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Kart Expo International

FYI
05-20-2001

MAJOR MARKETING PLANS UNDER CONSIDERATION

Montreal, Canada – After reading the column here at e-KMI.com titled “Where are the race fans?” (April, 2001 – Now That I Have Your Attention), Michel Poulin from Kartpro International in Montreal wrote, “I agree 100% with your situation analysis of the karting industry. At KartPro International, we believe the sport of karting could become the fastest growing spectator sport in North America if it is well marketed in first class facilities. We are an integrated media and entertainment company principally engaged in the development, production and marketing of television programming and the licensing and sale of branded consumer products featuring highly successful karting events.”

“We are planning”, he continues, “ the construction of an indoor karting complex (1.5klm x 8m, 5,000 seats and a sliding roof) on a site only 5 minutes from downtown Montreal. We want this karting complex to be the North American showcase for the sport of karting. Montreal is an international city where drivers, customers and spectators from all around the world will feel comfortable. With the exchange rate of Canadian money, U.S. and European karters and visitors will be able to enjoy a first class city at an affordable price.”

Poulin goes on to saY, “ We are planning 24 major events per year. With the head office of Bombardier Rotax in Montreal, we want to present Rotax Max Challenge events in our complex, (along with) SKUSA events, Americart events, Elf MASTER events and the World Indoor Kart Challenge with teams from Canada, USA, France, England, Italy, Germany, Spain Japan, Brazil, etc.

Our operations will organize around four principle activities:
1. The creation, marketing and distribution of our television entertainment. Revenues are derived principally from ticket sales at our live events; the sale of television advertising time and the receipt of television rights fees.
2. The marketing and promotion of our branded merchandise. Revenues are generated from both royalties from the sale of merchandise by third-party licensees and direct sale by us of merchandise and home videos.
3. The creation of a recreational league of 2,800 drivers from the greater Montreal-area.
4. The organization of corporate events and a driving school with training camps available all year to visitors.

Poulin emphasizes, “Since this project has an international vision, I (have) approached Mr. Fred Marik from NAKA (North American Karting Association) and Mr. Tom Agry (TCM Racing), (asking) to assist our group of promoters to identify business and marketing partners from the USA. We already have interest from Octagon Motorsports in England and Tecpro in France.”

He continues, “I have received a letter from Mr. Yvon Leon, president of CIK/FIA confirming that one of his priorities during the next two years will be the promotion of karting around the world and the utilization of major indoor karting events as a promotional strategy. His organization is also recognizing recreational karting as an important avenue to recruit new members and new spectators for live or TV karting events.”

For more information contact Michel Poulin at 418-686-2450 or poulin.m@videotron.ca.

OMEGA KART RACES FOR THE RAINBOW

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – Omega Kart has joined forces with the “Racing For The Rainbow” project to benefit Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and the “We Make A Difference Foundation”. Omega Kart has donated a new Omega Max Kart that will be given away to a lucky contestant at the end of the season.

The “Racing For The Rainbow” project is a motorsports driven program which utilizes a traveling display that will be seen at CART, ALMS, Grand-Am, SCCA, APBA and PCA and other events this season. Close to one million motorsports enthusiasts will have an opportunity to learn about “Racing For The Rainbow” and contribute to its worthy cause by purchasing raffle tickets, giving them a shot at the Omega Max Kart and other prizes.

To kick off the new relationship, SpeedVision World Challenge drivers Neal Sapp and Scott Bove were invited to take part in a karting event at the Mid-Ohio sports car course on April 4-6. Both Sapp and Bove logged more than 2 hours of seat time in the Omega Max Kart as well as an Omega TP13/Yamaha SSX kart. Both drivers were impressed with the speed and agility of the Australian-built Omega karts and the overall atmosphere of the event. “Racing For The Rainbow” creator Gary Christopher also shared driving duties competing in his first-ever race finishing 7th in the Yamaha SSX Can class.
Omega Kart and “Racing For The Rainbow” principles are looking into the creation of a Pro-Am-type karting series which will see professional drivers and weekend warriors race to raise funds for the charity. Drivers will compete in identical equipment thus leveling the playing field.

