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FYI
02-02-04

SHIFTER KART ILLUSTRATED RELEASES EXCELLENCE AWARDS NOMINEES -

SKI AWARDS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT KART EXPO 2004

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada — After a month of nomination form tabulations, the staff at Shifter Kart Illustrated (SKI) is pleased to announce the nominees for this year’s SKI Excellence Awards. Chosen by the readers of the publication, a total of five candidates have been selected for each of the seven categories. The winners will be announced and the awards will be presented at a special party that will be held at this year’s Kart Expo show in St. Charles, IL on the evening of Saturday, February 21.

The evening’s festivities will run in conjunction with the 5th anniversary of the magazine and will begin at 7:30 pm with a cocktail hour before the awards ceremony gets under way at 8:30 pm. A number of special segments will be included in the party as the magazine celebrates its first five years of publishing. SKI publisher Rob Howden will be the host for the evening and he will announce the winners in seven different categories, a list that includes Driver of the Year, Team of the Year, Tuner of the Year, Engine Builder of the Year, Rising Star, Road Racer of the Year and Young Driver of the year. Nominees for this year’s awards will receive two free passes to the ceremony; additional passes may be purchased during the show at the Shifter Kart Illustrated booth.

Nomination forms for this year’s SKI Awards were delivered with the December issue of the magazine and they have been flooding into the office via mail and fax for the past six weeks. “The piles of forms we have received have been overwhelming,” explained Howden. “I have had my staff members adding to a running tally each day so that we could lock the nominees in as soon as possible.”

With the nominations now closed, the time has come to announce the nominees for the 2003 Shifter Kart Illustrated Excellence Awards: As determined by our readership

Driver of the Year
Darren Elliott – Canyon Country, CA – SSC Racing
Bobby Wilson – Dousman, WI – First Kart North America
David Jurca – Federal Way, WA – Italian Motors
Alex Speed – Manteca, CA – KLS Racing
Ron White – San Jose, CA – RC20/Premier Performance

Team of the Year
First Kart North America – Tony Ventresca - Guelph, ON, Canada
Italian Motors – Claudio Valiante - Vancouver, BC, Canada
KLS Racing – Scott Jeffrey - Sonoma, CA
MRP Motorsports – Garry Lobaugh - Three Oaks, MI
Team Extreme – Tom Kutscher - Anaheim, CA

Tuner of the Year
Dave Carpentier – David Jurca – Italian Motors
Shane Noud – Kyle Wiegand – McGrath / Fury
Mike Speed – Alex Speed – KLS Racing
Terry Ventresca – Bobby Wilson – First Kart North America
Kimball Williams – Assorted Drivers

Road Racer of the Year
Chad Dokken – Clearwater, FL
Scott Holmboe – Aloha, OR
Lance Lane – Algonquin, IL
Mike Spear Jr. – Springdale, AZ
Johnny West – Chicago, IL

Rising Star
Wesley Boswell – Alameda, CA – MRP Motorsports
Gary Carlton – Marysville, CA – Kosmic Racing
Alan Sciuto – Orange, CA – Team Extreme
Wade Van Hooser – Tulare, CA – Champion Racing
Kyle Weigand – Indianapolis, IN – Factory Fury

Engine Builder of the Year
CKT Racing Engines – Jim Perry
Darcy DeCoste Racing – Darcy DeCoste
Hi-Tech Performance – Paul Leary
Italian Motors – Claudio Valiante
SwedeTech Racing Engines – Reine Persson

Young Driver of the Year
Jonathon Beason – Broken Arrow, OK – Beason Motorsports
Kevin LaCroix – St. Eustache, PQ – PSL Karting
Kyle Rahal – Glen Ellyn, IL – MRP Motorsport
Cole Whitt – Alpine, CA – PKS Racing
Robert Wickens – Guelph, ON, Canada – Team Hurricane

The SKI staff would like to congratulate this year’s nominees and we are looking forward to seeing everybody at the awards party in February.

