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FYI
01-09-05

KIC SPONSORS TRACK OWNERS AND OPERATORS WORKSHOP AT KART EXPO

Independence, Kentucky — The Karting Industry Council (KIC), the US kart racing industry’s trade association, will sponsor a one-day “Track Owners and Operators Workshop” at the 2005 Kart Expo on Friday, February 25 at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois. The program will provide valuable information and available options to help race track owners and operators become successful. The full day schedule will be presented by Tom and Kate Johnson of the Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, New York.

Education is the key to success—
“This year, per the request of many in the karting industry, we have developed the first day-long Track Owners and Operators Workshop designed especially for them,” said Darrell Sitarz, Vice President of KIC. “The information in this program should be very helpful in running a safe, and profitable racing environment for the kart racer.”

The insightful, comprehensive program includes the following topics in its curriculum:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Signage
Personnel Attire
Rest Rooms
Pits and other amenities

WHERE’S THE MONEY?
Food Service
Timing Equipment
Schools/Rentals
and more.

AFTER…
Accidents
Driver Feedback
Awards

RETENTION/DEVELOPMENT
Driver Meetings
Trophies
Rules
Noise/Neighbors
Advertising

MISCELLANEOUS
Maintenance
Operator Accessibility
On-track refereeing and much more!

The Karting Industry Council feels that this program is very important and helpful that your track or club should seriously consider sending at least one or two representatives to attend and participate.

The workshop will be held at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center, 4051 E. Main Street (Rt#64), St. Charles (Suburban Chicago), Illinois on Friday, February 25, 2005, one day prior to the 2005 Kart Expo International. The fee for the day-long KIC ‘Track Owners & Operators Workshop’ is only $60 and includes all materials. Please register as soon as possible as registration closes on February 15. Sorry, no walk-ins will be allowed.

In addition to this training session, Kart Expo, North America’s Premiere Kart Racing Show, will feature nearly 300 booths with the latest in karts and parts from here and around the world, all in one place at one time! There will also be free seminar programs during Kart Expo show hours.

Track Owners & Operators Workshop Schedule
Friday - February 25, 2004
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM - Workshop
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM - Lunch Break
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM - Workshop

Seating is limited and will be available on a first come-first served basis.

In addition to this program, KIC is also sponsoring an ICC/ICA Tech Seminar and a 4-Cycle Tech Seminar. For a printable registration forms for all fee-based programs, log-on to www.kartindustrycouncil.com then go to “Recent News” or to www.e-KMI.com, then to “Kart Expo Update” and scroll down to “Track Owners/Operators Workshop”. For information about the workshops or to join KIC, call 859-760-5850 or e-mail: bwkic@msn.com.

TAG ANNOUNCES 2005 PLANS
Antioch, Illinois — As they move into a new year TAG Racing International and TAG USA are pleased to announce their plans for the “2005 TAG World Championships”, the “Tom Argy National Endurance Festival”, our new Membership program and Series Qualifying Program.

Any series, event and/or festival may participate in this qualifying program. The qualifying program will consist of member tracks and also specific special events. These special events will be included as qualifiers for “The 2005 TAG World Championships”. Once your series, event and/or festival has been accepted, your schedule will be placed on the TAG Racing website www.tagracing.net as a qualifying series for the 2005 TAG world championships.

Specifically, the top ten TAG Racing International and TAG USA members in each TAG class within a TAG certified series, event and/or festival will qualify to participate in the “2005 TAG World Championships”. The certification form is available on the www.tagracing.net website and is open to all tracks clubs, national and international race series and organizations that wish to participate. TAG event race results should be submitted after each event. Results will be available on the TAG website and printed in our official publication, “The Inside Track”.

TAG Racing International and TAG USA Special International Qualifying Events for 2005 will include

“The Rock Island Grand Prix”
And other events to be announced.

“The 2005 TAG World Championships” are in final development and press releases will be forth coming so stay tuned………

Within their plans for 2005, you will find “The Tom Argy National TAG Endurance Festival”. This TAG Racing International sanctioned race series was Tom’s pet project and we are pleased to be able to present it for 2005. This race series will challenge teams of competitors in 6-8-10-12 and/or 24-hour formats The race series will be presented at these four listed tracks. Schedules will be listed in upcoming announcements.

