Luck Stone support keeps XTERRA in Richmond, Virginia

Luck Stone Corporation, one of the largest stone and aggregates companies in the US, has signed up as a sponsor of the XTERRA off-road triathlon regional championship in Richmond, Virginia, in June and possibly for years to come.

Luck Stone has already promised at least US$25,000 in financial support for 2011 and is reported to be negotiating with the XTERRA series organisers for a multi-year sponsorship agreement.

"We don’t see this as a one-and-done," noted Bob Grauer, Senior Vice President of Luck Stone.

Commenting on the difficult times faced by the company and the region in recent years, Grauer added, "We see signs that the economy is improving. Our optimism about this event is certainly a reflection of that."

The support from Luck Stone comes at a welcome time. The recently announced deal ensures that the international XTERRA competition will not leave Richmond after 13 years, as had been indicated.

Hawaii-based Team Unlimited, which owns XTERRA, had told city officials earlier this year that it would move the regional championship to Charlotte, North Carolina, if financial support was not forthcoming.

The event generates an estimated US$1 million in direct spending and clearly provides a much-needed cash injection to the local economy.

"It promotes more cycling, it promotes the trails, and it promotes the volunteer work we’re doing," said Greg Rollins, President of the Richmond-area chapter of Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, which played a role in the talks between Luck Stone and XTERRA.

www.xterraplanet.com
www.luckstone.com