As the teams cross the finish line in Hemavan and Nike Powerblast lift the 2006 ARWC Trophy, preparations are already well underway for the Adventure Racing World Championships 2007, to be held in Scotland between 24th May and 2nd June 2007 and which launched its website today.

 

The UK’s premier expedition adventure race, Wilderness ARC, will become the 2007 Adventure Racing World Championships and will follow the spectacular racing in this year’s Championships to continue the tradition of epic racing at this high level. Scotland will provide the stage for the best teams on Earth to line up and begin a journey through the epic scenery of this famous and evocative landscape.

In 2005 the inaugural Wilderness ARC established itself as an instant classic and such was the quality and standing of the event, it was selected last year to become the Adventure Racing World Championships in 2007. It continued into 2006 with another fantastic course and in its third year, promises to deliver all the ingredients that are demanded and required for racing in the best adventure on the planet.

The event has chosen its 2007 home in the Western Highlands of the Lochaber region, where the terrain is rugged, the weather is unpredictable and the views are wild, unspoilt and epic. This truly is one of Europe’s last great wildernesses.

With the planning already well underway, this year’s course will be kept a closely guarded secret until the eve of the race, which will take place from an event base at Fort William. Course designer Gary Tompsett promises the very very best of what this vast and powerful land has to offer.

Tompsett explains: "Scotland is mysterious, brutal, beautiful and breath-taking. The seasons run four to a day and the landscape will haunt those who visit forever. 2005 and 2006 have seen truly magnificent events and for 2007 we still have the best to come. Expect the unexpected and expect one of the most diverse ARWC courses yet."

ARWC 2007 is a joint venture between ACE Races and Detail Events, the UK's best known adventure racing companies.

Phil Humphreys, Managing Director of ACE Races, said: "Our team are gearing up for the best adventure ever to be staged in the UK. The course area maintains many surprises and the terrain and weather will continue to throw up some truly unique challenges. We have the absolute backing of the local and sporting authorities and we are standing by to welcome the World’s best racers to our magnificent country."

With the support of a unique partnership of Scotland's events and tourism bodies, the ARWC 2007 will be expertly managed and slickly run. With a maximum of 45 teams to be allowed on the starting grid and a minimum of US$ 50 000 up for grabs, would-be racers are being encouraged to log on and register their intent to compete now, in advance of entries opening on 1st December 2006. Log onto www.arwc2007.com for full details.

Read the Sleepmonsters intro here.

The event will be staged between 24th May and 2nd June 2007.

For more information visit www.arwc2007.com