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FYI
01-04-04

DAVID SKINNER ADDED TO MRP STAFF

Three Oaks, Michigan — With record sales and increased production in 2003, MRP Motorsport has again added to their employee ranks with the addition of David Skinner in a dual role as National Sales Manager and Technical Projects Manager. Skinner brings to MRP over 10 years of Project Management and Engineering Consultation experience, mainly within the RV industry to MRP. In addition, Skinner is an avid karter, having competed in multiple formats of karting for over 15 years. Skinner’s main responsibilities will focus on the development of MRP’s current sales network procedures and also serve as a technical consultant to MRPs dealer network and Factory Race Team.

“We’ve just completed an excellent year in 2003 with record growth and sales volume,” said MRP owner Garry Lobaugh. “We look forward to having David as part of our programs and I truly believe that the staff we have added to MRP’s structure over the past year places us as an industry leader in support and service to our dealer network and customers. We will continue to not only invest in structural and inventory resources, but also human resources as well. The continued growth of MRP’s business will necessitate our need to continually look for service-oriented and technically savvy individuals to join our employee ranks. We’re still in need of assembly technicians.”

Skinner, whose tenure with MRP started at the recently completed WKA Manufacturer’s Cup races in Daytona, FL is looking forward to his new position.

“I started working with MRP on a limited basis in 2003, mainly providing customer support and assisting with racing schools at the MRP and SBRP facilities,” said Skinner. “The growth and investment that I have seen the Lobaugh family make in the infrastructure of MRP just within the last year is quite impressive. The opportunity to be a part of the continued growth and development of MRP’s operation is something I look forward to.”

MRP Motorsport operates a retail and warehousing facility in Three Oaks, MI., Michiana Raceway Park, a racing facility used for club racing, racing schools, corporate events, and research & development, and the MRP Factory Racing Team, providing trackside technical and customer support. MRP is the largest importer of Birel Chassis and Freeline accessories and components and a dealer/distributor of many of the karting industry’s leading brands and manufacturers.

For more information on MRP, visit www.mrpmotorsport.com or call (269) 756-9133.

$5 MILLION HURRICANE HITS HAMILTON
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada — Some of the biggest names in karting have merged forces to create one of North America's newest state-of-the-art Driver Development, Training and Kart Racing Academies.

Bob Cameron of Cameron Motorsports Inc., Andre Champagne of Hurricane Racing, Brian Cassar of M7Media, Jean Guy Forget of Investors Group and four private investors have joined forces to form a new company known as ‘Team Hurricane Inc.’, the North American importer and distributor of Biesse Karts for Biesse Kart Italy. In addition to Biesse, Team Hurricane will also import and distribute existing chassis lines and three new chassis lines with the North American rights locked up, giving racers a greater variety of competitive racing chassis. Team Hurricane's Headquarters for the new North American Karting Hub will be located at Cameron Motorsports Raceway Park, 2633 Hwy 6 South, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Cameron Motorsports and Team Hurricane will invest over $5-MILLION into the Hamilton facility over the next few years. The 76-acre Hamilton facility will be upgraded to a World Class Kartsport Academy. The new facility will house two 1-km tracks that can be joined to make one complete 2 km race track. The long track will meet and exceed all Commission Internationale de Karting requirements to host a World Championship. This new facility will also be spectator and family friendly, offering indoor and outdoor seating for more than 10,000 spectators with ample parking and private box suites that will surround a licensed restaurant.

Team Hurricane's newly appointed President and CEO Andre Champagne is very excited about this new deal and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company. "The combination of our collective business skills, karting programs and track facility will propel this new company to become the largest and most diversified industry provider of karting products, services and program supplier in North America," says Champagne.

"We brought all the right players to the table to put this incredible deal together to grow the sport of karting in North America, starting right here in Ontario," says Cameron. Cameron initiated and negotiated this deal from the beginning and will oversee and manage all facility requirements.

Brian Cassar of M7Media will manage all promotions, marketing and administration services for the company. Jean Guy Forget of Investors Group will be the liaison to the Quebec and American partners as he heads up the new Driver Development and Training Programs at the Hamilton facility. TEAM HURRICANE INC. will employ over 25 full and part-time knowledgeable personnel to service new and existing customers.

Hamilton is now home to 2003 National Champions, and TEAM HURRICANE will introduce a wide range of Kartsport Activities that will act as a ladder system, involving all levels of karting from the entry level to the most talented, advanced drivers looking for a career in Motorsports. A new era of karting is dawning with unparalleled opportunities for dealers, racing teams and racing enthusiasts of all ages and levels to become part of this new evolution.

Contact Team Hurricane for incredible sponsorship packages available to all new Dealers and Drivers. Team Hurricane Inc., 2633 Hwy 6 South, Hamilton, Ontario L0R 1W0 Canada.
Telephone 905-679-2122, Fax: 905-679-2200, Email: brian@teamhurricane.ca, website: www.teamhurricane.ca.

WKA READY FOR KART FEST 2004
Concord, North Carolina — The 2004 edition of World Karting Association’s KartFest will take place on Friday, January 23, from Noon - 6 pm and Saturday, January 24: 10 am - 6 pm at the Hickory Metro Convention Center which is located on Interstate 40 in Hickory, NC.

Directions: From I-77, take I-40 west towards Hickory to exit 125, take exit ramp and go left at light. Cross interstate and take first left at the Holiday Inn Select – The Interstate frontage road, the convention center is at end of road on right.

Accommodations are available at the following hotels in the area. Mention WKA Room Block for discount.
Holiday Inn Select 828-323-1000
Hampton Inn 828-323-1150
Fairfield Inn 828-431-3000
Comfort Suites 800-742-7026
Sleep Inn 800-354-7150
Gateway Hotel 828-398-5101

Contact WKA @ 704-455-1606 or email Susan Schriefer or Amanda Gaunder for more information.

