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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

GO KARTING!
A Guide To The World's Most Popular Motorsport.

Kart Expo International

• PERMANENT INJUNCTION AGAINST ILLINOIS KART TRACKS

“Opossum Grape. Inc. has intentionally avoided the Carnival and Amusement Rises Safety Act’s purpose of protecting the public’s safety,” said Robert M. Healey, Illinois Department of Labor Director. “This permanent injunction protects the public from any future irreparable harm.”

Pursant to the Carnival and Amusement Rides Safety Act, personal injury incidents are required to be reported to the Department of Labor within 24 hours of the incident occurrence. Opossum Grape Inc. has repeatedly failed to notify the Department of injuries sustained at its 5 Illinois facilities located in: Melrose Park, Palatine, Tinley Park, Waukegan and Wheeling. In particular, a Department review of the Country Club Hills Fire Protection District records revealed that emergency response personnel were called to one facility on twelve separate occasions for a total of 15 injuries.

On June 30, 2000, there was an incident at the Opossum Grape, Inc. owned go-kart track in Palatine, Illinois that involved a 3-year old child and which resulted in a fatality. Notification of the incident by the Palatine track was not received by the IDOL until July 7, 2000.

• “CARES” MEETING

CARES now has 21 states and two Canadian provinces as members and participants in the ongoing discussions ranging from uniform forms for ride applications, uniform incident reporting procedures, standards for inspection of rides and tracking of ride data including inspection and incident reports by individual ride. These topics are now handles in various ways by regulatory agencies. 

Marcus Lovelady, the newly elected President, stated, “ The major goal of CARES is to first start the states talking about uniform reporting and procedures and then help each jurisdiction to work together to actually make their programs uniform. We think that this will help the public and the ride industry, while increasing the level of safety.”

CARES adopted an Advisory Board to allow for input and advice from a balance of interests. The Board will be made up of representatives from the manufacturers, insurance industry, mobile ride owners, fixed site ride owners, independent inspectors and consumers.

CARES is developing a web site for better communication between members and to get information out about meetings, committees, and other ride-related information. The President indicated that, “we are looking forward to a growing information body of data regarding ride safety, based on our individual program activity. We feel that an informed public and industry about ride safety and the many programs supported by the individual governmental jurisdictions will help everyone to better understand the issues of ride safety.

For more information: CARES c/o Marcus Lovelady @ 404-656-2966, Fax: 404-651-8477.

• OHIO KIDS PROMOTE KART RACING

Prior to the school board meeting, Ohio Karting Group made arrangement with the local library system to host two special presentations about kart racing. Libraries are constantly seeking low cost family programs to bring people into the facility. One program is set for April 7th and the other for November 3rd and different parts of the county. AS part of their normal course of business, the library system sends a flyer out to each household in the county about any special library programs. It is quite common for library to promote services.

The article: ON THE SAME TRACK – Although the Brunswick City School District doesn’t have an official motorsports team, they have excellent representation on the racing track with students Franco Filice and Billy Gabel. During the last racing season, to their surprise, they both literally found themselves on the same track at Barberton Speedway. Franco, a sophomore at Brunswick High School, has been racing for the last seven years and Billy, a 6th grader at Huntington Elementary, competed in his rookie season last year. In addition to their new friendship, they have enjoyed many successes in their racing careers, and they both have seen many parallels between the racing and their education.

People often ask them, “What the heck is kart racing?’ Well, it is a thrilling, challenging sport that involves racing at exhilarating speeds just inches above the ground. It requires many of the same exacting skills and techniques, which are essential to the most advances professional level of auto racing. Karting is also a venue in which a vast majority of big name, professional drives honed their skills.

“Getting ready for a racing season is no small task,” said seasoned racer Franco. “Entering this season, it has been much harder to prepare everything than last year,” remarked Billy. Gearing up for a racing season begins the second the previous season ends. In a sport where innovation is the gap between first and second, constant research and development is the first step to having a successful racing season. Things like engine research, chassis set-up, and being aware of any rule changes that may affect your (racing) class are just a sampling of the tasks involved in preparing for the season. Just as in schoolwork, success is directly related to your preparation and effort.

For both Gable and Filice, sponsors are a significant part of their racing teams. “I am very grateful for the assistance I have received from Shale’s Steak 2 Restaurant, Glidden House Inn and All Season’s Landscaping. Along with my parents, they have made it possible for me to race,” said Franco. Billy recognizes the role his sponsors have played as well. “Not only is the Norris Auto Team one of my sponsors, but my family and almost all of our friends buy their cars and trucks from them. It’s really great to have a sponsor that is such a good company to represent.” In addition to his other sponsors, Fantastic Finish Auto Body and Absolute Remodeling, Billy tries to thank his family as often as possible for all their help with his racing.

It is not everyday you see a 16-year old and a twelve-year old being the best of friends, but racing is more than fast laps and checkered flags. It’s people that really make racing fun. This is especially true in the sportsmanship-oriented realm of kart racing. Melissa Gabel, Memorial 4th Grader and Billy’s sister, is going to be joining in the fun as a Rookie Gas driver in the coming season.

In an effort to educate the public about karting, these three Brunswick racers will be offering a presentation at the Brunswick Library on April 7th at 10:30 AM. There, everyone will be able to see the racing karts up close, meet the drivers, learn more about kart racing and weather permitting, see a live demonstration. Mark your calendars.
 

END

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