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


Kart Expo International
ExhibitorInformation and Show Directions

 

 FYI
01-02-05
GT KARTS OPENS ITS DOORS

Seattle, Washington - GT Race Karts (www.gtkarts.com) is pleased to announce the availability of its premiere “Marauder” 125cc shifter chassis & “Marauder” 100cc/TaG chassis as well as the “Challenger” 100cc/TaG value-line of race kart chassis to dealers throughout the USA & Canada. The chassis will start shipping January 31, 2005. The GT Karts World formula/4-cycle and the GT Karts “Renegade” Cadet chassis will start shipping in February.

GT Race Karts 2005 chassis lineup all feature US Military grade high-carbon and stress-relieved 4130 chromoly tubing, mitered, meticulously coped hand-fitted joints & TIG welding assembly throughout. Standard features for the Marauder lineup include a 50mm axle group, full-body Factory decal kit, new style dual floating-caliper rear Brembo brake group*, precision ball-bearing mounted shifter lever mechanism (for shifter karts) & rubberized bodywork mounting system.

“With the price of race kart chassis creeping up somewhat out of control in the last couple of years, our initial goals were to design and make available a premium American-made sprint kart chassis with an Italian flair to dealers throughout North America at a reasonable price point” says Gilles Lepage, GT Karts VP Marketing & Business Development. “We also wanted to showcase what can be done with premium materials, state-of-the art design software and tooling, innovations and attention to details”. In addition, GT Race Karts plans to roll out an extensive factory support program for its network of dealers as well as a unique sponsorship program for racers early in the new year.

GT Race Karts is a US-based race kart chassis designer & manufacturer featuring over 20,000 sq ft. manufacturing facilities in the Pacific Northwest. GT Race Karts utilizes the latest in computer-assisted design software, 3-axis computerized bending machines, and industrial water-cooled TIG welding machines. For up-to-date product line, dealer & contact information, please visit our website at www.gtkarts.com or email info@gtkarts.com

GRAND VITESSE ANNOUNCES EARLY ENTRY DEADLINE FOR PJ1 $50,000 TAG SPECTACULAR

ToledoOhio —  The early entry deadline is almost here!Racers and team managers wishing to compete in the PJ1 $50,000 TaG Spectacular Presented By Grand Prix Distributing, Rounds 1 & 2 of the 10 Round $500,000 Series for TaG Karts have just over a week to enter and take advantage of this $300 discount. Early entrants will also have priority in their choice of number plate designation for the series as well.

While a large number of racers are focused on the activities in Daytona this week, trying to win championships and nice shiny trophies, it is important that teams planning to compete in the richest Karting series ever to be held in North America secure their entry position as soon as possible.

"Many drivers have a favorite number, and a few may even be a little superstitious about competing with a number other than their first choice" said Grand Vitesse Racing's General Manager Glen Mazzone. "The only fair way to award number preferences was to make it on a first come first serve basis."

In addition, saving $300 off the 2 race entry fee is like money in the bank and hopefully will help some of the smaller teams field a competitive effort.

In addition to free shipping via Fed Ex, entries can also be sent via email and entry fees paid via the Pay Pal service.

Those wishing to use this method should call 800-663-5278 or 419-467-6941 for the correct procedure.

F200 ADDS CLASSES IN SIRA AND NEW CASTLE’S KRA SPRINT SERIES

New Castle, Indiana — The growing popularity of the F200 concept was exhibited in the recent addition of sprint classes with the Southern Indiana Racing Association and Kart Racers of America (at New CastleMotorsportsPark).The F200 class which features 200cc OHV 4-cycles from multiple manufactures is used in sprint, dirt, and speedway karting along with ¼ midgets and Mini-Sprints in the future.

SIRA, which tours Indiana and Illinois sprint and temporary tracks, ran its first F200 class last year.For 2005, Indiana’s largest sprint club will add F200 “Light” as a second F200 class.The club expects to have between twelve and fifteen weekly competitors in the F200 classes at the start of the 2005 season.

“SIRA first introduced F200 in 2004, and we had steady growth and a lot of interest from both 4 and 2 cycle guys during the season.At our recent rules meeting, the members decided to drop the Briggs Light class in favor of an F200 Light class.Since then, I know we’ve had at least 3 guys buy Yamaha F200s,” stated Jim Harris, SIRA Treasurer.

