THIS WEEK:  The Nissan Xterra Points Series hits the Mountain and Mid Atlantic regions this weekend with the Yuba Rock & Road Triathlon in Nephi, Utah on Saturday and the ACE Big Canyon Off-Road Triathlon in Oak Hill, West Virginia on Sunday.  Both races feature some top-level pro and amateur showdowns.  The sold out Yuba Rock & Road race has five pros in the start list including three that finished in the top 10 of the XTERRA Pro Series standings last year; Mike Vine (4th), Jimmy Archer (6th), and Dave Harrison (10th).  Harrison finished second behind Ned Overend last year.  The Yuba race is the first, and one of just three, NXPS races for competitors in the Mountain Region.  On the contrary, the ACE Big Canyon race is the third of four competitions in the Series for Mid Atlantic competitors.  Headlining the amateur action at the ACE is a duel in the 30-34 age bracket between Chris Newell of Maryland (Mid Atlantic Region) and Tim Menoher of Kentucky (North Central Region).  Each has a first and second place finish in an NXPS race to their credit this year for a total of 142 points.  In their previous head-to-head encounter at the Odyssey on May 4th Menoher, who lost time with a flat, finished eight minutes back of Newell for second-place (4th overall). 

ACE RACE:  There are still slots available for the ACE Big Canyon Off-Road Triathlon.  The competition features a 1.5 mile swim down the New River, a 7-mile trail run, and 13-mile mountain bike through the Appalachian Mountains.  The starting point is at the National Park Service's Stone Cliff Access near the historic town of Thurmond.  History and stories abound in this area of the New River from coal mining fortunes and grand hotels to bustling towns long since left behind.  Register on-site Saturday.

GEAR NEWS:  The Official 2002 Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series t-shirts have arrived.  100% cotton t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and hooded sweatshirts in three colors are available on-line at XTERRA Gear.  Also, for the first time ever, XTERRA Gear is offering championship series tees made using Dri-release  microblend performance fabric.  The Dri-release performance short-sleeve shirt  features rapid wicking and drying action and assures a permanent "chem-free" performance. Get it at www.xterragear.com

KAHUNA'S KORNER:  "Be careful what you wish for, because it just might come true"...That old adage has come true for the Nissan Xterra Points Series.  As thousands of age group athletes are becoming aware we have an honest-to-goodness national championship series for them, our races are filling up and bursting at the seams.  The downside is we are forced into telling folks they can't race at some events.  Literally, a victim of our own success.  Richmond is closed, Half Moon Bay will be soon, and Keystone is the only National Stop that has slots left for its July 27th date.  Guys and gals who are competing for points are writing and emailing and calling trying to get into races that are closed.  And it doesn't just apply to the BIG races - but our regionals are filling up as well.  We all hoped our regional championship scheme would work, and it has.  Now we'll be going back to the drawing board to figure out exactly how we can get more people into each race and still keep the experience pure.  But for now, go to the website (www.xterraplanet.com), pick out the races you want to make and enter now.

NOTE:  David The Big Kahuna Nicholas is the managing director of the series. He can be reached at: (Kahunadav@teamunlimited.com).