Cycle racing is a thrilling sport: imagine a thin set of wheels supporting a cyclist reaching over 100km/h at certain points during a race. From the spectators` point of view, however, unless you`re in front of a television with a cold one, you get to stand in the same spot and catch only the briefest glimpse of the riders as they whiz by.
A far better idea for cyclists and their fans is criterium, a cycle race in a closed circuit where spectators get to watch the entire race, experiencing the leaders jostling for position and taking risks as the finish line draws near.
"Described as `in-your-face` racing, criterium packs cyclists onto a tight circuit where competition is fierce and the competitive advantage is difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain," says Neil Rom, MD of local Oki printer distributor, Printacom.
Always on the leading edge of technology, Oki has decided to sponsor a local criterium championship over a spectator-friendly 900-metre course. Called the Oki Criterium, it will be held at Cyclelab, Fourways, Johannesburg, on 21 September 2003.
"The best cyclists SA has to offer will be competing for the R37 000 purse," adds Rom. "However, we have not forgotten the other cyclists: there will be races and prizes for the country`s best women, non-professionals, juniors and development riders as well."
SA Breweries and various other vendors will be on hand to supply snacks and beverages, not to mention entertainment from some of the country`s best-loved musicians.
Oki will also ensure the audiences` criterium memories stay with them. At the Oki centre, they will be printing full-colour snapshots of the races and the winners on Oki colour laser printers - a must-have for autograph hunters or as criterium souvenirs.
"We`ll be sponsoring special prizes in all categories, as well as a bonus prize for the fastest lap," concludes Rom, "so attendees and competitors at the Oki Criterium had better be prepared for record-breaking cycling, fierce competition and a whole lot of fun."
Entering couldn`t be simpler; it costs only R50 and can be done online at www.cyclelab.com. For any further enquiries, contact Alison Salgado at 082 339 2587.
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Oki`s range of dot matrix, monochrome and colour laser printers have enjoyed enormous success in SA. According to the latest local BMI-T figures for Q1 2003, Oki now owns 24.4% of the total South African dot matrix market and has risen to second place with 12.8% of the high-speed colour laser market.
Printacom, a member of the MB Technologies group of companies, is the sole importer and the leading value-added distributor of the Oki range of printers to the South African reseller channel.
Oki is ranked among the top three printer brands worldwide and is the only printer manufacturer that designs and develops its own components, putting Oki ahead of its competitors in terms of printing technology. Supported by the skills and services provided locally by Printacom, corporate companies are offered high-end internationally recognised business printing solutions.
More information about Printacom is available at http://www.printacom.co.za. More information about OKI is at http://www.oki.co.za.