To obtain more information on Shifter Kart Illustrated or the SKI Excellence Awards, please contact Rob Howden or Mike Maurini at the HCI World Headquarters at 905-271-3236. For advertising inquiries, please contact Mike Maurini via e-mail at mmaurini@hcionline.ca

JANOWSKI DISCUSSES SKUSA’S NEW ERA, JIM MURLEY, AND REORGANIZATION
Dublin, Ohio — “I can remember the very first SKUSA race at MRP in the spring of 1993. If I recall correctly, there was a total of 9 entries, and six of those were guys that raced at the local club, said SKUSA President Don Janowski. “Those days were fun. SKUSA at that time was a roving band of street fighters. We’d show up at street race, or join into any event that would take us. Before long, that number grew from 9 to 18, from 18 to 36, and so on. By 1997, SKUSA was taking on a life of its own, and was growing way too fast. Enter Jim Murley.”

He continued, “Jim took this small group of outlaw shifter racers to the big time. He established the longest running national tour in karting. He established the only karting organization that has active regions and members across all of the 48 contiguous states. He established the only working skill related licensing system in North American karting. Jim had the entrepreneurial spirit that is necessary to take a company from the small time to the big time, and he dragged all of us along for the ride. He raised the bar for event promotion, and this helped a still fledgling karting industry take shape. All in all, he’s done fantastic things for the sport of karting, for shifter karting, and for SKUSA specifically.”

Janowski said, “In the life of every business, the owners, from time to time, must examine the results of what they have done. The results of the past must be used to plot the future. The most recent SKUSA shareholder meeting on January 21, 2004 resulted in agreement by the shareholders that Jim Murley would relinquish his current role as CEO effective that day.”

“With that in mind, I’ve been assisting in creating a team of highly specialized people who have been appointed to become “directors” in their area of expertise.”

THE NEW TEAM
SKUSA National will be divided into four operating areas; ProMoto, Media Relations and Administration, Technical Compliance and Marketing.

Heading up the ProMoto Tour, and all other national events is National Event Director Stan Byrniarski. Stan has designed and directed the ProMoto Tour for a number of years. For the national competitors reading this, I think you’ll find that the ’04 PMT will be better than ever.

Matt Fink has been appointed the SKUSA Media Relations and Administration Director. Matt will be the media conduit for SKUSA (press releases, web site, email newsletter, and general mailings) as well as general administration duties.

In addition to the two that have already been on the team, there are also two new additions to the team; Martin Casey and Jason Ewers.

“As you may have read in an earlier release, Marty Casey is the new SKUSA National Technical Director. It has been no secret that our rule book, and at-event-tech has been sub-par”, Janowski said. “Marty will be changing that. Marty has been told that SKUSA is to be the leader in this particular field, and he’s working diligently to make sure that happens. All rules, regulations, compliance, and decisions associated with those fall under Marty’s position. I’m excited to have Marty on board, as he has already shown he has what it takes to assume this very important position. Jason Ewers has been added to the position of Marketing Director. Jason will be taking full responsibility for sponsorship relations, and putting the marketing package together for the future of SKUSA.”

SKUSA will also embark on a program utilizing market research, focus groups of SKUSA members and industry leaders, and key people in leadership positions in other karting organizations to assist the management team in making quality decisions for SKUSA’s future, and your future as a part of SKUSA.

A NEW ERA
All of this change certainly ushers in a new era for SKUSA, and for you. The new management team has been working hard, and I’m convinced that you’ll see some great things coming from this group. The ’04 Pro Moto Tour is shaping up to be a great series, running at the finest karting facilities in the US, culminating in the World Finals. What is really exciting about the World Finals is that it will be run under the lights at the Oklahoma Motorsports Complex. In conjunction with the World Finals, the Regions Cup (formerly Amateur Championships) will run during the day, and will have a new structure to be announced at a later date. Speaking of the SKUSA regional programs, get ready for SKUSA national to become much more involved in the regional programs, and their development. They have been sorely neglected, and that is a travesty to all of you that participate in them. The regions, and the members that run them, are vitally important to me, and this organization.

Marty Casey, with the assistance of the management team, has also been very hard at work designing TAG SKUSA. As this is being written, Marty is testing and tearing down engines, and putting the final tweaks on the program. TAG is going to become a very important part of what SKUSA does both nationally and regionally. We’re really grabbing hold of TAG, and we fully intend to be the nation’s leader in this market.