Mark Dismore’s New CastleMotorsportsPark home club, Kart Racers of America, will also add an F200 class in 2005.The KRA F200 class will run at 365 lbs., and will share track time with a Yamaha SSX (2-cycle) class in the beginning.New CastleMotorsportsPark and the KRA are quickly establishing themselves as both a premier track and club in the U.S.

“We had a great first year with the KRA, but one area I want to see grow is our 4-cycle participation.F200 will be a great package for the NCMP, they’ve got good power and with their fuel capacity the F200s will be able to run longer races than a flathead.I’ve known the Burris family for years, and am looking forward to working with Mike on building the F200 class here,” said Mark Dismore.

"We are very gratified with the addition of the F200 program to the KRA and SIRA class structures in 2005. It really fortifies our position that F200 is a sound concept and has a great future in both Sprint and Oval karting. Both Mark Dismore and Jim Harris have karting's best interest at heart.They, as do I, feel the F200 class is a big step towards moving karting into the mainstream of motorsports due to the involvement of multiple manufactures and the automotive aftermarket," stated Mike Burris.

The F200 class was the concept of, among others, of long time karting legend and pioneer Mike Burris.F200 is based on overhead valve, 200cc 4-cycle engines, and a simple easy-to-follow rulebook.The F200s run on pump gasoline, and require much less maintenance than a flathead 4-cycle class engine.Approved F200 class engines include: the Yamaha YF200 R1, Briggs Animal, Kohler C6 XKE, Tecumseh OHH 5.5 and Honda GX200.

For more information on adding an F200 class to your club, go to www.speedway-karting.com. For information on the Yamaha YF200R1 contact Burris Racing at yf200r1@burrisracing.com.

SEMA AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Diamond Bar, California — SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, has announced that they will be exhibiting at the Chicago Auto Show in February, making it their first-ever formal consumer auto show exhibit. Taking up over 7,000 square feet of booth space, the exhibit focus will be on the winners of SEMA’s inaugural Vehicle Design Awards Program, a new initiative created to honor original equipment manufacturers that make vehicles with accessorization and personalization in mind. 

“We will be at the Chicago Auto Show because increasing numbers of new car consumers who want accessories for their vehicles right off the showroom floor will be there,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA is excited to have the opportunity to interact with the customers of member companies we support. We have participated in previous auto shows on a less formal, less strategic level but our large presence at this show is significant because it ties into the strategic objectives of our association.”

SEMA’s exhibit will include different customized versions of the Vehicle Design Award winners, demonstrating the breadth of their customizing/accessorizing potential. 

“New car and truck buyers want vehicles they can personalize and customize,” said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM relations. “The Vehicle Design Awards display at the Chicago Auto Show will help identify for the consumer which vehicles have the greatest potential for accessories such as wheels, mobile electronics, performance parts and exterior styling components.” 

The winners: “Best All-New or Redesigned Vehicle” went to the Ford Mustang; “Best Truck Design” to the Ford F-150; and “Best SUV Design” to The Chevy Tahoe.

“The interplay between OEMs and SEMA members is a distinguishing difference between the historic SEMA and today’s evolved association,” said Sheffer. “This new dynamic enables OEMs to better connect with, and profitably serve, customers by having immediate access to cutting edge, purpose-built aftermarket goods. Our participation in the Chicago Auto Show is the next step in our expanding symbiotic relationship between SEMA member aftermarket companies and OEM manufacturers.”

‘PERFECT LAPS’ PULLS THE PIN

Santa Barbara, California — David LeFlang of Perfect Laps Racing Schools has announce that he is closing “Perfect Laps” RacingSchool.

“I have taken on a position at a new real estate brokerage here in Santa Barbara, and will not have time to run the school.  Although I am changing paths, past and present customers will be able to contact me anytime to order parts or ask advice.  Please email me at perfectlaps@cox.net or call (800) 559-3193 and leave a message.  I'll get back to you promptly.”

