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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

Kart Expo International
ExhibitorInformation and Show Directions

FYI
01-16-05

SSC’S RAMOS TO PRESENT DEALER DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR AT KART EXPO

Palm Springs, California — Kart Expo is proud to include a free DEALER DEVELOPMENT seminar, spearheaded by Joe Ramos, Sunday, February 27 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM in the Turquoise Room meeting room at Pheasant Run Resort. Ramos is President of SSC Racing and a 35-year veteran of the Motorsports industry.

Responsibilities with companies such Yamaha Motor Company and Kawasaki Motors Corporation involved areas of dealer development, sales and marketing. Ramos has been on both sides of dealer development. From the corporate side, he trained motorcycle dealers for 20 years on how to grow their business. As an owner, practicing what he preached, Ramos owned a chain of Honda Motorsports dealerships for 10 years. His career began back in 1965 when many of today’s mega Motorsports dealerships resembled today’s kart shops. After selling his Honda dealerships in 1995, Ramos took a short sabbatical only to find his passion was driving him to get back into the Motorsports Industry. He wanted to find something new, and recognized the opportunity in a niche of the Motorsports family that offered much of the same experience as in the ’60 and 70’s. That new niche was the race kart business.

In a brief overview, the subjects that Ramos plans to cover will influence his opinion that the future of Karting rests on the infrastructure of new modern tracks and a better quality of dealer.

“If the race kart business is to grow, we need to bring more of the passive recreational driver, or ‘TaG’ customer, as we know them into our business,” states Ramos. “The need for more local places to drive, new modern tracks, is imperative. I’m happy to report that from my vantage point, I see track development in the US coming on strong,” states Ramos. “Now that more tracks are being built, demand for new dealer opportunities is increasing. Better yet, it’s time existing dealers consider change by upgrading their dealerships in most areas. We as kart dealers need to understand we compete with every other product and merchant in our communities that are going after the same disposable dollar. As a result we need to look sharp, act sharp and keep things simple. Most dealers need to start by developing a business plan (there are many books on the subject) that may include: relocation to a higher traffic area; adding creative showroom displays; training sales personnel to keep things simple; setting up inventory and accounting systems; budgeting expenses and securing inventories; and obtaining lines of credit that allow dealers to say yes to customers more often.”

These are just a few of the areas Ramos will touch on at the Kart Expo dealer development seminar. We invite you to join us at our first of a series in dealer development discussions and just maybe you can walk away with at least one idea that may make the difference in your business during these changing times.

For more info about Kart Expo, see ‘Kart Expo Update’ on this site.

KIC TO PRESENT 4-CYCLE TECH SEMINAR AT KART EXPO
Independence, Kentucky – The Karting Industry Council (KIC), the US kart racing industry’s trade association, announced today that it will sponsor and present a “4-Cycle Tech Seminar” to be held in conjunction with the 2005 Kart Expo International on Friday, February 25 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

The 3-hour program will provide essential 4-cycle engine post-technical information including engine inspection, etc. Along with the basic instruction on how to tech an engine, the seminar will also cover how to deal with the people in the tech area.

The course will be presented by some of the leading technical experts in the US karting industry today namely Mike Lapke, National Tech Director of the International Racing Association; Dale Weter of the Burris National Speedway Series and John Nuttall of the Burris Circle Tour.

The cost of the seminar is $60.00 per person in advance. For more registration information, phone: 859-760-5850 or e-mail: bwkic@msn.com. A downloadable PDF form can be found at www.kartindustrycouncil.com, to go to ‘Recent News”. The deadline for signup is February 15, 2005.

About KIC
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 and karting organizations, clubs 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 and programs can be found at www.kartindustrycouncil.com. For more information about joining the Karting Industry Council, contact Bob White at 859-760-5850 or e-mail to bwkic@msn.com.

About Kart Expo
Now in its 13th year, Kart Expo International presented By SSC Racing is one of the largest kart consumer/trade shows in the world, with nearly 300 booths of karting equipment from around the world. The show will run from February 26-27 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. Info on the show is available at www.e-KMI.com, then go to ‘Kart Expo Update”.

