2007 National Series Finals - Snowmass, CO

Aspen, Colorado, a place for the rich and famous at the best of times. Twenty million dollar homes carved into the mountain side on the same slopes that a group of rowdy adrenaline seeking junkies blaze down for the fastest times, cleanest runs but more importantly the gravity titles this race determines. Yes it’s true, lunch in the Village can cost you an arm and a leg, and getting a pro teams laundry done might warrant an equity line of credit, but all said and done, we are so spoiled as racers to be dueling it out at a venue like this!

Racing at Snowmass got off to a great start with the 4X qualifying Friday evening. Dale, Melissa and Caroline all took the top qualifying spots in the men’s and women’s Pro 4X (below is a shot of KHS racer Dale Holmes "getting it done" in the finals after taking the number one qualifying spot amongst the best Pro Men 4X racers in the world). Dale looked superb throughout the evening placing 1st in every heat up until the final. He really came into his own at Snowmass, displaying to everybody around him that he was definitely the guy to beat. Dale raced extremely well in the final and placed 2nd overall, a fantastic result considering 3 out of the 4 racers in the final heat all hailed from the Factory Yeti Team. Yeti’s Jared Graves took the win after a great gate start, and Dale did his best to chase him down but could not get by him… what a great race!

Dale pulling ahead - by Quinton Spaulding

Melissa Buhl was on top form as usual… riding like a women possessed! She went on to take the top qualifying spot for KHS in the Women’s Pro 4X. She continued that form all the way to the final heat Saturday evening, going on to win by beating her KHS team mate and Australian 4X National Champion Caroline Buchanan, who qualified 2nd for KHS. This had the entire event talking about Team KHS and solidified our image as "The KHS Army". This win also secured the championship for Melissa and crowned her 4X National Series Champion.

Melissa on course - by Chuck Valenzuela

Everything came to a head on Sunday… it was time for some high speed "moto" style Downhill. This course was fast and choppy with some of the most high speed sections we have seen all season. To win this one was going to take some fearless braking.

Melissa Buhl did not disappoint, after taking another 1st qualifying spot early Sunday morning. She came down to the finish line during the final, powering through a rough finish line straight away to take top honors. Luna’s Marla Strebb placed a close second but it was to be Melissa’s day… and season. She closed everybody out and took the National Series DH Title with this win. Talk about taking care of business!

Women’s 4X Podium - by Chuck Valenzuela

Snowmass treated KHS and its "army" very well. We came home with two Major Championship Titles, three individual gravity event wins and a total of eight podiums!!! I stand back now and realize that all our hard work has paid off, the training, injuries, hardship’s, excitement and the desire to win are all pieces to this great puzzle that make a successful race season.

Men’s 4X Podium - by Chuck Valenzuela

We all race because we love to, but without the help from our sponsors, the racing scene would be completely different. KHS would like to extend a VERY BIG thanks to all of our esteemed co sponsors for helping us make this dream season a reality.

We still have some racing to take care of in 2007, Melissa Buhl and Dale Holmes will both be attending the Jeep King of the Mountain series this coming weekend in Colorado and we wish them the best of luck. The KHS Factory Team will be in Keystone Colorado for the 2007 Keystone Climax - MSC series finals September 1-3.

Very best regards,
Q