Treadmills hooked up to World of Warcraft, brutal race ensue

2 treadmills are hooked up to WoW so the faster you run on the treadmill, the faster you run in game. Then the guys from Mana Energy Potions race a brutal virtual mile. Nice video, especially when they try to draw weapons while running.

read more | digg story

Plaza Cycle Utah Supermoto Championship Series Round 6

There will be two types of motorcycle racing this weekend as Miller Motorsports Park hosts Round 6 of the seven-event 2008 Plaza Cycle Utah Supermoto Championship Series. Riders will be competing in 13 classes for trophies and championship points. Supermoto is the fastest-growing form of motorcycle sport in America. Miller Motorsports Park created the Plaza Cycle Utah Supermoto Championship Series to encourage the growth of the sport in this region, utilizing its state-of-the-art Supermoto circuit that combines the 0.9-mile Miller Kart Track with two dirt motocross sections. A wide variety of classes is offered to appeal to both novices and experts, young (five years and older) and old.

Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Sunchaser 1000

The third annual Sunchaser 1000 serves as the season finale for the 2008 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season. Last year’s thrilling fender-banging battle for the championship came down to the final laps of the seven-hour race. Don’t be surprised if it happens again.

Support races will include the KONI Challenge Series, the first-ever appearance at Miller Motorsports Park by the Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda plus the new Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires, the SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup Series and SCCA Spec Miatas.

Rodizio Grill Karting Championship Round 8

This weekend also includes Round 8 of the 10-round 2008 Rodizio Grill Karting Championship Presented by Valvoline, which was developed by Miller Motorsports Park to encourage and develop kart racing in Utah and the surrounding region. Karting is not only the most popular method for young people to learn racing skills that will help them advance up the racing ladder, but also a great family-oriented recreational activity. Karters will be competing for trophies and points in 14 classes towards the overall series championships.

AMA XTRM Supermoto Championship

Supermoto racing is the newest form of motorcycle racing, a hybrid form of the sport combining road racing and motocross. The bikes utilized are modified motocross machines, using slick tires and bigger brakes with a revised suspension and lower center of gravity.

The course customarily consists of a combination of paved road course combined with dirt and/or metal jumps. At Miller Motorsports Park, the state-of-the-art, 0.9-mile paved Miller Kart Track has dirt jump sections at either end, with a metal jump incorporated into the layout.

The AMA XTRM Supermoto Championship consists of three classes. The Supermoto class is for four-stroke, single-cylinder motorcycles with displacement up to 450cc. The Supermoto Unlimited class features two- or four-stroke single-cylinder motorcycles displacing 490cc and more, or 350cc-450cc four-stroke twin-cylinder engines. The Supermoto Lites class utilizes 200-250cc four-stroke single-cylinder engines.

This weekend will be the fourth round of the six-race 2008 season, and practice, heats and features races will all take place on Sunday, September 7.

NHRA Northwest National Open Series

NHRA Northwest National Open Series For the first time in almost 20 years, big time drag racing returns to Portland international raceway for two days of competition for National Open Series points. On August 23-24 PIR will host racers from throughout the region in Top Comp, SC, SG, SST and STK/SS classes, plus brackets for Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Bike/Show, High School and Juniors. This will be the first 1/8th mile Northwest National Open going for National Records. Friday, August 22 will be a day-long test and tune, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by two days of racing for purse and National Open Series Points. Spectators are $10 per day.

2008 STEINLAGER PURE MT LYFORD MASTERS

Date of the event: 23th August 2008
Postponement date: 24th August 2008

Venue: Mt Lyford Alpine Resort Ski Area

Entry: No Charge

Format for the race is as follows:

Participants enter between 10am and 12pm
11:30am early lunch with refreshments
12:30pm course inspection and pre-race drink
1:00pm racing starts
3:30pm presentations

Age Categories for Races:

Women 35 - 44 yrs
Women 45 - 54 yrs
Women 55 - 64 yrs
Women 65 + yrs
Men 35 - 44 yrs
Men 45 - 54 yrs
Men 55 - 64yrs
Men 65 + yrs

Prizes for a Placing: 1st, 2nd and 3rd

2008 MT LYFORD RIP CURL SNOW & SURF TOUR

Date of the event: 9th and 10th of August 2008

Venue:Mt Lyford & Kaikoura Area (where the surf is best for the day)

Entry:$ 55 dollars for single event (this includes ski pass for Mt Lyford)

$ 80 dollars for team event (this includes two ski passes for Mt Lyford)


Format for is as follows:

Registration at The Adelphi at 7 pm on Friday the 10th of August. Late entries may not be accepted.

