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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide
International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide


Kart Expo International
ExhibitorInformation and Show Directions

 

 FYI
04-24-05

    HEADLINES:

    WATCH FOR THE “NEW” e-KMI IN MAY

    For the last 45 days, e-KMI.com has been undergoing a complete redesign which will make the site more user-friendly. We have streamlined it as well as added new features including a “search” mode, which will make it easier to find articles and stories in our vast archives.

    We thank you for your understanding and patience and hope you will like our “new look”, when it comes online beginning in May. – Darrell Sitarz, Editor

    ALL NEW AMERICAN RACING ENGINE COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW RELATIONSHIP

    Long Beach, California — Eagle Racing Engines has formed a working relationship with Stephan Cherban, a prominent engine designer to complete its engine design and to produce the prototypes. Cherban has worked for such engine firms as Audi, Sodemo and the Renault F1 engine project, as well as several European rally race engine builders. The relationship is sure to prove highly valuable by combining Cherban’s design and manufacturing expertise, with Eagle Racing Engine’s American style marketing in the search for investors and relationships with the manufacturers in the American Performance Racing Industry.

    With Cherban’s know-how the engines are nearly completely designed and patterns are nearing completion. “We should have a prototype in a few months”, said Jean Genibrel PR director for the Eagle project.

    To illustrate the potential of the project Genibrel added: “While the engines are being built for kart racing and they have had strong encouragement from that arena, we are also encouraged by a strong response from other industries. We have had manufacturers of small race cars, aircraft, and power boats also contact us to possibly power their crafts.”

    Genibrel is seeking the expertise of the American Performance Racing Industry to produce each component of the engine, and to be named the official supplier for its product. “It makes no sense in this country to design an engine part and have it custom made. We don’t want to design an ignition system that we can get off the shelf from MSD for example. We know the companies from the American PRI and we know they can do the job better than any other country can”. The wholly novel engine project not only offers a new market for the manufacturers but it is also an invaluable marketing tool to open global doors to the industry, and to inculcate mechanical values and brand awareness in youth.

    "Eagle Racing Engines”, is the company dedicated to manufacturing a line of purpose-built four-stroke, overhead camshaft kart racing engines for world consumption, in conjunction with the American performance racing industry. The goals of the new company include to appeal to an increasingly greater number of prospective karters, and to promote its partners/suppliers from the American performance racing industry in karting globally. PR director Genibrel explained: “With our engines we offer the performance racing industry an investment opportunity, as well as a novel global marketing venue.” For investment info, please contact: Jean L. Genibrel at (562) 498-8172, or Americkart@aol.com.

    BORDEAUX DYNO CAMS NATIONALS AT SOUTHERN PITT RACEWAY
    Concord, North Carolina — Last year’s Triple Crown Champion, Brandon McGee, worked his way to three wins last weekend  (April 16-17) in the Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt Series.

    Brandon won Briggs Lite and Medium, as well as, Briggs Controlled / Animal Medium. Double winners include: Maxx Bennett in Briggs Jr Sportsman 1 Lite and Heavy, Wayne Poole in Briggs Animal Medium and Briggs Controlled / Animal Heavy, and Barrett Terry in Stock 2-Cycle and Unlimited 2-Cycle.

    As always, the Stancill Family did a tremendous job in making sure our karters were well taken care of. With several inches of rain falling prior to arrival, several truckloads of gravel were brought in to help dry the facility.

    “The track surface was one of the best I’ve ever seen, from beginning to end. Whether it’s the second national or the Grand National, no matter where Southern Pitt is in line schedule wise, you can be sure the effort is 100%, and the end results will always be A+. On behalf of World Karting, a great thanks to the Stancill Family and all their crew. Job well done.” – Buddy Long, WKA Director of Operations.

    The next stop for the Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt Series is Waynesfield Motorsports Park in Waynesfield, Ohio for the Maxxis Tires Nationals June 10-12.

    For more information call WKA at 704-455-1606.

