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FYI
06-27-04

‘SPEEDWAY USA’ MAGAZINE TO CEASE PUBLICATION

Port Credit, Ontario, Canada — “It is with a heavy heart that I make this announcement”, said Rob Howden, Editor/Publisher of ‘Speedway USA’. “After five years of publishing Speedway USA and with a total of 24 issues mailed out the door, I wish to inform the oval karting community personally that I have made the difficult decision to put the magazine on an indefinite hiatus, effective immediately. The new issue that is currently in the mail will be the final issue and a letter to our subscribers - much similar to this – is included with the magazine. While there are no current plans to restart the publication in the near future, as a motorsport publisher, I am not willing to close the door completely and will therefore retain the ownership of the name and all of the associated logos, etc. There may come a time down the line that ‘Speedway USA’ may have the opportunity to flourish…this, however, is not one of those times.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the last five years and I am very happy to have made so many great contacts in the speedway community. Many of you have become friends of the magazine and your kind and positive words of encouragement and feedback have always been appreciated”, Howden continued.

“The decision to halt production of ‘Speedway USA’ was made in an effort to improve many areas of my life, both business and personal. I’m sure that you also understand the need to spend time with family and, after five years, it’s time to re-introduce myself to my wife Kimberley. She has stood behind me since day one and the work load has never let up. It’s time to correct that situation. Business-wise, we publish two additional racing magazines here at HCI, both of which I am happy to say have been completely embraced by their respective communities and industries. If I am to keep the lives of my hard-working staff and their families as a priority, I need to focus on what is providing our company with the majority of its support. ‘Speedway USA’ has never enjoyed a similar level of support, although I do wish to extend my gratitude to all of you who did back our publication with subscriptions and advertising campaigns. I am comfortable knowing that we did our very best for you with each issue.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has backed ‘Speedway USA’ over the years, from our readers and advertisers to the sanctioning bodies and teams that offered up track time opportunities for me in the past. Spending time at the track is always a highlight for me and from Daytona to Tulsa and Riverside to Lightning Valley, it’s been a fun ride. I’ve been very lucky to work with my reps Rowdy Jordan, Ralph Lamb, Bruce and Susan Walls, Conrad Dove and Jens Lambert. These are all quality people who simply love speedway karting. Thanks for all of the hard work guys and good luck in the future!”

“It is our intent to provide compensation for the remaining value of all current subscriptions and we will offer two different avenues to our subscribers. Reimbursement for the value of remaining issues by check payment is available, although we will also offer credit that can be used for back issues and t-shirt purchases. Past issues of ‘Speedway USA’ – which are certain to become collector’s items – are available for $5 each (we have a limited number of the premier edition in our archive) and ‘Speedway USA’ t-shirts can be obtained for $15 worth of credit. Shipping is included in both instances. I simply ask that all subscribers wishing compensation contact our head office via e-mail (hhaddon@hcionline.ca) or by phone (905-271-3236) to inform us of your preferred method of reimbursement.”

Howden concluded, “Once again, I thank everyone for the support given over the years and I wish you and yours the very best for the future!”

ROY BRYDON - 1946-2004
Toronto, Ontario, Canada — One of motorsport's great friends, Roy Brydon, passed away May 26 at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where he had been since April. Originally admitted for a stomach ulcer, Roy suffered a mild heart attack and remained in hospital where he ultimately died of heart failure. He had recently turned 58.

Although much of his professional life was spent in the paint and coatings industry, he often had several things on the go and one or two of them were inevitably related to motorsport. He loved virtually all forms of racing and was well known in Canadian racing circles. Having experienced the sport from many perspectives, including driver, team owner, volunteer and administrator, he possessed a wealth of knowledge and was never afraid to voice his opinion.

Born in Duncan, British Columbia, Roy's childhood home was near Western Speedway in Victoria and the lure of racing soon took hold. He kept a scrapbook which he filled with pictures and newspaper clippings about the local stock car races. In his late teens, he became a driver at Western Speedway and then went on to manage VARA (Victoria Auto Racing Association), which ran events and managed the facility. During these years, he became a friend and supporter of both Billy Foster, the first Canadian to race in the Indianapolis 500 in 1965, and Roy Smith, a four-time Winston West Champion who finished tenth in the 1982 Daytona 500.