Saturday the 9th

Competitors are to meet at meatworks at 7am.

Competitors will be informed about the event and the decision will be made if the day is for surfing or boardercross depending on the surf and snow conditions.

Surfing will start at sunrise if viable conditions.

Everyone can drive up the mountain for boardercross to start at 11am if surf is no good.

Saturday night pool comp for those involved at the Adelphi Pool Bar.

Sunday the 10th

Competitors are to meet at the area that has not been performed at the time given (7am for surf 11am for snow).

Sunday night prize giving will be held at the Adelphi Restaurant at 7pm

Age Categories for Races:

This event is for snowboarders and surfers

This is an open event and all ages are welcome to compete.

Girls are welcome to enter and there will be a womans section if enough entered.

There will be a singles section and a team section for those who just want to compete in the one area.


Prizes for a Placing:

-Cash prizes to be won from the entry kitty

-Merchandise from Rip Curl for placing and spot prizes

-Merchandise from R & R Kaikoura for spot prizes

-Vouchers for food and drink at The Adelphi Restaurant and Bar

-Ski passes for Mt Lyford Alpine Resort.

River Valley BMX

River Valley BMX is located in Sumner, Washington. The track is one of the longest in Washington and provides ample challenge for beginners and pros alike.

The track is well-maintained and efficiently run. River Valley BMX is an ABA sanctioned track, meaning the ABA (American Bicycle Association) sanctions all races at the track, and riders accumulate points towards their district, State standings.

Mark Hutko is River Valley's Track Operator and person responsible for making sure everything runs well at River Valley BMX.
He coordinates all race activities and is the liaison between River Valley BMX and the ABA.

Boarding 4 Breast Cancer Surf 4 Awareness

Don't miss the 2nd Annual Surf 4 Awareness supporting Boarding 4 Breast Cancer! This is a fun event for all ages, long and shortboard, boys and girls, men and women. There is even a breast cancer survivors heat! Everyone, competitor or not, is urged to raise money using the www.active.com/donation/surf4awareness2 website. Top fundraisers will win some great prizes from sponsors. Breakfast will be provided by Pipes Cafe and Nalu's Island Grill will be serving up delicious Hawaiian Style Plate Lunch and every competitor will get an event t-shirt. Come join the fun!

Hyperlite Wakeboard Tournament at Outback Crab Shack

Are you ready to Go Big with an amazing end to your summer? After a summer of prep, now's the time to show off what your made of at the Hyperlite Wakeboard Tournament at Outback Crab Shack! Presented by Aqua East Surf Shop, & X Camp Florida.

Divisions:
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Girls, Wakeskate, & Outlaw!

Cost: $35 Entry fee & $10 fee for each additional division entered.

Directions:
From I-95 take exit 323 for International Golf Pkwy 0.4 mi
Keep right at the fork, follow signs for World Golf Village and merge onto International Golf Pkwy 2.3 mi
Slight right at SR-16 1.5 mi
Turn left to stay on SR-16 1.7 mi
Turn left at CR-13 N 0.8 mi

Outback Crab Shack & Six Mile will be on your right
8155 County Road 13 N, St Augustine, FL 32092

All contestants must park at Palmo Fish Camp Rd, just over the bridge on the right, all the way at the end of the road. A shuttle boat will be by every 15 mins to transport you to Outback Crab Shack.

Cadbury Moro Slopestyle Series # 2

The second of four competitions in The Cadbury Moro Slopestyle Series gets underway in the UP & GO Terrain Park at The Remarkables on Saturday August 16 2008. A fun and exciting event where snowboarders and skiers show their style through the UP & GO Terrain Park features and rails providing great music and spectator action from the home of Slopestyle.

