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FYI
06-05-04

‘SHIFTER KART ILLUSTRATED’ TO EXPAND FOCUS

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada — Howden Communications Inc. (HCI) – the publisher of three motorsport magazines - is thrilled to announce the expanded focus of their flagship publication - Shifter Kart Illustrated. Over the past five years, the monthly periodical has focused solely on the fast-paced and exciting world of shifter kart racing but the current evolution within the sport has called for a progression in the leading publication. Re-badged as ‘Super Kart Illustrated’, the new-look SKI will debut at the Rock Island Grand Prix over the Labor Day weekend. The launch will bring about a new level of race coverage for the sport’s national programs. SKI will continue to provide its unparalleled coverage to the shifterkart community and it will expand to include the top levels of sprint racing such as ICA, JICA and the increasingly popular TaG programs.

SKI is a publication that has become a media foundation for the sport of kart racing. The new focus of the magazine will include kart racing throughout the United States and Canada with the inclusion of European coverage in the very near future. With in-depth national race coverage, current news, results reporting, personality profiles, thought-provoking feature articles and leading-edge technical articles by prominent industry professionals, the new-look SKI will provide North American kart racers with a monthly one-stop shop for all the info in the world of kart racing. The magazine remains dedicated to making stars in the sport and is focused on providing exposure to the masses.

A magazine tailored towards the upper echelon of kart racing, the name Super Kart Illustrated was developed by SKI officials using their experience in the industry. “All of the racing karts in North America truly are Super Karts,” explained Publisher Rob Howden. “We need to draw more people into the sport of kart racing and we need to shake the current perception of our machines as yard or rental karts. With our aggressive trackside distribution strategy taking SKI to pre-qualified motorsport enthusiasts, we will be looking to entice these fans to get behind the wheel of their very own racing karts.”

With the launch set for the RIGP in early September, the SKI staff is well into the planning stages for the increased coverage within the publication. Four issues are planned for the months between September and December and in order to get the new format exposure, the company will be printing an additional 10,000 copies each issue as the first order of business.

An experienced technical team is being assembled to supply Race Shop articles focused on all classes and these segments will run alongside SKI’s existing Memo Gidley Secrets of Speed series.

“SKI has set the standard for race coverage for the past five years,” said SKI Editor Tim Blaney. “Whenever we attend race events, we are constantly asked when we will start the coverage of classes like TaG and ICA. After months of gauging the direction in which this industry is headed, we made the calculated decision that the market dictated a change.”

Shifter Kart Illustrated will continue as a shifter-only publication through the months of June, July and August with the first issue of Super Kart Illustrated planned for September. New SKI media kits will be available in early June along with the launch of the publication’s updated website @ www.superkartmag.com.

To obtain more information on HCI and Super Kart Illustrated or for advertising questions, please contact Rob Howden at the HCI World Headquarters at 905-271-3236 or rhowden@hcionline.ca. SKI Editor Tim Blaney can be reached at the Seattle office at 206-818-4374 or twblaney@hcionline.ca

MARTIN CUSTOM PRODUCTS BUYS ENGINETICS
Dayton, Ohio— Paul Martin, President of Martin Custom Products, said, in an announcement of May 30, “I am pleased to announce that as of May 27, 2004, Martin Custom Products, Inc., manufacturer of MCP Brake Systems, is the new home of Enginetics Brake Corporation as well. MCP, Inc. has purchased the assets, domain name and the rights to the name "Enginetics Brake Corporation." This purchase does not include or have anything to do with Enginetics Aerospace, which is a major supplier of jet engine components to the aerospace industry.”

Martin continued, “Both line of brakes will continue in the market place as normal. Having served as the general manager of Enginetics Brake Corporation from 1980 to 1990, many of the items in that line of brakes are of my design and I am pleased to see they have stood the test of time.”

The acquisition of Enginetics Brake Corporation will allow Martin Custom Products, Inc. to service an even greater range of needs in the ever growing small recreational vehicle market, which includes racing karts, motorcycles, mini choppers, pedicabs, buggies, ATV's, ultralight and homebuilt aircraft, etc.

For more information, contact Martin Custom Products, Inc. (MCP Brake Systems), P.O. Box 261, 1076 Gateway Drive, Dayton, OH 45404. Telephone: 937-228-0270, Fax: 937-461-4371.