    LAPS FOR KIDS TEAM IN MILLION DOLLAR DRIVE PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT VICTORY JUNCTION GANG CAMP
    Avon Lake, Ohio — Gary Kannegiesser, Laps for Kids LLC founder, announces that his fund raising organization and karting team of Kannegiesser, national karting champion Alan Rudolph, and Tim Megenbier will attempt to raise an unprecedented $1 million for the VICTORY JUNCTION GANG in 2005 as they challenge a Guinness World Record that has stood for eight years in November of 2005.

    Laps for Kids is proud to add a new partner, World Karting Association, to its growing list of sponsors who want to help physically challenged young people in a program called “The Million Dollar Drive”. This program is very simple: anyone who enters a George Kugler Manufacturer’s Cup Series presented by Bridgestone event in 2005 and makes a cash donation or an in-kind donation of over 100 items to choose from listed on the Lapsforkids.com website, can help set a new Guinness World Record for the largest donation by karters to a children’s charity.

    To be a part of “The Million Dollar Drive”, bring cash or items to a special collection point that will be set up at each race. There you will be given a receipt for your donation and be eligible for many awards. The Victory Junction Gang is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit charity so all your donations will be tax deductible. All checks are to be made payable to Laps for Kids / Friends of Victory Junction Gang and all credit cards are accepted.

    For your support donors will have a chance to win great prizes. With each donation drivers will receive a special patch and eligible to win prizes at each event.

    Proceeds of the Laps for Kids “The Million Dollar Drive” will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a Randleman, North Carolina based camp for special needs

    Founded by actor Paul Newman and Kyle and Pattie Petty to honor Adam Petty, Victory Junction’s mission is to enrich the lives of children from the Carolinas and Virginia, who suffer with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. The camp has a racing theme that allows campers to begin their experience by entering the camp through a tunnel and crossing a starting line into the world of racing. Victory Junction’s 75-acre site has more than 36 buildings, including dining hall, gym, pool, theater, therapeutic center, arts and crafts center, race shop, and 16 camper cabins. The Victory Junction Gang Camp, which is also a Charity of NASCAR, opened June of 2004 and is free to children and their families.

    Adam Petty made his start in motorsports through karting; a life cut short in an untimely death in NASCAR in 2000, at twenty years of age. The Laps for Kids team will be going the distance in his honor as well.

    For more information or question please contact: Gary Kannegiesser at 440 670 2897
    Donations may be sent to: Laps for Kids / Friends of Victory Junction, 32967 Durrell Ave.
    Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 or visit any of the following:
    Laps for Kids LLC: www.lapsforkids.com.
    Victory Junction Gang: www.victoryjunction.org.
    Snap-On Stars of Karting: www.starsofkarting.com

    ANNUAL SUMMIT CONFERENCE DEEMED SUCCESSFUL

    Independence, Kentucky — During the recent Kart Expo held in St Charles, IL on February 27, the Karting Industry Council (KIC) held its fifth annual summit meeting. The meeting was attended by principals representing the leading organizations in karting today; Tony Barton of WKA, president of IKF Jim McMillan, 4 Cycle tech chairman Sid White, 2 cycle tech chairman and V.P of IKF Jack  Hoegerl, president of IRA and TaG USA Dave Larson, then tech director of TaG USA Marty Casey, president of SSC and Rotax Max Challenge Joe Ramos, technical director of Stars of Karting and Rotax Max Scott Evans, and president of Stars of Karting Paul Zalud.

    The intent of these summit meetings is to initiate dialog between the organizations in an attempt to standardize the rules and regulations governing karting. Everyone attending the meeting felt that for the first time in recent memory that progress was made in regards to opening the door to the lines of communication between all the governing bodies.

    Aside from a variety of technical issues, the topic of preparing a marketing campaign to celebrate the sports 50th anniversary in 2006 was one that received the most attention. Darrell Sitarz, president of KMI, initiated the idea at a previous meeting and will be the Chairperson for the committee. All agreed that a unified program be implemented in recognition of 50 exciting years, which will include commemorative decals and other memorabilia, along with an ad campaign throughout the year celebrating the event.

    “This was a marvelous meeting,” said Angelo Sodano, president of KIC. “Everyone came prepared to participate and contribute to our efforts to unite the sport. This is very encouraging and I’m confident that we all have the same interests in mind and will work toward a common goal of bringing the sport together.”