Kartways of Arkansas in Warren Arkansas
Oklahoma Motorsports Complex in Norman Oklahoma
North Texas Kart Track in Denton Texas
Saint Louis Karting Association in Pevely Missouri

The rules for 2005 are being finalized and will be sent to the TAG web master and printer soon. All TAG International Racing and TAG USA Membership, Track and product applications are available on the www.tagracing.net website.

Once again thanks to WKA for adopting TAG USA and SKUSA tag rules for 2005. Questions and comments may be directed to Dave Larson at gempro001@aol.com.

OAKLAND VALLEY RACE PARK SOLD
Cuddebackville, New York — “As of January 8th, Oakland Valley Race Park has been sold to a very competent and prominent couple, Mike and Valerie Ferrucci,” said Tom Johnson former owner. “I will still be behind the scenes for while to facilitate successful transition. I wish them well and hope you all do the same.”

“I would like to introduce my wife and myself,” said the new owners and operators of OVRP. “We would like to express our greatest thanks and gratitude to the Johnson family. Tom, Penny, Kate and Alexa, the former owners, have made a mark in the karting industry raising the standards for outstanding quality of facilities and operations,” they continued. “We hope this isn’t the last we see of them and they will certainly be missed.”

“Having raced cars since before I had a driver’s license, I have an ever-burning passion for karting and racing and will make every effort to maximize our customer’s experience and continue OVRP’s history as a racer’s track. Not to worry for our loyal and new customers, Joe Fredericks will remain TrackSide MotorSports’ driving force accompanied by Chris, Gerry and the rest of the crew,” said Mike.

Also, this year Mike Doty’s school and corporate events looks to be bigger and better. With the prospect of acquiring a new fleet of corporate karts that are faster, sleeker looking will definitely add a new dimension to his events.

OVRP is currently gearing up for the upcoming Stars of Karting, East vs. West, event in Oklahoma on March 11-13. Contact Joe in the shop at 845-754-7479 for more information. Also check the web for more details.

OVRP will also be hosting their annual swap meet and specifics will be released by January 14th. If you wish, call the office to reserve your table now.

The 2005 season will kick off with an April 2nd karting “test and tune” followed on April 9th by the 1st weekend of the Spring Shoot Out. April 8th will be open practice and April 9th will be the track championship’s point week #1. The full 2005 schedule will be posted shortly.

For more information see www.OVRP.com for updates or contact the office at 845-754-8500 with any questions.

2004 DRIVER SEARCH CHAMP MOVES TO ITALY!
New York, New York — Thirteen year old American John Edwards is preparing for the trip of a lifetime. Edwards was selected to join the Red Bull Junior Team after the 2004 Red Bull Driver Search, and is leaving today to move to Italy and compete in the Italian Championship, widely recognized as one of the toughest karting championships in the world. Edwards will race with the factory CRG Kart Team, the same team that helped launch the careers of Alex Zanardi and Michael Schumacher, who took his first World Karting Championship with the team in 1987.

Edwards isn’t the only one making a big commitment to his future, as his mother will also be moving to Italy with the young star. Even though he is moving from home to live and compete in a foreign country, Edwards has shown the same level-headed nature as he did throughout the Driver Search, and is remarkably unfazed about the challenge.

“It is a big commitment to move to Italy and race in the Italian Championship, but I am just focused on what I will be learning on the track and working to prepare myself to move towards Formula 1,” said Edwards. “Racing against the best karters in the world with a team like CRG is an excellent opportunity for me. I know that I might not see success on the track right away, but I will be learning so much in that environment.”

Edwards will go directly from the US to the Red Bull Training Facility in Austria for an exhaustive series of tests to establish his physical training program for the season.

From there, Edwards will move to Lonato, Italy, to start working with the CRG factory team and preparing for his first Junior ICA race, which will take place in Sarno on the last weekend of January. Edwards will not only be learning lessons on the track, as he will continue with his education from his native Arkansas after his school established a program for him that will see him keep up his studies over the internet.

FLEMING STEPS UP TO THE WORLD
New York, New York — Colin Fleming took the 2004 German and European Formula Renault Championships by storm, netting countless podiums on his way to rookie of the year honors and only narrowly missing out on winning the German Championship to fellow American Red Bull racer Scott Speed.

