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FYI
07-01-2001

*** EXCLUSIVE TO e-KMI.com ***

“AMERICAN RACER” – MAJOR KARTING FILM TO BE MADE

Los Angeles, California – In an exclusive telephone interview, Monday, July 2, it was reveled that an agreement was signed last week between screen-writer/producer Fredrick Wolcott and film-maker Jim Beresford of Texas-based James Gang Pictures to film “American Racer”.

The major motion picture will be centered on kart racing and based on a story written by Wolcott about 10 years ago. According to both Beresford and Wolcott, it will be a film suitable for the whole family.

Wolcott also stated that former kart racer Patrick Long has been tapped as technical consultant for the kart racing sequences. The actors for the film have not been made public at this time.

Tentatively, Wolcott would like to see filming by the end of this year, but realistically, he feels spring 2002, is when they will actually begin shooting. Outdoor sequences will perhaps be shot in Canada if the right venue can be found.

A formal press release is schedule to be released in two weeks with additional details which will be available on this site.

Editorial note: When this film is released, karting (not just kart racing, mind you) will probably receive the biggest public relations boost in it’s 45+ year history! Mr. Wolcott, who has been kind enough to keep us informed as to his progress regarding this project over the last 5-6 years, is bound and determined to make this film as accurate as possible and to have the karting industry (and all motorsports) view this film with pride and admiration. -- Darrell Sitarz, Publisher

CIK/FIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS

Paris, France – The Executive Committee of the CIK/FIA met on June 26, 2001 and examined the proposed promotion of the CIK/FIA Karting World Championship within the framework of some Grand Prix events in the FIA Formula One World Championship beginning in 2002.

In the light of the matters brought to it attention and considering this opportunity as quite unique and exceptional, the CIK/FIA Executive Committee has unanimously decoded to adopt this proposal in principle. Decisions concerning the choice of events, promotion arrangements and the Championship calendar will be taken in a final vote of the Executive Committee in October 2001.

The Executive Committee went on also to vote (on the) restructuring of the European Championships. On the on hand, Formula A and the 125cc categories will compete within the framework of the same events; on the other hand, the regional qualification system as a prelude to the European Intercontinental A Championship will be extended to the Junior category beginning in 2002. The split between Cadets and Juniors will be deleted. This is so that 13-15 year old drivers will then compete in the same category.

For 2002, the Executive Committee has also ratified the principle of “Master Kart” for indoor events, hoping to increase the number of events, to be held on three different continents, with Paris-Bercy remaining as the European venue of this international tour.

During the meeting, the Executive Committee examined. At length, the situation and future of the Zone Championships, which should benefit from the introduction of the new 4-cycle World Formula to develop themselves. The North American countries have already announced that they would adopt this World Formula in order to revive the North American Championship. (See 6/24/01 FYI Story)

KARTER KILLED AT STREET RACE

Minster, Ohio – Geoff McGill, 19, was killed last weekend while competing in the Jeff Oldiges Memorial Grand Prix of Karting. According to reports, McGill’s kart ran straight off the track, traveled 225 feet, hit a wooden barricade then traveled another 100 feet before slamming into the back of a parked SUV. No other karts were involved in the incident.

Jack Buschur, chairman of the event said, “You could tell by the severity of the wreck that it was serious. It was odd. He shot straight off the course, didn’t hit anyone or anything.”

McGill was transported to the Joint Township Memorial Hospital in Minster where he was pronounced dead. He was wearing full competition safety gear.

Geoff McGill was a seasoned veteran karter beginning his racing career at age 12. Last year, he was 2nd in the WKA Grand Nationals at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

At press time, the accident is still under investigation.

INTENSE KARTING PUTS TOGETHER WINNING DUO

Portland, Oregon – Intense Karting Imports, based in Sheridan Illinois, fielding a two-kart effort of TonyKart Mitox 125s for newly signed drivers Marc Miller and Ronnie Swyers, posted a 1st and 2nd place effort in the inaugural Satsystems Shifter Kart Challenge held at Portland International Raceway’s Freightliner/GI Joe’s 200 Champ Car race on June 24.

The race, run in wet conditions prior to the Champ Car race, was full of many passing maneuvers that most of the 70,000+ fans at the event would rarely see otherwise. Miller started from the third position and didn’t put a wheel wrong during the race. After slipping back to sixth place early, he steadily climbed to third when the first and second place drivers went out heading into turn one. Miller Crossed the line just ahead of teammate Ronnie Swyers who, like Miller, made no mistakes and worked from his eighth starting position to stand next to Miller on top of the podium in their very first race together.

“This was one of the best events I have ever been to,” said Miller, a Grand Rapids, Michigan native. “It is rare that we have the opportunity to put on a show like this in front of this many people. I was happy for the entire Intense Karting team today. We couldn’t have planned a better outcome. We were both capable of winning today because of good preparation and help from many sponsors and I think we have proven how good this team is in just our first race. I have to personally thank Intense Karting, MG Tires, SKI Magazine, PSL Racing and My-Chron for all their help in making this event happen for me.”

Ronnie Swyers, a veteran car racer at Portland International and from the Portland, Oregon area was instrumental in the team’s success.

“I knew we had a good chance of being front runners here at Portland,” said Swyers. “With my experience at this track wet and dry conditions and Marc’s road racing and chassis set-up experience, we figured we should be a force to be reckoned with. It was a great weekend all around.”

The Intense Karting Imports team started putting together a program for this race a few months prior. The country’s newest TonyKart importer quickly signed Swyers and Miller for this one race program based on the drivers’ good track record and professionalism. With that in mind, the team arrived at Portland with nearly identical team karts, matching racing suits from Intense Safety Gear, professional media kits and the goal of a one-two result. Although the drivers utilized different engine packages, Miller using his PSL Racing TM 125 and Swyers mounting a SwedeTech-prepared CR125, both drivers worked together on chassis settings and racing tactics.