WKA PREPARING FOR KARTFEST AND KARTFEST MIDWEST
Concord, North Carolina — Everything is coming together for one of Karting’s favorite trade shows, WKA's KartFest and this year, another show KartFest MidWest located in Kansas City, MO.

Slated for January 28th and 29th in Hickory, North Carolina is the annual WKA KartFest, one of the largest karting trade shows in the country. With over 200 booths, several seminars, and three national banquets, there is something for everyone. Thousand’s of attendees make their way each and every year to the Hickory Metro Convention Center to get the latest and greatest in karting.

In 2004, WKA introduced the Heartland Dirt Series presented by Heartland Bully Clutch Dealers as a way to recognize the Midwest Karter on a national level. The series proved successful and brought with it an interest in establishing a second KartFest to be located in the MidWest, taking place February 18th - 19th at the Hilton Inn located at the Kansas City Airport. Like it's counterpart, KartFest, there will be several vendors and seminars, including a 4-Cycle Tech Seminar lead by Morgan Whitaker on Saturday, February 19th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Anyone interested in being certified as a WKA Tech Inspector may make reservations for the seminar by calling Amanda at 704.455.1606, ext. 14. Cost is $75 and participants need to be current WKA members.

The following is a list of KartFest exhibitors:
A & A MARKETING
ALFANO
AMB it
AMERICAN POWER
ARC RACING/AMUNDSEN
ATTL PRODUCTS
BADGER KART CLUB
BANDIT RACING CHASSIS
BARHORST MFG. INC
BEECHNUT RACEWAY
BONDATTI PERFORMANCE
BORDEAUX DYNO
BRIGGS & STRATTON
BULLER BUILT
CHECKERED FLAG FUEL
CHUCK'S CUSTOM
COMP CAL
COMP CAMS
COMPETITION KARTING
COYOTE PRODUCTS
CROSS ROADS
CV PRODUCTS
D & D KARTING
D & G KARTING
DESPARADO RACING
DIGATRON
DIXIE KARTING
DOUGLAS WHEEL
DURABLE CANVAS
E. S.-TRIK DYNO
E.C. DISTRIBUTING
E-Z BORE
FORD'S FUEL
FYH BEARINGS
GECKER
G-MAN KARTWORKS
GOLD SPEED
HI PERFORMANCE
HI-TECH
HORSTMAN
ILLUSION
INDOCIL
INTERCOMP
JAGGED EDGE
JEX MANUFACTURING
JIMMY RIVERS PERF WORKS
JM ELECTRONIC SCORING
JOHNSON COUNTY
JONES MOTORSPORTS
JR RACE CARS
KARTING FOR CHRIST
LASER SIGHT
LONGACRE
M & M PERFORMANCE
MARGAY
MCP BRAKE SYSTEMS
MERSCOM, LLC
MIKE CLEMENTS/HEATBEAT
MISHUE MOTORSPORTS
MY-CHRON BY AIM
OVALKART NC PAVEMENT DIVISIONAL
PACE
PEC
PERFORMANCE CRYOGENICS
PHANTOM RACING
PIEDMONT KART SHOP
POSSUM KINGDOM
PRECISION CAMS
PREMIER PERFORMANCE
PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS
PROTOTYPE ENGINE SALES
PROWLER KARTS
RAGE KARTS
RIX ROCKETS
ROLL-O-PREP
SHADOW KARTS
SIDE BY SIDE MOTORSPORTS
SPECTER RACING
SPEED DEVELOPMENTS
SQUEEGEE TEES
STREETER SUPER STANDS
SMC
RICHARD PETTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE
RIVERSIDE KARTWAY-NC
SC DIRT DIVISIONAL
T.M.C. RACE WEAR
TARGET DISTRIBUTING
TEAM VALHALLA
THERRELL RACING
THOR OIL
TITAN KARTS
TODD MILLER
TOMAR ENGINEERING
TOMMY'S KARTS & PARTS
TRICK/OLIMPIC
TS MAXCRAFT
TS RACING
TWISTER KARTS & PARTS
ULTRAMAX
UNCLE FRANK'S
UNDERTAKER KARTS
UNITED EXPRESS/BEAM DIST.
VICKERY SPEED SHOP
VP RACING
WARD KARTING
WAYNESFIELD RACEWAY
WEEKSBUILT
WKA

SSC RACING AND KIMBALL WILLIAMS ENTER MULTIPLE YEAR AGREEMENT
Palm Springs, California — SSC Racing announced today they have reached a multiple year agreement with Kimball Williams to spearhead the official SSC Racing team.