Despite not taking the championship, Fleming’s first season in Europe did nothing but boost Fleming’s confidence, and he is hungry to get back in the car and onto the podium this season.

In yet another example of the continued commitment of Red Bull to find the next American F1 champion, Fleming has signed to make the step up to the 2005 World Series by Renault Championship. Fleming will be racing with Jenzer Motorsport, the same team he ran so well with in 2004.

“I am happy to be racing with Jenzer again this season,” said Fleming. “It’s a fiercely competitive outfit, and already knowing my engineer and the guys on the team is only going to help me get up to speed that much faster. I am absolutely ready to take on this challenge, and I just can’t wait to race again and continue to show what I can do.”

Fleming has continued the disciplined fitness program he began last season, giving him remarkable endurance and preparing his body for the challenge of the larger and faster World Series car.

The Red Bull Driver Search program aims to discover and support talented young racing drivers. The long-term goal is to have a steady group of three to six American drivers racing in Europe, on the Red Bull Junior Team, groomed to break into Formula 1 and compete for the World Championship.

SCOTT SPEED SIGNS WITH ISPORT INTERNATIONAL GP2 TEAM
New York, New York — American Scott Speed has signed to race the 2005 GP2 season with the iSport International team. Speed was selected as a finalist in the 2002 Red Bull Driver Search, and with the support of Red Bull took twelve wins on his way to the 2004 German and Eurocup Formula Renault Championships.

“I am excited about the opportunity to race in GP2 this year,” said Speed. “It’s a big step up from the Formula Renault in terms of power and speed, and that’s exactly what I am looking for as a driver trying to make it to Formula 1.”

Red Bull has committed significant resources to the discovery and development of the next Formula 1 World Champion, and iSport’s philosophy of driver development was an important factor in the decision to place Speed with the team.

Jonathan Williams, son of Sir Frank Williams, is on the Board of Directors for the new team, which is dedicated to developing talent for the top ranks. Williams discovered the talents of Juan Pablo Montoya and Jenson Button, and iSport team members have proven their ability to work with talent as it ascends the motorsport ladder with drivers including Bruno Junquiera, Takuma Sato, Antonio Pizzonia, and Nelson Piquet Jr.

VINCEC SCORES TWO TOP FIVES IN WKA DAYTONA
Guelph, Ontario, Canada — Mike Vincec, 13, stepped onto the podium twice during the World Karting Association (WKA) Manufactures cup event this past weekend in the infield of Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Vincec was fast all week and mastered the 12 turn course in fine form as he went on to score 2nd and 5th place results.

WEDNESDAY
This year’s calendar allowed the first race day of the traditional post-Christmas pre-New Year’s event to fall on a Wednesday and Vincec was fast right out of the box. The talented Canadian qualified his Hi-Tech powered First Kart outside row two in the fourth position.

Looking to improve in the pre-final, Vincec, the BIG Race Team and members of First Kart North America went to work on the chassis to get the extra speed needed to be at the front. The Stouffville, ON resident got a great start and ran consistently with the leaders. Pressuring the duo who was out front the entire event, Vincec slid his kart into and came home in 3rd position.

Vincec progressively moved forward throughout the day and really turned it on in the 20 lap feature event. Chasing hard and really focusing on hitting all his marks, Vincec turned several quick and consistent laps. The 13-year-old impressed everyone in attendance as he secured the second step on the podium and was off to a great start in the ’05 season.

THURSDAY
Thursday was a little tougher for Vincec as he and his squad had to overcome some race time adversity. Once again qualifying near the front of the grid, Vincec secured the 5th place starting position and would be on the inside for the run to the tight and challenging turn one.

Vincec was forced to endure some tough luck in the pre-final as he had to take evasive action and head towards the grass to avoid a start line incident between two fellow competitors. Falling quickly down the order, Vincec found himself at the tail of the field and a gear change after qualifying would not help the Canadian. A ratio change that was suppose to provide Vincec with more corner speed actually hurt him as he was unable to make the passes he needed down the Daytona straight-a-way. Vincec finished and would start the final in the 8th position.

With hopes of a top five heading into the 12 lap shortened final, Vincec sliced and diced his way through the field and towards the front. Some bold passes and hard driving gave Vincec the 5th place position in the final running order but results are currently unofficial do to a post race protest.