In addition to all of the things that need to get done now, we’re already planning some very neat things for 2005, and Stan will be announcing those developments as we get further into the ’04 season.

INFORMATION YOU NEED NOW
As for the stuff that you need now, a number of releases will show up on www.skusaonline.com in the coming days. Here are some highlights;

1) The 2004 Rule Book, which Marty Casey has done about 5 months of work on in 5 weeks, will be posted on the site Monday February 2, 2004 for its annual review. The addition of TAG SKUSA has delayed the rule book an additional week, and we apologize for that. Marty is giving it a final once over before he posts it. There will be an email address that can be used to give comments on it prior to going to print. Please let Marty know what you think.

2) Our 2004 Membership Cards have finally arrived, and will begin to be mailed out on Friday. Obviously, the rule book will follow as soon as it goes to official print. If by chance the bound book does not show up at your door prior to the first event, the final rules version posted on the website will be acceptable.

3) The Pro Moto Primer (including entry forms, pit reservation, 2004 procedures and policies, and other vital information) will be released on February 6, 2004. Stan Bryniarski is currently finalizing everything on it, and so far it looks great.

4) The SKUSA decision on the ’04 ICC homologated engines is very close at hand, and will be up no later than February 2, 2004, if not sooner. SKUSA has been working with Stars and WKA on a unified decision, which is very exciting. I’m hoping more of this can be accomplished in the future on similar issues.

5) The SuperNats on TV; we’ve been notified that a problem in production/editing has caused the show to be delayed, but that a new air date has been set. When we receive this new date, Matt Fink will announce it on the website. SKUSA has invested a significant amount in this production, and it will air.

6) The Website: A new website will begin construction soon. Its goal is to become more user friendly, and easier to navigate than the current one.

7) X Karts merger: No, it didn’t end up happening. It wasn’t for lack of trying by either party, but in the end, it just didn’t shake out. However, there are absolutely no hard feelings from either side. We’re working together to make sure the SuperNats are on the tube, and we’re even assisting to a minor level in some of the X Karts races.

“In closing, I know that the rumor mill has been pretty busy. I know that the racers and the industry have some serious questions about where SKUSA has been, and what is happening to it. My intention of writing this is to make sure that all of you understand that SKUSA is here to stay, and that it is going to be better than ever before. As I have not been involved in SKUSA in any way for a number of years, it has taken time for me, and the new management team, to get up to speed on the company so that we could make decisions for this year, and for the future. I appreciate your bearing with us during this short transition.”

Please check the website on a continual basis to be kept up with the latest from SKUSA, and also please call the SKUSA office at the contact below for any information that you need.

‘STARS’ ANNOUNCES NEW NAME AND NEW WEB SITE
Hilliard, Ohio — As the 2004 season draws near Stars of Tomorrow has officially announced their new identity as the Snap-On Stars of Karting. The new name reflects a hint of the old with a splash of new, merging together to form a clear and concise picture of what the series is about. “We want karting to stand alone for what it is – to move away from perceptions that karting is just a rung in the motorsports’ ladder system, it’s more than that, it’s a growing sport that has it’s own stars to be recognized” said Stars Operations director, Paul Zalud.

“The turmoil among the professional open wheel racing series has not affected the way we do business,” states Zalud, “I want to make the point that our well-being was not attached to what happened between CART, OWRS and IRL. The Snap-On Stars of Karting’s vision remains true to the 2004 program, only the branding has changed, the goals and business plan set in motion at the end of last year remain intact for the upcoming season. However, it would be foolish of us not to continue to develop associations with major motorsports. Those relationships help lend credibility, and open doors for sponsorships and media coverage.”

