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FYI
06-24-2001

CIK NORTH AMERICAN KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2002

Laval, Quebec, Canada – At a meeting in Laval on June 15, 2001, the presidents of the National Sporting Authorities of the United States and Canada enthusiastically accepted the proposal of Yvon Leon, the president of CIK/FIA, to work towards the re-establishment of a CIK North American Karting Championship. Initially, it is planned that this will be comprised of events in Canada and the United States, but it is anticipated that Mexico will also wish to participate.

Key to this championship will be the adoption of the new World Formula developed by CIK, the concept of which is to use a standardized, simple design of chassis fitted with a low-cost, mass-produced engine. The chassis design will be made available by the CIK free of charge to all ASN’s who will be free to authorize any manufacturer of their choice to build it.

As a major change from the past CIK policy and taking into account increasing environmental concerns, the World Formula engine will be of the 4-stroke type. Already, 2-stroke engines are being banned in certain jurisdictions, so it would be inappropriate to structure a new formula around them. The new engine will be a
150cc single cylinder complete with clutch and starter. Negotiations are well advanced with major manufacturers to produce these engines in large quantities at a modest cost.

Burdette Martin, president of ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States) said, “this is an exciting opportunity for American karters to gain experience in karts which will be identical to those raced in other parts of the world.”

Roger Peart, president of ASN Canada FIA, expresses full support for the concept, saying that he was sure that Canadian karters would embrace the new CIK World Formula.

Yvon Leon expressed his delight in the renewed link between the international organization and North America and described it as a major step towards the creation of a real worldwide formula, which will form the basis of future CIK/FIA championships.

It is planned to introduce the new North American Championship for the 2002 season, subject to assurances regarding the availability of the new engine.

Yvon Leon said, “ The meeting held a few days ago was very important for as you know, there was very little international activity in this part of the world. Nearly all connections with the international body (CIK and FIA) were virtually severed, and it was very important that we resume some kind of international activity and especially resume an international championship, which we did.”

“I am glad to officially announce that the new North American Championship, under the auspices of the CIK/FIA, will see daylight for next year based on the new formula, which we call the World Formula, which is a moderate cost formula that the CIK has developed and has now been finalized as far as the technical side of it is concerned.”

He continued, “ The formula is based on the very simple concept of a simple chassis, a design which is given freely by the CIK to its members for the attention of those manufacturers who wish to bush such a chassis at low cost in their own country, thus avoiding transportation and duty costs. Also, the formula is based upon the basic concept of a single cylinder, 150cc four-stroke engine, four stroke because of environmental problems which are now unfortunately looming is a lot of regions and countries in the world.”

Leon went on to say, “ This engine will be governed by a new principle, which is the price cap system. In other words, the manufacturers guarantee that such an engine will be provided at a ceiling cost of $1000 US for a period of three years, which therefore guarantees that the formula will stay (at a) very low cost. And, that period is obviously renewable.”

“We understand that some manufacturers feel that they could even manufacture such an engine for less that $1000 US, so we know now that this formula will be a very limited cost formula. This is good news for karting, and the formula has already been officially adopted by other geographical zones in the world for their championship next year, such as the Asian zone consisting of China, India, Korea, Taiwan and a few other countries. The same thing is happening in the Middle East countries, which are also resurrecting karting activities in the countries in North Africa. I’m very pleased to say there’s a huge scope on a moderate cost formula in the future, and obviously that fact that the U.S. and Canada have adopted this formula for this new championship is a very big asset for the future.”

“The television promotion of the World Karting Championship,” Leon said, “ will be linked to Formula 1. In a nutshell, we will have a few minutes of the previous World Championship event of karting as an opener of the Formula One championship. This is a complete change in the size of the promotion of karting, which will obviously cause a few problems. But, it is a unique opportunity to develop something new and it will mean everyone will benefit from such a wide promotion, especially the manufacturers, organizers and everybody concerned with karting.”

Leon concluded, “ We will organize a press conference as soon as the details are fixed, possibly in Paris or Geneva (Switzerland) to make a complete statement with all the details.”

SEARS POINT AND JIM RUSSELL KARTING PARTNERSHIP

Sonoma, California – The Jim Russell Drivers School will be the principle operator of programs at the new Sears Point Karting Center, which is scheduled to open in early 2002. The Russell organization will offers a diverse menu of activities ranging from schools and corpora6te programs to club and league racing. The new Sears Point Karting Center will begin construction this fall as part of the raceways overall $35 million modernization project.

“This new karting center will be a world-class, state of the art facility and we could not have a more creative and professional organization that the Russell group to oversee the karting program,” said Steve Page, Sears Point president and general manager. “This is a natural extension of an already thriving business relationship.”

The Russell School has been a primary tenant at Sears Point since 1996, offering racing and performance driving instruction and competition programs at the existing raceway facility.