2008 British Snowboard and Freeski Tour

The 2008 British Snowboard and Freeski Tour returns this summer, announcing six new dates, introducing a brand new venue and continuing to represent and showcase the highest level of Snowboard and Freeski competition in the UK.

New to the British Snow Tour, Halifax Ski and Snowboarding Centre will join the list of existing and successfully tested venues: Chatham, Norfolk, Castleford, Milton Keynes and Glasgow for 2008. By adding new venues and continuing to incorporate a dedicated schools tour program, which will visit over 6,000 kids and give away 1,000 lessons, the British Snowboard and Freeski Tour will create new breeding grounds for emerging talent and continue to provide a path from grass roots participation through to international competition.

British Snow Tour dates for your diaries:

5th & 6th July 2008 – Halifax, British Big Air Championships

12th & 13th July 2008 – Chatham, British Slopestyle Championships

19th & 20th July 2008 – Norfolk, British Snowboard/Skiercross Championships

20th September 2008 – Castleford, British Slopestyle Championships

27th September 2008 – Milton Keynes, British Big Air Championships

4th October 2008– Glasgow, British Snowboardcross/Skiercross Championships

The 2008 British Snow Tour will also be returning to this year’s Metro Ski and Snowboard show for the Invitational Championships, to keep up-to-date with new event news and info, check out the British Snowboard and Freeski Tour website: www.britishsnowtour.com
The British Snowboard Tour continues to be the only UK event to award competitors with prestigious Ticket to Ride (TTR) points and TTR World Snowboard Tour Ranking. Giving UK riders the opportunity to not only win British Championships Titles, but secure World Ranking Points. Artificial Events = TTR ONE(1)STAR event, Indoor Events = TTR TWO(2)STAR event, The BRITS = TTR THREE(3)STAR event, for more information and to find out where UK riders are currently ranked check out: www.ttrworldtour.com

British Ski Cross Series

The Hype Events British Ski Cross Series debuts this summer, taking in five events at SNO!zone venues across the UK. The Series will give all budding athletes the chance to compete at a new sport with a view to discovering talent that can compete at an international level.

Round 3: - Sunday 13th July - SNO!zone, Milton Keynes
Round 4: - Sunday 17th August - SNO!zone, Scotland (Braehead)
Round 5: - Sunday 21st September - SNO!zone, Milton Keynes

LG Snowboard FIS ANC Continental Cup Slopetyle

All athletes, officials and members of the National Associations who attend and participate in the event shall do so at their own risk. Snow Sports NZ, sponsors and suppliers, their agents, employees and volunteers shall not be responsible for any losses or injuries incurred or suffered by any athlete, official or other person in conjunction with the organising or staging of the event. Public liability insurance of CHF3 million, for the period of the event, is in place through Snow Sports NZ.
SCHEDULE

Monday September 1st, Official Arrival Day for Slopestyle
17.00-19.00 Wanaka Event Office
Registration
17.30 Team Captain / individual athlete Meeting at Oakridge
Slopestyle Training Bibs allocated

Tuesday September 2nd, Slopestyle Training
08.00-20.00 Wanaka Event Office Opening Times
08.30 Lift Open
09.00-13.00 Slopestyle Course Open for Training
17.30 Team Captains/ individual athlete Meeting at Oakridge
Bib Draw

Wednesday September 3rd, Slopestyle Competition
08.00-20.00 Wanaka Event Office Opening Times
08.30 Lift Open
09.00-09.45 Inspection/training
10.00-13.00 Qualifications Men and ladies
14.00-15.00 Finals Men and Ladies

The Volkl Freeski Open

2008 will see the VOLKL NZ Freeski Open by the Royal NZ Air Force stepping it up to a level which rivals that of the world’s biggest freeski events. With a complete athlete focus and international team of organisers this will undoubtedly prove to be the best freeski event to be hosted in the Southern Hemisphere.

The fourth annual event covers three major freeski disciplines: Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Mountain. The Slopestyle and Halfpipe are held at Snow Park NZ. Big Mountain freeskiers face the steepest and most challenging terrain testing the chutes of The Remarkables and Treble Cone ski areas.

