THIRD TEAM STRAPS-IN FOR Rocket Racing League®
Santa Fe Rocket Racing was announced at October’s X PRIZE Cup as the third team, and the first New Mexico team, to compete in the Rocket Racing League®’s inaugural racing season that kicks off in late 2007. Founded by Marc Robert Cumbow, an Albuquerque land developer, and his father, Edward W. Cumbow, a retired Air Force Major, "Santa Fe Rocket Racing", will be joining the Leading Edge and Bridenstine Rocket Racing teams already committed to the league.
Santa Fe Rocket Racing, the third rocket racing team and first New Mexico team, is announced at the X PRIZE Cup in October 2006
|
From left, Peter Diamandis, Granger Whitelaw, Marc Cumbow, NM Congressman Steve Pearce, Mike Cumbow and RRL board member Bob Hariri
|
"We are excited to have a New Mexico team a part of the Rocket Racing League® "starting Grid". This is not a team run a by a pilot, but a businessman, which is a great example of how our business model is resonating outside of aviation and into mainstream American Entrepreneurs vision. It is great to welcome Santa Fe Rocket Racing to the League. Marc and the rest of his team will do a great job." stated RRL CEO, Granger Whitelaw. "We are honored to have a team from New Mexico furthering this great state's history in racing."
Edward W. Cumbow, Team Owner
|
Marc Cumbow, Team Owner
|
Paul Novacek, VP of Operation
and Crew Chief
|
Marc Robert Cumbow is an avid aviation enthusiast and entrepreneur with interests in hotels, travel agencies and real estate. Marc is a graduate of Clovis High School and Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell. Marc's father and partner, Edward W. Cumbow, is a retired Major in the United States Air Force whose 20 year career included time in B-52 Bombers, EB66's in Vietnam and the F111 Fighter/Bomber in the European Theater.
"We see this as a great opportunity for our family to invest in one of the newest and most exciting racing sports on the planet. The (Rocket Racing) League is combining cutting edge aerospace and rocket technology with live competition and interactive gaming. It has appeal to grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, and the kids!" stated Marc Robert Cumbow. Santa Fe Rocket Racing is proud to be representing the Great State of New Mexico. We consider this not only an investment for the future in our family businesses, but also an investment in the future of the State of New Mexico. "Our hats are off to Governor Bill Richardson and Secretary Homans for having the foresight and the vision they have for this State's future with their aerospace initiatives and by bringing the Rocket Racing League® to Las Cruces."
The father and son team will host a competition to be held through New Mexico schools to allow students to name their Mark-1 X-Racer similar to the competition held for the naming of the first Mark-1 X-Racer. The Rocket Racing League® naming contest yielded over 2,000 entries from around the world. Santa Fe Rocket Racing is also looking for its team pilot and is particularly interested in finding someone from New Mexico. "We're the 'hometown team'," says Marc Cumbow.
Two other teams are already committed to flying with the Rocket Racing League®. Don "Dagger" Grantham, Jr. and Robert "Bobaloo" Rickard, both Air Force reserve F-16 pilots, were the first to sign up with their team, Leading Edge Rocket Racing.
Jim Bridenstine, an F-18 Navy pilot, is the owner and pilot of the second team, Bridenstine Rocket Racing Team. Bridenstine saw a magazine article about the League that piqued his interest and led to his team's formation.
"When you get team number 1, team number 2 and team number 3, teams number four, five and six come a lot easier," says Rick Homans, New Mexico's secretary of economic development.
|