The Karting Center is currently being designed and is scheduled to open in early 2002. It is planned to be an international recognized karting facility. “We plan to make this track and the center a showcase,” said Ken Ude, president of Jim Russell. “It will have a state-of-the-art track, a full karting center, a wide variety of schools and courses, an arrive and drive racing series and a very active Group and Corporate Karting Adventure Program. While we need to wait for the track to be built to conduct the full racing series, our Group and Corporate Karting Adventure Program is open now in the new Turn 7 Complex.”

Lisa Cacerce has joined Jim Russell as general manager of the karting operation. Lisa has over 15 years experience in karting in Northern California and has had an active racing career. Also joining Jim Russell in an advisory role will be Memo Gidley. Gidley is a graduate of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School mechanics training and racing series. He is currently an active Champ Car driver, driving for the Target/Chip Ganassi Racing Team and has been involved in the TrackMagic factory kart racing team.

“We plan to use Russell’s 40 years experience in teaching racing and performance driving to help American racing talent,” said Caceres. “In addition, through our schools and group karting programs, we will introduce a wide variety of people to karting. From little league age to seniors – almost anyone can have fun karting.”

Jim Russell International Karting has announced plan to offer a wide variety of karting services including:
Beginning and advanced karting schools
Arrive-and-Drive racing series
Racing leagues
Group and corporate entertainment programs
Kart sales, storage and repair
Karting club
Regional, national and international karting championship races

Jim Russell International Karting is a division of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. Jim Russell founded the race car driving school over 40 years ago in the United Kingdom. Today, Jim Russell has operations in the United States, England, Canada, Brazil and Japan. The School conducts a series of race car driving courses and racing series. In addition, Jim Russell has high performance and defensive driving programs. They also offer a wide variety of Group and Corporate Driving Adventure programs. For more information call 1-800-831-KART.

INDY 40 ENDURO 2001

Langkawi, Malaysia – It is time to get your sunburn again! Beautiful Langkawi, which is encircled in a natural world of wonders in the main island in a group of 104, dotting the sea of the northern-most tip of Malaysia. Langkawi’s beaches are legendary in their pristine beauty. Fringed by swaying palms and sloping gently toward azure blue waters, they gently lull you to take things easy and let the world pass you by.

Welcome to Langkawi and the Indy 40 Enduro 2001. This time, competitors will find a new paddock, bigger parc ferme, extended circuit and off-course. This premiere annual endurance race has attracted a lot of attention from regional countries as well as countries as far as South Africa.

The race, scheduled to be held on August 11-12, 2001, is now open for pre-registration. As the Morac International Karting Circuit, Langkawi will also be the venue for the Rotax Max Challenge World Finals early next year, this event will be a great springboard for teams and chassis manufacturers from all over the world to take the opportunity to test their set-up. To supplement this race, there will be an international Rotax Max Challenge, also a warm-up session for those who are preparing for the World Finals.

Japan will continue to send a strong contingent to the event with eight competitive teams, followed by teams from the United Kingdom Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the Asian countries.

The Indy 40 Enduro has been recognized as one of Asia’s premier event offering RM100,000 in overall prize money. For more info visit www.morac.com.

PPEMA TO DISCOUNTIUE OPERATIONS

Bethesda, Maryland – The Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association (PPEMA), the voice for hand-held power equipment manufacturers for more than 45 years, will discontinue operations on December 31, 2001.

“PPEMA has been the industry leader in hand-held product issues for more than four decades,” noted Joseph V. Rund, chairman of the PPEMA Board of Directors and Vice President, Marketing and Sales for Echo, Incorporated. “Our decision was a very difficult one for all PPEMA members. As a group, we have met with a great deal of success. From the chain saw kickback project in the 1980s to our recent work in exhaust emissions and sound issues, PPEMA has been at the center of the industry’s work. Clearly, the hand-held power equipment industry is stronger today for the work that has been accomplished through PPEMA.”

The PPEMA membership reached its decision at its recent annual meeting, which was held May 16-18 in Naples, Florida.

“Many of PPEMA’s members are also members of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). These companies bring a great deal of talent and experience in hand-held issues to that organization,” Rund continued. “The cost of complying with increasingly stringent exhaust emission regulations has imposed a tremendous financial burden on manufacturers. With an enhanced ability in hand-held product issues, OPEI will now be able to speak with one, stronger and more effective voice for the entire outdoor power equipment industry.”

PPEMA began in 1956 as the Power Saw Manufacturers Association. In 1977, the name was changed to “Chain Saw Manufacturers Association” to clarify the association’s mission and to avoid confusion with other power tools and equipment. In 1983, the association expanded its representation to include virtually all two-stroke gasoline power equipment, and its name was changed to Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association to reflect its new mission.

END

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