    The Karting Industry Council, KIC is the oldest and largest trade association for the sport in North America. KIC’s goal is a simple one – to promote karting through leadership. As an independent organization, KIC acts as a liaison between the karting industry, karting organizations, and club and track owners. KIC provides leadership and information to create a strong, stable karting community and clear paths for advancement of the sport. Information about KIC’s mission, programs and membership can be found at http://www.kartindustrycouncil.com.

    INN MARIN BECOMES OFFICIAL HOTEL OF MARIN KARTING 

    Marin Karting is pleased to announce that Inn Marin is now the official Hotel of Marin Karting.  In a continued effort to give karting customers the best possible prices and outstanding service, Marin Karting has negotiated a special deal on accommodations for local karters attending races or practicing during the week. 

     

    Marin Karting chose the Inn Marin because of its proximity to the Infineon track, plenty of FREE parking, great early race day breakfasts and comfortable, clean accommodations.

     

    “I was looking for affordable hotel alternatives for our customers who travel to the Infineon track,” commented Adrian Szwarcburg, Owner of Marin Karting. and  Inn Marin is offering special rates for our customers.  I personally inspected the premises and they are very comfortable and clean.  The pool and spa will be greatly appreciated after long summer track days. In addition, the on-site restaurant and bar Rickey’s offers great food in a beautiful setting.

     

    “We are very pleased to be the Official Hotel of Marin Karting.  Inn Marin and Marin Karting give the best value and customer service to the local karting community,” said Kris Hillard, Senior Sales Manager at Inn Marin. “All of our rates include a full continental breakfast, which is available early on race days, a benefit to our motor sports guests, allowing them to eat breakfast before they head up to the track”.

     

    The Marin Karting rates will be blacked out over all major main track Infineon race weekends: June 2-4, 2005, June 22-25, 2005; July 13-16, 2005; July 29-30, 2005 and August 25-27, 2005.  Some weekends may have two-night minimum stays required. Please specify Marin Karting when making reservations. To make on-line reservations go to www.innmarin.com, click on reservations and type in MARINKART in the group/promotion code box. 

     

    Marin Karting offers CRG and Birel karts, parts, engine service, driver coaching and trackside support to Northern California karters. Winners of the 2004 SSC Racing Excellence in Customer Service Award.  For information, contact Marin Karting at (415) 898-0999 or online at www.marinkarting.com. 

     

    INN MARIN provides spotlessly clean, comfortable, and safe accommodations allowing clients to get a good night’ sleep before the big event!  Opened in December 2003, Rickey'srestaurant and bar continues to get rave reviews.  Inn Marin is located at 250 Entrada Drive, Novato CA 94949, Ph: 415-883-5952, 800-652-6565, Fax: 415-883-5058 or online  at www.innmarin.com.

    IRON ROCK OFFERS MOTHERS A ‘ROCKIN’ RIDE” AT SW REGIONALS CUP
    Austin, Texas — The ‘Cup’ will be back at Iron Rock on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, which is also Mother's Day.  

    “While we are certain that all those race wives out there would much prefer to be at the track with their families all day than anything else, we thought we'd offer an option,” said Laura Wright, Director of Marketing.

    Rockin' Ride, Austin's totally groovy party bus, has offered to shuttle your loved ones in style to San Marcos, Texas to enjoy shopping at the outlet mall, lunch, more shopping and back again. A four-hour adventure for as little as $25 each. (Does not include the cost of lunch.) Now, if you're not familiar with Rockin' Ride, you need to visit their website to get the full effect, cause these ain't no Greyhounds. In their own words:

    "The Rockin' Ride takes your group back in time to the 1970's - an era of fun, funk and rock and roll. Guests of the Rockin' Ride are treated to the ultimate party bus, complete with neon crushed velvet and shag interior, a premium entertainment system including televisions, DVD player, sound system and even karaoke . The Rockin' Ride driver transports passengers to wherever they wish to go, but beware ­ guests will have so much fun they might not want to leave the bus!"

    For photos (you really must see the photos), visit www.rockinride.com.

    Rockin Ride will leave Iron Rock at 1 pm and return at 5 pm, just in time to take photos of you with your first-place trophy.

