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FYI
03-28-04

WKA AND STARS OF KARTING ANNOUNCE 5-YEAR COOPERATIVE

Hilliard, Ohio — The Snap-on Stars of Karting and the World Karting Association (WKA) announced today a 5-year alliance. Officially, through the 2008 season, the Stars of Karting recognizes the WKA as the official feeder, and support program for all of its series’ championships. With the new cooperative effort between the two organizations, WKA

officially recognizes the Stars of Karting program as the highest level of Professional Sprint Karting competition that a WKA member can compete in.

Randy Kugler stated, “WKA’s relationship with the Stars of Karting has been beneficial for both parties. Stars of Karting offers an opportunity for our Manufacturer’s Cup drivers to step it up to the CIK International style of racing. The high profile and visibility offered through the Stars of Karting benefits not only WKA, but also our entire sport. Television coverage in 2003 was unprecedented thanks to the Stars program. The future looks very
bright for karting.”

“The entire WKA organization has been a great help to the Stars series, and we want to continue to be able to rely on the experience and infrastructure their organization provides,² said Stars Of Karting’s Paul Zalud. “Adding another grass-roots regional racing program to the schedule would not be in the best interest for the karter,” continued Zalud. “The Stars organization doesn’t want to operate its own regional program, especially when forming an
alliance with WKA makes so much more sense for both organizations. We want to help bring the WKA out west, and look forward to being a significant part of a true National Championship series, where there is a clear and concise structure from first introduction to our sport, all the way to top.”

Kevin Williams, Stars of Karting Race Director and the person responsible for West coast development of the WKA programs added, "The Stars and WKA partnership is a thrilling step in the right direction for the karting community, providing a natural progression thru the karting ranks. Through participation in WKA's Sprint Series and both East and West Manufacturer Cups, Drivers can now qualify for the Stars Finale. A true partnership that
will offer something for all karters."

2004 Snap-on Stars of Karting approved WKA Event List

Manufacturer's Cup East
(Participate in 3 of 4 Races)

Manufacturer's Cup West
(Participate in 4 of 5 Races)

Empire State Sprint Series
(Participate in 3 of 4 Races)

Maryland Divisional Sprint Series
(Participate in 4 of 6 Races)

Florida Champ. Sprint Series
(Participate in 4 of 5 Races)

Rocky Mountain West
Divisional Sprint Series
(Participate in 5 Races)

Midwest Sprint Series
(Participate in 4 of 5 Races)

Northwest Sprint Series
(Participate in 4 of 6 Races)

Starting in the 2005 season all Stars of Karting memberships will be applied for, and distributed by, the WKA. In this process, anyone wanting to participate in the Stars National Series will simply get an additional upgrade of license directly through WKA.

TCM RACING VIDEOS— KARTING HISTORY ON DVD
Niagara Falls, New York — Old karting videos from around the world are available now on DVD. Drivers from all over the world compete at Championships, from the USA to China, Italy, France, and more. Watch World Karting Champions like Alessandro Manetti, Massimiliano Orsini, and 5 time world champion Danilo Rossi, or drivers like Jenson Button, Jarno Trulli, Giorgio Pantano, Anthony Davidson, and others that are now in Formula 1, Formula 3000, and other series.

Karting is a big part of motorsports. Most of the drivers in Formula 1, Formula 3000, NASCAR, CART, IRL, and other motorsports series have some form of karting in their background. Some still race karts or even have their own line of karts. In these videos, you will see drivers racing karts before they began their careers in Formula 1, Formula 3000, and other motor sports series. You will even see some Formula 1 drivers at the age of 10 racing in the cadet class. Watch the last time Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost dual it out in karts.

Description of DVD Videos:
1993 - 1998 World Championships
Each of these 6 DVDs has approximately 60 minutes of wheel to wheel karting action. About 70 or more drivers from around the world race in two classes, Formula A and Formula Super A, to become Kart Champion of the World. Watch drivers like Jarno Trulli, Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson, and many more, racing in karts before their Formula 1 career. About half the drivers in these 6 DVD are now in Formula 1, Formula 3000, CART, IRL, and other motor sports series.

1990 The Gulf Oil Super Prix
120 minutes of karts spinning, guys flipping, and boys crying. Drivers from around the world ages as young as 8 up to about 40 race at The Gulf Oil Super Prix. Watch future Formula 1 drivers like Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson at the age of 10 racing 2 cycle 60cc karts in the cadet class.

1993 Elf Masters Indoor, Bercy, France
54 minutes of karting action indoors. Driver getting so mad that they are ready to fight. Drivers reaching speeds of 100 mph inches from the walls. Formula 1 drivers battle it out to win. Famous Formula 1 drivers like Senna and Prost dual it out. This is the last time Senna and Prost raced together in karts.

Gearbox Championships
1991 Review:
60 minutes of shifter karts reaching speeds over 160 mph. On some track these kart can go faster than Formula 3000 cars. Neither rain or sun stops them from racing their fastest.

1993 Review:
2 hours of the fastest karts in the world, with speeds reaching over 160 mph. Drivers from all over the world compete to become Superkart Champion of the World.

European Championships
Approximately 60 minutes on each of these 3 DVDs of karters from around the world competing to win the title of European Kart Champion. Watch future Formula 1 drivers like Jenson Button battle with future Formula 3000 drivers like Giorgio Pantano and other world famous drivers for the European title. Driver crashing, men fighting, and karts that don't like to stay on the track.
North American Championships

1996:
60 minutes of kart drivers from around the world coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway to race at the North American Championships. This video not only shows the European classes, Formula A and Formula Super A, it also shows dirt racing and endurance racing that is only found in the USA.

1998:
1 hour of drivers from around the world racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Formula Super A, Formula C (shifter karts), and Formula A make up the North American Kart Championships.

1996 Shell/Asia World Cup Suzuka, Japan
About 60 minutes of karters from around the world battle for the World Cup in Suzuka, Japan. Watch drivers like Giorgio Pantano and Jenson Button that race Formula 1 now.

These DVD and many more are available. For more info contact TCM Racing Videos TCMVideos@aol.com. Dealer inquires invited.

DARIN MARCUS OUTRACES THE BEST AT SKUSA PROMOTO TOUR
Jacksonville, Florida — Sixteen year-old karting standout Darin Marcus competed in his first pro race of 2004 this past weekend at the SuperKarts! USA (SKUSA) ProMoto Tour located at the 103rd Street Motorsports Complex in Jacksonville, FL. Darin used his CRS powered First Kart to take two podium results including a victory in the opening round of the East SKUSA ProMoto Tour.

After traveling to various race venues throughout 2003, Marcus made a name for himself in his rookie campaign. Turning heads at several races towards the end of last season had many critics believing that he would be a threat for the championship in any series he chose to compete in. When the lead seat on the First Kart North American race team was vacated by Stars of Tomorrow champion Bobby Wilson, team manager Tony Ventresca turned to Marcus who graciously accepted the challenge of filling some pretty big shoes.

Marcus hit the track for Friday’s test session where he faired extremely well. Though not on the top of the time sheets, team engineer Terry Ventresca and tuner Trevor Daley thrashed late into Friday evening ensuring Darin’s machine was ready for Saturday’s sessions.

“We had a little trouble in qualifying,” explained Marcus after being sent to the back of the grid. “At the weigh scale we came up a pound short and now have to start from the tail of the field.” Marcus used the pre-final to gain several positions, advancing from 18th to sixth with several bold moves at the end of Jacksonville’s 1000 foot straightaway. From the sixth position, Marcus used his knowledge, skills and abilities to move towards the front of the field. Taking the lead four laps from the end put Marcus in terrific position to take his first career SuperPro victory.

“I held off Tyler (Givogue),” stated an excited Marcus. “He put the pressure on me a lot at the end of the straight on the final lap and we banged a little. I managed to hold him off and take the win. This is the best day of my short racing career and I look forward to a repeat in tomorrow’s race.” At the podium presentation Darin was congratulated by team manager Ventresca via cell phone as a delay in his travel schedule forced him to miss the first day of competition.

For Marcus and his First Kart North American race team, Sunday started out much better. Qualifying in the 4th position would see the talented 16-year-old use his speed to stay with the leaders rather than coming from the rear of the field in the early afternoon heat race. Marcus quickly jumped to P3 with a blazing start that saw him launch off the starting grid with a vengeance. He was able to keep pace with the lead group but not advance any further before the checkered flag flew.

The feature event provided the same result for young Marcus as he was unable to get the jump needed to get to the front. The leaders opened a two second gap on Marcus before beginning to battle, ultimately slowing their lap times. Darin put his head down and tried to take advantage of the opportunity, closing the gap dramatically before running out of time, finishing on the podium in 3rd place.