The following is a list of exhibitors at the 2004 KartFest

A
A & A Marketing
Alfono Braxo
AMB I.T.
American Power Sports
ARC Racing/Amundsen

B
Badger Kart Club
Bandit Racing Chassis
Beechnut Raceway
Bondatti Performance Products
Bordeaux Dyno
Briggs & Stratton
Buller Built
Burris Racing Bodies

C
Cape Fear Karting
Checkered Flag Fuels
Chuck's Custom
Circle Wheel
Clements Racing Products
Competition Cams
Competition Karting
CV Products
Cross Roads Speedway

D
D & D Mfg
D & G Karts
Desparado/Densford Karting
Digatron
Dixie Karting
Douglas Wheel

E
Endurance Karting
E. S.Trik Dyno
E-Z Bore

F
Fast Track
Ford's Fuel
FYH Bearing Units

G
G-Man
Gecker Motorsports
Greer Racing

H
Hewitt Inertia Dyno
Hi-Tech
HMS Industries
Horstman
Hotline Graphics

I
Intercomp

J
Jammer Clutches
Jimmy Rivers Performance Works
Jones Motorsports
JR Race Car

K
Karting For Christ
Karting Ministries

L
Longacre
Longbranch Engineering

M
M & M Enterprises
M & M Performance
Margarettssville Speedway
Margay
MCP Brake Systems
My-Chron By Aim
Myers Fabrication
Myrtle Beach Racing World

N
NC Dirt Divisional
NC Pavement Divisional
NC Racing Chassis

O
Oak Grove Motorsports

P
Pace American of Georgia
PEC
Phantom Racing Chassis
Piedmont Kart Shop
Pit Pal Products
Precision Bearings
Precision Cams
Premier Performance
Professional Graphics
Prototype Engine Sales
Prowler Racing
Possum Kingdom

R
Rix Rocket
Roll-O-Prep

S
Seigler Motorsports
Shadow Karts
Specter Racing
Speed Developments
Speedway USA
Squeegee Tee's
Streeter Super Stands
SMC
SC Dirt Divisional
Southern Pitt

T
T.M.C. Race Wear
Target Distributing
Therrell Racing Glass
Thor Oil Company
Thunder Valley
TNT Kartway
Tod Miller Racing Engines
Tomar Engineering
Tommy's Kart Shop
Trick/Olimpic
TS Max Racecraft
TS Racing
Twister Karts

U
Ultramax
Uncle Franks
Undertaker Karts
United Express / Beam Dist.

V
Vickery Speed Shop

W
Ward Karting
Waynesfield Raceway
Weeks Built
WKA and WKA Apparel
Wilson's Motorsports

SUPERKARTS! USA SET TO KICK OFF 6th ANNUAL SKUSA NATIONAL PRO TOUR!
Dublin, Ohio — Shifter Kart USA (SKUSA) announced on January 5th the following dates and events for the 2004 SKUSA National Pro Tour. These events will be Friday through Sunday, dual event weekends. As in 2003, the SKUSA Pro Tour will have three events in each of the regional divisions – Eastern and Western – with the World Finals combining the two regions.

March 19-21 at Jax - Jacksonville, FL
April 30, May 1-2 at Moran Raceway - Beaumont, CA
May 21-23 at Grand Junction - Grand Junction, CO
June 25-27 at Trane Motor Speedway - Norway, IL
July 23-25 at Pat's Acres - Canby, OR
August 13-15 at New Castle - New Castle, IN
September 17-19 at Norman, OK (WORLD FINALS)

PRO TOUR CLASS STRUCTURE
SuperPro - This is the elite class and the national showcase of Superkarts! USA. You must have a Super A license in order to compete in this class and have exemplary 125cc shifter kart racing ability and experience. SuperPro karts will use ICC motors only. To protect the status of the SuperPro class and to ensure the highest level of professional competition SKUSA will closely review all applications for the Super A license.

S1 - This semi-pro level 125cc shifter class is the perfect place for anyone aspiring to be a

SuperPro. You must have an A license in order to run in S1. ICC & Moto motors will be allowed to run in this class.

Super G - This class in intended to meet the needs of experienced shifter kart drivers that are at least 35 years old and desire to compete on the Pro Circuit. You must have a G level license in order to race in this class. ICC & Moto motors will be allowed to run in Super G.

JR - Junior is a developmental class and produces some of the most exciting races all year. Juniors must run an 80/85cc Moto and have a D license in order to compete.

TAG Sr. /TAG Master - TAG Sr. offers a place on the national level for the increasingly popular Touch-And-Go motors to race. This class will allow Super A, A and B license drivers to race in it. TAG Masters allows those Touch-And-Go drivers that are at least 35 years old OR over 200 lbs. to race the Pro Tour as well. These two TAG class will be ran together, but scored separate until the fields are big enough to run them as two classes.

Each driver will be allowed one race drop within the point system. Like previous years in SKUSA, we will follow the East and West scoring format. Additional announcements of scheduled, one off events, organized by SKUSA will be forthcoming. Also, any minor rule changes for 2004 will be released on our website later in this week. ***Special discount for any renewing members. From now until January 31st, anyone who renews their SKUSA membership will receive a 20% discount. All memberships must be postmarked by January 31st in order to qualify. Go to www.skusaonline.com, then to “about” and “join/renew” to download new forms.

2004 promises to bring an elevated level of competition between drivers and added excitement to the sport of karting. This is linked directly to the labor put in by many people behind the scenes, as well as the drivers and their teams.

END

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