    Now, here's the hitch: the cost of Rockin Ride is $440 for the four-hour trip and it seats up to 18. So the more people who reserve space, the lower the cost. 10 people: $44 each, 14: $31.50, 18: $24.50.  We'd like to have at least 10 people reserve by 5 pm on Monday, May 2.

    But we think you'll want to treat your wife, mother, grandmother, sister or daughter to this fun Mother's Day afternoon.

    Other ideas:

    Surprise her before the race with breakfast on the lake at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel:
    (7 am to 9 am)
    98 San Jacinto Blvd
    Austin, TX 78701-4085  
    (512) 478-4500
    Cross Street: Cesar Chavez Street

    Or right next door at T.G.I. Friday's in the Radisson Hotelalso overlooking the lake:
    (7 am - anytime)
    111 E Cesar Chavez Street
    Austin, TX 78701  
    (512) 478-2991

    Send along on the bus one chilled bottle of champagne, orange juice and glasses, so she can enjoy mimosas along the way. (The bus includes an ice well for beverages.)

    Tell her how racing karts makes you feel almost as manly as she does (but not quite). Or that coming off the track after a long race day makes you feel oddly like doing yard work.

    Remind her that racing is something that you're really doing to instill values of responsibility and confidence in your children, and how it helps you "bond." (If you say this, you may not want to send all the kids off with her for the day.) And don't forget, even ladies who aren't mothers love to be pampered.


    For more info see www.ironrockraceway.com or call 512/530-7224 .

    Amusement Park and attractions Industry to converge at largest asian tradeshow: IAAPA ASIAN EXPO 2005 IN HONG KONG

    Alexandria, Virginia — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) will bring the best of the amusement and attractions industry to Asia for the 13th Annual IAAPA Asian Expo, July 12-15, 2004 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

    As Asia’s largest amusement and attraction-based show, the IAAPA Asian Expo will host more than 120 world-class exhibitors. Products and services displayed will include safety and design consultants, rides, games, play equipment, admissions and ticketing systems, costumes, IMAX films, and water shows. The trade show will utilize more than 2,700 net square meters of exhibit space, and IAAPA officials expect more than 3,000 attendees. 

    Among the educational and training programs that IAAPA will offer are the IAAPA Asian Attractions Management School and a Seminars Program for amusement and attraction industry CEOs.  Program topics will include: operations management, working in the Asian market, guest services, brand development and getting the most for your research dollars.  This year, the Expo has also added an IAAPA Asian Attractions Management School in Mandarin Chinese focusing on marketing, facility operations and human resources management. 

     “We strive to consistently offer innovative programs and educational opportunities for the benefit of our colleagues doing business in the industry,” said IAAPA President J. Clark Robinson. “Traveling to Hong Kong for this year’s Expo is an excellent way to continue offering our exhibitors and buyers new locales in the Asian market to explore the industry’s growing businesses and trends.”

    The expo will also give attendees the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Ocean Park, Asia’s seventh largest amusement park. 

    As one of amusement industry’s prime markets, Asia is home to five of the 10 most visited amusement parks in the world. Asia attracts more than 68 million visitors annually to its largest parks. Hong Kong is one of Asia’s prominent centers of commerce, with an economy highly reliant on international trade and a gross domestic product of $212.2 billion.  Previous Asian expos have included visitors from more than 40 different countries.

     

    IAAPA expos continue to provide the finest opportunities in the industry for buyers and sellers to meet and do business. At previous Asian shows, over half of the attendees were Owners, Directors or Senior Managers of businesses, and over 85% of buyer attendees are those who influence purchases.

    “IAAPA is proud of the success we have had around the world in planning and operating a number of the industry’s best tradeshows,” Robinson remarked. “We look forward to bringing that winning combination of smart show planning, great exhibits, timely educational content, and strategic promotion to Hong Kong.”

    For more information about the IAAPA Asian Expo, contact the IAAPA Exhibitions, Convention, and Meetings Services department at +1 703/836-4800 or go online to www.iaapaasianexpo.com. For more information about IAAPA and the industry, visit www.iaapa.org.

    IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 5,000 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 85 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their safety, efficiency, marketing, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org or www.ticketforfun.com

    AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES INVITED TO IAAPA EUROPEAN CONFERENCE 2005

    Alexandria, Virginia — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions welcomes colleagues to attend its two-day IAAPA European Conference 2005, May 26 – 27, 2005, in Salou, Spain, Vice President of Communications Services Beth Robertson announced today.  This year’s conference, titled “Heart & Soul – Connecting to Your Guest from the Inside Out,” will emphasize the importance of emotions, and its presence at destinations, for attracting guests to the thrilling amusement and attractions industry and to keep them coming back for more. 

    “We hope everyone will attend for the experience of joy, laughter, thrills, fun, courage, and even fear—basically the entire scope of the human emotions—so they can join us in an enlightening look at how our emotion or attitude affects our consumer’s perception,” Robertson said.

    Taking place at Hotel Port Aventura, Port Aventura theme park’s hotel, a comprehensive schedule of speakers, including Susanne Piët and Luis Huete, has been arranged for the attendees. 

    As a journalist for more than 20 years, Piët continually investigated the effects of information transfer through the mass media and the dynamics of group processes.  Most recently, Piët published “The Emotion Market, the Future of the Experience Economy,” and she will undoubtedly impress the audience with her findings, experience and insight. 

    Huete, considered a world authority in the services field, will share his knowledge of strategic services management, clienting, value-added loyalty creation and leadership.  His past seminars were distinguished by Actualidad Economica magazine as one of the “100 best ideas of the year,” and he most recently published “Build Your Own Dream.”

    The experienced panel of speakers also includes: Mercedes de Pablo, CEO of Port Aventura; Bart Dohmen of BRC Imaginations Arts; Pablo Heinig of the University of Cordoba in Argentina; Vicenç Veses, also of Port Aventura; Kurt Grötsch, who is developing a Flamenco Museum in Seville; and Salvador Anton Clavé of the University of Tarragona.

    Additionally, the conference will offer a special tour of Port Aventura.  Celebrating its 10th anniversary, attendees will have the unique opportunity to see the backstage thrills and secrets of this amazing park. 

    For more information about the IAAPA European Conference 2005 or to register online, please visit www.iaapa.org. 

    JASKOL TO BE CHOPPERED BACK AND FORTH FROM MORAN STARS EVENT

    Seattle, WA — In the past few years Snap-on Stars series driver Matt Jaskol has been taking notes as he’s watched the Indy 500 and seen Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon pull their Indy doubles with the help of helicopters and private jets.  This weekend he’ll take a note from the same book as he uses a helicopter to fulfill racing obligations in Beaumont, CA at the Snap-on Stars race at Moran Raceway and drive in an ASA Speed Truck Race in Bakersfield, CA. The busy Las Vegas native finds himself in the top-three in points in no fewer than three different racing series, the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL Western division (ICC), the Star Mazda Series, and the ASA Speed Truck Challenge.

     “Things have been going so well with my United Nissan team in the Speed Truck Challenge that I definitely didn’t want to miss this weekend in Bakersfield, but I also didn’t want to let down my commitment to Darcy DeCoste and Kimball Williams to run in the Stars event at Moran this weekend either.  I’m fortunate enough that John Adams, a good family friend of ours is a helicopter pilot and came to the rescue by offering his services to chopper me from Moran to Bakersfield on Friday evening for practice in the truck, back to Moran for Saturday’s race, and then back to Bakersfield for my race on Saturday night,” commented Jaskol after finishing third in the Star Mazda race at Road Atlanta this past weekend.
     
    Formula BMW graduate Jaskol credits his commitment to karting as a way to make himself more adaptable so he can take advantage of diverse opportunities, “I think the fact that I spend so much time in a kart truly keeps me sharp to be ready to go no matter what type of race car I’m in.  RJV Enterprises, DDR, SSC Northeast, and Joe Friedrich have all helped me put together a great package this year to stay in the top level of karting while I take advantage of other opportunities in race cars as well.”
     
    Those with any promotional or media inquiries in relation to the Moran Snap-on Stars event should contact jeff@starsofkarting.com.
     


    END


     
     


Kart Marketing Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 101
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA
Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
Email: karting@msn.com

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