“It was great to start the season off this way” explained Vincec from a phone interview from the track. “We are going to run several national series this year and this is a great way to gather the momentum needed heading into the season.”

Mike Vincec would like to thank BIG Racing, the FirstKart.com race team, Pilot Race Gear, Hi-tech Race Engines, GoDecalZone.com and his family for all their continued support.

With schedules not yet finalized, Mike Vincec and his race squad are unsure where their next event may be. Though plans include participating in the Snap-on Stars of Karting Championship, Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship and the WKA, Vincec may enter the final rounds of the Florida Winter Tour to complete some pre-season testing. For more information on Mike Vincec and the BIG Racing Team please contact Mary Vincec from the information on www.mikev.ca.

TOURS TOP OFF THE PROGRAM AT ASI 2005 IN “SWEET HOME CHICAGO”
Orland Park, Illinois — Coin-op tradesters and their partners will find plenty to do when ASI returns to its “Sweet Home Chicago”, March 3-5, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Pre-show activities include tours of the Stern Pinball and Grand Products plants on Wednesday, March 2. Optional tours for companions of ASI trade visitors on show days include trips to Chicago’s Field Museum featuring two tours of very special exhibitions: Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years and Pompeii: Stories From an Eruption on Thursday, March 3; and the Marshall Field’s Tour and Lunch at the Walnut Room on Friday, March 4. For the more adventurous who want to tour Chicago at their own pace, a ChicagoCityPass is available at specially reduced rates to visit some of Chicago’s most popular attractions.

Exhibitors have an opportunity to arrive a day early, March 2, 2005 and attend the unique factory tours of Stern Pinball located in Melrose Park, Illinois and Grand Products located in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Stern Pinball is a 40,000 square foot facility, and the only place in the world where pinball machines are made today! Some of the fascinating things you will learn on the Stern Pinball tour are:

There is over one half mile of wire and over 3,500 parts in a pinball machine.
The games are assembled by hand on an old-fashioned production line.
It takes as long to manufacture a pinball machine as it does to build a Ford Taurus!

Grand Products, located in Des Plaines, Illinois, is a 94,000 square foot full-service contract assembly and manufacturing plant. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved Grand Products Inc. as a licensed, full-service Gaming manufacturer that allows them to manufacture complete gaming devices in the State of Nevada. On the Grand Products Tour, you will see:
The assembly of some of the components that go into a finished video game, namely the manufacture of cable harnesses and sheet metal parts.
The manufacturing of sub-assemblies.
The combination of these sub-assemblies into the final assembly of a complete video game.

Transportation and lunch are included in the factory tour registration fee that includes tours of both facilities. Buses depart the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel at 9:00 a.m. and will return by 3:00 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required. Cost of the tour, transportation and lunch is $22.00/person.

While trade visitors are busy on the show floor, their traveling companions can take advantage of specially planned tours that take them on a trip back in time, a top shopping destination, or visits to some of Chicago’s top tourist attractions.

The Field Museum tour includes access to two special exhibitions: Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years and Pompeii: Stories from An Eruption on Thursday, March 3, 2004. Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years revisits the Kennedy era to explore how Jacqueline Kennedy’s style, intelligence and charisma influenced American culture and diplomacy. This exhibition features more than 70 garments worn by one of history’s great fashion icons including the fawn coat and signature pillbox hat worn at the 1961 inauguration; the red dress worn for the televised tour of the White House; the beaded gown in which the former first lady dazzled Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev; and the austere black dress worn for her audience with Pope John XXIII. Combined with photographs, documents and film clips, these fashions reveal how the former first lady carefully shaped her image to reflect the vigor, ideals and internationalism of her husband’s administration. Through her restoration of the White House and flawless hosting of events, Mrs. Kennedy turned the executive mansion into an exquisite background for state affairs and a showcase for American arts and letters. Come celebrate the enduring legacy of one of America’s favorite First ladies.

Pompeii: Stories from An Eruption uncovers the thriving society of the valley of Vesuvius and reconstructs the lives of those who lived and died there. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, its dark cloud engulfed them all. Buried as they fled with their most prized possessions, their stories remained untold for centuries. Visitors will see casts of the volcano’s victims, view gorgeous room-size frescoes and mosaics, gold coins, precious jewelry, sculptures, and a variety of household objects, walk through opulent villas in a vivid virtual-reality tour, and learn what happens when nature unleashes its volcanic power.