“We’re so pleased to have Kimball Williams as Director of SSC’s official race team,” explains Joe Ramos, President of SSC Racing. “Kimball is recognized as one of the most respected driver coaches and chassis tuners in our business, and now will help SSC develop its race team into the future by recruiting a new crop drivers as well as bring on seasoned veterans to the SSC program,” explains Ramos. “Kimball has been part of SSC extended family for many years as a team driver with Patrick Long and Jesse Rooke, racing both in the US and under the CRG tent in Europe, and most recently as a CRG dealer. The team will be known as “SSC / Williams Racing” with Kimball having full authority of driver selection and race scheduling,” explains Ramos.

“Wow, I’m happy to be settled in with a program and a company I’ve known for so long,” explains the soft-spoken Williams. “SSC has always demonstrated as being one of the leaders in our business with a passion for winning races, plus I’ve had a chance to spend time at CRG factory and I’m sold on the force of the company and quality of the product,” continues Williams. “CRG factory will continue to offer support to our American drivers by inviting them to race in Europe as they feel it offers American drivers a great experience, and I’m happy to be part of that as well,” states Williams.

“The team will offer race support on the entire family of CRG products; CRG, Maranello, Zanardi and PTK. While these names all come from the same CRG factory, they are different in many ways and developed by individual seasoned veterans, well known in European karting such as: Armando Fini from Maranello; Dino Chiesa from Zanardi; and Danilo Rossi, five time world champion and CRG team manager who designed PTK, which later this year will be reintroduced under Danilo’s own name with new designs and features,” explains Ramos.

“Williams is a proven winner as a driver, driver coach, and chassis tuner and now will share his talents and experience as team director, it’s a great honor for SSC to have Kimball on the team,” concludes Ramos.

Randy Johnson, known as SSC Race Support Manager and mechanic for Darren Elliott has been transferred to SSC sales department allowing him to share his knowledge and experience with SSC dealers. Randy will be helping Kimball with recruiting and continue his tuning for the California Flash, Darren Elliott in ’05 under the SSC / Williams tent.

Inquiries on becoming a member of the SSC / Williams Racing team please contact Kimball Williams direct at 951-657-3609.

BRP-ROTAX TO CELEBRATE 5TH ANNIVERSARY
Montreal, Canada — It's under the sun, in Lanzanote located in the Canary Island that BRP-Rotax will stage on January 20, 21 and 22 the fifth edition of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. This event will welcome 100 of the world's best kart racers coming from 41 different countries who will battle for the 2004 international title.

BRP-Rotax launched this unique spec challenge in more than 40 countries back in 2000. The response was hugely positive and the challenge was immediately hugely popular, and the series quickly expended all over the world. The best racers from the different national challenges are invited to compete, all expenses paid, to a grand finale called the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. In 2000, the finale was held in Puerto Rico. Then, it visited Malaysia, South Africa and Egypt before moving on to Spain this year.

As it was the case last year, two categories will be showcased in the Canary Island : the Rotax Senior and the Rotax Junior classes. The Senior competitors will be racing Rotax-RM1 machines powered by Rotax engines revving up to 12,200 rpm and capable of reaching a top speed of 150 km/h. The Juniors will be behind the wheel of karts powered by Rotax FR125 Max Junior engines that can reach speeds up to 115 km/h. Both categories will be competing on the Gran Karting Club circuit that is more than a kilometre long.

Manfred Weißgaerber, director of marketing at the BRP-Rotax Centre, said "The organization of this 5th edition is an extraordinary experience for everyone at BRP-Rotax. It is clear that our well-established reputation and our international success are the direct consequences of our hard work. Today, thousands of competitors race in our challenges throughout the world with the objective of becoming better racers. The Canary Island offer such a gorgeous scenery for the Finale that this event will be unforgettable."