Listed below is a basic inventory of equipment and prices, but in short, it all needs to go.  The karts, trailer and all equipment have evolved over the years to become an incredibly reliable and fast collection.  “I'd like to find one buyer for the whole lot, but I can separate complete karts and can include everything you will need, from safety gear to wheels to the little bits like jets, chain, oil and more,” said LeFlang.  “Just let me know what you'd like.”

Karts for Sale (All or will separate)
(6) 2002 Trackmagic/Rotax Max karts $3,000 each
(1) 2003 Trackmagic/TM ICC 6 speed shifter $3,300
(1) 2001 CRG full size kart w/Comer junior motor (beginner kart) $1,000
(1) 1995 Carson 24x8 foot enclosed trailer $3,500
& 1996 Ford 350 15 passenger 7.3-liter turbo diesel van $9,500
$35,000 for everything, $27,000 without the van.  This whole operation fits in the trailer, and is very manageable. 

“If you’d like to run a driver development program, have some equipment for your employees or just have a large family or group of friends, this would be a great choice.  The reliability of these karts cannot be matched,” reiterated LeFlang.  “All the helmets and suits, sunshades, chairs, tools it’s all in there.  All karts can be sold individually with a complete spares package including spare wheels, gears, jets, everything you’ll need to run lots of laps and have a real racing machine. I’ll deal for the complete sale to 1 buyer but again, will separate if you just want one kart complete.”

For more info, contact perfectlaps@cox.net or call (800) 559-3193

MITTLER BROTHERS BUYS TANNER RACING PRODUCTS
< style="font-weight: bold;">Foristell, MO, - On December 31, Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool of Foristell, MO closes acquisition of Tanner Racing Products, Inc., of Auburn, Washington. 

Tanner Racing Products manufactures and distributes a full line of electronic scales and motorsports products. Kelly Tanner, the founder and current owner of Tanner Racing Products, will continue on with the new company. Tanner Racing Products will be headquartered in Foristell and maintain facilities in Auburn.
 

Mike and Paul Mittler founded Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool in 1980. Since that time, Mittler has expanded from 4 manually operated machine tools to a precision CNC machine shop. Mittler offers job shop machining for the automotive, motor sports, medical, heavy transportation, and industrial automation industries and offers a product line of machine tools and accessories for specialty automotive and racing applications. 
 

Mike Mittler, President of Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool commented on the transaction, “Tanner Racing’s products are a great fit with Mittler Brothers and Kelly will be a valuable member of our team. With a central location and increased manufacturing capacity, we will be able to meet our customer needs with more efficiency.” Tanner agrees, “Mittler Brothers has a great reputation in the racing industry – they’re committed to the sport – that’s what will help bring Tanner Racing to the next level.” Tanner is a two-time champion of the NASCAR NW series.
 

 

THE "NEW SKUSA" LAUNCHED JANUARY 1st

As Superkarts! USA moves into 2005, there are a number of things that are changing with this company. During this season I’ve analyzed the current status of our sport, and where this company best fits in its long term future. The decision was made following SuperNationals VIII to jettison our entire business model, and take our company in a new direction. We’ve been hard at work ever since. It is our goal as a company to change your perspective on how you look at that gold and black SKUSA logo, and what that logo stands for. Main items on the chopping block; the Pro Moto Tour, World Finals, Regions Cup, my title of CEO, the SKUSA Regions, our old membership and licensing system, and this website which is currently going through a complete redesign. It was sad to see them go, but I’m excited about our new direction and focus, and I’m sure you will be too.

The New SKUSA 

When Superkarts! USA first began operation in 1993, it was called the Midwest Pro Tour. It began with nine racers at its first race. That auspicious beginning led to over 100 entries regularly in 1998 in a market that is very competitive for the regional racers attendance. We did this by providing a unique racing experience that couldn’t be found anywhere else, with the primary focus being great racing and a fun atmosphere. In 1999, this unique and well crafted product became the Pro Moto Tour, relegating the SKUSA regional program to “second class citizen” status with our company as 100% of our effort went into the production of the PMT. 

“I’m pleased to announce the redirection of our company with the Superkarts! USA Pro Tours, said Joe Janowski, SKUSA Executive Director. “The Pro Tours are regionally based pro series that will provide the highest level of service and excitement possible to the regional competitor. Superkarts! USA will be investing 100% of its time and resources into the long term development and implementation of this unique racing experience. Utilizing creative concepts, technology, and the underlying premise of providing the very best possible product to our customers will be our mantra,” he concluded.

