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FYI
07-04-04

SKI ADDS EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada — On the heels of the news that the industry’s leading publication Shifter Kart Illustrated is set to change its name and focus in September; the motorsports publishing house has added a new European correspondent to its masthead in an effort to further bulk up its newsgathering capabilities. Joining the new Super Kart Illustrated (SKI) editorial team is Mary-Ann Horley, a British karting enthusiast and journalist.

Horley recently completed her studies in Motorsport Management and comes from a karting family in England. Over the years, she has served in a variety of roles in the sport ranging from mechanic to club member and now journalist.

“We are very excited to have Mary-Ann join the SKI Team,” offered editor Tim Blaney. “We’ve been looking to add more coverage from Europe for the past year but have not been able to find the right person. After exchanging a few emails with Mary-Ann and reading the work she did for us on the first round of the European ICC Championships, I knew we had finally found our new rep.”

As SKI rolls into its new focus, which will include the sport beyond just the shifterkart ranks, Horley’s role will be to provide news coverage of the European karting scene. Her section, “Euro Pass” will be a monthly feature in the magazine’s popular ‘Paddock Pass’ news segment at the front of the publication.

“The karting scene is so strong in Europe and there is virtually zero coverage included in the North American magazines,” added Blaney. So we decided to step up and fill the void. We aren’t looking to become an all-Euro magazine by any stretch, but it’s important to have that extra coverage that Mary-Ann will provide. We want SKI to provide its readers with a complete news source.”

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” said Horley from her home in Wales. “I’ve known about SKI from reading the American websites and I’ve read how committed Tim and Rob are to providing serious racing coverage of the sport.”

Now in its sixth year of publishing, SKI has become the bible of race coverage for the North American karting scene. In May of this year, the magazine announced that it would broaden its focus beyond shifterkarts and into other top categories like ICA, ICA Junior and the growing TaG classes. “This a huge transition time for SKI and HCI,” said Publisher Rob Howden. “Adding Mary-Ann to the team will really provide us with something unique in the marketplace.”

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

RED BULL SPONSORS ROTAX GRAND NATIONALS
Palm Springs, California — US Rotax Max Challenge Division announces Red Bull’s contribution to the Grand Nationals in Las Vegas. Red Bull is to pay 100% of entry fees for all drivers who qualify through the point system.

Red Bull a leader in energy drinks and respected supporter of levels of motorsports, returns as a major sponsor of the 2004 ROTAX Grand National to be held at XPLEX Las Vegas October 14th through 17th.

For 2004, Red Bull agrees to support the Rotax Grand National by becoming a major sponsor of the Rotax Drivers Fund; this fund is used to lowers cost of racing for drivers who qualify through the Rotax points system. From the Grand Nationals ten drivers will qualify and move to the World Finals to be held in the Canary Islands South of Spain - 100% sponsored by Rotax.

This years Red Bull Drivers Fund sponsorship will cover 100% of all drivers entry fee who have scored and registered points on the official rmaxchallenge.com website as of 7/30/04. “This is a very generous level of support,” explains Rhiannon Freiley, Rotax Division Director, “this goes a long way toward reaching the R-Max Challenge goal of making the Grand National free to qualified drivers sometime in the near future. We’re convinced that we will reach this goal as the Rotax Max Challenge continues its growth states Freiley.”

Aside from Red Bull’s generous contribution to the Rotax Max Challenge, Red Bull and Rotax again join forces in search of an American F-1 driver. Soon a lucky American will be driving an F-1 car challenging the likes of Michael Schumacher. This year 300 young drivers ages 13 to 17 have qualified through indoor kart tracks from across the country. They will move to the next level by competing on Rotax RM-1 Superkarts at two different locations. F-1 Outdoor outside of Boston, MA and Infinion Raceway in Sonoma, CA. Moving from the RM-1 Superkarts they go to the next level and compete in full size formula cars, the overall finalist will be awarded full sponsorship on ether a European or American race teams.