Marcus was very excited on the podium stating that this was a great way to start off the 2004 season. Looking forward to the next event that will be held at Trane Motor Speedway in Norway, IL, Marcus will let the victory set in as he prepares to enter the next event as the SuperPro point leader on the ProMoto Tour.

Darin is actively seeking sponsorship money to move up the motorsports ladder and advance his career. The team currently enjoys sponsorship support from Nike and Mobil One, but ideally, Darin would like to add the name of a local Chicago based company. A possible step to any of the junior formula series will show spectators that Darin Marcus is a true champion in the motorsports community. Appropriately, Darin’s father can be reached at racingdad@sbcglobal.net

OAKLAND VALLEY RACE PARK WELCOMES VENDORS TO BRIDGESTONE TIRE SERIES!
At the 2004 Swap Meet and Preseason Rules Meeting Tom Johnson announced that Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, NY, has decided to welcome vendors to the Bridgestone Tire Series, in exchange for sponsorship. This exciting addition to OVRP's race season is expected to have the greatest turnout in the series' history. Previously hosted at another venue, Grand Products sough out OVRP to produce excellent races that have a healthy integration of professionalism, safety, and family atmosphere.

Kate Johnson of OVRP comments, " We felt this was the greatest way to expand the series while keeping our primary focus on the racers and their recognition for participation. We anticipate many large vendors will step up and support their clientele in a local race series. This is a fabulous way to increase attendance, media coverage, and racer rewards. As always we look to keep the racer's happy, satisfied, and handsomely rewarded."

The Bridgestone Tire Series, sponsored by Grand Products, is a 5 race series with one double points race. Racers must participate in 4 of the 5 races to be eligible for award recognition. Championship awards will be presented at the 2004 OVRP Annual Awards Banquet and given to top five eligible in each class. For more information on racing classes see http://www.ovrp.com/2004classes.html.

For information contact Kate @ 845.754.8500 or kate@ovrpweb.com or check their website at www.ovrp.com.

GODSPEED SCOTT SPEED
New York City, New York — The hopes of thousands of American race fans looking for a Formula One driver to truly call their own lie in the capable, fearless, and talented hands of the Red Bull Driver Search winning drivers who are competing this weekend in the opening two rounds of the Formula Renault Eurocup series, a recognized breeding ground (and shark tank) from which talent emerge on their way to Formula One Success.

This weekend, Scott Speed, Colin Fleming, and Dominique Claessens will be racing in far-away Italy, at the famed Monza facility, as they each begin to stake their claim that they are the American Formula One driver of the future. Each has shown that they have the determination to make it, and have sacrificed the comforts of home in exchange for the opportunity to shine. The tracks are new, the languages are unfamiliar, and the teammates are yet strangers, but these small things will not deter these three Americans who are racing for both their own future, and for the pride of their country, to be the first American in Formula One for more than a decade.

Red Bull Driver Search winner Scott Speed, of Manteca, California, got off to a fast start to the 2004 Formula Renault Eurocup season, scoring the pole position in both rounds of qualifying for the two season-opening races at the famed Monza track in Italy this weekend.

Speed, who was a 2002 Red Bull Driver Search winner, and posted a strong campaign in British Formula 3 last season, was ecstatic with his weekend thus far, which saw him also lead the open testing in advance of the event. Speed has high hopes for the two races, but wouldn’t take all the credit for his pace.

“It was a fantastic day for me, I am so excited to be in this position!” enthused Speed. “I am working with one of the best teams in the series, with the best engineer in the paddock, and that is making a tremendous difference for me here.”

The pole marks the best qualifying effort to date for any of the Red Bull Driver Search winners who are now part of the Red Bull Junior Team, and Speed is ready to convert his pole positions into wins this weekend on a track that he is awed by.

“We have been fast right from the get-go, and I really think that if the weather stays the same, we should be able to get two wins here this weekend,” said Speed. “This is such an amazing track, with all the history behind it, that its really exciting to be running well here.”

Speed’s qualifying performance was emphatic, as he powered his Red Bull Motopark Academy team car to pole position in the first session by more than .7 seconds, and backed that effort up in the second session with a lap that was .4 seconds clear of the field, leaving no doubt about his speed.

END

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