The Highlights

There are eight official Pro Tours in the new system. We have chosen to use some existing names in the new program, although some new names have been added. The Pro Tours are: Cascade (Northwest US), Great Lakes (Midwest), Gulf (Southwest US, Florida), Liberty (New England), Lone Star (Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana), Mojave (SoCal, Southern Nevada, Arizona), Mountain (Colorado, Utah), and Sierra (NorCal). Competition License holders can compete within these tours for Pro Tour Championships, in addition to competing to for an invitation to the Nations Cup, a new event on the Superkarts! USA calendar. 

The Nations Cup, set to fly in mid-September, is our “winner take all” National Championship. To be eligible for the Nations Cup a Competition License holder must have competed in 50% of their Pro Tour points events by August 1, and be in the top ten in points in an official Superkarts! USA class. An excellent prize package is already in the works for this race, and will certainly get better yet!

On January 1, 2005, our new Competition License Application will be available on our website. All competitors will receive the same license, and run the class that they desire to run based on eligibility. In addition, we have slashed the price of the Competition License from $115 to $75. We are continuing our long relationship with SuperKart Illustrated this year. However, it will not be included in the cost of the Competition License. Our license holders may subscribe at a special SKUSA rate of $25, which we will be happy to process for you as an additional fee to the Competition License. 

National Events 

On the 2005 racing calendar is the addition of another new event, the TAG National Festival. This race is all TAG, all of the time. It is currently slated for July of this year, so hang tight for more information. With this race in mind, I’d like to reaffirm our commitment as a company to the TAG concept. It is not an easy job handling the constantly evolving TAG program, but you can look to SKUSA to lead the way in this genre of karting for years to come. We’re thrilled that many of the other organizations have adopted our rules package, but there’s more on that in our TAG Newsletter, which will be on your doorstep January 1, 2005.

SKUSA will wrap up a great 2005 season with SuperNationals IX in Las Vegas. Work is already under way for this stellar event, and they expect a record turnout for the 2005 edition. As soon as the Sam Boyd football schedule is released, the official date will be announced. This should be in mid-February. 

NEW LTO SUPERSTAND ON THE MARKET

Oak Creek, Wisconsin/Peoria, Illinois — Introducing a brand new rolling kart stand from Streeter Superstands specifically designed for oval track racers.The NEW stand is called the Streeter Superstand LTO.It is now available.

Britt Baker of That Guy Engines and Jim Maroon of Maroon’s Kart Systems found a need for a stand that would accommodate left turn only (LTO) chassis.They joined their ideas together to develop a rolling kart stand which provides solutions for the following conventional stand problems: 1) must have adequate clearance for the left rear wheel so there is no interference when the rear axle spins, 2) indexing the LTO chassis on the kart stand accommodating the left chassis rail being tucked in, 3) provide clearance for a sprocket guard commonly used in LTO racing so there is no interference with the stand, 4) offer adequate clearance for the large right side wheels/tires used on LTO karts, and 5) provide a stand with a height (less than 30”) that is convenient for the mechanic to perform his work on given the bodywork that is used on LTO chassis.A requirement of a new kart stand would be to provide solutions to all of these common problems. 

After completing several prototypes, the design has now been completed.The new LTO kart stand meets all of the requirements providing features and solutions to solve the previously mentioned problems.Local racer surveys have been completed including that of chassis set-up expert John Durst.The design is solid and meets Larry Streeter’s quality standards.

The Streeter Superstands LTO rolling kart stand is now available for immediate release.Pricing of the LTO stand is the same as the traditional kart stand.Several options are readily available:1) adjustable parts/tools carrying tray, and 2) powder-coating.New options under development include a simple plug in attachment to convert LTO stand into a sprint stand and a removable engine oil tray for spent oil which is located on the kart stand just below/in front of the oil drain plug.The oil then can be drained into a container that sits on the ground/floor under the kart.

For more information and orders from racers, contact Jim or Jeff at Maroon’s Kart Systems, 309 Carver Lane, East Peoria, IL61611.Contact by phone at (309) 699-5278 or email orders via the web: www.maroonskartsystems.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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