SSC Racing, the complete Kart company, with distribution centers in Boston MA, Miami FL, Seattle, WA, Palm Springs CA, Monterrey Mexico and soon to be in the Midwest, offers the highest quality of race kart products in the industry. Such brands as: CRG products, one of the most respected name in race kart chassis; Paul Tracy Kart Products offering a full line of chassis and clothing designed by Paul himself and Danilo Rossis, five time world champion; Gearbox Racewear, offering the highest quality race gear manufactured in Italy beyond CIK standards; Rotax engines used for the Rotax Max Challenge, the fastest growing series in the world and in the Americas; RM-1 Superkart, the new age of karting by Rotax; and MoGo Kart Parts which offers a complete line of after market kart parts at affordable pricing without sacrificing quality. For full detail and information on SSC Racing products visit www.sscracing.com or call 760-864-1320.

ASSOCIATION AND FINANCIAL VETERAN HIRED AS FIRST IAAPA CFO
Alexandria, Virginia — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is pleased to announce the hiring of veteran association and financial executive Charles W. Bray as its first Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
As Chief Financial Officer, Bray will develop and implement financial strategies, identify and develop business opportunities globally and oversee all financial and support services functions of the Association. Bray brings more than 30 years of experience to this position, including two stints as an association president and various financial and accounting work in the private, academic, and non-profit sectors.

“He is an accomplished association executive who has a legacy of improving organizational effectiveness through sound business practices and effective leadership development,” according to IAAPA president, Clark Robinson.
Most recently, Bray was with the not-for-profit division of the tax and business consulting firm RSM McGladrey, where he worked with clients on such issues as strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, board governance, and best practice benchmarking. Prior to that, he spent six years as President of the International Association of Food Industry Suppliers (IAFIS). He implemented strategic planning, created a business development culture, increased membership diversity, and focused on trade show and convention opportunities.

Bray, who began his career with Arthur Andersen, has also spent five years with American University, and 17 years with the Food Marketing Institute, where he rose to senior vice president and chief financial officer. He also owned and operated Bray & Jackson, P.C. and was president of the Electronic Retailing Association.
Bray is a graduate of Virginia Tech University with a bachelor of science in business and a major in accounting. He became a certified public account in 1973. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Business Bank Advisory Board.

X-KARTS ANNOUNCES NEW SPONSORS FOR ‘HOT AUGUST NIGHTS’ EVENT
Las Vegas, Nevada — The X-Karts Racing Series has announced new sponsors for their upcoming Hot August Nights event. The X-Karts Racing Series is pleased to announce that they have reached a sponsor agreement with DIGATRON, a leading manufacturer of Data Acquisition Systems for Performance Engines.

Howard Lipkint of X-Karts states “We are very excited about our new relationship with the Digatron organization. They offer a wonderful product and are being very aggressive in their marketing plans. Their desire for enhanced exposure fits in nicely with The X-Karts Racing Series”. Digatron has been designing and manufacturing their products in the USA for over 30 years. They are recognized for their superior reliability, durability, large easy-to-read displays and cutting edge technology.

Sean O’Regan, Director of Marketing for Digatron says “This is a wonderful opportunity for Digatron to expand our exposure through the Kart Racing community and a national television audience. As a class sponsor, we will be offering product and marketing support for The X-Karts Racing Series. It is our intention to grow alongside this exciting new series, while offering racers the best, most reliable products in the industry.”

The X-Karts Racing Series has also reached an agreement with the producers of an upcoming film called “KART ATTACK”, www.kartattackdvd.com and Snapline Racing Imports, exclusive Importer for the Jesolo Technology Kart, which can be found at: www.snapkart.com.

Additional class sponsorships for this televised event are still available. Please contact sponsor@xkartsracing.com for more information.