The slopestyle course is being designed to ensure the riders have the features they need to be able to throw down big! 20 invited International pre-qualified riders will set the benchmark giving the 140 amateur and professional athletes the chance to prove their worth on the world stage. Entrants will fight through qualifiers and semis for a spot in the finals and a share of the $35,000 prize pool!

Coming on board, Malua Sport Events Founder Alex Zika will lead the charge as event Manager, International Head X Games Judge Josh Loubek to lead the Halfpipe and Slopestyle judging panel and Jim Jack, World Tour Head Judge leading the Big Mountain judges.

Jim and Josh will also run judging workshops leading into the event. Athletes welcome. More info www.freeskiopennz.com

Off the snow, our official off-snow venue BASE Backpackers, Wanaka will host the riders meetings, official parties, movie premiers, feature bands.

Event Schedule:

1-17th AUGUST
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Limited spots – ($20 late fee applies after the 17th)

20th August:
* Welcome party and event registration @BASE Backpackers

21st – 23rd August:
* Slopestyle and Halfpipe @ Snow Park. 4pm après ski @ Snow Park

23rd August:
* Party –Sticky Date Pudding & Charter Magazine present Hunting Yeti Premier by K2 & Helly Hanson @ Base Backpackers ‘Mint’ Bar.

25th August:
* Big Mountain Qualifiers and Semis @ The Remarkables

26th August
* Big Mountain Finals @ The Treble Cone

27-29th August:
* Contingency Days

29th August:
* Official Event Party - featuring ‘RAZ BIN SAM & The Lion I Band’ & screening of event footage @ Base Backpackers ‘Mint’ Bar. The Aussie band will be working the crowd at the final event after party while the footage of the week’s event is played back on the giant screen. The Bolle Young Gun award will be presented and giveaways for spectators aplenty! www.razbinsam.com

* Accommodation: www.stayatbase.com E: wanaka@stayatbase.com
* Car Rental: www.jucy.co.nz

Partners: VOLKL, ROYAL NZ AIR FORCE, BOLLE, RED BULL, PAKWORLD, JUCY CAR RENTALS, WANAKA PAINTBALL, TOKO WAX, BASE BACKPACKERS, NZ SKIER MAGAZINE, GRAND MERCURE OAKRIDGE RESORT WANAKA, NZ SKI & SNOW MAGAZINE, DAKINE, LION FOUNDATION, NZ COMMUNITY TRUST, SNOW.CO.NZ

50th Masters Wakeboard Tournament

This tournament will be held over Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24, 2009, at beautiful Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. This year’s 49th Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament was a huge success. The world’s top watersports athletes from 14 countries gathered together over Memorial Day weekend for three action-packed days of competition. While the 49th Masters is over, the 50th Anniversary is right around the corner and the teams at Correct Craft and Callaway Gardens have already begun making big plans to ensure that this exciting milestone is truly spectacular. The prize purse, trophies, rings and special event awards at Masters are the largest in the watersports industry and total nearly $150,000. To learn more about the esteemed Masters tournament, visit masterswaterski.com.

2008 World Wake Surfing Championships

The 2008 World Wake Surfing Championships ® (WWSC) will be on the move to the Music City this year! On September 6th & 7th, 2008, wakesurfers will converge on downtown Nashville, TN at Riverfront Park to show the south what wakesurfing is all about! Riverfront Park is located on the shores of the Cumberland River running through the heart of the city. The Hard Rock Café and Wild Horse Saloon are just two of the town's most popular spots overlooking the park, and LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans, is located on the opposite shore. This venue will prove to offer the most exposure possible for the growing sport of wakesurfing, the athletes and the companies supporting the event. In 2007, riders came to California from as far as Florida, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Quebec and even Argentina to compete in the world championships. With local and state tournaments making their debuts in Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Minnesota, Florida and throughout Canada, taking the event east makes it easier for more riders from across the country to participate in the WWSC in 2008. Nashville International Airport (BNA) is easily accessible and hosts most major airlines. Shuttle service is provided from the airport to numerous hotels in the downtown area within walking distance of Riverfront Park, virtually eliminating the need for a rental car. Last year, wakesurfers showed their skills, from shuvit 540s to surface 1080s, and big air indy grabs to lots of toes on the nose. Who knows what the top 100 of the world's best wakesurfers, pro surfers, pro skimmers and amateurs from across the globe will bring to battle it out behind Centurion World Championship Towboats in 2008! Watch history in the making as team rider, Drew Danielo, goes for the gold and his 5th World Wake Surfing Championship title in Tennessee this year.

