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FYI
03-26-2001

A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION (An editorial)

In response to recent contacts made by e-KMI.com to nearly 100 karting and motorsports associations around the world, we are pleased to announce that information has been coming in from the four corners of the world. The first to reply was the Irish Motorsport association, which oversees all of motorsports in Ireland including kart racing.

Today, Ireland (and the British Isles) is in the midst of serious problems which have national and international implications, the dreaded Foot and Mouth Disease. Due to the outbreak of this terrible disease, all motorsports activities in Ireland have been canceled until April 5th when the racing commission will again meet to access the situation. This is a very serious problem that may curtail motorsport activities in all of Europe this spring before it is deemed under control. We must ask that any and all competitors take all necessary precautions and follow the mandated regulations put forth by national governments.

In recent news reports, it seems as though the disease has now spread to Belgium and perhaps elsewhere in Europe. We here in the USA, touted as having the safest food in the world, have already seen extraordinary steps taken to insure that our food continues to be safe. Please, if traveling outside of the USA, do not attempt to bring in any meat or dairy products from Europe or transport products from country to country. – Darrell Sitarz, Editor

AMERICKART UPDATE

Long Beach, California –The following is an Americkart Update from Jean Genibrel, President of Americkart, Inc. Americkart is a driver farm system for CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams). Also, In February, Americkart became a California corporation.

First, Genibrel wants to thank all those who sent letters of support for Bobby Rahal to take to the CART Board of Directors when he meets with them to have Americkart sanctioned and infused into its system. So far, there are twenty-six letters and many more are pledged. Genibrel plans is to have at least fifty letter to Rahal to take to the board and encourages those who promised to follow through and send a letter of support and encouragement. He notes that many of the letters have been from companies outside of karting such as Red Line Oil, K&N Engineering and the Performance Racing Industry.

“I cannot complain about the response from karting”, Genibrel reiterated. “I have letters or verbal support from most of the (kart) chassis manufacturers, including the concept for a private label “spec chassis” that would be manufactured at one location and sold by all manufacturers and importer dealers.” Genibrel says with a grin, “Call me if you have questions about this, it is better than it sounds.”

Next, Genibrel received another letter from Bobby Rahal saying that he was going to talk to CART President Joe Heitzler about the Americkart project soon. The CART office also informed Genibrel that he should be patient and that they will be scheduling an appointment soon.

K&N Engineering has pledged their support in the form of a TITLE SPONSORSHIP. “Most people do not know, but K&N’s (and other companies like Red Line Oil) involvement in karting has been very extensive in terms of assistance and advertising they have provided to the sport,” said Genibrel.

Red Line Oil and Tony Kart have also pledged assistance in the form of secondary sponsorships. “We are talking with some large performance manufacturers to also participate,” Genibrel continued. “Our plan is to raise one-quarter of the sponsorship each from karting, the performance industry, CART, and its sponsors. CART and the performance industry realize that their future customers and fans can come from karting.” Genibrel went on to say, “An alliance with the performance industry and a major organization like CART will pay the dividends in the form of new customers to karting.”

The main attraction in Americkart is of course the entry level, spec class where the driver pays one low fee for the whole year and he/she receives all the equipment, passes and insurance needed for that year. Genibrel states, “That’s right, no more standing in line, registering, etc. The engine will be a modern four-stroke, sealed, with modifications only if necessary to improve reliability and durability, such as rings, valve seats, cylinder bore treatment, all if needed of course and all done before the engine is delivered to the customer.” Americkart may hire a manufacturer such as Edlebrock to manufacture a CNC’d head and a camshaft company to certify the cams to ensure quality. They are also considering electronic fuel injection for the advance classes, as well.

The second division will probably include shifters, direct drive and the possibly the Rotax Max. From one of those classes, a single American karting champion will be determined.

The focus will be on parity among the engines, chassis and tires to develop drivers. This will also open doors for co-ops with the performance industry and it should offer some early exposure of brand names and product identification that will last a lifetime. This is called “Brand Awareness”. Americkart will promote karting, CART, its sponsors and the aftermarket companies involved.

For more information contact Americkart @ 562-498-8172 or e-mail: genibrel@earthlink.net.

ROTAX MAX GRAND FINALS ANNOUNCED

The Official Rotax Max Challenge World Grand Finals has been officially launched by the Youth and Sport Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Hishamuddin Hussein, on behalf of the Prime Minister. It also marked the opening of the Rotax Max Challenge season in this region and worldwide. Mr. Helmut Voglsam, Manager of the Rotax Kart Center and Mr. Franz Reitbauer, the Rotax Vice President of Sales and Marketing also attended the event. The launching took place at the Morec Fast Track Speedzone Go Kart Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

It was an exciting experience for both Bombardier-Rotax GmbH and its local orgainzer, Mofaz Group, to be able to once again gather the top Rotax FR125 Max karters from 54 countries (through 33 distributors) in such an Olympic-style World Grand Finals.

The event is to be held at the Morac International Karting Circuit in Langkawi on January 21-27, 2002. Langkawi is a beautiful island paradise situated on the northern West Coast of Malaysia. The event is expected to bring excitement to the many Malaysian and Rotax followers worldwide alike. The existing 1km will be extended to 1.2km and the whole complex is now under extensive renovation in preparing for the event, with some additional building and facilities being part of the construction. For more information: www.morac.com/mikc/indexmikc.html.

KARTING PAVILION AT THE SEMA SHOW

Palm Springs, California – The new North American Karting Association (NAKA) announced on March 22 its agreement with the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) Show to present the NAKA Karting Pavilion as part of the Las Vegas show from October 30 to November 2, 2001. The show hosts over 80,000 automobile and motorsports business representatives many of whom, for the first time, will get to see today’s performance karting “up close and personal”.

The NAKA Karting Pavilion will be located within the SEMA Show as a feature attraction providing a new marketing venue for karting manufacturers, importers, distributors, suppliers, publications, driving schools, tracks and racing associations. The primary focus of the pavilion will be to explore and open new retail distribution opportunities and general industry awareness of the karting industry.

In addition to the NAKA Karting Pavilion within the SEMA Show, an exhibit of various performance karts and equipment will be on display in an area adjacent to the registration center for the 80,000+ attendees.

Over the last 35 years, the SEMA Show has become the most important automobile aftermarket and performance trade show in the world. Last year, the show included over 1,300 exhibitors and had in excess of 81,000 visitors at the last four-day event at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

NAKA is a trade association representing the entire karting industry, designed to expand, enhance and grow the karting marketplace. It represents all facets of the kart racing industry and is dedicated to the future of the sport.

Participation in the NAKA Karting Pavilion and the performance kart exhibit is open to all members of the karting industry, however, the number of booth spaces available is limited. Contact Fred Marik at the NAKA office at 760-416-1864 for more information.

END

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