“Racing For The Rainbow” is the official charity of the SpeedVision World Challenge series which is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). It is also the official charity of the NFL Alumni Association. For more information on the “Racing For The Rainbow” program and a chance to win the Omega Max kart, log-on to www.racingfortherainbow.com.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR KART RACERS

Chicago, Illinois – Race promoter, Rico Hawkes is offering kart racers an opportunity to be part of selected indoor racing events this winter. From his e-mail, “Karter’s would appear along with Monster Trucks and other elements of the show as we present a full package of motorized entertainment. The catch word here is “entertainment”. We would organize a “race” (heats and mains), lots of passing, and lead changes, etc.”

He continues, “Our thoughts are that we would find a group of racers (4-6 karts) that would be able to go to a series of scheduled shows. These racers would than contact other racers in the local area of the show to fill-out a race card of 10-12 vehicles. Our normal schedule is a show on Friday evening, a show on Saturday evening and an occasional show on Sunday afternoon. To enhance the deal with racers, we would make available advertising space for some sponsors on our banner wall as well as P.A. announcements throughout the events. All of this is to be negotiated at a later date. When we find this nucleus of racers, we would work on a week-to-week schedule taking into consideration location, travel, etc.”

Hawkes goes on to say, “ We have an opportunity to run pavement karts in many arenas and are also considering running dirt karts at some of our stadium shows. The tracks would vary in width and length depending on the floor space at each facility. Prior to each event, the group leader would be contacted and information forwarded.”

For more information, contact Rico Hawkes at PACE Motor Sports at 630-566-6405 or cell phone 630-240-8142.

ASIAN KART FESTIVAL (ROTAX MAX)

Kota Bharu, Malaysia – More than 5,000 local spectators braved the midday heat standing dedicatedly watching the second series of Asian Kart Festival 2001, right to the end. This second series of the Asian Kart Festival was held successfully on April 28-29 at the Tenghu Mankota Kart Circuit in Kota Bharu. Located at the East Coast State of Kelantan, the circuit is reputed as one of the most “kidney-crushing” circuits in Malaysia. Its 1.3km length has only one area which can be considered as a straight line, thus requiring the driver’s full attention.

Winners:
Rotax Max Challenge - Rodney Manges – Malaysia
Formula A Open – Charlotta Hellberg – Holland
JICA – Rismeth Emir – Malaysia
Cadet 80cc – Jazeman Firhan –Malaysia
Cadet 60cc – Nik Arfan -Malaysia

The next event will be the Asian Kart Prix which 9is scheduled for June 9-10. It will host the Formula Rotax FR125 Max series, Formula A Open, Intercontinental A, Junior I/C A and Cadet. This will be the 3rd round of the Malaysian level Rotax Max Challenge.

The Asian Kart Prix is being held for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, away from its traditional track at Langkawi. The event will also mark the official opening of the new Fast Track Speedzone Elite Go-Kart Circuit, which is the 3rd go-kart track under the Morac International Karting Circuit umbrella. Given these circumstances, it is expected that this Asian Kart Prix will be a most exciting event, certainly not to be missed by all karting enthusiasts.

FORMER KARTING STAR ON FAST TRACK

A1-Ring, Austria –Italian rising racing star Giorgio Pantano, a former kart racer, was the fastest man on the track for much of the fourth round of the FIA Formula 3000 Championship – but he came away empty-handed after being caught in a first-lap pile-up that decimated the field on May 12th at the Austrian circuit.

Pantano qualified his Astomega Lola 10th fastest after rain washed-out most of the second qualifying session and denied drivers a chance to improve their lap times. “That was a shame,” Pantano said, “because the car felt really good this weekend and I wasn’t fully up to speed by the end of the first session. There was definitely more to come. When we went back out, I was immediately the quickest car on the track, but the rain came before our tires were up to full operating temperature. At some circuits, the tires wear out quite quickly and you tend to set your best time on your first or second lap. But the A1-Ring is very easy on tires and it takes seven or eight laps for them to reach peak efficiency. The rain started before we had a chance to make use of that.”

Pantano made a flying start to the race and gained a couple of places on the run to the first turn where he found himself with nowhere to go. “There were cars flying off the road in all directions,” he said. “I went to the left to keep out of trouble, but there was no spare space on the track for me to turn. I came more or less to a halt and hoped I’d be able to wait for the road to clear, but then Mario Heberfield’s car came flying over mine and took my rear wing off.”

Nine cars were eliminated in the accident, but no drivers were injured. Pantano returned to the track after repairs but was no match for the winner Justin Wilson.

The next event will be on the streets of Monaco on May 26th.

END

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Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
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