DOUBLE POLES, BUT DOUBLE DISAPPOINTMENT
New York City, New York — Red Bull Junior Team racer Matt Jaskol got his race season underway this weekend in the double-race debut event for Formula BMW USA at Lime Rock Park. Jaskol netted the pole position for the first race and was leading when he suffered electrical problems and was forced to accept a 12th place finish.

The second race of the weekend again saw the Las Vegas youngster starting from the pole position, but he was unable to protect the lead and finished in second, as his car didn’t have the pace to take the win. The win-stealing gremlins in Jaskol’s FBMW forced his Autotecnica team to do a thorough check of the car, leaving little time to optimize the set-up for the second race.

“The team worked very hard to change every sensor in the car to try to fix our electrical problem so we did not have the time to work on the race trim,” Jaskol said. “With today’s condition changes we did not have the straight-line speed we needed and I had to settle for second. With two poles we have shown that we have the speed to win, but it was just not our weekend.”

The race weekend leaves him in fifth place in the overall points championship as the series heads North to race in support of the Canadian Grand Prix on 11-13 June.

The 2004 Red Bull Driver Search program aims to discover and support the "diamond in the rough," lacking the knowledge and contacts needed to embark on a career in racing, as well as talented young drivers already in racing. The long-term goal is to have a steady group of three to six American drivers racing in Europe, groomed to break into Formula 1 and compete for the World Championship.

Race one:
Jaskol - Qual 1st - Race 12th
Race two:
Jaskol - Qual 1st - Race 2nd

RICE EARNS RECORD SUM FROM LARGEST INDY 500 PURSE IN HISTORY
Indianapolis, Indiana — Buddy Rice earned $1,761,740 from a total purse of $10,250,580 for his victory May 30 in the 88th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, the largest winner's and overall awards in the history of the race.

The unofficial prize figures were announced May 31 at the Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Rice's winning purse exceeded the prior record of $1,606,215 earned by Helio Castroneves for his second victory in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," in 2002. Rice's total included $100,000 for winning the MBNA Pole, as he became the first pole winner to triumph in the race since Arie Luyendyk in 1997.

This year's event purse broke the previous record of $10,151,830, set in 2003. This is the third consecutive year the overall purse for the field of 33 drivers has exceeded $10 million. The event purse is comprised of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League awards, and other designated awards.

Rice, a 28-year-old native of Phoenix, earned his first Indianapolis 500 victory in his second start while driving the No. 15 Rahal-Letterman Argent/Pioneer Panoz G Force/Honda/Firestone. He led 91 of 180 laps, as the race ended under caution after 450 of 500 scheduled miles due to rain. It was Rice's first career Indy Racing League® IndyCar® Series victory.

1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and late-night television icon David Letterman, an Indianapolis native, are the co-owners of Rice's winning car. Rice is a kart racer from Arizona.

MIKE MAURINI JOINS FIRST KART NORTH AMERICA SQUAD
Guelph, Ontario, Canada — First Kart North America’s Director of Race Team Operations Tony Ventresca is pleased to announce the signing of national level tuner and long time kart racer Mike Maurini. The 22-year-old veteran will re-join the First Kart squad after taking a one year hiatus to develop advertising and marketing skills with Shifter Kart Illustrated.

Maurini, who was the national #8 driver in the S2 championship in the Superkarts! USA Pro Moto Tour back in 2000 will look to bring success to the new, young crop of First Kart drivers that are competing in 2004. Teamed with ‘02 Shifter Kart Illustrated Tuner of the year Terry Ventresca and recent Formula BMW USA scholarship winner Trevor Daly, the trio will provide a potent combination and will be a threat for several race wins throughout the season.

The Mississagua, ON resident will play a major role in the First Kart organization. Acting as the Inventory Manager and Marketing Assistant for the Guelph, ON based operation, Maurini will provide the knowledge, skills and abilities to help continue the success of Team First Kart.

“I am excited about this new opportunity,” stated Maurini. “I can’t wait to get started and am looking forward to working with the team. There are some major marketing opportunities within the organization that I feel I can help with based on my past experiences. Team testing plans are also in the works for the rest of the season that I hope to take a key roll in.”

Mike Maurini and the First Kart North America Squad will be seen traveling across the country attending the pro tours of Superkarts! USA and the Stars of Karting Championship. While most events will be on the East coast, travel plans are being made to attend some of the West coast events as well. In regional competition, the team can be found at the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship which will be held at different venues throughout Ontario.

Maurini will begin his employment on June 7th and can be reached at the e-mail address mike@firstkart.com on that date. Until then, please feel free to contact the Ontario resident at autosportsmedia@earthlink.net or on his cell at 416-678-4939.

