket Racing teams already committed to the league, it was announced on Saturday at the X-Prize Cup in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

"We are excited to have a New Mexico team a part of the Rocket Racing League 'starting grid.' This is not a team run by a pilot, but a businessman, whom is a great example of how our business model is resonating outside of aviation and into mainstream American Entrepreneurs vision. It is great to welcome Santa Fe Racing to the League. Marc and the rest of his team will do a great job,'" stated RRL CEO, Granger Whitelaw. "We are honored to have a team from New Mexico furthering this great state's history in racing with the likes of the Unser family and Galles Racing, both of which I know very well."

Marc Robert Cumbow is an avid aviation enthusiast and entrepreneur with interests in hotels, travel agencies and real estate. Marc is a graduate of Clovis High School and Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell. Marc's father and partner, Edward W. Cumbow, is a retired Major in the United States Air Force whose 20 year career included time in B-52 Bombers, EB66's in Vietnam and the F111 Fighter/Bomber in the European Theater.

"We see this as a great opportunity for our family to invest in one of the newest and most exciting racing sports on the planet. The (Rocket Racing) League is combining cutting edge aerospace and rocket technology with live competition and interactive gaming. It has appeal to grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, and the kids!" stated Marc Robert Cumbow. Santa Fe Racing is proud to be representing the Great State of New Mexico. We consider this not only an investment for the future in our family businesses, but also an investment in the future of the State of New Mexico. "Our hats are off to Governor Bill Richardson and Secretary Homans for having the foresight and the vision they have for this State's future with their aerospace initiatives and by bringing the Rocket Racing League to Las Cruces."

The father and son team will host a competition to be held through New Mexico schools to allow students to name their Mark-1 X-Racer similar to the competition held for the naming of the first Mark-1 X-Racer. The Rocket Racing League naming contest yielded over 2,000 entries from around the world.

Santa Fe Racing is also looking for its team pilot and is particularly interested in finding someone from New Mexico. "We're the 'hometown team,'" says Marc Cumbow.

Two other teams are already committed to flying with the Rocket Racing League. Don "Dagger" Grantham, Jr. and Robert "Bobaloo" Rickard, both Air Force reserve F-16 pilots, were the first to sign up with their team, Leading Edge Rocket Racing.

Jim Bridenstine, an F-18 Navy pilot, is the owner and pilot of the second team, Bridenstine Rocket Racing Team. Bridenstine saw a magazine article about the League that piqued his interest and led to his team's formation.

"When you get team number one, team number two and team number three, teams number four, five and six come a lot easier," says Rick Homans, New Mexico's secretary of economic development.

About the Rocket Racing League

The Rocket Racing League (RRL) is an aerospace entertainment organization which combines the competition of racing with the excitement of rocketry. RRL is dedicated to providing safe and thrilling experiences for families through live events, television broadcasts and interactive technologies. Co-founded by Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, founder of the X PRIZE, and Granger Whitelaw, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion team partner, the league's mission is to serve as a technology accelerator in the areas of airframe, propulsion and spacecraft design, and reach for the future to inspire the next generation of spaceflight enthusiasts. Rocket Racing League(TM), RRL(TM) and X-Racer(TM) are trademarks of Rocket Racing Inc. For more information, visit the website at www.rocketracingleague.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos are available by contacting Sandy Davenport at 505-532-1543 or 505-639-0728 or sandy@rocketracingleague.com.