The race dates are July 30 – August 1, 2004 and will again be held at Desert Raceway Park, home of the Northern Nevada Kart Club (www.nnkc.com), just outside of Reno. Howard Lipkint states “We are very pleased to be returning to where it all began for The X-Karts Racing Series. Last years Inaugural race proved to be a fun and exciting event for everyone involved. The combination of these fabulous Go-Karts and the beauty of the Classic Cars made for a great television broadcast”. “Hot August Nights” (www.hotaugustnights.net) is consistently named one of the top 5 spectator events in the country. Thousands of people flock to this Northern Nevada area to get an up close and personal look at these classic cars of yesteryear.

Due to the upcoming holiday weekend, we have extended our early registration discount until July 10th. Entry forms are available in this month’s Go Racing magazine or can be downloaded from www.nnkc.com. Online registration is available through one of our marketing partners at www.speedreg.com and is a free service for all participants

We have developed a special incentive program for Kart Shops and Team Owners to help increase their exposure as well as exposure of drivers’ sponsors. For more information or participation in the Incentive Program, please contact: sponsor@xkartsracing.com

Based on receiving a significant amount of inquiries, should enough entries warrant a competitive field, we will be running a ROTAX class on its own.

AND OTHER X-KART NEWS
Howard Lipkint has stated that in the coming weeks, the series is anticipating making a major announcement as to its future plans. He said “We have been diligently working on securing a new deal structure that will allow us to follow our original concept of bringing Kart Racing to the people and gaining national exposure for the sport and drivers”. Apparently this will include a restructuring process that will benefit many of the sanctioning bodies involved in Kart Racing.
More details are expected to follow by late summer, 2004.
For more information, please contact, howard@xkartsracing.com

FORMULA KART: “RUMORS OF OUR DEMISE…”
Panama City, Florida — “The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated,” said Formula Kart’s Bill Wright. “Since the end of the 2004 Winter Tour Carla and I have been enjoying the fruits of our labors of the last 5 years by doing some traveling. Along the way we've announced some SKUSA National events, and had the distinct pleasure of announcing the Black Rock Summer Shootout event. Great people, beautiful scenery and an AWESOME facility out in Salt Lake City!” Wright suggested, “Make your plans now to attend the 2005 Summer Shootout ! It will be one not to miss ! ! Check that out at www.blackrockraceway.com.”

“In the first week of May, I finally had a chance to do the 3-day Skip Barber Racing School that I booked 4 years ago ! All I'll say about that is… if you've been considering doing a Skip Barber School, Do it now! It was the most fun I've had in a looooong time. Check them out at www.skipbarber.com.”

“But enough about the past ! Let's move on to what Formula Kart will be up to for the rest of 2004 and beyond. After a review of the current karting scene in Florida, including the schedules and participation at the different tracks and series, I have decided not to run a series of Formula Kart races this fall. I anticipate I will put together a series in the spring and fall of 2005, but after looking at the participation numbers, and talking to many of the Teams and competitors, I'm convinced Carla and I aren't the only people who need a break from the racing,” continued Wright.

“So, my plans for the remainder of 2004:

Organize two Formula Kart Racing event-weekends in October.

The Sprint event-weekend to consist of a Saturday practice and qualifying and Sunday heat, pre-final and final races. Classes to include shifter, Rotax, Easy Kart and TaG Masters.

The Endurance event to consist of Saturday practice and qualifying and Sunday to include a 6 hour endurance. Classes to include TaG Senior and Junior.

Dates and locations of those event-weekends in September will be announced in September. As always, on-line registration will be available.

Plans for 2005 and beyond: Formula Kart Racing will be promoting a Florida Winter Tour in 2005!

Wright insisted, “At this point I can't tell you if it will be associated with any ‘official’ sanction, but I can tell you that I've been working hard on making sure it's better than ever. We plan on continuing our 5 year tradition of providing a high level of competition, with a good value for your racing dollar. I can assure you it will be ‘SERIOUS FUN!’ We've already secured sponsorship for a minimum $20,000 Pro shifter cash purse, and anticipate that number will increase as we attain more sponsorship.”

For info regarding ‘Formula Kart, contact at info@formulakart.com.

END

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