2008 WWA Wake Park World Series

$27,000 in Total Cash Prizes Announced for the Ukrainian Wake Park Open & 3rd Stop of the 2008 WWA Wake Park World Series in Kiev! The World Wakeboard Association (WWA) and the Ukrainian Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation (UWF) are pleased to announce the Ukrainian Wake Park Open and third stop of the 2008 WWA WPWS. This event will take place August 8-10 in Kiev and is open to all international competitors with 6 different categories: Pro Men Wakeboard, Pro Women Wakeboard, Pro Wakeskate, Junior Men and a Best Kicker Trick and Best Rail Trick contest. Riders from around the world will gather at five prestigious events in 2008 to compete and accumulate points for this first ever professional global series for cable wake park. With two of the WWA WP World Series events already under their belt, the world’s top riders will continue the challenge at the X-Traction cable park in Kiev for the coveted series title and the overall $17,500 bonus cash purse. Jr. Men competitors, this is your chance to showcase your talents and ride alongside the best in the world. Cool prizes and gear will be given to the top five Jr. Men finalists.

University of Michigan Wake Fest

Join the University of Michigan Wakeboard Team September 14, 2008 as they welcome collegiate "boarders" from all around the Mid-West to Silver Spray Sports on Silver Lake for this great event. The University of Michigan Wakeboard Challenge will be run on the same weekend as the fall "Rip Fest" collegiate activity which will be going on for collegiate skiers just seven miles away. To sign up for the tournament and for more information you can contact Eduardo @ 248-760-0161. Visit the U of M Wake Site at UMWakeboard.com We will be catering to the collegiate wakeboarders to help them kick off the collegiate season which starts in the fall when they head back to school and Silver Spray Sports is proud to be their major sponsor!

Carolina Wake Series 2008

For the fourth year in a row, the Carolina Wake Series is gearing up for another exciting season, bringing the finest East Coast wakeboarding and wakeskating to the masses. "2007 was a huge year for us," says Rob Mendieta, Events Director and CWS founder. "The bar was definitely raised last season, and we've been working harder than ever this winter to make sure we raise it again in 2008!"

Not only will they be hitting the hottest riding spots throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, but Mendieta and staff have added a seventh event, which rolls through Chesapeake, VA on June 21st.

"Everyone's psyched for the Chesapeake stop," Mendieta says. "There's a great riding scene up there and we're looking forward to meeting some new people and visiting some places we haven't been yet."

Many of the tour's sponsors from previous years have returned, including Red Bull, Malibu, Smith Optics, Mastercraft, Dragon Sunglasses, and Buywake.com. Combined with support from newcomers UGP and Hyperlite Wakeboards, 2008 promises bigger crowds, better prizes, and larger purses than ever before!

Keep checking carolinawakeseries.com for more info.

The 2008 Carolina Wake Series

May 24th - Cape Fear Classic Wilmington NC

June 21st - Chesapeake VA

July 26th - Grand Strand Wake Jam Myrtle Beach

August 24th - K-Town Shakedown Knoxville TN

Sept 6th - Capital City Challenge Raleigh NC

Sept 20th - Wake the Lake Charlotte NC

Oct 4th and 5th - Riverfest Wilmington NC

Matching Jobs and Workers

The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in a statement inform that, the number of adults considered "not in the labor force"-those people over age 18 who do not have jobs and are not looking for employment--has grown by about 4.4 million since June of 2000. Economists have termed this growth as "discouraged workers." Discouraged workers never looking for a job as they become so disappointed about the chance of finding a job. So these labor force is not counted as a part of the unemployment rate as calculated by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If workers are displaced by a growing difference between workers skills and the necessities of the workplace, an economic recovery could be characterized by increased inflationary pressures. Economists term this issue of economic as "structural unemployment".

So if the economy is suffering from a greater difference of workers skills and job requirements an over supply of skill professional is needed to fulfill the meet.