The World Champions
FR 125 Max Senior
2003 - Christiano Morgado - South Africa
2002 - Mark Cronje - South Africa
2001 - Claudio P-Musso - South Africa
2000 - Gavin Cronje - South Africa

FR 125 Max junior
2003 - Omar Martin - Spain

The fifth edition of the 2004 Rotax Max Challenge Grand finals is sponsored by Rotax, Magura, Unior, CRG, Denso, Motorex, Mojo, Gran karting club and Korridas. For more information on the Lanzarote circuit – Spain, see: www.grankarting.com. Info on the event, see BRP-Rotax: www.maxchallenge-rotax.com.

ZAMPERLA, STENGEL, AND LINDSTROM TO SPEAK AT MAJOR AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY EXPO IN VIENNA
Vienna, Austria — Europe’s leading amusement industry and marketing experts - including branding expert Martin Lindstrom, amusement ride developer Alberto Zamperla, and veteran ride engineer Werner Stengel - will discuss the future of the $3 billion European amusement industry at the Euro Amusement Show, January 28-31, 2005, in Vienna, Austria.

These featured speakers are just a part of the show’s overall educational program, which includes more than a dozen seminars and facility tours of several well-known leisure destinations in Vienna. Attendees will hear from industry experts on such topics as safety standards, human resources, sponsorships, ride certification, and customer service.

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Europe’s amusement industry is steadily growing, with attendance expected to increase an average of 2.4 percent annually for the next five years.

In light of these projections, Zamperla and Stengel will discuss the future of rides, amusement & theme parks, and visitation trends at amusement facilities. Attendees will discover what new innovations will revolutionize the European amusement industry, and how parks should best maximize the changing needs and desires of guests.

Alberto Zamperla will participate in a seminar titled “Vision and Future of the Industry” on Friday, January 28. Zamperla is the president of Italian-based Zamperla, Inc., makers of award-winning rides like Disk`o and Flying Tigers.

Werner Stengel will deliver a keynote address on Saturday, January 29. Stengel is recognized worldwide as the “Master of Thrills,” having developed some of the world’s most spectacular roller coasters, including Dueling Dragons, Goliath, Millennium Force, and Storm Runner.

Branding leader Martin Lindstrom, a world-renowned consultant and author who developed the BRANDChild marketing innovation, will offer insight into effective branding strategies for kids, teens, and their parents during a keynote address on Sunday, January 30.

A joint partnership between the European Association for the Amusement Supplier Industry (EAASI) and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the Euro Amusement Show is the region’s largest amusement industry trade show.

With approximately 250 exhibiting companies, the show will offer a diverse multitude of products, seminars, and events to industry professionals visiting from around the world. The host facility of all this “fun” is Vienna’s Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center. For more information, go to www.euroas.com.

YACAMAN SIGNS WITH FIRSTKART.COM FOR 2005
Guelph, Ontario, Canada — Five-time Columbian national champion and national number three plate holder in the Stars of Karting (SoK) Championship, Gustavo Yacaman, has re-signed with his 2004 squad. Yacaman will once again pilot his IAME Parilla powered First Kart in Stars competition in 2005, as he will look to improve on his 3rd place result in the ’04 championship series.

In his second year of competition in North America, Yacaman will compete in all three stops of the Florida Winter Tour (FWT) as well as the East and West Stars of Karting Championship series presented by the Indy Racing League. Yacaman will benefit from the work of First Kart tuner Trevor Daley throughout the year as the duo will look towards several championships this season.

The 13-year-old Yacaman was a double race winner in Stars competition last season as the talented driver took the checkers in BeaveRun and Charlotte. Strong runs netted the Columbian with several top five finishes but early season over aggressiveness kept the talented pilot from capturing the elusive championship crown.

With Yacaman committed to running the East and West coast series, there are only a few driver positions available for each division. Funded drivers looking to compete in Stars competition are asked to contact the First Kart main offices at 519-824-4343.

For more information on First Kart North America, product sales, the FirstKart.com race team and exciting dealership opportunities including information on how to get into kart racing please contact First Kart President Tony Ventresca or Mike Maurini at 519-824-4343, toll free at 1-888-884-4851 or visit them online at www.firstkart.com.

END

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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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