The First Kart North America race team receives support from First Kart Italy, CRS Motors, Mobil 1 and DeCal Works while certain drivers have a direct relationship with Goodyear Tires and IAME Parilla engines.

To obtain more information on First Kart North America, First Kart product sales, the race team, exciting dealership opportunities and how to get into kart racing please contact Tony Ventresca at the Canadian shop toll free at 1-888-884-4851. For immediate assistance visit First Kart online at www.firstkart.com

VINCEC IS VICTORIOUS IN HAMILTON
Toronto, Ontario, Canada — Stouffville, Ontario resident Michael Vincec came home victorious from this weekend’s competition at the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship (SRFKC) held at Cameron Motorsports Park in Hamilton, Ontario. The 13-year-old seventh grade St. Mark’s School student did triple duty over the weekend as he entered the Rotax-Max Junior, Formula Junior and Junior Heavy divisions looking to score the hat trick of victories.

SATURDAY
After a successful test day on Friday, Vincec secured the pole in Rotax Junior by .501 seconds, while a missed set-up in Formula Junior qualifying left the upcoming star in P4 for Saturday’s competition.

Vincec entered the Rotax final with a high level of confidence after taking the heat race win by a commanding margin. A few minor chassis adjustments to the spec motor Rotax package proved all that was needed as the tight and twisty circuit was no challenge for Vincec as he went on to claim the victory. The #05 First kart cleared post race technical inspection without a hitch, and the young Vincec was very excited with his victory but had no time to rest.

Up next Vincec was in his 80cc Junior machine and was looking to take the Saturday double late in the afternoon. After garnering a fourth place position in the heat race, Vincec was determined to move forward in the 20 lap final. From the drop of the green flag, Vincec was charging towards the front. The young driver made several attempts to pass Richard Boake before finally getting past the fellow Canadian with a bold move on the back section of the course. Just pass the half way mark, Vincec was looking to real in the leader but a large gap had already been established and the talented driver had to settle for the second position and his second podium of the day.

“We have had some really tough luck all year,” expressed the Stouffville, ON resident. “I wanted to come to this event and turn things around and by the looks of it, we are heading forward again. I would like to thank TXM Race Engines, First Kart North America, Pilot Race Gear and GoDecalZone.com for their continued support.”

SUNDAY
Fresh off a great Saturday, Vincec would compete in his Junior Heavy four cycle machine. With two finals planned to make up for a race cancellation earlier in the year, Vincec was forced to qualify twice for both finals. As the weather changed, so did the handling on Vincec’s machine as he could only turn the 11th quickest time for the first final. Reacting to the weather change, the BIG Race Team went to work on the chassis in preparation for second round qualifying. Though Vincec did improve to sixth, the team was hoping to be further up in the running order for the start of the race.

In Final #1, Vincec drove an amazing race that brought the crowd to the fence for the latter half of the event. Starting in the 11th position, Vincec improved lap after lap with his First Kart teammate as they headed forward and looked to claim victory. With countless passes being made all over the circuit, Vincec enter the last lap in the 5th position. Looking for his third podium of the weekend, Vincec dove into P4 on the inside of turn two. Carrying his speed and momentum through the back section of the course, the 13-year old was able to pick off another as he crossed the finish line to the cheers of his team and claimed the final spot on the podium.

Michael started final #2 from the sixth position and fell back in the early stages of the 15 lap final. Back in the 10th position at the crossed half way flags, Vincec proceeding in moving forward to come home with sixth in the final tally. After the event, Vincec was awarded the GM Racing Winners Circle Award that is given to a competitor that best displays outstanding competition skills and sportsmanship for the weekend’s activities.

The young Canadian is looking forward to the rest of the 2004 racing season and the opportunity to move up the motorsports ladder. Mike would like to thank Pilot Race Gear, First Kart North America, TXM Race Engines, www.godecalzone.com, and Tri-V Manufacturing for their continued support.

Michael Vincec and his BIG Race Team’s next event will be the June 12-13 weekend at the Mosport Driver Development Center in Bowmanville, Ontario. As a special event for the Mosport Kart Club, Vincec will look to continue his recent success in the hunt for the Mosport Grand Prix Championship.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities on Michael Vincec and the BIG Racing Team, please contact Mary at 905-415-1311 or via e-mail at mary@mikev.ca or visit him online at www.mikev.ca.

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