Along with the new name comes a new web site, http://www.starsofkarting.com The new site currently reflects much of the same format as the previous site for now. A completely new site is being developed currently and it’s ease of use, and clear menu options will bring the karter and fan up to date information about the series, the drivers, and our sponsors. The new site will coincide with many of the features provided by Eventlab. Launch of the upgraded www.starsofkarting.com is forthcoming. New contact Information is as follows:

Donna Filson — Main Office-General Questions, membership, race registration, etc.
Phone: 614-777-2040
Fax: 614-777-2045
info@starsofkarting.com

Paul Zalud — Operations
Phone: 425-673-4346
Fax: 672-3102
paul@starsofkarting.com

Steve Parkhill — Corporate Relations
Phone: 727-243-1720

Scott G. Evans — National Tech Director, Rules and Technical Regulations
scott@starsofkarting.com

Kevin Williams — Competition Regulations Director, Regional Program Information
Kevin@starsofkarting.com

Stan Etienne — Membership, Points, Insurance
stan@starsofkarting.com

Sean Buur — Media Relations
media@starsofkarting.com

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Product lines include hand tools, power tools, automotive diagnostics and shop equipment, tool storage products, automotive diagnostics software and other solutions for the transportation service, industrial, government, education, agricultural, and other commercial applications, including construction and electrical. Products are sold through its franchise dealer van, company direct sales and distributor and internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2+ billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin and employs approximately 14,000 worldwide. More information can be found at www.snap-on.com. # # #

INTERIM DECISION REGARDING 2004-HOMOLOGATED ENGINES
Dublin, OH – Superkarts! USA announces an interim decision regarding the acceptability of newly-homologated Intercontinental C engines for the 2004 season.

The following is part of a joint release by the Snap-on Stars of Karting National Technical Director (NTD) Scott G Evans. It is endorsed by the Superkarts! USA NTD Marty Casey, and is used with permission from Snap-on Stars of Karting;

Snap-on Stars of Karting National Technical Director, Scott G Evans explains, “We have become aware of a possible delay in the arrival in North America of the newly-homologated ICA and ICC engines. We are currently investigating whether this situation is actual or perceived and if the new engines are in fact an improvement over previous engines. We expect to make a decision in the coming weeks about the protocol and method of verification that we will use before allowing these engines to compete. We would like to advise those interested in using these new engines for 2004 that a decision on their acceptability is forthcoming in a very timely manner.”

The premise behind delaying the inclusion of these engines is to ensure that a sufficient supply is available to all competitors.

Evans continues, “We are researching the subject and working in concert with the World Karting Association and SuperKarts! USA to come up with a plan of action in the best interest of our constituents. I have been in contact with Mr. Bob White of the WKA and Mr. Martin Casey of SKUSA and received their pledge to work in concert on this difficult issue. Competitors can be advised that a final decision on the course of action will be made in the coming weeks, once proper verification is made.”

The WKA has already made the decision to prohibit these engines from competition in their recent Daytona Kart Week event. It is felt that, by working in coordination with major sanctioning bodies, the best interests of competition can be met. It is not deemed likely at this time that this decision will affect any 2004 homologations outside of the ICC and ICA engines.

Contacts:
Scott G Evans – scott@starsofkarting.com
Martin Casey - marty@skusaonline.com
Bob White – bwwka@msn.com

Further information will be released on www.skusaonline.com as available. Contact SKUSA administrative office at (614) 760-9540 for more information.

BRIDGESTONE NAMED SPEC TIRE FOR STARS OF KARTING 2004 SERIES
Hilliard, Ohio — The Snap-on Stars of Karting announced that an agreement with Bridgestone Tire Company, and Grand Products, Inc. to become the spec tire and supplier for all of its national classes at all 9 national events in 2004. “We are always looking at ways we can improve,” said Paul Zalud of Stars. “Bridgestone has always been a huge supporter of Karting and we are very pleased to get them involved with our series. Bridgestone Tire Company, and Grand Products Inc. are great companies to be partnered with, and we are looking forward to this ongoing relationship.”

Kevin Hunley from Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC added, “Bridgestone is excited about our new relationship with the Snap-On Stars of Karting series. With the class structure, Stars of Karting has adopted, and the venues on the National schedule, the competition will be extremely close on the spec tires. The proven Bridgestone spec tires will help level the playing field for all competitors and emphasize driver skill.”

Grand Products will be the exclusive supplier of Bridgestone specific tires at all of Stars events. “Grand Products is very excited about working with a first class organization like the Stars of Karting. I look forward to working with the Stars personnel at the venues, and I’m anticipating an exhilarating 2004 season” said Mike Tetreault, president of Grand Products Inc.

The following will define the specific tire requirements for each Stars of Karting national class as well as the protocol and distribution for the 2004 season.