“I am ecstatic that both Miller and Swyers did such a fine job in representing Intense Karting Imports and our new product line,” said David Musial, president. “TonyKart was well represented at this race as well as our new safety apparel line, Intense Safety Gear. We couldn’t be more proud.”

The duo qualified in third and sixth respectively in the 54-kart field on Saturday morning and maintained good finishing positions during Saturday’s qualifying race to finish third and eighth. Miller missed the victory by a mere .025 of a second as he, Scott Holmboe and A.J. Allmendinger crossed the line separated by a seven inch margin from the front of Holmboe’s winning entry to Miller’s front bodywork. Swyers finished in the eighth position after running in the led group throughout the race.

Ronnie Swyers will continue his relationship with Intense Karting on the West Coast, running his TonyKart Mitox in the SKUSA Cascade Region while making a stop in Round #4 of the SKUSA ProMoto Tour at Pat’s Acres Raceway. Miller will continue to run in the Midwest, racing for the SSC Pro Shifter Series title and plans to attend the SKUSA Long Track Nationals event in Talladega, Alabama.

NEW CANADIAN KARTING MAGAZINE TO BE LAUNCHED

Ontario, Canada – Canada’s kart racing community is about to get a shot in the arm in the form of “Canadian Karting”, a new magazine and web site. Dedicated to the growth and promotion of motorsport’s first step – and best-kept secret – “Canadian Karting” magazine is slated for debut in August while the website, www.CanadianKarting.ca will be launched on July 1st.

The mission of “Canadian Karting”, according to founder Roy Brydon, is to provide exposure for karting and attract new participants. Focusing on positive aspects and achievements, the magazine will portray the excitement of kart racing and reveal its importance as the starting point for nearly every currently-active professional racer. Stories will come from across Canada, covering all aspect of karting – racing, fun, concession, indoor and outdoor, road course, oval, asphalt and dirt.

“ ‘Canadian Karting’ will be a celebration of the sport of karting,” said Brydon. “Karting is a wonderful sport and the people you meet at the tracks are terrific. I want ‘Canadian Karting’ to highlight and reflect these things.”

Embracing the power and popularity of the Internet, yet firmly believing that print hold great appeal as a tangible and lasting medium, Brydon states that “Canadian Karting” will produce a first class effort on paper and on the web.

The print side of the effort will be a full-color, glossy magazine. Plans call for publication of four issues per year, commencing with the Fall 2001 edition in August. The “Canadian Karting” website is an ambitious endeavor intended to create a community portal for grassroots motorsports. In addition to the main staples of a racing site, the latest news, information and photographs, the site will include pages that clubs and drivers can setup, maintain and update themselves via an easy-to-use interface.

“If the karting community get involved, we can really promote the sport,” Brydon says. “Karting is still a big secret, but I intend to let the cat out of the bag!”

Stories are currently being gathered and representatives of all aspects of karting are encouraged to send news of their activities to news@canadiankarting.ca or call Roy Brydon at 416-248-0141.

NEW CIK WORLD FORMULA SPECS

As reported here last week, CIK is planning to re-introduce international karting to North America. Among their plans is a new “World Formula” spec chassis and engine class. Below are the specific regulations for that class:

ENGINE:
a. Single cylinder, 4-stroke engine, cooled by air low or water, one circuit only.
b. Engine cylinder capacity of 150cc maximum.
c. Turbocharging forbidden.
d. Any injection system is forbidden. The spraying of product other than fuel is forbidden.
e. Engine type: As agreed by CIK/FIA.
f. Maximum selling price limited by contract to $1,000 US including tax.
g. Limited power: Approximately 15 HP (with the possible use of a restrictor).
h. Starter with on-board electric source.
i. Clutch.
j. Exhaust silencer complying with the CIK/FIA standards (~=100db).
k. Inlet silencer.

CHASSIS
a. Single design chassis according to the list of requirements and drawings by the CIK/FIA.
b. Compulsory material – magnetic steel.
c. Tolerances for linear dimensions: +- 5mm, for angles: +- 1 degree.
d. Chassis tube (6 main tubes) of 30mm diameter and 2mm thickness (with building tolerances of the producing country or ISO 4200).
e. Magnetic rear axle with a 30mm maximum diameter and 4.9mm minimum thickness.
f. Bearings and bearing supports on rear axle, 3 maximum.
g. Bearing supports that cannot be dismounted.
h. Spindle supports with bore diameter 12+- 0.1mm and with setting of the caster and of the camber with only 1 eccentric.
i. Front spindle in one piece.
j. 5” rims mandatory.
k. Bodywork supports and front and rear bumpers according to CIK/FIA regulations.
l. Fixation of seat by 2 fixed points on A tube and 2 mobile points on B tube.
m. Fixation of steering according to drawing by the CIK/FIA with tubes of 20mm diameter and 2mm thickness.
n. Compulsory CIK/FIA homologated bodywork.
o. Forbidden materials on all parts composing the kart: Titanium, Magnesium, and composite materials (seat-in glass fiber authorized).

TIRES (TYRES)
a. Single tire after invitation to tender per Region or per ASN (possible exception after CIK/FIA agreement).
b. Maximum width of a fitted complete front wheel (rim and tire): 135mm
c. Maximum width of a fitted complete rear wheel (rim and tire): 185mm

WEIGHT
a. Minimum weights
140kg (Driver included) until 15 years old
150kg (Driver included) from 15 to 18 years old
160kg (Driver included) from 18 years old

END

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