JOHANNESBURG, 11 MARCH 2016 – A brand-new epic obstacle and heavy rain across Gauteng mean Jeep Warriors will be in for an even wilder, muddier adventure at Race#2 of the 2016 Jeep Warrior Series, taking place this weekend at the Emerald Resort & Casino in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng.

Dubbed the ‘Water Canon’ and sponsored by global water technology company, Xylem, the new obstacle consists of a floating bridge that has been built across a big hole of deep, muddy water. When Warriors run over the floating bridge, the Xylem-powered water pumps will shoot water from giant canons to try and push them off the bridge and into the muddy pool below. If they are pushed off, they will need to start the obstacle all over again. 

Making a massive comeback at Emerald Resort venue is the biggest Jeep Warrior Race obstacle ever, the monstrous Slippery Dip. Scary, terrifying and causing a huge spike in the alternative burpees sacrifice in the non-elite classes, the Slippery Dip is exactly what it means. A steep, watery slippery slide with an upward lip at the end which sends warriors flying into a muddy pool. Not for the feint-hearted but #BeBrave!

As expected, the event is near-capacity already with over 6000 entries. Saturday events are sold out and only a handful of spots are available for Sunday, so first come, first served. 

Says Jonathan Hart, Jeep Warrior Series Course Designer, “We have been building the Emerald Resort course for the last 5 weeks, with 26 builders working full time around the clock to finish everything by Saturday. Emerald Resort is a fantastic new venue for the Jeep Warrior Series. There are a few ‘new’ elements this weekend – our new tough water canon obstacle, the return of the massive, scary Slippery Dip, a brand new shower zone for competitors, and the biggest Jeep Warrior beer tent yet.”

It is expected that the consistent rain in Gauteng over the past week will make this Jeep Warrior Race much tougher, so for the competitive-level Black Ops Elite athletes, this will mean working harder to get to the finish line. 

Says Hart, “With the consistent rains and more forecast for the weekend, Jeep Warriors competing will feel it but more so in the Black Ops Elite. We should see an increase in the time taken plus we have thrown in some surprises. All obstacles will be more intense, requiring more upper body strength as athletes focus on keeping their grip on the ropes and traction on foot. A true Jeep course you could say. Let the games begin!”

Race#1 Black Ops Elite Men’s winner, Thomas van Tonder (Jeep Team) will be looking to extend his series lead with a second win at Emerald Resort. He’ll be facing tough competition from the likes of 2015 Jeep Warrior Series winner, Claude Eksteen, plus from Greg Avierinos, Jay Jay Deysel (Jeep Team), Michael Joubert, Marius Smith and Joshua Masudi (Jeep Team). 

In the Black Ops Elite Women’s race, watch out for Race#1 winner, Trish Bahlmann, Hanneke Dannhauser (2015 Jeep Warrior Series winner), Dominique D’Oliveira, Michelle Meyer and Jeep Team’s newest OCR athlete, Carina Marx, who has a point to prove after not completing the previous race. 

Says Shane Howarth, Head of Marketing Communications at Chrysler South Africa, “This is a magnificent new venue for our Jeep Warrior brand in Gauteng. Thanks to Emerald Resort and Casino. It’s a great brand fit for Jeep South Africa and Jeep Warrior. We look forward to meeting the 6500 Jeep Warriors to their tough, but fun and muddy destination. #BeBrave is my advice as there is big prize money to be won in the elite races. It’s worth fighting for.”

To up the ante on race day, expect to see a colourful field of #BeBrave athletes dressed up as super heroes. All those who dress up as their favourite superhero stand the chance of winning a set of 10 double tickets to see the movie ‘Batman vs Superman’. To enter, take a photo of yourself at the Batman vs Superman Renegade display at the Jeep Warrior venue and upload it to Jeep South Africa Facebook page.

To keep up with the action, like Jeep Warrior’s Facebook page - Use the hashtag #BeBrave to join the Jeep Warrior social media conversation.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thewarriorrace

Twitter -  https://twitter.com/thewarriorrace

To find out more, go to the Jeep Warrior website - www.warrior.co.za

View the official Race#2 info booklet here - https://issuu.com/advendurance/docs/_warrior2_issuu_booklet_mar2016_hir

# Ends

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JEEP #WARRIOR2 EMERALD CASINO DETAILS

DATE: 12-13 March 2016

VENUE: Emerald Resort & Casino, 777 Frikkie Meyer Boulevard, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng

DIRECTIONS: https://goo.gl/maps/CRhVq4zJocz

GPS COORDINATES:  S 26° 44’31.933″ E 27° 51’27.586″

PARTICIPANTS: 7000

CASH FACILITIES: ATM’s on site

PARKING: 4000 cars

LATE ENTRIES: Only on Sunday

SPECTATOR ENTRY FEE: R30 (kids under 3 years of age don’t pay an entrance fee)

RACE DAY REGISTRATION: Register at least 1 hour before the start of your batch.

To find out more and to enter, go to the Jeep Warrior website - www.warrior.co.za.

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EDITOR’S NOTES

ABOUT THE JEEP WARRIOR SERIES

The Jeep Warrior Race is South Africa’s largest obstacle course race that spans eight events across four provinces.

The series burst onto the scene in 2013 and immediately spearheaded the meteoric rise of obstacle racing in South Africa. It quickly grew to up to 9000 participants per event and remains at the forefront of the growth spurt in the new sport of obstacle racing with its larger than life obstacles and innovative courses to challenge South Africans.

What makes Jeep Warrior Race so popular, is that anyone can participate - all you need is a pair of old running shoes and a great sense for adventure.   

To find out more, go to the Jeep Warrior website - www.warrior.co.za. To keep up with the action, like Jeep Warrior’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/thewarriorrace - or follow the event on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thewarriorrace.