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Kart Expo International

FYI
02-05-2001

KART EXPO INTERNATIONAL

St. Charles, Illinois – Billed as “America’s Premiere Karting Racing Show”, the 9th annual karting extravaganza will be held on February 17-18 at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois (Suburban Chicago). The move back to the Chicago-area has stimulated an unprecedented amount of companies to sign on as exhibitors. The show has also attracted attention of kart racing companies from around the world with exhibitors from Australia, Mexico, Germany, Czech Republic, Pakistan, Canada and Italy scheduled to show there wares. For a complete seminar schedule and list of companies represented see Kart Expo Update.

NORTH AMERICAN KARTING ASSOCIATION FORMED

Palm Springs, California – The North American Karting Association (NAKA) was officially introduced on Thursday, February 1st by President Fausto Vitello of TrackMagic Racing Karts. The new organization has been formed by a group of major industry executives to assist in the promotion and growth of karting. The NAKA will represent manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, race tracks, supporting businesses, drivers and crews. It will operate as a trade association working on behalf of its members and karting in general.

“Our primary areas of focus will be to expand the base of karting with increased visibility and understanding; provide a single, strong ‘voice’ for the entire industry; develop and make available comprehensive karting statistics and demographics; establish a government relations program for all aspect of the karting business; and make available programs for our members to improve their businesses and grow our sport” said Vitello.

Joe Ramos, President of SSC Racing and secretary of the new organization said, “We feel it is time for the karting industry to take it’s justly deserved place in North American motorsports as it has in other parts of the world. The real base of karting is the business entities that provide the equipment, supplies, and services to the industry and NAKA will help bring us all together in a unified effort to grow the industry. This was the motivating factor in our forming the association.”

In addition to Fausto Vitello and Joe Ramos, the Board of Directors of NAKA include: Bob Bondurant (Bondurant School of High Performance Driving), Andre Champagne (Hurricane Racing), Doug Henline (Douglas Wheels), Tim Holden (TNR Kart Sports), Scott Jeffery (KLS Racing), Jean Marchioni (JM Racing), and Art Verlengiere (RLV Tuned Engine Products). The NAKA office is located in Palm Springs, California and the Executive Director is Fred Marik.

The association is inviting everyone in the karting business and all those that would like to support the growth and promotion of karting to become members of the North American Karting Association. Membership information is available from the organization’s new web site: www.nakarting.com.

FRED MARIK NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NAKA

Palm Springs, California – Fausto Vitello, President of the new trade association for the karting industry, the North American Karting Association (NAKA), announced that Fred Marik will serve as Executive Director.

“We are happy to have Fred to direct our efforts to grow and promote the business and sport of karting in North America,” said Vitello. “His experience and knowledge of the motorsports business along with an understanding of the marketing efforts needed to expand and organize the karting industry will be a great asset to NAKA.”

Marik brings to NAKA his years of motorsports experience at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR, SCCA and his own marketing and consulting company with clients including Sears Roebuck, Penske Racing, Sunoco, Dow Chemical, Gatorade, and the US Army. He has designed race courses and served as a race official in special capacities along with racing automobiles for several years. As President of Bell Helmets, Fred Marik oversaw a major product and business expansion for the leading safety helmet company throughout the world. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and has been a publisher of magazines for car collecting and junior golf.

“The karting industry has a huge opportunity to grow and be a recognized part of rapidly growing motorsports business in North America,” said Marik. “Karting is now, more than ever, credited with launching a majority of Indy Car driving careers as well as other racing successes as NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon. In addition, karting provides an excellent opportunity for recreational racing in many forms throughout the country. We look for NAKA to stimulate and promote this growth with active and aggressive programs to assist the karting business to its real potential.”

For information contact NAKA at nakarting@aol.com.

NAKA ANNOUNCES MISSION STATEMENT

Palm Springs, California – The new North American Karting Association has announced it “Mission Statement”. It reads as follows: The purpose of the North American Karting Association is to organize and promote karting related businesses and activities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The optimum goal is to increase the customer base of karting while insuring that safety remains our number one priority. Specifically, the organization will focus on the development of favorable public opinion and mass media exposure; assist in the overall market expansion; develop tracking of industry demographics and statistics; implement a comprehensive government relations program; create an advisory committee to support and promote performance karting; organize a national affinity association; and structure a benefits program for all trade and affinity members.

For more information on the NAKA, contact Fred Marik by phone at 760-416-1864. Fax: 760-323-3374.

LAMB RACING ANNOUNCES 2001 PLANS

Royal Oak Michigan – Lamb Racing has finalized their plans for the 2001 kart racing season. The team also recently announced at KartFest in Hickory, North Carolina, that they would be working with CMS Body Works in a marketing partnership throughout the 2001 racing season.

Lamb Racing’s plans for the year include competing in a majority of the street racing events in the Midwest (USA) including Quincy-In-The-Park and the Rock Island Grand Prix. In addition, the team will be running select pavement oval events with a new Bandit Cyclops chassis. Also, an appearance in the revived 16-Hour “Ultimate” endurance race at Toledo Speedway in Northern Ohio is likely.

The partnership with CMS Body Works took place after many discussions with team owner Todd Lamb and CMS owner Dan Craze and is based on the marketing principles that have been the foundation of Lamb Racing’s success with sponsors.

“I am thrilled to be working with CMS – their level of professionalism and business sense was a key element in deciding to switch bodywork manufacturers,” said Todd Lamb. “Dan and I both felt that we could help each other tremendously as the season progressed, and decided that now would be the perfect opportunity to work together.”

Craze said, “We are pleased to be associated with Lamb Racing, and feel that the opportunity to display CMS Products on karts sponsored by such well recognized manufacturers is going to be a win-win for all involved.”

For more information contact Lamb Racing at www.toddlamb.com.

END

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