In the early 70s, the paint industry took Brydon to Cranbrook, BC, where he soon took on a couple of side jobs, one of which was managing Cranbrook Speedway race track. In the early 80s, he moved to Ontario where, with his cousins Grant and Greg Greaves, he became involved in kart racing and launched Kart Klinic, a race team and kart shop. By 1988, Kart Klinic had expanded into car racing, entering cars in the Honda-Michelin Challenge Series while remaining a force in kart racing. The Kart Klinic name could also be seen on TQ midgets and Formula cars as Brydon supported his alumni who graduated from karts.

While a competitive team owner, Brydon also took a great interest in the administration of motorsport. Through much of the 80s, he was actively involved in the (Ontario Kart Racing Association) and fostered a relationship with the WKA (World Karting Association), later creating WKA Canada. In the mid 90s, ASN Canada FIA began to take an interest in karting and Brydon became their first National Karting Director. His task was to build karting on a national basis and his work turned divergent regional and local programs toward a common focus. After leaving his post as National Karting Director, Brydon returned to the OKRA where he held the post of President from 2001-2.

For the past two years, Brydon was the curator of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame at Exhibition Place in Toronto. There probably was not a more fitting place for Mr. Brydon to spend the final years of his life. He spent everyday surrounded by some of Canada's most famous racing machines and talking about the sport he loved dearly.

In keeping with his wishes there was no funeral for Mr. Brydon. Instead, a Celebration of Life will be held in the month of September at the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

Story Courtesy of MarkJackson.ca

RED BULL’S JASKOL WINS FORMULA BMW USA AT USGP
Indianapolis, Indiana — The American national anthem was played at a Formula 1 event for the second consecutive weekend when Red Bull Junior Team racer Matt Jaskol won round six of the Formula BMW USA championship at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the United States Grand Prix weekend. Jaskol also won round four, held at the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend.

The win continues to prove the strength of the Red Bull Driver Search, a program that discovered Jaskol and fellow Red Bull Junior Teammate Scott Speed, who is now leading both the Eurocup and German Formula Renault Championships.

“This win was a gift for my Dad, who was here today on Father’s Day, and it was one of the best feelings I have ever had in my racing career. I got out of my car, ran on the track and kissed the yard of bricks here at the Speedway!”

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.

IALEI'S EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES A BIG HIT IN THE LONE STAR STATE
Houston, Texas — Some 35 attendees and instructors participated in IALEI's Educational Workshops in the Lone Star State recently. Both developers of new FEC facilities and seasoned professionals enjoyed hands-on experiences for three days in the training program that delivered critical marketing, operational, F&B and financial information. This third in a series of workshops concluded the 2004 programs. Already the first two "Boost Your Entertainment Center's Profits" have been scheduled for 2005 with an additional two being considered. Those confirmed are February 1-3 in Los Angeles and March 1-3 in Chicago. The remaining two being considered are Atlanta and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

A broad representation of IALEI's membership came to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Hurst, Texas. They came from Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Montana, Bethel (Pennsylvania), Beaumont, Bossier City (Louisiana), Las Vegas and even Seven Points (Texas). Attendees represented large, medium and small facilities…both family-based and corporate owned.
Some of the properties attending the educational workshop were Brian Smith with Putt-Putt Golf & Games of Arlington; Quinn and Sandy Kirkland of Qwivals Fun Center, Hamilton, Montana; Rob McCauley, owner of Mountasia in North Richland Hills, Texas and member of IALEI's board of directors along with two of his top managers. From Brooklyn were Valia and Harry Haynes of the Madd Fun, LLC and the Children's Entertainment facility that will be having its grand opening in only a few months.

