Nisbet Oil and CITGO Petroleum Fuel Good at Community Bike Race in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina-based CITGO Marketer Nisbet Oil and CITGO Petroleum Corporation have teamed up to sponsor the Charlotte Mountain Bike Series. The series features mountain bike races for all age and skill groups on Wednesday nights from April through August in the greater Charlotte area, bringing the community together to encourage healthy, active lifestyles through outdoor recreation.

"I've been competing in the Charlotte Mountain Bike Series for three years now," said Nisbet Oil President Jimmy White. "I've witnessed firsthand the positive effect these events have on the community, and decided that our company should show its support as well. Nisbet Oil has always believed in promoting healthy lifestyles, and CITGO was excited to partner with us in sponsoring the series."

The Charlotte Mountain Bike Series is entering its 14^th year of racing. Founded by local businessman Neal Boyd, the races attract more than 120 participants at each of the 16 events hosted at one of five local parks. Registration takes place at the beginning of each race, so racers have the option to participate at one or all of the events. Points are awarded for high place finishes in each category and tallied at the end of the season for an award ceremony and celebration. Local businesses join in on the action by presenting promotions and giveaways to participants and spectators throughout the summer. The sponsorship helps keep administrative costs low so the series can remain affordable and accessible to all community members.

"The series started as an effort to support mountain biking in the area, but it has grown into so much more than that," said Boyd. "We are able to engage the entire community in a really productive way. People from all walks of life and businesses come together to advocate for healthy lifestyles and have a great time doing it. I'm incredibly grateful to CITGO and Nisbet Oil for their support. The help they provide allows us to grow by attracting more participants."

Nisbet Oil Company has served the Carolinas with quality petroleum products since 1927. Founder E.P. Nisbet began with a small operation in downtown Charlotte, and Nisbet Oil has continued to grow along with the Charlotte region. Today, the company supplies fuel to convenience stores and offers fueling options for fleets, construction and diesel powered generators. For more information, visit www.nisbetoil.com.

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned CITGO locations. Independent CITGO Marketers, such as Nisbet Oil, own and operate nearly 500 CITGO locations in North Carolina and are proud to support their neighborhoods.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO