e-KMI.com FYI: March 20, 2005

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FYI
3-20-05

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TAG SPECTACULAR TO RUN RAIN OR SHINE!
Toledo Ohio — Rounds 3 and 4 of the Richest series in North American Karting History, the PJ1/Grand Prix Distributing $50,000 TaG Spectacular to be held at Bakers Creek Raceway in Decatur Alabama on April 9-10 will be contested Regardless of the weather!

The tradition of Road Racing in whatever conditions mother nature may deliver will be preserved at Bakers Creek.

Based upon desires expressed by teams, many of which have to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to race in this, the most Lucrative Series in North American Karting History, competitors will have an opportunity to compete for up to $50,000 in cash prizes...even if it rains.

Grand Vitesse Racing's General Manager Glen Mazzone explains it this way..."The teams come to race...When you get drivers and crews with as much talent and experience as this series is attracting, you have people who know how to drive in, and set up for, all conditions." Mazzone continued..."Hopefully we will be delivered a beautiful sunny weekend with those bright blue Alabama Skies...But if not, we want to make sure everyone is ready!"

With tires always being an important factor in any type of racing, regardless of conditions, Grand Prix Distributing will have technical staff on hand to address tire concerns, irrespective of wet or dry conditions, as well as an ample supply of Vega Tires for those competitors unable to purchase prior to the race weekend from their local Vega Dealer.

The spec tire for this event, as it was at Rounds 1-2 of The PJ1/Grand Prix Distributing $500,000 TaG Series will be the Vega "White" tire.

In the event of inclement weather, teams will have the option of the excellent and ultra sticky Vega W-4 Rain tire.

For full information about the PJ1/Grand Prix Distributing TaG Spectacular to be held April 9-10 2005 at Bakers Creek Raceway in Decatur Alabama visit www.grandvitesseracing.com

TONYKART MAKES POWERFUL SHOWING AT STARS OF KARTING, RACE OF THE AMERICAS
Scottsdale, AZ - March 17 - TonyKart factory driver Davide Foré was the big winner at the Stars of Karting, Race of the Americas in the ICA class last weekend in Norman, Oklahoma. Foré, the Formula Super A 2004 World Champion, dominated the race with more than a 3 second lead over second place driver Helmut Sanden from Germany and 6 seconds over third place driver Mike Giessen. Foré qualified on pole and placed first in both the semi-final and final races.

TonyKart drivers from North America achieved excellent results as well. The ICC class was the largest of the weekend, and Jason Bowles of the Compcor U.S. Racing Team placed a strong second. In the JICA class, Canadian driver Xavier Coupal of SH Karting took home the first place trophy for TonyKart, and rookie ICC driver Keith Spicer was a top 10 finisher in his national debut.

Bowles, winner of the 2004 SKUSA Supernationals in the ICC class, made an incredible performance. Starting from 7th place in the grid, Bowles soon moved into third position and was second to cross the finish line, a very good season debut, for both the Compcor racing team and for Bowles himself, who has shown that he is one of the leading kart drivers in the U.S.

A stacked support team including factory TonyKart driver and multi-time Formula C World Champion Alessandro Piccini from Italy provided tuning support. Italian TonyKart team manager Giacomo Aliprandi, race engineer Simone Sorio, Vittorio Venturi, a Vortex engine tuner for World Champion David Foré, and U.S. TonyKart Technical Director Cliff Kujala were also be on hand to assist drivers to attain peak performance and maximum speeds. Also, in attendance at the event were Mr. Roberto Robazzi, President of TonyKart srl, and 1996 Formula Super A World Champion Johnny Mislejevic.

“We’re excited about how our 2005 racing team is shaping up,” said Judy Huber, President of CompCor Distribution, U.S. importer for TonyKart. “Our wins were the result of a real team effort. Our skilled mechanics and track-side staff provided superb support for our drivers. CompCor congratulates the entire TonyKart team for their excellent performance.”

BELL RACING SELECTED AS OFFICIAL HELMET OF ANDRETTI INDOOR KARTING
Irving, Texas — Bell Racing, Inc., is continuing its track record as the de facto standard for protecting the world's up-and-coming auto racers. The maker of industry-leading auto racing helmets and gear has been selected as the official helmet and head safety sponsor of Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, which also will serve as a certified retailer of Bell helmets and accessories. Bell will supply the center with 120 Bell Sprint helmets for use by visitors.

Bell Racing has a rich history in auto racing. More champions in all forms of auto racing have worn Bell helmets than any other brand, including Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jacques Villeneuve, Richard Petty, Bobby Labonte, Al Unser Sr., and Helio Castroneves. In fact, the entire Andretti racing family wears Bell helmets.

"I am extremely pleased that racers at the Andretti Indoor Karting and Games facility will be wearing Bell helmets," said Andretti family patriarch and international racing legend Mario Andretti. "Whenever safety head gear is needed, we always look to Bell to provide the very best available."

NASCAR driver John Andretti who began racing go-karts at nine years of age commented, "I have personally used and trusted Bell helmets throughout my racing career from Indy Car to NASCAR, and I am pleased to have Bell on board as our official helmet supplier."

The newly renovated Andretti Indoor Karting and Games will be unveiled in Roswell, Georgia, on Wednesday, March 16, 2005. The new 100,000 square-foot facility includes two custom European state-of-the-art super race karts, a 25-foot rock wall, a Fuddrucker's Restaurant, the Adrenaline Sky Bar, and two Andretti-designed race tracks: a road course on which 20 of the 40 new super karts can race against one another and an oval track for the sprint car enthusiast on which 10 karts race against one another.

"This relationship unites two of the strongest brands in auto racing Andretti and Bell Racing in a whole new way," said Kyle Kietzmann, general manager of Bell Racing. "Mario, Michael and John have looked to Bell Racing for decades to provide safety and peace of mind, so they can work their magic on the race track."

For more information about Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, visit www.andrettikarting.com.

About Bell Racing — Bell Racing, located in Rantoul, Ill., is a division of Bell Sports, the company that invented the first protective helmets for auto racing, motorcycle riding and cycling over the past 50 years. It designs, tests, markets and sells auto racing helmets and gear for stock car and open-wheel racing. Its products are available through race gear dealers and retailers. www.bellracing.com

About Bell Sports — Bell Sports is the world's leading designer and marketer of helmets and accessories in the auto racing, motorcycle, cycling and action sports categories. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, the company has operations in Santa Cruz, Calif.; Rantoul, Ill.; York, Penn.; Limerick, Ireland; and Hong Kong. Bell Sports distributes its products in 45 countries. More information about Bell bike helmets and accessories is available at www.bellsports.com.

ROCK ISLAND GRAND PRIX NEWS
Rock Island, Illinois — The Rock Island Grand Prix made several important announcements at Kart Expo International in Chicago in February.

NEW PRESENTING SPONSOR: The Rock Island Grand Prix announced that CJC Investments, a franchise within HomeVestors of America, has joined SBC Communications as a Presenting Sponsor of the Labor Day Weekend event. This is the 11th year that SBC Communications has been a Presenting Sponsor. The long- term agreement with HomeVestors’ office in St. Louis, Missouri, will allow for the development of a comprehensive marketing partnership. HomeVestors of America, Inc., trains and supports HomeVestors franchisees who specialize in buying properties in need of repair, expanding and building upon the HomeVestors of America, Inc., reputation for "We Buy Ugly Houses." In every market where HomeVestors exists, the "We Buy Ugly Houses" and "Ugly's OK" campaigns are prominent. To sell your home, CJC Investments, a HomeVestors office in St. Louis, Missouri, can be reached by calling (618) 394-8940. We are excited to officially welcome Courtney Simpson and his company to Rock Island.

KING OF THE STREETS RETURNS: Superkarts! USA and the Rock Island Grand Prix announced that the prestigious SKUSA King of the Streets race will remain at Rock Island for at least the next three years. King of the Streets was created in 1998 as an event that would circulate among various temporary venues. It was held in 1998 at the Oklahoma City Grand Prix and in 1999 at Quincy in the Park with limited success before finding a semi-permanent home at the Rock Island Grand Prix the past five years. As a result, it has become one of the most coveted titles in U.S. kart racing.

The agreement comes as Superkarts! USA retools its programs moving away from the national ProMoto Tour and focusing on regional series and one-off signature events. King of the Streets has become part of the fabric that makes up the Rock Island Grand Prix. Over the years we have enjoyed our relationship with SKUSA and believe in its long-term vision as this commitment shows. Innovations which Rock Island brought to the race, such as the children’s autograph session and putting a cape and crown on the winner at the Start/Finish line following the race, have helped to make this race something special. The spectators, race media and competitors themselves have responded. As a result, the King of the Streets title has become one of the most coveted in the sport. This long-term agreement will allow us to continue to enhance the event without worry that it might be moved elsewhere. For the past five years, the King of the Streets race has been sponsored by the Bob Bondurant SuperKart School in Phoenix, Arizona. That sponsorship will continue for the next three years as well.
STARS COMES TO THE ROCK: The Snap-On Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League and the Rock Island Grand Prix have announced plans to co- promote Intercontinental C and Intercontinental A races at the 2005 Rock Island Grand Prix. The Stars of Karting series and the Rock Island Grand Prix are the only U.S. kart races listed on the CIK International Racing Calendar. Both groups agreed that banding together to promote the CIK classes in the U.S., and the opportunity for foreign teams to race in the U.S., was in the best interests of the sport. The ICC and ICA races will be run under the Stars version of CIK rules. The Rock Island Grand Prix will continue to run Superkarts! USA’s King of the Streets under SKUSA rules.
It has always been our goal to offer racing opportunities to as many karters as possible and that obviously includes those who compete in CIK classes. Our former race director, Tom Argy Jr., stressed that it was important for the U.S. to have a place in international karting and we have done our best to provide that. The timing is right to not only work together in co-promoting these exciting one-off races at the Rock Island Grand Prix, but also to work together to promote ICC and ICA classes in American kart racing. We believe this is a partnership that both groups can benefit from equally.

Snap-On Stars series executive Paul Zalud is on the same page in the need to promote the ICA and ICC classes. “What we have been working toward with the Stars series, and what Roger has been promoting with the Rock Island event, is the creation of a common platform where North American and International participants can compete against each other in large, high-profile events in a common formula. The cooperation between the Stars and the Rock Island Grand Prix is just one more avenue to build up this common platform.”

NEW FUN FOR ANIMALS: Briggs & Stratton Motorsports and the Rock Island Grand Prix announced an exciting new program for 2005 where even the losers can be winners. The program is available in both the senior Briggs & Stratton Animal Rumble at The Rock and the Tom Argy Jr. Animal Roundup for juniors, sponsored by Rieken Racing. Under the new format, racers will not only compete against the field for awards and prize money paid for the first nine places, but will also compete against fellow racers from their own state for a separate $200 prize. In order to qualify, there must be at least four racers from a state entered in the class. The driver who finishes first among competitors from his own state wins a check for $200. Under this exciting new format, a driver could finish in 20th place and still win the $200 check as long as every other driver from his state finished behind him.

Drivers will be assigned to states based on the driver’s state of residence. The Rock Island Grand Prix is known for its innovative programs and bringing fun to the sport of kart racing. We are excited about this new program and hope it will encourage groups of racers from the same club or region, to come and compete together in the Animal classes. We think this new program will encourage competitive racing throughout the field which will provide for more excitement for our thousands of spectators. In theory, with a full 30-kart field in each Animal class, there could be 7 individual state awards based on 4 entries per state. That’s the potential for an additional $2,800 in prize money.

2005 RACE LINEUP: The Rock Island Grand Prix has announced its race lineup for the Sept. 3-4, 2005 event. The 15-race lineup remains unchanged from 2004. “The Rock” will once again host Superkarts! USA’s King of the Streets. The races will again be listed on the International Race Calendar of the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK) – the world governing body for kart racing. Intercontinental A and Intercontinental C races under CIK rules will be co-promoted by Snap-On Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League and will be run under the Stars’ version of CIK regulations. Rock Island will again host the Briggs & Stratton Rumble at The Rock event for senior Animal motors, and the Tom Argy Jr. Animal Roundup for junior 4-cycle Animals. It will also run 4-cycle classes for Raptor motors. The top 10 finishers in the TAG International Senior and TAG International Masters classes will qualify directly to the TAG World Championships later this season in New Castle, Indiana. Rock Island will also run 2-cycle can and pipe classes, as well as 125cc Masters for moto and ICC, and 125cc moto class under SKUSA rules.

AIR SERVICE GROWS: Beginning in June, American Airlines will provide daily air service between the Quad-Cities and Dallas. This improves the opportunity to get to Quad City International Airport in Moline from the south and west. Discussions continue with several airlines to provide service from Phoenix. If you are considering air travel to the Rock Island Grand Prix, we urge you to consider connections which will NOT take you through Chicago O’Hare, where flights are almost certain to be delayed and connections missed (as detailed in Bonnier Moulton’s report in Kartsport last year). Besides O’Hare and Dallas, air service to the Quad-Cities is available through Minneapolis, Denver, Memphis, Detroit, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Orlando. There are a number of connections daily to O'Hare, but please plan plenty of time for connections if you go through Chicago

ENTRY INFORMATION: Race entry packets will be mailed to past participants and others on our mailing list in late April. On-line registration through the RIGP website will be updated and available at the same time.

AMUSEMENT SHOWCASE INTERNATIONAL 2006
Orland Park, Illinois — Amusement Showcase International 2006 will be held next year in Chicago, Illinois, March 16-18, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel. Based on information received from a survey taken by show management, W. T. Glasgow, Inc. and comments from exhibitors and attendees alike, the consensus was to have it again next year in the Windy City. Based on the results of the survey, the show has been moved later into March, which hopefully will bring a bit more cooperation from Mother Nature, and also will not conflict with other shows that will be taking place, specifically the Night Club and Bar Show and ASD/AMD. In addition to the later dates not conflicting with other shows, attendees and exhibitors at ASI 2006 will be able to experience St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago!

On March 17th, everyone is Irish in Chicago. From the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled from Friday, March 17th, to the very Irish Green-dyed Chicago River, to the green beer being served everywhere – you will experience St. Patrick’s Day like you never have before. Mike Rudowicz, President of the American Amusement Machine Association stated, the timing should be perfect because of the great atmosphere Chicago has for St. Patrick’s Day.

Survey results indicated that more than 50% of ASI exhibitors rated “quality of Traffic” as “Good” or “Excellent”. Hometown exhibitor, Stern Pinball, reported on their survey, “They saw more export customers and operators from the East Coast and Midwest than at previous shows.” A similar reaction came from the Fun Company booth. Their survey response read, “Chicago is an excellent location. It’s central for East and West Coast vendors.” Mike added, “Many of the exhibitors had an excellent show, especially with post-show follow-up. The survey overwhelmingly indicated exhibitors wanted to try Chicago again next year.” Comments such as those from Stern and the Fun Company were echoed over and over again in the comments area of the survey.

Show committee chairman, Sal Mirando (Costal Amusements), commented, “Based on input from exhibitors and attendees, we decided to have the show once again in Chicago. Attendees overwhelmingly approved the social aspect of the show—having everyone in the Hyatt was reminiscent of the heyday in the coin-op business. The bar scene in the Hyatt was especially active and brought many of the attendees together. Given all of the input and general feeling of everyone who attended the show, we made the decision to have it once again in Chicago.’

ASI, now in its 21st year, is the annual spring trade show for the coin-operated amusement industry. It is solely owner and operated by the American Amusement Machine Association, the international trade association for manufacturers and distributors of coin-operated equipment, located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more information about exhibiting or attending, contact ASI show management, William T. Glasgow, Inc. at telephone 708-226-1300, Fax: 708-226-1310, e-mail: info@wtglasgow.com or visit www.asi-show.com.

FELLOW KARTER PROMOTES TRAILER THEFT PREVENTION
New Braunfels, Texas — Lyle Clark, a fellow kart racer for 26 years, is a lot like you. “I travel all over enjoying the sport I love. My wife of 19 years and I work very hard to have the freedom and opportunity to do so,” said Clark. “We carry a lot of expensive equipment and “toys” in our enclosed trailer, just like most of you. What all of us have worked so hard to have, we would all like to keep! I feel very fortunate that karting has offered me the chance to accomplish a few things in racing, and in life. Being a small business owner and living in New Braunfels, TX, I have seen a lot, from local kart racing to national events all over our fine country.”

“But I have to say, the most disheartening thing I have experienced was hearing that a fellow racer’s trailer was vandalized, broken into, or worst of all, STOLEN!,” Lyle confided. “We’ve all heard about and read the stories. It has happened to a friend of mine, twice. Don’t you think most of us would benefit as drivers to be able to sleep at night, on the road, in a comfortable hotel, not having to worry about our trailers and equipment? I know I would, and do. Being in the technology field, I have decided to try to make a difference. Whether you are a national caliber racer or a weekend warrior, I now have several products that will allow you to put your mind at ease.”

Clark continued, “After testing several devices, I wanted to design and create something affordable with the everyday kart racer in mind. The system I currently have installed uses microwave sensors instead of shock or door pin sensors. The unit has adjustable sensitivity settings and will transmit its signal up to _ mile to a key chain receiver. It also has the ability to be wired in your electrical system, so not only will you get the warning, but horns will be sounding and lights blinking. This will cause a lot of attention, and believe me, that attention is what thieves don’t want!”

The real beauty of the system is that it can be installed virtually anywhere in your trailer. Hide it in a cabinet with a battery power supply (which can be charged by an optional solar panel), and rest easy. Here’s the real kicker: If, in the case someone were still able to get away with your trailer, having a GPS tracking device hidden on it allows you the means to track it down. What could give you more satisfaction than catching the thieves right away?

Even cooler, there are several ways to monitor the whereabouts of your property, and they are all cost effective. There’s no sense in having a tracking system if you can’t afford to monitor it.

“My four year-old son is now driving a kart and is looking forward to being able to race. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to take him to a race, and then have to explain that he can’t race because some thief stole his kart along with our trailer. So take it from a four-time IKF Regional Road Race Champion, and 1992 WKA Manufacturers Cup Champion: Traveling to races can be some of the most fun times we have in our sport! There is plenty to think about when racing; I am hoping to offer you peace of mind at the same time. You’ll get better rest knowing prevention and recovery are possible with my alarm systems, and you’ll race better.”

For more information, see www.trailer-alarms.com.

MRP MOTORSPORT / BIREL TEAM MAKES BIG STATEMENT AT STARS OPENER
Norman, Oklahoma — The MRP Motorsport / Birel team and Team Manager, Chris Lobaugh, had one goal for the opening round of the STARS of Karting Championship in Norman, OK and that goal was accomplished with flying colors. The MRP team worked hard all weekend to establish themselves at or near the top of nearly every class’s time charts as well as taking five podiums in three classes to close out the weekend.

In the headline ICC class, it was Wesley Boswell that struck first for the team utilizing the Birel™ chassis, taking pole by three-tenths of a second over teammate Alex Speed, setting a new track record for the Oklahoma Motorsports Complex in the process. Ryan Phinny was also in the hunt by the end of the session, qualifying fifth in the 66-kart group. By the end of the weekend, however, it was Alex Speed who won both the pre-final and the final for the MRP/Birel squad and Boswell would settle for a hard-fought 3rd place result.

“We had a great presence this weekend and showed very well,” said Boswell. “Alex and I had the front row locked up for the final with me on outside pole. We all worked together on set-up all weekend, but we went a little different direction for today and the kart went away towards the middle so that cost us. Alex did great and congratulations go to him for a great win. There was a chance I could have got back up to second at the end but I ran out of time.

In the hotly contested ICA class, MRP’s newest customer, Adam Johnson, struck first by logging the fastest laps in practice in his debut with the team over the heavily experienced drivers of Helmut Sanden and World Champion, David Fore. Johnson went on to qualify third behind the duo, fastest in the first group, with last year’s STARS Eastern Tour champ, Michael Giessen logging the fifth-fastest time. For the final it was Giessen that would carry the flag as the top American finishing 3rd behind Fore and Sanden.

The Birel team made another big impact in the Cadet class with Sage Karam and Oscar Tunjo Sanchez taking a 1-2 finish in the 38-kart field. Only one-second separated the top eight karts in this class.

“Overall we did pretty well as a team,” said Chris Lobaugh, MRP Team Manager. “In the big classes we both qualified and finished very well, with team members on nearly every podium. We also had guys that struggled early that came on at the end and in the end did very well. This is definitely good momentum for us and we all shared information among drivers and mechanics which has a lot to do with the performance this weekend.”

MRP Motorsport was the 2003 SKI “Team of the Year” and were nominees for “Team of the Year” and two separate “Tuner of the Year” awards in 2004. MRP is the largest importer of Birel chassis and Freeline accessories in North America with over 40 dealers throughout the United States. With a retail location in Three Oaks, MI and a warehouse facility that stocks nearly $2-million in inventory, MRP ensures prompt and accurate customer support. For more information on MRP Motorsport race program, contact Chris Lobaugh at MRP Motorsport (269-756-9133) or contact us via email @ chris@mrpmotorsport.com.

WKA LEADS THE KARTING INDUSTRY IN SAFETY FOR OUR FUTURE RACERS
Concord, North Carolina — The World Karting Association (WKA) and the Safety Foundation Institute (SFI) announced certification standards for chest protectors effective for Kid Kart drivers 5 to 7 years of age.

Effective December 26, 2005, WKA will require SFI certified chest protectors in all Kid Kart events. SFI is now beginning to develop standards for chest protectors for kids in age groups 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. WKA plans to add those requirements for SFI certified vests in the competition year following the announcement of each of these standards.

Ribtect has already received SFI certification for their patent pending chest protectors due out by the end of March 2005.

"We recognize the need for added safety in our sport. After hearing about some accidents where the child was seriously injured or killed due to internal injury, we went to the drawing board to design a product that would help." -- Robby Mott, Ribtect.

The World Karting Association works closely with SFI on a regular basis in order to maintain the highest standards for safety in the karting industry. Mandating chest protectors is another way to ensure the safety of our Kid Kart and Junior drivers and for WKA to continually strive for excellence in safety.

"Being affiliated with the Safety Foundation Institute allows WKA to maintain our safety standards at the highest level possible. Safety continues to be our top priority," -- Randy Kugler, WKA President.

SFI has been working diligently to create a standard for the chest protector, including extensive testing and research to ensure certified products hold true to WKA’s high safety standards.

"This chest protector has been in the hands of SFI for about 8 months now. We want to make sure this product works as well as we think it will. The product has been through extensive testing at the Delphi facility. We have found that the child’s chest will take 67% less impact with the Ribtect Chest Protector." – Robby Mott, Ribtect.

Other manufacturers interested in getting chest protectors certified should contact Arnie Kuhns of SFI at 858-451-8868.

END

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