The following are the specified and only acceptable slick tires for use in the national classes for the Stars of Karting series:

Intercontinental C - Bridgestone YHB, sizes 4.50 x10 - 5 front and 7.10x11 - 5 rear.

Intercontinental A - Bridgestone YHB, sizes 4.50 x10 - 5 front and 7.10x11 - 5 rear.

80cc Shifter Junior - Bridgestone YHC, sizes 4.50 x10 - 5 front and 7.10x11 - 5 rear.

Intercontinental A/Junior - Bridgestone YHC, sizes 4.50 x10 - 5 front and 6.00x11 - 5 rear.

Cadet - Bridgestone YHC, sizes 4.50 x10 - 5 or 6.00x11 – 5, either size front or rear.

Rain tire for all classes is the Bridgestone YHP; sizes 4.5 x 10.0-5 front and 6.0 x 11.0-5 rear for all classes. Optional rear rain tire size for Cadet class: 4.5x10–5.

Additional information will be included in the updated Technical and Competition regulations at www.starsofkarting.com.

STARS 2003 TV SHOWS DRAW 626,000 HOUSEHOLDS ON SPEED CHANNEL
Hilliard, Ohio —More than 600,000 households viewed the wild and exciting competition of the Snap-On Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presenting by RACER this year on the SPEED CHANNEL.

Some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing action on the network was watched by 626,000 households with three hours of original programming and six hours of re-airs in the months of November and December last year on one of the fastest growing cable networks.

Produced by Brian Lockwood Productions of Huntington Beach, Calif., the three one-hour telecasts featured two 60-minute highlight shows from the Bridgestone Grand Prix at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., and a one-hour program that featured the best action from the Stars Karting Championships at Moran Raceway in Beaumont, Calif. The telecasts focused on the ICC (125cc shifter) and ICA (100cc direct drive) divisions with many of North America’s best karting stars in action as well as European, South American and Australian racers.

Announcers Leigh Diffey and Tommy Kendall hosted the Stars SPEED telecasts in 2003 with David Stanfield reporting from the pit area and winner’s circle.

A special presentation of the three one-shows will be repeated on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST) on the SPEED CHANNEL. The ICA race from Sonoma will air at 12:30 p.m. followed by the ICC race from Sonoma at 1:30 p.m. and the ICA and ICC action from Moran Raceway at 2:30 p.m.

“The Snap-on Stars of Tomorrow racing was very spectacular racing for the viewers of the SPEED CHANNEL,” said Bobby Rahal, a principal in the Stars program. “I can say that the viewers won’t see this kind of wheel-to-wheel action on the SPEED CHANNEL on a regular basis. They were able to watch some of North America’s best young racing talent battling in tight quarters and swapping positions on every lap. The Stars series produces some of the best racing you will see in North America. We’re pleased to bring the Stars series to the SPEED CHANNEL. It is a great vehicle for the karting sponsors whether it is the series or the racer’s sponsorship.”

Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow TV Viewers in 2003
Sunday November 23rd, ICA from Sonoma (82,000 Households)
Monday November 24th, ICA from Sonoma (9,000 Households)
Sunday November 30th, ICC from Sonoma (49,000 Households)
Monday December 1st, ICC from Sonoma (80,000 Households)
Sunday December 7th, ICA & ICC from Moran (86,000 Households)
Monday December 8th; ICA & ICC from Moran (17,000 Households)
Sunday December 28th, ICA from Sonoma (104,000 Households)
Sunday, December 28th, ICC from Sonoma (109,000 Households)
Sunday, December 28th 2 p.m. Eastern ICA & ICC from Moran – (89,000 Households)
TOTAL – 626, 000 Households

The Champ Car 'Stars of Tomorrow' presented by RACER karting series is the official first level in CART's driver development system and an officially sanctioned series of WKA/SCCA Pro Racing. Founded by racing star Bryan Herta and now owned in conjunction with a group of racing veterans, including three-time Champ Car champion and Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, the Stars of Tomorrow serves as the first step for the Champ Car driver development ladder. Stars focuses on recognizing the skills of the drivers rather than the technology development within the machines, using FIA/CIK International standards. More information can be found at www.cartstars.com.

END

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