All of these elements point to the fulfillment and objectives of IALEI's purpose for taking educational programs to the membership and potential members. The board of directors for the International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment Industry (IALEI) approved in 2003 a strategic plan that included one of the primary focuses for the group would be education. The Association hired its past president, Jack Cohen who had just sold his FEC in Pittsburgh as IALEI's director of education. Within 30-days, four educational workshops were announced for Cleveland, Pensacola, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Los Angeles. After surveying the membership, specific topics indicated what would be of interest for the membership. Taking pertinent and useful information to the membership at an affordable cost would be paramount to the success of the new venture for IALEI.

Some of the Educational Workshops speakers/presenters in Cleveland, Ohio in March, Pensacola, Florida in May and Dallas/Ft. Worth in June included: Dorothy Lewis, Regional Manager of Fun Station Associates and IALEI's director of marketing, Ed Stone focused on the marketing of an FEC. Jim Newberry, Alan Ramsay, Ken Vondriska, Glen Femminella, Angelo Caleca and Catherine Casciotti, CPP presented "Operations Best Practices." This group of seasoned professionals provided the participants with sessions on "Hiring and Training for FECs" as well as "Management Ethics." Several sessions included topics covering such areas as lowering insurance, proactive safety, payroll and financial management. In the last two workshops, Frank Price conducted full-day sessions on his Birthday Party University program.

"Major Presenters" and supporters for the popular educational programs are Redemption Plus and SureShot Party Supplies worked extremely hard to market and communicate the workshops. Their products and services were integrated into the presentations and educational workshops. Also stepping up to support were Korte Paper Company as a one-day sponsor and Joissu was a breakfast sponsor. In each location there have been FEC facilities taking on sponsorship positions by providing in-depth tours and hosting of luncheons and receptions. Tim Sorge showcased his "Swings 'n Things" in Cleveland, Rich Sanfillippo toured the group through his Sam's Fun City in Pensacola, Rob McCauley entertained at his Mountasia, in North Richland Hills, Texas and Larry Cummings hosted at his SpeedZone in Dallas. All of these sponsors and supporters are greatly appreciated.

As IALEI prepares for Fun Expo Academy as part of the FUN EXPO tradeshow in Las Vegas in late September, there will be more and more educational programs covering a diverse list of topics. Some 50 sessions of educational presentations will be on the program during the week of September 27 - October 2. And then…the first week of February, it's on to Los Angeles where IALEI will begin a new series of educational workshops for 2005. There will updated topics and more in-depth presentations to prepare our industry for bigger and better ways to boost their entertainment center's profits.

FRED J. WHYTE ELECTED SECRETARY/TREASURER OF THE OPEI
Hershey, Pennsylvania — Fred J. Whyte, President of Stihl Incorporated, was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) during the Association's 52nd Annual Meeting in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

As president of STIHL Incorporated, Mr. Whyte is responsible for the overall management of STIHL's U.S. operation, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va. Prior to his appointment in 1992, Mr. Whyte was the president of STIHL Limited, the company's Canadian affiliate which he founded in 1982.

During his 10 years at STIHL Ltd, the Canadian company achieved increases in sales each year. The tradition of achievement has continued under Mr. Whyte's presidential tenure at STIHL Inc., which has experienced 12 consecutive years of annual increases in sales and revenue.

Mr. Whyte began his career with STIHL in 1971, working as a regional manager for STIHL American, the same company where his father had worked for nearly two decades. He became product manager for STIHL Inc. in 1975 and was promoted to national sales manager just four years later.

A native of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Mr. Whyte is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Seattle University and holds a master's degree in business communications from the University of Iowa. Presently, Mr. Whyte is on the OPEI board of directors and he is also chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee. Previously, he served as president of the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association (PPEMA).

OPEI is the major international trade association representing the manufacturers and their suppliers of consumer and commercial outdoor power equipment such as lawnmowers, garden tractors, utility vehicles, trimmers, edgers, chain saws, snow throwers, tillers, leaf blowers and other related products. Founded in 1952, the Institute is dedicated to promoting the outdoor power equipment industry by undertaking activities that can be pursued more effectively by an association than by individual companies.

END

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