The cost of this two-tour package is $39.95 per person and transportation is included. Buses depart from the Hyatt Regency Chicago at 9:00 a.m. and will return by 3:00 p.m. Lunch is not included, but food service is available at the Field Museum.

The Marshall Field’s Tour and Lunch at the Walnut Room, Friday, March 4, lets you experience first- hand why thousands of people come from across the country and around the world to shop at the second largest retail department store in the world. The tour of this national historic landmark highlights the history, architecture and brand names exclusive only to Marshall Field’s. The 45-minute tour and shopping will conclude with lunch at the famed Walnut Room, one of the oldest restaurants in Chicago, where you can sit by the 17-foot marble fountain and enjoy one of their traditional chicken pot pies made from Mrs. Herring’s original recipe. Transportation is included. Buses depart the Hyatt Regency Chicago at 9:00 a.m. and will return by 3:00 p.m. The cost, including lunch and transportation is $31.95 per person.

The best bargain in town for those who want to see this world-class city at their own pace is the Chicago CityPass. Tickets are combined in an easy booklet with no waiting in most ticket lines! The CityPass admits you to The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, The Hancock Observatory, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum and The Museum of Science & Industry. Transportation is not included. Adults-$49 per person (a savings of $43); Children $38 (a savings of $30)!

Advance registration is required and space is limited on the factory tours and companion tours. To register for any or all if these special programs, go to http://www.asi-show.com/spousal.shtml.

AAMA Show Committee Chairman, Sal Mirando of Coastal Amusements, said, “We are all very excited about ASI’s return to Chicago. Host city to many of the early coin-op shows, and home to the headquarters of both coin-op trade associations and many factories, we want to take this opportunity to showcase everything that Chicago has to offer as a destination, plus give a behind-the-scenes look at some of the plants whose products are synonymous with coin-op.”

AAMA President, Mike Rudowicz added, “this year’s show will be a “homecoming” in many ways for industry veterans, especially with the show taking place at the downtown Hyatt. There always was a special “energy” when the shows were self-contained that we hope to re-capture come March.”

The Amusement Showcase International is owned and operated by the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and managed by William T. Glasgow, Inc. For additional information, contact show management at Tel: 708.226.1300, Fax: 708.226.1310, or E-mail: info@asi-show.com. For complete show information, schedule of events, list of exhibitors and seminar program, visit our website at www.asi-show.com.

NEW KARTING NEWS WEBSITE LAUNCHED
Pakenham, Victoria, Australia — An new karting news website, KartSportNews.com, based in Australia has been launched. The website contains news, features and information pertaining to Australian karting and is fast establishing itself as a primary point of reference for Australian karters. The aim is to have news updates on an almost daily basis along with regular feature articles from around the country. Essentially, KartSportNews.com is an online magazine that gives karters immediate and free access to the latest happenings in the sport.

KartSportNews.com is the brainchild of Mark Wicks. He has been involved in karting for over 20 years, both as a competitor and within the industry. He was employed by KartOz Magazine in the position of Editor for three years (Sept 1999 to Sept 2002) after which he elected to become a part-time contributor. He also writes the majority of the karting content for Motorsport News magazine.

“With the apparent demise of KartOz, Australia’s karting media consists of the monthly print publication Kart Magazine – and very little else. There are a number of websites offering limited news and content, but none, from what I have seen, with regular news updates and features,” said Wicks. “And that’s where KartSportNews.com fits in. The site went ‘live’ mid-November 2004 and the subsequent response and feedback has been huge.”

A feature of the site that is sure to be popular is the National Calendar. For no cost, they invite every club in the country to email the details of their upcoming race meetings and they will put them on the calendar, for free. That way, any karter can get free information about a race meeting with the click of a mouse.

“I encourage the karting community – competitors, clubs, industry and the governing bodies – to put KartSportNews.com on your distribution lists and forward news and details of your activities. This keeps us up to date with the happenings in the sport and provides us with leads and reference material for our articles. It also means your news can be shared; shared locally, nationally and globally,” Wicks concluded.

END

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